Chapter 87 - Day CCLVIII, Part I

The door burst inside the room, barely holding itself on the hinges. I immediately sat on the couch, unconsciously trying to grab a weapon, but there was nothing close enough. Hatta stood behind, panting heavily, retracting his leg from the kick. I looked at Will, he was also sitting, at the ready.

- Blue, we found him - said the leader of Wuxia. - Come quickly.

- U... Wha... - I just stuttered, but Hatta wasn't gonna listen anyway.

He left, ignoring whatever I wanted to say.

- Let's go - said Will, quickly getting out of his bed.

He had a serious expression on his face. Was focused, ready to fight. I got on my feet, and rushed outside, to get the weapons. Leather armor was still on my clothes. I rarely took it off, because sleeping outside made me used to wear it. William grabbed a sword from the room and followed just after.

It was grey and quiet outside. The sun wasn't even peaking over the horizon. Still too early for the hunters to get up. Few people gathered around the device. Hatta was among them.

- These are people that I trust - said Hata, when I made it closer. - They will help you.

I saw a few of them here and there but didn't know the names. I couldn't trust them, even if Hatta did. Those guys could be spies.

- Just tell me where he is.

- Aisha's scouts saw him in one of the ruined buildings, close to the gate with island relief. They are keeping an eye on him. We should hurry. Prepare yourself if you need, and lest go - he gestured towards the device.

I didn't really want to do this because the manual was still on my to-buy list, and I needed to save the money, but Blue could be a very tough opponent now. Especially if he had supporters. I upgraded all my monk skills by one level for 70k points. In the meantime, Will joined the group.

- Ok. I'm ready. Is everybody ready?

- Yeah - said several people, and we departed.

The city architecture was kinda depressing, all those ruins we passed, empty streets without even bugs flying around. Without bats or birds. Or maybe it was just my gloomy mood, because of what was about to happen. I didn't want to think of the confrontation with blue, so I observed the surroundings a lot.

It took us some time to get to the destination even at a fast pace, as we were going. Marching quietly, but quickly, with a purpose.

Aisha, Hailwic, and Zoë, surrounded by a group of unknown to me people, was waiting for us, a bit from the spot.

- Finally - she said instead of greeting.

- We came as fast as we could. Did you see any movement inside the building? - Asked Hatta.

- No.

- You sure he is there?

- Yes. Several people saw him getting inside.

- Ok. Let's go then.

- Finally - Hailwic said grabbing her great ax and putting it over the shoulder. - I can't wait.

- You all prepared? - Aisha asked, looking mainly at me.

- Yes. We are - Will answered before me.

- Good. Then follow me.

I caught Zoë pulling out two daggers with the corner of my eye. Aisha led us somewhat further to the side, and then we sneaked thru the ally to a corner of a building.

- It's this one - she pointed out our target. - We need to split and surround it. I already have some people hidden around.

Blue's hideout was slightly bigger than the average buildings in the area. It was partially collapsed but still looked good enough to use. Every window was shut close, but thru the small chinks somebody close enough could see the light inside. Surrounded by other pieces of architecture, it looked like a perfect spot to avoid attention. Something that he could definitely choose to lay low.

- Let's go. Peter and I will come from the front - said Hatta.

- Ok - I agreed.

The rest started to sneak their way around, meanwhile, we had few more minutes to talk.

- Remember, Peter. Alive if possible.

- Is possible...

- I can't wait for him to hand for what he did. Justice will finally be served, and peace will return. I had enough of looking over my shoulder.

- I know. Ok. They are in positions. Come.

I headed first, not even trying to hide. There was no point. I got in front of the door, looked for the last time in Hatta's eyes, and kicked them right open. The force was enough to break the hinges, and wood just collapsed inside with a loud noise.

Blue was sitting on the chair in his fancy leather armor. Next to a table lighted up by a single candle, where two others played cards with a couple of crystals laying around. All armored and with weapons. Guards immediately grabbed their swords, but Blue stopped them with a gesture of the hand.

- Peter. Good to see you after a while - he slowly stood up.

I couldn't see any weapons fixed to his belt.

- I guess we didn't part on the best of terms, but I want you to know I'm not holding a grudge - he continued, smiling.

- Try to resist, and we will kill you! - Hatta shouted from behind my back.

- Hatta! Good to see you too. I'm not gonna resist. It's pointless anyway. Just take ma, and let those men go. I believe all of this doesn't concern them.

- Stepp outside with your hands behind the head. Peter, move...

I stepped to the side. Letting him pass thru. Hatta also made some space. I could feel my fingers subconsciously tightening the grip on the handle. There was no way Blue would just give up. He had something, an ace up his sleeve.

Others started to come from behind the building, surrounding the former leader of Wuxia, who went outside.

- Grab him, and tie him up - Hatta ordered to his men.

They followed quickly subduing Blue. I could see clearly how afraid of him they were. Hans shaking, nervous swallowing, and sweet on their foreheads and necks.

- What about them? - asked one of the soldiers, pointing at people still remaining inside.

- Let them go. We just nid this asshole - answered Hatta.

- That's anticlimatic - Will whispered to my ear.

I didn't even notice him coming, that's how focused I was on Blue.

- Yes... I mean, no. He is plotting something. There is no way he would just give up.

- Ambush on the way back?

- Maybe.

- Ok. I'll inform the others to be careful.

He left me as the Wuxia prepared to escort the convict to their headquarters. He quickly relied the message to key people. Meanwhile, Hailwic joined me.

- I thought there would be a battle. Kinda disappointing - she said.

- Don't be disappointed yet. He might have an ace in the sleeve.

- How strong is he? You know, I wasn't really around when he was leading Wuxia. Aisha told me he could be as strong as Mark, but you are the one who fought him...

- Back then he had barely any combat experience, only upgrades from the device. Right now it's probably not the same case, so it's hard to tell. I can tell you one thing though. If you fight him one on one, he is gonna crush you.

She looked at me clearly upset by my words.

- I'm not weak.

- I never said that. It's just that guy is one of the top here. Remember that if there will be a time when you have to face him. You are strong Hailwic, but that guy is a monster.

- You are a monster too, Peter. I saw with my own two eyes.

I looked at her. She was right. I started to slowly turn into a monster. Not in terms of power, but rather in terms of morality. If I was alone here, Blue would probably be dead by now.

- Yeah... I know - I responded.

Hatta told his men to disarm Blue's guards, and then let them go. It could bite us in the ass later, but I personally had my doubts if it would change anything if Blue was really preparing an ambush. For me, the whole idea of letting us capture him, just to attack us later was kinda dumb, but I had no better ideas of what thing that asshole prepared.

I, even for a second, didn't doubt that the whole capturing was part of his plan. We were dancing on the palm of that man.

But I also had mine. It was simple and involved a short trip to the void. I was gonna slit his throat the very moment he tried anything. I just needed to keep close to him, so the ability of shadow walker could reach him.

- Everybody stays alert. Let's go! - shouted Hatta, and we departed.

Heading straight to the city center, to finally finish this stupid nightmare that started long ago. It was finally time to start a new era. An era when I didn't have to keep thinking about Blue, Mark, or any other asshole.. I was ready to finally rest.