Defense Or Death
Everyone went silent. So silent that Henry was sure he could hear hearts beating in their chests as their faces were twisted into expressions of fear at what the idea of Vykers striking their base meant.
There was also a bigger implication that, had they come earlier, they might have ridden into an ambush and had to face off against not just Langlots but Vykers who had strength that greatly surpassed theirs.
"How many were they?" Devon asked in a controlled voice, "These visitors. How many were they?"
"F— Five, Sir."
"And when did you say they left?" Devon asked.
"Over an hour ago, sir."
Stefan frowned,
"I'm surprised we didn't meet them on the way."
"The paths that lead to New Freudein are not limited to the one we took," Charles said.
"Plus, since they already had Vykers with them, they probably didn't think it was necessary to rally up the rest of the bases. If they had considered that, our paths might have crossed." Tony added.
*Wham!*
The sound of impact called everyone's attention back to Devon and they watched as he continued to slam the butt of his Shotgun against the heads of the kneeling Langlot Gang members. He struck each one in the head repeatedly until massive gashes cutting into their skulls were clear to see and their eyes were rolled over in lifelessness.
It was a gory sight but no one batted an eye at it. The plan in essence had been to kill the Langlot gang members. The fact that there was no battle beforehand did not change anything or warrant mercy.
Devon found a piece of cloth hanging around and began to clean his shotgun of blood while he looked at the others and asked,
"Well, what are we standing around for?"
"What do you mean?" Dana asked.
Devon looked like he didn't understand the question,
"What do you mean 'what do I mean'?" He asked, "Let's go."
"Wait, you mean, back? Back to the Mansion?"
"Of course," Devon said.
"Why?"
"What do you mean 'Why?'" Devon asked, his eyes boring into Dana's, "Angus is there. Alone."
"He has Good 'ol Joe," Stefan said and the others chuckled.
Of course, it had been meant as a joke. Angus always said he had known Joe for a long time and the man had been a capable Gangbanger in his day but those days were gone now. Managing chores was the best use the Man had now.
"He might as well have no one," Charles said while shaking his head,
"But really, what help could any of us be there? There are five Vykers and probably twenty Langlots riding to the mansion right now.
Do you really think we can fight them? That we can win?"
"I don't fear no Vyker!" Devon said.
"Well, you should. Muscles are useless against power… Real power. They're even more useless against Magic which Vykers have," Dana said and she grabbed Devon's arm to pull it close and against her body.
Devon pulled his arm free,
"I can't believe what I'm hearing. Cowards, all of you!"
"And you're an idiot. What you're suggesting is for us to all ride to our deaths," Stefan said and he took a step closer to the Half-orc.
There was a few inches difference in their heights but Stefan looked up and glared into Devon's face all the same.
Devon took a step closer to him with air blowing out of his nostrils,
"Call me an idiot, one more time."
The threat was clear but Stefan didn't back down. When Devon started to clench his fists, Stefan clenched his too but because of the difference in his and Devon's sizes, it looked almost pathetic in comparison.
"Alright, that's enough," Tony said with one hand stretched out in placation and the other on the handle of his revolver in the holster held at his waist by his belt.
A few seconds passed as the two remained locked in a staring contest and then Devon looked away,
"Bah! Knocking you out is not even worth the effort. The rest of you can stay here, I'll go."
Devon edged past Stefan in a collision that almost sent the smaller man to the floor as he walked toward his horse.
"Wait!" Dana called as she stretched a hand out to grab his arm and stop him,
"You can't go. Can't you see? The Langlots and the Vykers are behind us. We can just ride away. Get away."
Devon pulled his arm from her grip and this time did it so aggressively, that she reeled back a few steps,
"Then go, if you want. I'm going back and I'm helping Angus. And I don't need any of you to come with me."
"I'll come with you," Henry said suddenly while standing beside Nyx and all eyes turned to him,
"What?" He asked.
Devon walked toward him and let out a long snort,
"You will?" He asked.
"Of course."
"Why?"
Henry sighed,
"Does there have to be reason?"
Devon snorted again,
"Trying to be a Hero?"
"Is that why YOU are going back?" Henry asked, "To be a 'Hero'?"
Devon's face twisted,
"Angus met me when I lacked purpose and he gave me one…"
"I remember," Henry said quietly. It was in the memories he had inherited from the old Henry.
Devon was the second person Angus recruited into his Gang. Henry was the first.
"… I'm not just going to let him die," Devon said.
"Then we agree," Henry said and stretched a hand out for a shake, "We ride together?"
Devon eyed the hand and then grabbed it with a small smile at the edge of his lips just past one of his extra-long canines,
"Yes. We ride together."
The two hands separated and Devon went to his large horse to climb into the saddle. Henry climbed into Nyx's saddle as well.
"You can't be serious," Stefan said.
"Henry, Devon, you should reconsider," Tony said in a grave tone.
Henry just smiled,
"There's nothing to reconsider."
Why was Henry so confident?
Well, a minute or more ago when the others had descended into an argument and just after he had reaped the wealth of those Devon had clubbed to death with his shotgun, Henry received an alert from the System;
[Main Quest: Retaliation (Hunting Quest) has been updated.
The enemy has ridden to your base and your Quest has been slightly adjusted.
Quest Condition: Hunt down the Gang members and Vykers who are heading to the Hadron Mansion.
You will receive a bonus of 100 Exp for every Langlot Gang member you kill.
You will receive a bonus of 250 Exp for every Vyker you kill.
Good luck!]
'I'm stronger now than I was when Triss and I faced Rena and Urn. Devon also already volunteered to go and I've seen his Stats so I know he's capable.
I've restocked on Healing and Mana potions from <Elminster's Stock>. I have six 'Hydra Tongue' bullets left in 'The Hydra's Sting. And the Rewards are attractive enough for me to consider.
I have to do it.'
Henry looked around at the others and saw Triss watching him while biting her lip. He smiled at her to let her know it was fine she wasn't coming. After all, the last time she faced a Vyker, she had gotten burned and nearly died so it was reasonable—
"I'm coming too!" Triss said suddenly as she walked over to her horse and grabbed its reins.
"Triss, what? Are you mad?" Stefan asked, "It's dangerous."
"Of course it is. So, you should come too," Triss said and she allowed herself a carefree laugh. She was now on her horse's saddle and she glanced at Henry with a wide smile before looking down at the others.
"Damn it! Fine!" Stefan said and got onto his horse too.
"This is Suicide, but… *sigh* I'll come too, I guess," Dana said with one final glare at Devon.
Charles sighed,
"Alright, I'll come too."
Tony shook his head but he was smiling,
"Me too. Would be a bad look to be the only one to chicken out.
Let's just check around for what we can scamper away with first."
There wasn't much they could get. There was money, about 50,000 Verlans in stacked bills, but for the base where Doran himself had been hiding, it was too little.
"The old goat must have a secret stashing spot far away from here. Smart," Charles admitted in a grudging tone.
Tony turned his horse around and rode to the front of their riding group as he and Charles had done throughout these Base raids,
"Langlot and the Vykers have over an hour on us but I know a path we can take that is relatively short. If we ride fast, we can catch up or at least close the distance.
Come on!"
"HYA!"
Horse hooves struck the ground powerfully as the Dionisio gang rode hard and fast. It remained to be seen if they were 'simply' riding to the defense of their base or if they were riding to their deaths.