CHAPTER 72: NAVIGATING THE ZARRACKS

Five days later, the scene shifts to the Zarracks base in the mountains, where enslaved individuals are compelled to mine rocks outdoors.

Zarracks Guard 1: Work faster! We do not have all day!

The enslaved workers increase their pace, but one collapses, exhausted, dropping his pickaxe. The guard approaches and yanks him off the ground.

Zarracks Guard 1: What do you think you’re doing!?

Slave 1: I’m... tired.

Zarracks Guard 1: I don’t care if you’re tired! Get back to work!

The guard strikes him in the face, causing the slave to fall and struggle to pick up his pickaxe.

Zarracks Guard 2: If you don’t pick up the pace, you will be sacrificed!

Riaku: What’s going on here?

The guards turn to see Riaku approaching.

Zarracks Guard 1: Commander Riaku! These slaves are slacking off, especially this one! (pointing).

Riaku strides over to the exhausted slave, bending down to his level.

Riaku: Oh, so you’re tired?

Slave 1: (nervously) Y-yes!

Riaku: I see. Well, I can fix that.

Riaku stands up, seizes the guard’s spear, and thrusts it through the slave’s head, killing him instantly. The remaining slaves tremble in fear.

Riaku: If you do not wish to end up like him, I suggest you pick up the pace.

The enslaved workers hasten to work as Riaku returns the weapon to the guard.

Riaku: Make sure they get their work done.

The scene shifts back to Kono’s crew—Akira and Kasumi—standing outside the city entrance, preparing to pursue Riaku.

Kasumi: Are you all ready to go?

Kono: Yes! We are ready!

Gram: (complaining) Man, why did we have to wait five whole days for this?

Akira: Are you really that clueless? Did you forget what Kasumi said?

Kasumi: We had to wait five days because that is when the Zarracks arrive. They come to that outpost every five days to transfer resources. I am hoping that when we get there, one of them will provide us with the location of their base. We need to keep at least one alive for information.

Himitsu: Couldn’t we just follow the transporters to see where they’re going?

Kasumi: We could, but we don’t know if they’ll take us to the base right away. Plus, sneaking around isn’t really Akira’s style.

Gram: What!? I think that’s a great plan!

Kono: Well, yeah, because you’re used to hiding, Gram.

Gram: Wow! I see how it is!

Daru: How far is this outpost?

Kasumi: It should take about two hours to walk there, if I’m not mistaken.

Gram: WHAT! MORE WALKING!?

Kasumi: (Waving her hands) No, no! We won’t need to walk; don’t worry. I have the perfect solution.

Kasumi begins to speak in a dragon language that only Akira comprehends.

Ohma: What in the world is she saying?

Moments later, they hear a dragon roar from above. Looking up, they see a massive blue dragon descending and landing in front of them, creating a strong gust of wind.

Gram: HOLY CRAP!

Kono: Is that your dragon?

Kasumi approaches the dragon and begins to rub its head, which seems to enjoy the attention.

Kasumi: Everyone, meet Cestra!

Cestra notices Akira and moves closer, licking her face.

Akira: Hey! Stop licking me!

The others laugh.

Himitsu: It looks so cool!

Kasumi: Thank you! We have known Cestra for many years. She is truly exceptional! And just so you know, Cestra is an ice dragon.

Zodiac: (Irritated) Can we hurry up and get started already?

Akira: I was just about to say the same thing!

Kasumi: Oh right. If you guys are ready to go, hop on Cestra!

Daru: You two really don’t have any patience.

Zodiac & Akira: I don’t care!

Daru rolls his eyes. Everyone then climbs onto Cestra’s back as she stretches her wings.

Kasumi: Alright, everyone! Let’s set off!

Kasumi speaks in the dragon language again, giving Cestra directions. Cestra nods and flaps her wings, taking to the sky. She flies east from the city at great speed. Below, the outpost is visible, with Zarrack guards carrying large bags and loading them onto carts.

Zarrack Guard 1: Why do we have to do all this hard labor? Shouldn’t we get the slaves to do it?

Zarrack Guard 2: Exactly!

Zarrack Guard 3: You guys are morons. If we make the slaves work here, they could escape since there are only five of us.

Zarrack Guard 1: Well, that’s just stupid!

Zarrack Guard 3: It’s the commander’s orders, not mine.

Zarrack Guard 2: Sometimes I think Commander Riaku doesn’t know what he’s doing. He barely knows how to lead a team.

Zarrack Guard 3: Why don’t you tell him that directly?

As the guards converse, another guard senses something approaching from the sky and alerts the others.

Zarrack Guard 4: Guys! Something is coming from above!

Zarrack Guard 3: What?! What are you talking about?!

All the guards look up to see a massive dragon approaching—Cestra, accompanied by the others.

Zarrack Guard 2: What the heck?! A dragon is coming our way!

The scene shifts back to Kasumi and her companions in the sky, en route to the outpost.

Kasumi: Alright, we made it! Remember what I said: leave only one alive.

Akira: Yeah, whatever.

Akira leaps off Cestra, diving towards the outpost in a headfirst descent. The guards begin to panic, preparing to defend themselves.

