Chapter 14 Rivet Town

"Peter!"

Natasha's urgent shout echoed behind Peter, but it felt like it was moving in slow motion. As if slicing through memories, the image of the indestructible iron door from his childhood flashed before him, like a knife cutting through butter. All Peter could focus on was the chainsaw's metallic scent.

"Bang!"

Orion moved quickly, leaping over shorter houses with a rhythmic clatter from his boots and the debris on the roofs. He picked up his pace, hearing the chainsaw's familiar roar. If the noise was a sign of trouble, then the person he was looking for might be in danger.

Peter felt a jolt, like weed being yanked away. He stumbled out of the house, and when he hit the ground, the first thing he saw was his right arm lying detached beside him!

"Ahhh!"

The excruciating pain was overwhelming. Blood poured uncontrollably from his right arm, which had been severed from his shoulder. If untreated, he would bleed out within 15 minutes.

Natasha, her face set with determination, drew her gun and fired six shots, aiming directly at the machine's head. She hoped the powerful rounds would destroy the mechanical beast.

But the reality was harsh. The machine, forged in battle, wasn't easily defeated. Its chainsaw sliced through the shells, scattering them, and the clinic's door suffered further damage from the explosion.

Natasha cursed under her breath, regretting bringing Peter into what was supposed to be a simple supply run. The monster's appearance had exceeded her expectations, and her only option now was to get Peter to safety.

She tossed a smoke grenade, which burst and filled the air with obscuring smoke, disrupting the machine's sensors. Natasha grabbed Peter's remaining hand, hoisting him onto her shoulder, and sprinted back the way she had come.

The smoke wouldn't last long, and the chainsaw's noise was still behind her. Natasha ran as fast as she could, knowing Peter was unconscious and in shock. She could only hope that the noise wouldn't attract more enemies.

As she retraced her steps, another monster appeared, blocking her path. With its massive, armored body and deadly iron fists, it was a formidable foe. The cold red light above it signaled a murderous intent.

"It's over," Natasha thought.

She considered abandoning Peter to escape faster but rejected the idea. 

"I will never abandon another child again."

Peter's faint, hoarse voice came from behind: "Sister Natasha, please put me down."

"No, I will get you out! Your sister will save you!"

Natasha used her abilities to stem Peter's bleeding, determined to outrun the pursuers. As she felt a cold chill on her neck, she turned around to see the chainsaw raised high. The monster was ready to strike, and Natasha knew that they were seconds away from disaster.

A flash of intense fire crossed Natasha's view, and the half-cut electric saw barely brushed her forehead. The next moment, she saw a figure she'd never forget.

A leg, a leg that shattered the steel giant in front of him.

It was a young man with long black hair streaked with white, wearing a dark blue coat. He wielded an impressive pair of guns and leaped through the air.

Without hesitation, he kicked the robot's head off in one powerful blow. The robot's upper body crumbled with the impact. The severed electric saw could only turn weakly, unable to cut anything further.

Another beam of fire streaked past Natasha's face, hitting an enemy behind her.

The boy moved with unbelievable speed, faster than a fully powered mine cart. Red light gathered on his fist as he swung his arm back, preparing for another strike.

With a powerful punch, he hit the giant hammer robot, crushing it. The robot slammed against the wall, its arms falling weakly. A noticeable fist-shaped dent marked its body.

As the robot tried to stand, another red light melted its head.

"Luckily, I made it in time," the boy said, relieved. His keen eyesight had allowed him to notice the situation on the street and intervene, despite the chaos.

"Thank you so much! If you hadn't helped us, we'd be in a terrible spot," Natasha said, her voice tinged with urgency. She had to take responsibility for Peter's situation.

"Don't mention it. Helping each other is what we do," the boy replied, looking down at the injured child. He felt a pang of sympathy, wishing the child could be in a safer situation.

The boy kneeled beside Peter. "His condition is stabilizing, but he needs professional care for his injuries."

"Let me carry him," the boy offered.

"Alright," Natasha agreed, helping Peter onto the boy's back and securing him with a strip of cloth.

"What's your name?" Natasha asked. She was unsure who this stranger was, but his fighting skills were remarkable, and he wasn't part of the Silvermane Guard.

"Let's find a safe place first. You lead the way," the boy said. His priority was to get to a secure location before taking any further action.

Natasha led the way, with the boy following closely. Despite the chaos, he managed to keep Peter safe on his back.

After turning three corners and passing through two squares, they reached a fortified gate. The area showed signs of heavy attack—bullet casings, mines, and traces of damage.

Beyond the gate, they navigated through dark but safe mountain canyons. After more than ten minutes, they saw a light ahead.

Finally emerging from the tunnel, they were greeted by:

Rows of houses on a gentle slope. The houses were larger than those in the previous town, with smoke rising from chimneys. The warm glow of fires made it clear that this was a bustling, inhabited place—a stark contrast to the eerie ghost town they had left behind.

Seeing the town, Natasha finally relaxed.

She looked back at the boy, relief in her eyes.

"Welcome to Rivet Town," she said.