148 City Under Attack (1/2)
Somewhere in the central district.
Kiba and Agatha were looking at a fountain in front of their eyes. The main attraction of the fountain was the mermaid sculpture in between.
Not only Kiba and Agatha but there around hundreds of people in the vicinity of the fountain. It was a popular tourist attraction, especially among youth.
There were rumors that one can get their wish fulfilled by praying to the mermaid. Of course, there was no truth in them, but this didn't stop people from praying.
The mermaid sculpture was attractive and life-like with many believing it was made on a real mermaid from Atlantis.
As one look at the mermaid, one feels attracted to it as if she was offering something no one ever could. The mermaid offered serenity with a touch of seduction, and not even the strong hearted could resist it.
”You're going to make a wish?” Kiba asked.
”Yeap,” Agatha took out two silver coins from her purse, ”And you should as well.”
”I guess it doesn't hurt to try,” Kiba took a coin from her.
Simultaneously they closed their eyes and threw the coins in the fountain.
”What wish did you made?” Kiba enquired.
”You don't tell your wish to others,” Agatha stated the unspoken rule.
”Oh,” Kiba smiled in response.
”What wish did you made?” Agatha asked as they moved away from the fountain.
”Didn't you just said not to share wish?” Kiba placed his hand on her shoulder as they walked.
”You don't believe in it so it is fine,” Agatha reasoned with a faint smile on her lips.
”Is that so?” Kiba glanced at her, ”I wished for the commencement of Miss Delta Beauty pageant as soon as possible.”
Agatha was struck on the spot not daring to believe the words he has said.
He has wished for such a thing?!
”I'm going to one of the judges for the pageant,” Kiba explained with his eyes twinkling like stars, ”It is a heavy burden and I wished to get rid of it soon.”
”Some heavy burden it is,” Agatha shook off her head with a smile, ”Then again it is not surprising for you to wish for such a thing.”
”Hey! Don't judge me!” Kiba said in a stern voice.
”I'm not,” Agatha laughed.
She was sure why he was looking forward to the pageant. She could also imagine how he would 'judge' models.
They both moved toward one of the food stalls in the vicinity. Most of the stalls were filled with people happily chattering and eating.
”What would you like to have?” An old man asked.
”Soup for me and milkshake for the lady,” Kiba gave the old man his card for payment.
”Your order would be served in a minute!” The old man walked to prepare the order.
”Kiba?” A familiar voice came from behind.
Surprised, Kiba turned around and saw Emily along with a group of ten. Based on what he knew, everyone from the group was either an investigator or a part of the backup force.
Most of the male members in the group were looking at him with eyes full of fury. It was like he has stolen something from them.
”Wonderful meeting you here,” Kiba said.
He ignored the others in the group, especially the males for he understood why they were furious on him.
”Same,” Emily's eyes moved on Agatha and then her belly.
”Emily this is Agatha,” Kiba introduced with a smile, ”A very reputable investigator.”
”Nice to meet you,” Agatha moved forward to shake her hand.
”Ah yes,” Emily felt awkward. She has heard rumors about Agatha's pregnancy and so to meet her like this, she felt embarrassed.
”Isn't there a party hosted by the mayor?” Kiba asked as Emily and others ordered on the food stall.
”There is,” Emily nodded her head, ”But not everyone likes parties, and besides, this place is popular so we wished to check it out as a group.”
Many of the group were new in the city so they took it as a collective decision to arrive here a few days ago on their holiday.
”I see,” Kiba said as he took a bowl of soup and a glass of milkshake from the stall counter.
”Agatha, here is the milkshake,” Kiba moved his hand towards her but then he stopped in between.
He hurriedly turned his head around while the soup bowl in his other hand fell on the floor.
”What happened?” Agatha asked.
”Are you all right?” Emily, who was standing near him, noticed his expression turning serious.
Kiba remained silent as his eyes struck on a middle-aged woman and a young kid some distance away.
The two were silently standing in the middle of a crowd with a painful expression. Their faces were filled with dark blue runic patterns while their bodies were inflating at a very quick pace.
Blood was trickling down from their orifices but they didn't utter any word. Their eyes were filled with such a strong determination that it surprised Kiba.
Emily and others moved their eyes to meet Kiba's line of sight, and every one of them felt a deep sense of dread.
”The nanites from the other world...damn!” Emily's expression twisted with dread.
Before the others from the group could add anything; the woman and the kid's bodies erupted into blinding blue light.
BOOM!
A deafening sound reverberated in the region as the walloping force of explosion expanded. The ground quaked and the mermaid statute shattered before the terrifying explosion swept through it.