Chapter 290 (1/2)

Book 3, Chapter 26 – All In One Shot

After three years apart, this was their reunion

A lot had changed for Squall He'd becoed His clothes and hair had changed with him But more than those surface differences, Squall had transformed from the inside out

A thin beard peppered his face, and his long black hair had gron to his shoulders He seemed to be blanketed in a chilly aura that persisted all the ti He had the impression of someone who had been scarred by the tempest that was life, baptized in the cruel reality of the wastelands Time had stripped the youthful idealism from the Bloomnettle heir In both mind and body, he was a man

Physically, there was a notable difference between his left and right arm It was almost like it had been cut off so It was obvious Squall had suffered, even more than when Cloudhawk knew him

No wonder Barb hadn't recognized him You couldn't blame her imperfect memory, or the distance between them when she'd tried to sneak a peek He was a completely different person from the one she ed dey He had worshi+pped Arcturus Cloude, and his greatest dream was to one day be a demonhunter like him

Now, three years later, at least part of that dreaer than Barb

But the jovial young rown to becohwayroup of men known for rape, murder and banditry Those he called fa throughout the wastelands

What could have happened to change aquestion for Cloudhawk His priority was trying to figure out how to escape in one piece

Squall could see that Cloudhaasn't interested in playing catch-up, so he didn't press hih I'm not sure why you tried to kill Blackfiend, he is far too strong for you to be a threat You're in deep shi+t if he finds you, so on't waste time with chit-chat Go on, say what you need”

Cloudhaaved his sword and a fory filled the tent

Both Green Snake and the mysterious child continued to eye Cloudhaith suspicion He was standing only a few feet away, but neither could hear the words exchanged between him and Squall It had to be some sort of power from the weapon he held

“What the hell is Blackfiend? Is there a way to defeat hi, “Also, the Highway a woman because she has access to a secret trove Why?”

“Sorry, there's nothing I can tell you about the first question From what I can tell, I don't think Blackfiend is huh, I have no idea I will say that beating hiet as far away as possible” Squall didn't know much about his current boss, andon to the second inquiry “As for the one with the treasure… Blackfiend's talked about it before He'sthe wastelands”

“The Woodland Vale?”

“Yes, the legend of a wooded valley goes back a thousand years, to the God wars” Squall went on to share the legend “It is said that one of the Gods rebelled against their kind, fleeing the war and taking with them a sacred treasure”

“So Blackfiend's after this treasure”

“No, everyone's after this treasure,” Squall corrected “Whatever it is, the God's stolen trinket is capable of producing liy The Woodland Vale has never lacked power for whatever it needs Think about it After a thousand years, the Vale has to have ine That's why everyone wants to get their hands on this woman”

Well, that explained why Autu around with so y, and even elysians held they-starved wasteland

Autuence, but rather her upbringing Where she ca to the wastelands was her first tie she canorance

Cloudhaas still bri with questions “If Blackfiend knows its somewhere in the wastelands, why not just expand the search? Why does he need her?”

“You can't iine the power of the Gods The rebel deity protected the Vale with powers that hide it from normal people Only those of a particular bloodline are permitted to enter, and unless I'm mistaken that woman is one of the tribal leaders” Here Squall paused, his brows tightening “Why do you ask? I'd heard she was being protected by a powerful demonhunter… wait That must be you”

Cloudhawk sighed, unwilling to hide the truth “Unfortunately that's right”

Squall's eyes ith surprise “fuck You've been the one hiding her?”

Cloudhawk's next sentence showed Squall his surprise was pre her She essentially just fell into my lap She's actually here now, in Boondock”

The Highway every inch of the blasted wastelands for a wo her heels up here in their ho

“Well, you're carrying a da players in the northern barrens, elysians… they all hat that girl represents” Squall was floored by the turn of events “What you're doing is incredibly dangerous You can't handle such a treasure on your own Get close to her, make nice, at least so you have soet your hands on that trove you won't be able to hold on to it”

“fuck, who the hell cares about this treasure? I sure as shi+t don't I had no idea who she was and now I've got this tiger by the tail Let this prize go and I' on and I'm dead shi+t circumstances either way you cut it” Cloudhaas frustrated, and it showed Nor were his words an exaggeration He couldn't just abandon Autuht to the point “That's why I'et out of Boondock?”

“This…” Squall's sour expression was a clue He clenched his fists, and eventually answered “If it were just you I could do so But…”

Cloudhawk didn't waste time ords He only wanted an answer

“Fine Blackfiend trusts et you out of the city Where is she right now? Bring me to her”

Squall's help was a big win for Cloudhawk Boondock's security see out with a pair of women, without explanation, was a tall order But what about Squall's ai here? Squall didn't see, so Cloudhawk didn't ask He was sure he'd find out eventually

He waved a hand, and the mute field dissipated

Squall turned to his two companions “Green Snake, Imp[B1] Why don't you head out”