meteosity

Chapter 8: The NEMERISSoldier: "Sir, it's Zenix and his group!"

Kazen scoffs and snaps back, "Shut the hell up, jerk."

A voice from the other end demands, "Who—who are you? And where is Cisco?"

Kazen smirks. "Your so-called 'sir'? We killed him. Drove a hole straight through his heart. I doubt that's something you can fix, so forget about him forever."

The voice trembles. "No... that's impossible! Cisco was incredibly strong! How could you—"

Kazen interrupts coldly. "If you don't stop yapping about that dead fool, you're gonna join him."

(Scene shifts to Zenix and his group)Zenix stands before a gathered crowd, his voice ringing with passion.

"How many years have you suffered under this oppression? Don't you wish for liberation? Don't you want freedom?"

Murmurs ripple through the group.

"The only way to break free is to join us. Our goal is simple—to destroy the oppressive organization that keeps us in chains."

The crowd erupts in agreement. "Yes! We want freedom! We want to destroy this tyranny!"

Zenix raises his fist. "That's what I like to hear! Together, we will bring them down!"

He then gestures to his team. "Let me introduce my squad."

He points to a figure. "This is Nesco, our healer."

Nesco nods. "Hello, everyone."

Zenix continues, "And this is Ecro."

Ecro grins. "What's up, everyone? It's me, Ecro."

Zenix moves on. "This is Isaac, my second-in-command, and Maria, our sniper."

Maria gives a slight nod, her eyes scanning the crowd.

(Scene shifts back to Hellosa and her group)Izaki winces, clutching his wound. "Kazen, enough. We need to leave—fast—before reinforcements arrive."

Kazen protests. "But you're injured, and none of us know how to drive properly! We should get you to a hospital first."

Izaki shakes his head. "No, we don't have time. Staying in this city is too dangerous. They know we're here—we need to disappear now."

With no other choice, they get into a car and speed off towards a city called Irnak.

As they drive, Hellosa turns to Izaki. "See if there's a hospital on this route."

Kazen interrupts. "There isn't one nearby."

Hellosa narrows her eyes. "How do you know that?"

Kazen exhales. "I used to work around this area. Trust me, there's nothing."

The car speeds through the darkened roads, the weight of their choices pressing down on them.