13 Chapter 12: Retaliation

Chris knew he wouldn't stand a chance using the knife again. He had one sword left at his disposal, his rapier. He and Francis began running towards the dorms, hiding from any of the men. As they approached the door to Chris's room Francis noticed two guards coming their way. The two quickly dashed into Chris's room and began frantically searching for the sword. Chris found it in its usual spot between the bed and the wall. He didn't bother fastening it to himself. Chris and Francis barged out of the room, almost knocking the two men over. The men drew their swords and prepared to engage.

"Ready? You're not gonna chicken out this time, right?" asked Francis, drawing his sword.

"Not a chance," smiled Chris.

Each boy took on a different guard. Chris made quick work of his. Instead of using his sword to block the blow Chris used the metal sheath as a defence leaving his sword free to attack the defenceless guard. After blocking the shot, Chris jabbed his sword into the right knee of the guard as not to kill him, but leave him incapacitated. Francis struggled with his guard. His focus seemed elsewhere, which caused him to make poor attacks and leave himself open. As a result, the guard cut him on his left arm. Chris ran over to the other guard, slamming his sheath into the back of the guard's head, knocking him out.

"Two down, many more to go," said Chris, catching his breath.

"Yeah whatever," replied Francis, wincing in pain while grabbing his shoulder. 

"What the hell happened? That's not like you to fight like that. You need to stay focused."

"I guess you were right about being in an actual fight with actual weapons. It makes you lose focus easily."

Francis grabbed the radio that was on one of the guard's waist. They listened closely to pinpoint the boss's whereabouts. After about five minutes, they found it. He was in the large empty room that served as a gymnasium or something. 

They ran for it. Nothing mattered more than to set everyone free. As the guards saw them they began yelling and chased after them, but they wouldn't stop running. 

They entered the gigantic room and found the guy dressed in black standing in the center.

"I've been waiting for your triumphant return. You know it's not nice to keep people waiting," said the man, chuckling to himself. He turned around and lowered his hood. The man had a metal respirator covering his mouth. His long black hair covered one eye and went down to his neck in the back.

Chris noticed a familiar presence in the room. The man looked like someone he'd met before.

"Chris!" yelled a black-haired girl carrying three swords in her arms. She halted, throwing them on the floor. Jackson followed shortly after, carrying his own sword.

"Sorry buddy. The little miss here didn't want to stay put. She even bit my arm. So at least we can help take our bunker back."

The four exchanged the weapons till they each got the ones that suited them best. Jackson took up the longsword, Heather, the rapier, and Chris and Francis both took broadswords. Chris took the extra and attached it to his waist. The man drew his two long, thin katanas from their sheath. Chris and Francis each drew their own swords and held them over their shoulders with the blades pointed at the man.

"I know how eager you two are to fight me. But that must wait a little longer. First you must take out my squad of fifty men."

Chris's eyes widened.

"Fifty men. There's only four of us. That's impossible," whispered Chris to himself.

Heather now drew her rapier and faced the group of men. She turned to Chris.

"Well, this will be a learning experience right."

"Sure, but please don't die on me today," said Chris, now drawing his second sword. "But you must not be afraid to kill."

"I'm not. These bastards had it coming for a long time now."

"That's the spirit."