20 Resul (1/2)
Kyle Boxer sighed as he rubbed his forehead, frustration filling him. His eyes were drawn and tired despite the extra sleep he had gotten.
Today was supposed to be a great day for their team, a strong way to start the new year. They had woken up early to go hunting, preparing to lure and kill several Monrekai. Unfortunately, more than half their kills had been stolen by other groups, prompting a brief battle that almost got him shot.
That was the unfortunate reality of existence in the central region of the Stardust Cluster. Everyone that wasn't already part of the larger teams would work hard to snag whatever Points they could, knowing that it could mean the difference between life and death.
”Tommy, do you hear that?” Abruptly, Kyle's eyes narrowed as he heard something echo faintly. His tanned skin creased as he looked around, rustling the army fatigues he wore.
He was sitting in a lounge, one of the rooms that had an outside exit and a small patio. A large table occupied most of the space in this lounge, one that had a couple pieces of paper on it and some vague drawings the man had been sketching. This lounge was hidden away in the skyscraper that was Micheal's new home.
”Tommy!” The man yelled out, standing up in irritation.
”What, Kyle?!” A voice echoed out, coming from the room across from the lounge.
”Do you hear that? It sounds like…” Kyle paused, rubbing at his short brown hair, his green eyes flashing.
”It sounds like…” He paused with disbelief.
”Yes?!”
”It sounds like a country song from back home is being played…” He finished, his voice dying off. This was the start of his second year in this hellish world, he hadn't heard music in what felt like forever.
”Dammit, Kyle! I was in the midst of writing out our Flame Dynamo Group's application to join the Tobagin Party. You know how hard it is to join any of the big groups if you don't start with them.” A second man came bursting into the lounge, a black haired man with an annoyed expression on his lined face.
”Tommy, listen.” The first speaker, Kyle, held his hand up, causing the black haired man to come to a pause, his eyes flashing with alertness.
The two froze, not a sound escaping as they listened intently.
”…”
”…”
Faintly, in the background, they could make out lyrics to a once familiar song…
”…♪ Country Roads, Take Me Home ♪…”
”…♪ To The Place, I belong ♪…”
”…”
Tommy's jaw dropped.
”W-what?!” He blinked and then looked upwards at the ceiling. A moment later, he rushed towards the door that led to the outside of the lounge, cracking it ever so slightly.
”…”
”…♪ West Virginia, Mountain Mama ♪…”
”…♪ Take Me Home, Country Roads ♪…”
”…”
”Quickly! Hide away from any exits! The Morenkai are going to swarm here!”
In the skyscraper Micheal was standing on, and all the neighboring ones, people looked outside in shock and horror as the loud music from Micheal's record player burst out. Most felt a mix of shock, horror, and rage as they realized that in just moments, the Monrekai would flock here like moths drawn to light.
While they might not be at the epicenter of the attraction, if enough Morenkai stuck around, or decided to wander into the depths of their skyscraper… the danger to each was very real.
Back atop the roof, Micheal hummed as he heard the song play out, enjoying the melody. He tapped his foot to it, soaking it in. It was one of his and Shin's favorite songs.
Well, technically it was one of his favorite songs. Shin actually hated most country music, Micheal recalled with a smile.
'Damned city dweller.' He couldn't help but grin as memories of his best friend rose to the surface. He hoped he was doing okay, following the instructions he gave him before they were Chosen.
A moment later, the smile on Micheal's face hardened as he turned to his left.
Slowly, he could see a long, black arm reach up over the side of the skyscraper and begin to pull itself up.
A second arm could be seen reaching up about 6 meters to the right of that one from a separate Morenkai.
His eyes flashed,
”Looks like it's time to dance.”
.. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Around half an hour later…