9 Chapter 7: Agreemen

She sat down beside him but there was just silence between them.

Her heart had been longing for a conversation for what felt like an eternity already. It's now or never she told herself, as she put up the courage to voice out that desire.

"We haven't talked for a long time" looking at the bonfire flames licking at her pot. Trying not to think of the worst possible scenarios.

"I didn't— noticed. I... " He paused as if there were no reason at all. That hurt her, for some reason it did. Her eyes started to well up; it is taking all her strength not to let it flow.

"Oh, ah see... sorry... Ah just thought." She stood up and tried to leave but he held her hand firmly.

He looked at the stars then said. "I am probably thinking too much, what to do, how to do, when to do..." Took a deep breath then let it out. "Our future — probably."

She sat back down and look up those far away lights.

"Carpe Diem," she said.

"Huh!?" He looks at her in surprises. "Carp — the fish you mean?"

She giggled like a child. "Nah, silly, Carpe Diem its Latin, literally means pluck the day" as she looks back at him.

"Pluck the day?"

She held his hand. "Means, enjoy the moment without concern for the future."

He gave a soft chuckle. "That's kind of irresponsible — but, thanks."

She leaned on him and made herself comfortable.

Stargazers

Firehouse rooftop, Central 1821Y 01M29D

. . .

Proving Grounds: Forgotten City, Central

1821Y 02M25D 1600H

Mat's group decided to make camp before nightfall. They use one of their safe houses just outside the complex, an abandoned firehouse that they reinforce beforehand to work as a bunker. Smirf started cooking for their dinner; the sweet aroma of stewed beef and vegetables fills the air, blowing over the bonfire just outside.

"Baby, there's a pain in my stomach, I can't bear..." Menan writhing as he breathes in. Acki looking at the light emitting from the firehouse. "Why don't we..."

"No," Baby stopping Acki short. "We cant... were not..." The two guys understood what Baby was trying to say, they stood still and just endured.

"Hey y'all, come inside..." Someone called from the firehouse. "...dinners ready!"

The two guys look at Baby. She stood still unable to decide. A tap at her shoulder came as a surprise, she looked and a familiar smile greeted her. "Hermana?" Smirf held her hand and gave a small tug. " Come now, everyone's waitin'. Why we can't start without ya." She felt helpless and gave in. Smirf did not let go of her hand till they reach the campfire.

"Here," Smirf gave each of them a bowl, piece of bread, and was about to serve them some stew. "No, Hermana — I..." Baby stopped her. "Let them serve themselves," Mat called Smirf. "Okay, here ya go Baby." She gave her the ladle. "Gracias." She called the two to get some, then Smirf got some for her and Mat. Silence, as they were eating none, gave a peep.

Smirf collected the wares afterwards.

"Hermana, let me help you with that." Baby tried to help out as soon as she noticed but Luci stopped her short. "I am assuming you peasants are not following us for the food," Luci said finally. Baby fell silent, but Acki spoke. "We are worried about you Luci."

"Well then, why don't you join us and see to it?"

Menan tap Baby in the back giving her a bit of courage to speak up. "Okay, well join but as soon as we're done, we are leaving."

Luci nodded then looked at Mat. "What's the price?"

Baby signaled for a moment, they huddled up some distance away. They seem to be arguing, with Baby hitting Menan, and Acki laughing hard. They returned to the campfire. Menan went up front "We want our guild name change, its quite expensive so — that's our price." Mat looked at Smirf, but she was already all sparkly and giving a thumbs up. "Okay, have a name?"

They all looked shocked at the question.

"Raging... Uh, raging," Acki trying to complete the name, then Menan came upfront saying. "Menan's Guild," Baby smacked him, then Smirf raised her hand and said. "Salesians of..." Azaleah flew in yet again to scold her. "Your not part of their guild you dumb Cat."

"Let us decided that at a later date," Luci interjected silencing the group then giving the floor to Mat. "I just have a single term, join my squad." On cue Smirf immediately sends out invites to them. Acki reading it out loud. "Invitation Squad Death Parade." He look at his friends then gave a nod. All of them accepted the invites.

Smirf came up front "We found us an advance weapons laboratory, just a month ago. Hunted down a unique monster havin' em key card to the place." Luci shock with the news. "An advance weapons lab!?" Everyone was shocked as well, more because of Luci's reaction.

"Yes, but unfortunately a Warbeast made a nest at a hydro-electric powerplant connected to it." Azaleah explaining the situation further. "That's why you need it dead," Menan interjected "How very smart of you — idiot, once the lab is operational we are going to start planning on taking down the Guardian," Azaleah added.

"Well, the Guardian is still leaps away. So... what is the plan on taking down the Warbeast?" Menan asks Mat seriously. "We do not have much of a plan, just memorize its attack patterns, hit it when it is safe, and keep it in the middle."

Azaleah snaps her fingers and showed them footages of the battle between Mat and the Warbeast. Everyone watched intently, even Smirf while bringing in some snacks.

. . .

Proving Grounds: Forgotten City, Industrial Complex

1821Y 02M25D 0700H

Shiro appeared behind whispering something, Baby. "Capitán, there is a group being attack by a pack of huntresses ahead."

"Azaleah" Mat signaled he to check it out "On it," she flew straight away.

Mat gave the orders immediately. "Acki, Menan defend the flanks, Baby rear make the formation tight." The group immediately ran to their stations. Luci grabs Smirf's hand then motioned her to get on board the wagon. "Love, stay close to me." Smirf followed her.

"They will ambush the next block through the windows three right; one left." Azaleah speaking through their comms. "I'll open a window on your HUD for the exact locations."

"Menan, Baby, go right. Acki left, Luci standby." They repostioned their positions as they ce near to soring the trap. As the huntresses leap out of the building, Baby fired arrows at them neutralizing before they even hit the ground. She then ignored the boys complaining about how it was supposed to happen.

"Two more hiding behind the truck." Azaleah changing the windows on their HUDs. Mat signaled Luci. An evil laugh echoed throughout the ruins, followed by beam of pink light that devasted the area.

"Just one more running around." Azaleah flying back at them. Their window screens disappeared, then an ominous laughter followed "All clear, the group is just by the corner." Azaleah sat back on her throne.

Smirf immediately ran towards the party, Baby immediately followed. As she turned the corner the wounded group fired an arrow at her, Baby immediately came to her defense. "Are you okay, Hermana?" Check her out for injuries. "Am okay, Baby thank you." Smirf move pass her. "Am here to help." The party lowered their weapons. Mat and the others arrive securing the place. All of them are badly injured some of them are poisoned. Smirf ran back to the wagon and got some medical supplies.

"These are regen patches." Menan helping out. Smirf nodded, while treating the severely wounded. As soon as she applied her patient started screaming as its body started steaming up, closing all the wounds in mere seconds, then fainted. "That's an awful medicine if you ask me." Acki keeping watch on the sides. "That is better than dying and leaving all your hard work behind." Menan patching up the rest.

After an hour the group was back in their feet, thank them, and warned them that a powerful Mutant made a pride in the industrial complex near the airfield. "Lucii, what's a mutant pride?" Smirf overhearing the conversation. Luci looks at her. "How to say, it is an upgraded mutant den, but ruled by a king."