The day continues and the weariness in all of their hearts and minds continues to build up as well. As Pandora pointed out, the number of Keepers circling the perimeter is increasing and some are already searching the cabin above the Hill House but it appears that no one from their side has discovered that the ones they're looking for are just underneath them. Nevertheless, every single one of them are ready to defend themselves in all means necessary even Halo who is not used to these kinds of confrontations.
"I see they're upping their game. It makes my fists itch for some fight." Amber commented.
"Amber, the Professor said to not engage under any circumstances." Blake reminded.
"Do you think Madame and the others are all right?" Aira asked.
"Of course they are. Ms Sullivan and Mr. Wazowski are with them. Those two are a pair of great minds and brutes. They know their ways around in situations such as this." Rocco explained.
Dozens of footsteps and numerous clanking sounds are continuously being heard from above as they also continue to keep their voices along with any other noises down so that they can't be found. Everyone knew that it will be bloodshed if they've been discovered. Suddenly, the rain came crashing down making it quite a challenge for Pandora to continue monitoring the Keepers' every movement.
"Calcipher, the Keepers are putting up stations along the perimeter." ANAIS said.
"Thanks for the update, ANAIS." Calcipher responded.
Without Pandora's help in reading their adversaries movements, they're ought to rely on ANAIS' cameras throughout the area and they're heat sensors, night vision, infrared etc. All of a sudden, the Keepers inside the upstairs cabin cleared out and the stations they put up in the perimeter started to build up barricades as well. Calcipher and even Zythandra couldn't confirm what really their game is at this point until the Professor barged in.
"Everyone go to the deepest point of the Hill House this instant!" The Professor exclaimed in fear. "Come on now. Make haste!" He added and the rest of them did follow his orders without any hesitations.
"There's no way." Reaper whispered underneath his breath.
"Do you have any ideas on what's happening out there, Reaper?" Glass asked.
"It's just a hunch but I think they're going to bomb the place." Reaper responded as he tries his best to keep his voice down so he won't be heard by anyone else.
"What?" Glass exclaimed in panic.
"What's up, Glass? You look like you've seen a ghost or something." Surge commented.
"It's nothing. Just keep going and make it fast." Glass replied.
"Pandora, can you please connect me with the Professor?" Reaper asked.
"Way ahead of you. You're already connected." Pandora replied. "Professor, can you hear us?"
"Yes and I know you already have an idea of what's about to happen." The Professor stated. "We have to leave this place through the underground waterway. This placed will be bombed down. Help me keep everyone else calm."
"A new heat signature has been registered in my censors and it is coming in fast." ANAIS confirmed.
"Can you confirm what it is?" Calcipher asked.
"The rain covers most of its appearance but from its speed and the origin where it's coming from, I can confirm it's a missile." ANAIS pointed out.
"A missile? What in the world is happening?" Medusa shrieked in panic. The others started panicking as well.
"Shut up!" Zythandra exclaimed. "Calm yourselves down. Remember that you're under our care so we will do everything under our power to keep you all safe. To do that, you must follow everything we say. Now shut up, clam down and keep moving." She explained. Though still in panic mode, Medusa and the others was able to contain their emotions.
"Children, we are heading to the underground river. We will need to flee this place." The Professor announced. "It's true that this Hill House will be bombed down. The military has finally stooped on a new different low. They'll capture every single one of us may we be dead or alive."
"Leave? We will not leave this place. This is our home!" Amber exclaimed. She then stopped following the Professor to the underground river as well as Rocco, Blake and Aira.
"She's right. We don't want to leave this place." Aira seconded.
"What are you doing? This place is going to be in ruins any minute now. We have to go!" Glass exclaimed. "Rocco, can you please knock sense into them?"
"I don't have to. They're in they're in their right senses." Rocco replied.
"What? What do you mean by that?" Glass asked.
"He means that we are going to stay and defend this place." Blake responded.
"I promised Tabitha that I will take care of you just hours ago. I won't be able to do that if you're not coming with us, would I?" The Professor commented.
"Don't get us wrong, Professor. We greatly appreciate the fact that you treated us well all this time. However, this is our home where we grew up in so we can't just leave it be." Rocco replied.
"Don't worry about us. You've witness how powerful we are. We will make sure that we won't get captured." Amber said.
"That's right! We can watch each other's backs as we defend this place. We can handle it." Aira commented confidently.
"We can part our ways here. We will stand guard so you can make a run for it." Blake suggested.
"We'll help you. We don't need to run. We can stand guard as well." Glass stated.
"We don't need you here. You're just going to be in our way. If you're fleeing, then just go." Amber replied.
"Reaper, what's your call on this?" Pandora asked.
"Why are you asking me?" Reaper asked back.
"The first missile is rapidly closing in and a second one has just entered my censors as well. Decide now." ANAIS announced.
"We go and they stay." Reaper confirmed.
"What? Have you gone mad in the head?" Surge exclaimed.
"Don't you think they need back up? Defending this place against the overwhelming number of Keepers outside is a suicide." Glass pointed out.
"I've witnessed them fight first hand and I can attest to their capabilities. If they say they'll defend the place, they will defend the place. If we stay here and help them, it's true that we can just be on their way." Reaper explained.
"That settles it then. You all go and us four will stay. Now go! We don't have much time." Rocco announced.
"We'll get in touch once all of these die down." The Professor said. "The rest of you, come on."
