Old Nemesis Part 3

The group found themselves in a water-filled cave, and as they resurfaced to catch their breath, they decided to make the most of the situation. They hung their clothes and armor to dry while enjoying a moment of respite.

Kyru, in his element, carefully disassembled his CheyTac Intervention Sniper Rifle and began performing meticulous maintenance. Risky, who shared a passion for firearms, couldn't help but smile as he observed Kyru's work. He pointed at the rifle and asked, "Hey, is that a CheyTac Intervention Sniper Rifle?"

Kyru, with a proud smile, replied, "Hmm, yes it is! The CheyTac M200 is a true masterpiece in the world of precision shooting."

His voice carried the weight of experience and admiration for his weapon as he began explaining, "The CheyTac M200 is more than just a rifle; it's an instrument of unmatched precision and range. Chambered in the .408 CheyTac caliber, it extends the boundaries of what's possible in long-range shooting."

With genuine affection, he ran his hand along the barrel of the rifle, stating, "The match-grade barrel is a testament to the art of marksmanship. Hand-crafted for sub-MOA accuracy, it's the gold standard in long-range precision. It's a barrel that defines the impossible as possible."

Kyru's gaze then shifted to the optics, and he spoke with unwavering confidence, "But here's where the magic truly happens. The CheyTac M200 is adorned with an ATACR 7-35×56 scope, creating a synergy of technology and tradition. You see, this isn't just a rifle; it's an orchestra of precision, allowing you to see your target's soul, even in the darkest of nights."

He continued to marvel at the CheyTac M200, a glint of admiration in his eyes, as his words hung in the air, echoing the greatness of the rifle. "The CheyTac M200 is more than a tool; it's an ode to excellence, a testament to human innovation in the pursuit of perfection."

Risky was amazed by Kyru's passion for his rifle and couldn't help but comment, "Hot damn! It sounded like a love letter." Shiiyo, who had been working on creating a fireball to dry themselves, chuckled and smiled at the camaraderie among the group.

Creed while polishing his armor can't help but smile as he watches his comrade having. He then decided to join them gathering at the fireball that Shiiyo created from one of his spells. Risky looked at Creed's face and couldn't help to compliment "Hey cap you don't look so bad....I mean you had the face" he said with a teasing tone. Creed then chuckled and said, "I'm still not forgiving you and your mercenaries friend for what you did to my men". Risky just shrugs it off with a playful tone "Fair enough".

With that aside Kyru can't help but ask Risky a question "Hey" he started "How about you? What's your story on how you ended up in this world".

Risky then decided to tell his story "Well it's quite a long story, my friend so listen carefully". Kyru leaned in closer and Creed and Shiiyo just listened carefully.

"You see, in my previous life, I was a marine – a soldier, you might say – who believed in unwavering loyalty and dedication," Risky began, his voice tinged with a sense of nostalgia for the days gone by. "For five long years, I fought on the front lines of a brutal war. I saw things that no one should ever have to see, witnessed the horrors of battle, and the sacrifices we made in the name of a cause."

His gaze grew distant as he relived those memories, the distant echoes of battle still ringing in his ears. "But it was a single order from one of my superiors that changed everything," he continued, his voice taking on a hint of bitterness. "An order that would have led to the loss of countless innocent lives."

A rueful smile played on his lips as he recounted the defining moment. "I couldn't just stand by and let it happen," he confessed. "I confronted my commanding officer, and, well, let's just say I made my point with a punch right to his face."

Risky paused, letting the weight of that moment linger in the air. "It was a punch filled with anger and frustration," he continued, his tone somber. "But it cost me my position in the armed forces. I was dishonorably discharged, left without a place to call home or a purpose in life."

He shifted in his seat, the memories still vivid in his mind. "I found myself wandering through the tumultuous streets of the city, lost and without direction. The only solace I could find was in the dimly lit corners of seedy bars."

As he spoke, Risky's voice took on a more somber note, filled with a sense of desolation. "It was in one of those bars, in the middle of a violent brawl, that my life took an unexpected turn."

He leaned forward, his eyes alight with a spark of intrigue. "I was beaten to the ground, bloodied and battered," he narrated. "And that's when I saw her – a red-haired woman, with a scar on her lips and an eye patch covering her left eye. She was unlike anyone I'd ever met before, and her presence exuded strength and authority."

Risky's voice filled with admiration as he recalled that moment. "She extended a hand to me, offering a lifeline, a chance to find purpose once more. She recruited me as one of her mercenaries, a member of her skilled and unorthodox crew. I found a new place to call home, and as the days turned into months, I became a part of their unconventional family."

He shifted in his seat, preparing to reveal the next chapter of his life. "But the life of a mercenary was far from safe," Risky warned. "We were hired to fight on the front line, in a battle that would prove to be our most perilous yet."