Zarrack Guard 1: Someone is coming toward us!

As Akira nears the ground, she executes a 360-degree spin and delivers a powerful kick to one of the guards, creating a significant impact and enveloping the area in smoke.

Zarrack Guard 2: He’s been hit!

Gram: She just jumped down like it was nothing!

Daru: Well, time to do the same.

Daru jumps off Cestra, followed closely by Zodiac.

Gram: Are you guys crazy?! That’s a high jump!

Himitsu: Well, they are Zatarians. I don’t think a fall like that will hurt them—unlike us.

Gram: Himitsu... shut up.

Amid the smoke, the guards spot a shadow emerging, revealing Akira charging at them. As one guard prepares to block her with his spear, Akira aims a punch, shattering the spear and driving her fist into the guard’s chest.

Zarrack Guard 2: (Coughing blood) Agh!

Akira seizes the guard’s heart and tears it from his chest, crushing it in her hand. As the guard’s body collapses, a third guard, filled with rage, charges up a fire blast. Akira notices this as she approaches him, and the guard unleashes the fire blast in her direction. In response, Akira generates a fire blast of her own and releases it. The two blasts collide, with Akira’s flames overpowering the guard’s, incinerating him and reducing him to ash.

Akira: You guys aren’t going to stop me!

The fourth guard, visibly anxious, charges at Akira with determination. Just as he gets close, Zodiac appears behind him and swiftly decapitates him, allowing the body to drop lifelessly to the ground.

Akira: Don’t interfere!

Zodiac: Yeah, I don’t care.

The final guard, terrified, attempts to flee but collides with someone’s chest—it’s Daru.

Daru: Where do you think you’re going?

Daru secures the guard’s face and forcefully slams it into the ground, pinning him down on his stomach. Kasumi lands Cestra on the ground as the others dismount and rush to Daru’s side.

Himitsu: (Looking around) Wow! You guys really took them down easily!

Kasumi: And you let one guard live—nice!

Gram: You did a great job, Akira!

Akira: Shut up!

Gram: O-okay.

Akira: Hurry up and start interrogating him!

Daru: You better tell us everything you know.

Zarrack Guard 5: I’m not telling you anything!

Daru: You sure about that? I wouldn’t test your luck if I were you.

Kasumi: Just tell us where your main base is, and we’ll let you go.

Zarrack Guard 5:

You can all go to hell!

Daru: I warned you.

Daru seizes one of the guard’s arms and bends it toward his head, eliciting a scream of pain from the guard.

Zarrack Guard 5: Ahhhhhhhhh!

Kono: (Shocked) Oh my gosh!

Gram: Man, I can’t look!

Daru: Do you want me to go further? I can do much worse.

Zarrack Guard 5: Alright, alright, I’ll talk!

Daru releases the pressure on the guard’s arm.

Daru: Then speak! Where is your base?

Zarrack Guard 5: It’s east of this outpost! We have transports that come here, collect the carts, and bring them back to our base inside a mountain. Just follow this trail, and you won’t miss it!

Kasumi: Great! We finally know where it is!

Zarrack Guard 5: Now, can you let me go?

Daru: I have one more question. How many of your people are there?

Zarrack Guard 5: I don’t know the exact number, but I estimate there are at least a bit over a hundred.

Daru: Good. Now go to sleep.

Daru delivers a punch to the guard’s head, rendering him unconscious.

Zodiac: Why don’t you just kill him?

Daru: It’s unnecessary. We got what we needed.

Zodiac: Hmfp.

Kasumi: Well, we know which way to go now.

Ohma: I have a strong feeling this will be an intense battle!

Himitsu: Same here, Ohma.

Suddenly, a powerful aura emanates from Akira, her expression turning serious.

Akira: (Clenching her fist) I finally found you, Riaku. I’m coming for you!

Akira manifests wings from her back and ascends into the air, heading toward the trail and leaving everyone behind.

Gram: Akira!

Kasumi: Oh no. This is not good! She’s heading to the base alone!

Daru: Then let’s hurry and catch up to her before she starts rampaging.

They quickly mount Cestra, who takes to the air toward the trail. As they attempt to catch up, Akira speeds through the trail, skillfully weaving past trees and obstacles.

Akira: (angrily) Where is it?!

As she navigates through a few more trees, she notices the trail ending in front of her, leading out of the forest. Upon emerging, she spots a massive mountain; it is the Zarrack’s base. Akira descends, retracting her wings, and begins surveying the area, which is surrounded by a tall wall. Moments later, the others catch up to her and also notice the Zarrack’s base, with Kasumi and Cestra landing nearby.

Kasumi: (dismounting Cestra) Akira, wait!

Akira turns to see the rest of the group running toward her.

Daru: I’m surprised the fighting hasn’t started yet.

Ohma: You flew so fast! We were trying to catch up!

Akira: I don’t care how fast I’m flying! My brother is in there, and I’m finally going to kill him!

Kono: But do you really have to kill him? Can’t you just forgive him and move on?

Akira, infuriated by Kono’s words, grabs her shirt and glares at her.

