Chapter 15 | The first steps of rebellion

Steven slowly opened his eyes laying on a familiar couch. Above his face was Huddy looking straight down at him.

"Well, finally your awake." Huddy greeted Steven. "You were out cold for three days."

"Where... am I?" Steven muttered. "My head feels light."

"Ah, we're in Reys house" Huddy stated. "We brought you here yesterday with the rest of the gang."

"Wait, how are the others?" Steven asked with a worried expression.

"Calm down, don't overwork yourself," Huddy said. "They're fine, although that Samurai guy doesn't look too well."

Steven immediately got up and rushed into the next room where Jel was sitting beside a bed with someone in it. Huddy followed behind Steven as Steven approached the bed.

"Hiroshi..." Steven said hovering over Hiroshi's body. His torso and head were wrapped in bandages from his injuries. Rey walked into the room and stood beside Steven.

"He took a really heavy blow to the torso which left a dent in his body," Rey stated. "Luckily the injury on his head wasn't a fracture and was just a blow."

"I'm so sorry Hiroshi," Steven said with a guilty expression. "I really am sorry."

Steven then turned to Jel who had a small band-aid on his forehead. Jel looked sort of sad but composed and calm.

"Are you okay Jel?" Steven asked. "I hope you didn't get hurt badly."

"Nope!" Jel smiled. "Only a few bruises and scrapes, nothing more."

"I'm glad," Steven said. "Although where is that other guy we saw."

"Bryan?" Jel said. "Well, He's outside, although it seems like he doesn't want to talk."

"Okay," Steven said. "I'll talk to him and since I have a few questions to ask."

Steven walked halfway out the door before being pulled by the shirt.

"Hold it pumpkin, you still have really bad injuries," Huddy said with an annoyed expression. "You're not going adventuring or anything of the sort."

"I'm just going out to talk to the guy," Steven said. "I need to ask him some questions!"

"Ugh, fine," Huddy said letting go. "But don't come back dead."

"Okay," Steven said. "Bye."

Steven walked out the front door and saw Bryan sitting on the grass, looking out to the sky. Steven approached him and sat next to him in silence. Finally, Bryan spoke.

"Hey," Bryan said. "Sorry about your friends."

"Well, thanks," Steven said. "How is the district doing?"

"It's fine," Bryan said. "The attack ended two days ago."

"Oh, well what are we going to do about Markus," Steven said. "He's still out there."

"Well, I've thought about it," Bryan said. "I guess we have no choice but to kill him."

"Kill him?" Steven said. "But aren't you one of his goons?" Steven smirked.

"Shut up," Bryan said. "He's a demon so he'll never change his mind."

"Yeah yeah," Steven said. "You know where his base is right?"

"That's right," Bryan said. "It's not too far from here either, although it's heavily guarded."

"I'm going to kill him," Steven said. "He's created too much chaos in this district."

Steven stood up and turned around. "I'm going back inside."

"Alright," Bryan said. "See Ya."

Two weeks went by, and Steven made a full recovery alongside Jel and Hiroshi. Swordsmen can recover faster than the average human being which is very useful in combat. This is because of the soul connection that the soul of a sword has with the human. Swords have infinite energy, but it cannot use it for itself. Instead, it has to take human energy from the user in exchange for its energy which helps healing and other factors.

Everyone was ready enough for combat and traveling. They had enough supplies which Huddy provided and enough information from Bryan. Night came and the gang held a meeting at Rey's house.

"Alright," Bryan said. "I'll take you all through the main headquarters of Hacks."

"First of all, the base's exterior is heavily guarded and hidden, this means they will easily spot you from miles away. But the underground system is not very well defended which makes it an easy way to get in and out. The headquarters is an underground facility that's patrolled by demons and human goons."

"Okay, but what about Markus?" Steven asked. "What's are his abilities."

"Markus's sword, Madent, can take in energy and release it," Bryan said. "For example, if you were to release the energy of a special attack, and if he were to block it, then the sword would use that energy to throw it back at you."

"I see, so it's like a trampoline!" Jel said. "The heavier weight is pressed on it, the higher it bounced back up!"

"Exactly, like a trampoline," Bryan said. "This sword is very hard to get passed, which makes it extremely dangerous."

"Okay, so when are we going to attack?" Rey asked walking into the living room with a tray of biscuits.

"The sooner the better," Bryan said. "Tomorrow is best because that's Markus's resting day."

"So, he won't see it coming?" Hiroshi said as Steven stuffed biscuits in his mouth.

"Yup, also not many goons will be around since they'll be doing tasks for him."

"So tomorrow it is then!" Steven stated with his mouth full.

"Eww, that's disgusting Steven!" Huddy said making a disgusted face. "Have manners!"

"Sowwy, biscuits too good," Steven said shoving more in his mouth. "I like them."

"I'm glad you like them." Rey smiled. "Well, everyone let's sleep early so we can wake up early in the morning to get over there."

"Huh?" Jel said. "Rey, you're coming along?"

"Of course," Rey said. "I practice archery, and besides, I want to beat up some goons!" Rey laughed.

"Great!" Steven said. "Well, I'm going outside." He said standing up from the table.

"Bye." The rest said as Steven walked outside. He sat on the grass staring up at the starry bright sky. Wondering how Chris was, and how he was going to defeat Markus tomorrow. He was glad and thankful for the friends he made in this district. All he could do is wait for the battle to come tomorrow.

But for Markus. Things were different.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!" Markus said throwing things around in his office. He had an angered face filled with hatred.

"B-Boss? Are you okay?" A Goon said walking inside of his office.

Markus paused and the room went silent. Markus smiled at the goon and summoned his sword.

"Does it look like I'm okay?" Markus said with a calm voice.

"I do-" The Goon paused as Markus impaled him in the chest.

"That's your answer," Markus said. "Don't ever interrupt me like that again."

The Goon collapsed on the floor bleeding puddles of blood. Markus laughed violently and it was clear that he had gone insane.

The final battle begins tomorrow which will decide the fate of the prime district. And Steven was ready and determined for what was to come. While Markus was filled with anger and rage at Bryan's betrayal.