Risky's eyes darkened as he remembered the chaos of the battlefield. "Explosions filled the air, bodies scattered like broken dolls, and chaos reigned. And then, I found myself holding my boss, my mentor, in my arms, her lifeblood seeping through her fingers."

He spoke solemnly, the weight of those memories still heavy on his shoulders. "With her dying wish, she implored me to live and run, to start a new life. She whispered her final words to me, and I couldn't refuse her."

Risky's eyes narrowed, and his voice took on a more determined tone. "I clutched the silver gun she had carried, a Staccato 2011 9mm pistol, my keepsake for her. I fled the battlefield, leaving behind the chaos and the memories that haunted me."

He leaned in, his voice taking on a sense of urgency. "But as I tried to escape the blast zone, the ground shook, and the sky was filled with falling bombs. I was caught in the explosion, sent hurtling against a wall, blood seeping from my wounds."

His voice grew softer, the memories still vivid. "With my last breath, I apologized to my fallen comrade for failing to fulfill her wish."

Risky's eyes glazed over as he continued. "As I lay on the brink of death, I heard a playful and melodious voice. I found myself in a realm that defied my understanding, where a radiant and energetic goddess named Elysia revealed herself."

He took a deep breath, reliving the moment. "She offered me a second chance, a new beginning in the world of Eldoria, where destiny had plans for me that transcended the boundaries of my former life."

Risky leaned back, his story told, and looked at the trio with a sense of closure. "And that, my friend, is how Risky Spade, once a marine and then a mercenary, was reborn in a realm of gods and magic, ready to embrace a new destiny."

Risky's tale left the group in a state of astonishment and reflection. Kyru couldn't help but express his amazement, "Damn, now that's quite a story!"

Shiiyo chimed in with a thoughtful observation, "Well, it seems like our goddess loves to recruit people like us, huh?" Kyru nodded in agreement.

Curiosity got the better of Creed, and he couldn't help but ask more. "Wait, so that means... Risky, you mentioned bombs fell on you, right? Where were you when the bombs fell?"

Risky was momentarily taken aback by the question. "What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.

Creed persisted with his inquiries. "I mean, what war were you hired and asked to fight for?"

After some contemplation, Risky finally pieced it together. "If I remember correctly, we were hired by a shady military company by the name of Red-"

But Creed finished the sentence, completing the name, "Red Eagle."

Risky's surprise was evident, "H-how did you know that name?"

Creed's expression turned solemn as he stood up. He brushed his face, took a deep breath, and confessed, "Uhm... is that... how should I put this... Is your boss's name, Raven Hart?"

Risky couldn't believe it. "How did you know..."

With a heavy revelation, Creed continued, "Because I'm the one who took her life."

Creed, with a heavy sigh, explained further. "Raven and I were once in the same force. We were the best of the best, watched each other's backs, and she was the best buddy I ever had. But one day, I overheard her and our superior arguing about her last solo mission. She refused her superior, just like you, but instead of punching her superior, she just walked away."

Creed's voice grew somber as he continued, "She told me she wanted to establish her own business, to put together her own mercenary group with the goal of helping people. But then, one day, an eventful day came when one of the orphanages she took care of was caught in a bombing run, which devastated her heart. She saw one of the bombs that landed on the orphanage, and the seal was ours."

He leaned in, his eyes filled with pain. "She then put the blame on me for not stopping the bombing. I felt her anger that day, which eventually led her to accept an offer from the Red Eagle. She accepted a contract to intercept a convoy, and that convoy was us."

Creed paused, the memories of that day still haunting him. "She killed most of my men, leaving me behind in the desert storm. One day, just before we got transported, she and I met one last time. We both fought for what we believed in until the moment I took her life with my own hands. She smiled at me and asked to see her close subordinate one last time, and I left her in the open field just in time for you to get to her."

Risky was shocked by Creed's confession. "War is really unforgiving for us, huh," he said with a heavy heart, his hand unconsciously gripping the pistol his mentor had given him. A small smile played on his lips as he continued, "Looks like I don't have a choice but to forgive you."

Creed seemed surprised by Risky's reaction. "Huh? Man, I was ready to receive a punch coming from you," he admitted, chuckling.

Risky joined in the laughter, despite the heaviness of their shared past. "Well, it got worse for both of us. I got hit by a bomb, for Christ's sake."

Kyru, feeling a bit awkward, raised his hand. "Uhm, the bombing part? Yeah, that was us."

Risky's eyes widened in surprise. "You guys did that?" he asked incredulously.

Kyru admitted with a sheepish grin, "Yeah... hehe... sorry."

Risky responded with a playful tone, "Come on, man. If you're gonna kill yourself, don't put others with you." The group shared a moment of shared understanding and laughter, the weight of their pasts momentarily lifted as their armor and clothes dried.