Akira: You don’t understand what I’ve been through with him! He is a beast that needs to be put down!

Daru intervenes, grabbing Akira’s arm and pushing it away.

Daru: Do not touch her like that.

Akira: Tch, well your stupid friend needs to hold her tongue.

She walks away and faces the base.

Himitsu: So how do we approach this, Kasumi?

Kasumi: (assessing the layout) Given their setup, I think the only way is straight through the front gate. They might have long-range attacks that could hurt Cestra if we try to fly over.

Gram: This is going to be a nightmare!

Daru: (clenching his fists) This will be interesting!

Kasumi: Oh, and one more thing: the Zarracks are likely holding slaves here, so if you find any, please help them escape.

Ohma:

(swinging his nunchucks) Rest assured! I will save every last one!

Kasumi: (looking at Cestra) You stay right here, okay?

Cestra nods in acknowledgment.

Kono: (drawing her gun) Well, are you guys ready to do this?!

Zodiac: Not really...

Akira: Let’s take them all out.

Akira unleashes flames from her mouth as she charges toward the front gate, with the others closely following. As they approach, one of the Zarrack guards spots them.

Zarrack Guard 1: What the...? Intruders!

The guard grabs a horn and blows into it, alerting all the Zarracks at the base.

Himitsu: What was that!?

Kasumi: They must have sent a signal!

Gram: Oh no!

The Zarracks ascend the walls with their bows and unleash a barrage of arrows. Zodiac summons his spectral hand, shielding the group and blocking all incoming projectiles.

Kono: Nice one, Zodiac!

Zodiac: Stop talking and focus on the battle!

As they near the gate, deflecting arrows, Akira and Daru charge forward, preparing to strike.

Daru: Bust this thing down!

After a few moments, Daru and Akira strike the front gate simultaneously, shattering it open.

Zarrack Guard 2: They broke the gate! Attack them!

The group rushes through and encounters multiple guards obstructing their path into the mountain.

Akira: Stay out of my way!

Akira leaps into the air and lands a punch that sends a shockwave through the ground, propelling the guards away. Zodiac identifies more guards ahead and employs his sudoshi technique, appearing before one and stabbing a guard in the throat. He senses another guard approaching from behind, dodges the attack, seizes the sword, and thrusts it into the guard’s heart.

Daru charges at a pair of guards. As two attempt to punch him, he swiftly grabs their heads and slams them into the ground. Another guard rushes at him, throwing a punch, but Daru deflects it and delivers an uppercut, sending the guard into the air. Daru jumps up, seizes the guard’s arm, spins 360 degrees, and hurls him into a wall, shattering it.

Himitsu, Kono, Ohma, and Kasumi remain together, fending off guards as they advance. Kono fires blasts at the enemies, Himitsu wields his spear, Ohma swings his nunchucks, and Kasumi employs her martial arts. Meanwhile, Gram hides behind a metal crate, maintaining a low profile.

Gram: I’m going to die! I’m going to die!

Zarrack Guard 2: They’re tearing us apart!

As Akira and the others continue to battle, they rush inside the mountain, where a fortress looms ahead.

Himitsu: They have a fortress inside the mountain!?

Kono: This is unbelievable!

Kasumi surveys the area and notices several captives in a work field, monitored by guards.

Kasumi: I see some captives over there! I’m going to help them!

Ohma: I’m coming with you!

Kono: Same here!

Himitsu: Wait for me!

As the four of them make their way toward the captives, Akira, Zodiac, and Daru approach the fortress, where additional guards are stationed in a line.

Akira: (angry) Where is he? Where is Riaku!?

Riaku: I’m right here, sis.

Daru: What the hell?

Akira and the others halt as they observe a figure stepping out of the line—it’s Riaku. Anger surges within Akira upon seeing him.

Akira: There you are, you bastard!

Riaku: Ah, if it isn’t my older sister Akira. It has been a while since we last met.

Akira: You are nothing but a monster! A monster who abandoned your own family!

Riaku: Don’t say that. I did it to protect you. You know that’s not true.

Akira: You’re a liar! You left me to join this worthless little group. Do you honestly think I would believe you?

Riaku: (laughing) Who knows, sis? Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. But I’ll tell you one thing: joining the Zarracks is everything I’ve ever wanted.

Zodiac: What the hell is he talking about?

Riaku: They provided me with wealth, power, and the freedom to do as I please. We are on the verge of awakening a beast that will bring terror across this land. When we succeed, we will finally obliterate Vermalia City for good!

Daru: Awaken a beast? Bring forth terror?

Akira: So you think leaving me behind was a good thing!?

Riaku displays a disturbing smile.

Riaku: If I could go back to the past, I would do it all over again...

Akira bows her head, clenching her fists in fury as a formidable aura emanates from her.

Riaku: What the hell?

Daru: This is not going to end well.

Everyone watches as Akira’s rage escalates, her eyes igniting with a fierce glow.

Akira: Now you’ve done it. I should have known what kind of person you would become. For that, I will enjoy tearing you apart, ripping out your flesh, burning you to a crisp, and feeding you to the dragons. (Looking up at Riaku) I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!!!