Book 4 - Chapter 13 - Stone's Awakening (1/2)

Squall was faced with a difficult reality in fighting Atlas. Without the assassin, Squall would have been dead three years ago.

It was a surprise for Atlas as well. How could he have known that this man, who three years ago was hunting rats in the sewers to survive – would rise to command a major wasteland power?

A lopsided grin split Squall’s features. “Do you regret it?”

Atlas grip tightened around Malady, but his voice was unreadable. “I just feel pity for the person who saved you.”

Squall chuckled. “How do you know how he thinks if you aren’t him?”

Atlas’ eyes followed Squall’s allies as they closed in, unblinking. “Are you going to try and kill me?”

“I don’t want you as my enemies, but I can’t let Woodland Vale fall into anyone else’s hands. If you insist on trying to stop me, then I’ll be forced to bite the hand that once fed.”

Ruthlessness and savagery played on Squall’s face, but there was conflict as well. He’d lost a lot over the years, to the point where it’d start to make him numb. He was finding it easier and easier to shed whatever morals he had left.

Cloudhawk or Atlas, it didn’t matter. If they stood in his way, better to deal with them now.

He saw it in Squall’s eyes. His heart and mind had been stepped in darkness, determined to kill. He was beyond the point of saving.

But Atlas had never seen someone change so dramatically over such a short time. What happened to the young man that caused him to so thoroughly lose himself to darkness? What hatred made him willing to sacrifice everything?

“It seems I made a mistake.” Atlas spoke slowly, his voice low almost as though he were speaking to himself. “Today I will rectify it. At least it’s not yet too late.”

Squall responded with a tepid chuckle, but smoldering ferocity twisted his youthful features. “You think you can handle me? Hehe...”

Raven acted. His wrist folded back to reveal a barrel, and a tempest of lead quickly followed!

Under sustained fire from Raven’s heavy gunfire, even a person who specialized in physical hardiness like Eckard would be overwhelmed – much less Atlas. A man could be made of iron and still be blown to pieces.

Atlas was nimble enough to dodge, but if he did it would leave Cloudhawk exposed to the gunfire. He couldn’t move. Instead he left it to Malady.

He hacked the sword through the air, sending a hundred shredding waves of energy forth. They were so numerous and so fast it was hard to follow their passage. None of his foes had seen a sword used so rapidly.

Atlas had created a wall of protection in front of him through expert use of his weapon. If someone threw a pot of ink at him, not a single drop would pass to strike his body. Of all the talented youth of his generation, only Atlas was this quick.

The air was alive with sparks. The ground between Raven and Atlas was ruined from blade and bullet. Onlookers stared in shock at the display.

A brief lull allowed Atlas to react, and with an almost imperceptible flash he launched into an attack. Raven was quick, though, and raised his cloak of steel feathers defensively. Malady racked against the cloak, leaving no damage. As fast as the assassin was, Atlas’ weakness was obvious. He didn’t have the strength to force his way through a stalwart defense. His relics were focused on speed and stealth, not direct confrontation.

Raven swung his other arm around and belched a grenade from his wrist, which Atlas knocked away. A shuddering explosion quickly followed which knocked him back several meters and wounded him with the shrapnel.

Cloudhawk was watching from the corner of his eye and felt his heart sink. Squall was using the fact that Atlas was forced to protect him for an advantage. Despicable – Squall had said he was disappointed in Cloudhawk’s choices, but his wicked deeds were what was disappointing.

Cloudhawk shouted in anger, “What happened to your conscience, Squall!”

The leader of the Highwaymen showed no reaction, no remorse.

At Raven’s command, his technological fighting force joined the fray. They hefted their massive weapons and aimed them toward Atlas and Cloudhawk. Both men felt the air shift as a sense of danger filled their minds. They were alone – Dawn’s Terrangelica didn’t work this close to the door, and she was beset by the invading forces. Frost and Selene were warring with others, and everyone else was fighting for their lives.

Cloudhawk called to Atlas. “Hey, forget about me and get yourself the hell out of here!”

Although the two men were far from friendly, but in contrast to Frost he at least had some respect for the assassin. At least their relationship was clear, and they treated each other like men. Cloudhawk also wasn’t convinced Squall would really kill him.

Raven’s men pulled their triggers.

With only his sword to protect him, Atlas could brandish it twice as fast as before and still get hit. And he did; bullets found purchase in his chest, arms, abdomen – even his face. With each successive hit his defenses failed even more.

Cloudhawk couldn’t face it. “Are you fucking stupid?! Run!”

Atlas didn’t budge. This was his mission.

Ever since he was small, the assassin had undergone strict training. He was raised less like a human and more like a machine. To Atlas, he only had worth when he completed his assigned task. Today, that task was to stop the wastelanders from entering Woodland Vale by any means necessary. Part of that was supporting the Elysian forces, and he would not abandon them even if it meant his life.

Apprehension tore at Cloudhawk’s heart, undermining his focus. He had to get this door open!

Everyone reeled as suddenly a thunderous blast shook the ground!

The earth quaked much stronger than anything Terrangelica had produced before, as everyone turned to face a blast of energy that ripped through the canyon.

Ethereal blue light sprang to life in the eyes of the statues beside the door.

The statues’ eyes… what was happening?!