"Don't you dare get captured." Glass commented.
Rocco, Blake, Amber and Aira went back to defend the Hill House as they promised. They came out of the upstairs cabin one by one but they've decided to wear black robes given to them by Calcipher before to cover their identities. It's evident that every Keeper who saw the strange figures coming out of the cabin were taken aback because they were certain that no one was in the cabin moments ago. The presence of those four was so impactful that it felt like the rain stopped pouring down.
"Stand your grounds! Those four are probably Anomalies." One Keeper shrieked who appears to be the head captain of them all.
"Are you three ready?" Rocco asked.
"You can bet we are. We're born ready." Amber
"The missiles are in our line of sight. How do guys want to deal with them?" Blake asked.
"Let's just do what we always do. Let's get lose!" Aira exclaimed excitedly.
Blake didn't let the impact of their presence be left as a figure of speech as he actually stopped raining all of a sudden. Everyone who sees this unusual act couldn't hide their reactions to themselves as they were either visibly astonished or horrified. Aira then conjured a powerful stream of wind the incoming missile making its trajectory be put off course and explode elsewhere. Next was Amber spawning a great fireball from out of nowhere and shot it towards the second incoming missile enabling it to explode midair. Rocco put up a stone wall around them with his Great Wall technique even before the Keepers can get back on their feet and get a chance to attack them.
"Don't be overwhelmed, men. There are only four of them!" The head captain exclaimed. "Gunmen, if they want to stop the rain from pouring down, make hell rain upon them instead!" He commanded and the Keepers started shooting at them but thanks to Rocco's wall, they are not inflicting any damages.
"Blake, do it." Rocco instructed.
"Tempest Salvo." Blake muttered to himself.
Blake then gestured unusually making the suspended droplets of water in the air to act erratically. All of a sudden, those hundreds or even thousands of droplets are being shot like bullets towards where their enemies are. With the rain on their side, they have a huge number of ammunitions readily available and provided by nature. Keepers all around them are dropping like flies from all directions. Although Blake may be making sure that those shots are not lethal, he makes sure that it's painful enough to knock them down.
"Captain, we're being overpowered! We'll get wiped out if this keeps up." One of the Keepers said then immediately got knocked down by one of Blake's water bullets.
"We're being overpowered? Not for long." The captain responded proudly as if they have one more trick up their sleeves. "Men, take cover!"
Out of nowhere, they started hearing what seemed to be a very heavy vehicle traversing the nearby woods and headed towards the Hill House. Due to Rocco's Great Wall, they're unable to see what is causing that unusual sound and where and what it's coming from. Then, an ear-bursting explosion was heard near where Rocco was standing. This explosion shattered part of Rocco's wall and in the most unfortunate event, he was hit badly by this explosion which sent him flying back inside the cabin gaining multiple grave injuries in the process.
After Rocco finally dropped violently to the ground, his Great Wall collapsed with him. It was then revealed that the cause of that destructive explosion was a tank. Seeing one of the Anomalies got taken down, the clamor of the Keepers overpowered the noise of the rain. All this cheering along with the critical state Rocco is in made Amber, Aira and Blake lose their cool. However, the entire area was engulfed with a blinding light which stopped the three of them from losing self-control and potentially running havoc.
Meanwhile, the Professor and his team continued to flee using underground waterway. Zythandra and Calcipher did make a good call having spare boats stationed at the dock already filled with number of supplies for occasions such us this one. Luckily for them, there are three boats at the dock because one wouldn't fit them all but they have decided to just use two because only Zythandra and the Professor were the ones who are knowledgeable in driving them. However, their escape was stalled as they realized their number isn't right.
"Don't you think we're missing something?" Medusa asked.
"She's right. I think we're missing someone." Pandora commented. "Our headcount isn't right."
"There are only ten of us here." Surge said.
"Aren't we always ten?" Beast asked.
"Now that you mentioned it, I do feel like that we are missing someone." Glass butted in.
"Halo is not here!" Sprite exclaimed.
"Where is that girl?" Reaper muttered to himself.
"Found her. She went with Rocco and the others." Pandora announced as she instantly scanned the perimeter with her Anomaly.
"She's fighting with them? Does she want to die?" Calcipher asked.
"I didn't reckon she got it in her." Zythandra commented.
"She's connected." Pandora said. "Halo, please come back to us. It's too dangerous up there."
"Halo, don't be reckless!" Glass exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
"Lass, you better get back down here. You'll most likely get caught between Tabitha's kids and the Keepers' crossfire." The Professor said.
"What are you trying to prove, Halo?" Reaper asked.
"That I'm useful." Halo responded. "I'm tired feeling useful! It's true that I'm not an outstanding fighter Medusa and Pandora. I'm not even as good as a support like Sprite. My healing capabilities seem to not be working on top of that."
"That's exactly the point!" Reaper replied. "You can't properly use your Anomaly yet so what are you planning to do?"
"She's probably planning to blind their enemies to death." Beast commented.
"Man, are you serious? She's facing the enemies for us and you're undermining her? That's very cool of you." Surge responded.
"She doesn't have to face the enemies for us, does she?" Beast replied.
"Stop that! I'm here now and I'll do everything I can to help." Halo replied while contemplating how she'll heal Rocco who is currently unconscious and heavily injured.
"Halo, we will leave you be. I'm going to trust your judgement. We will come back for you." The Professor said.
"Professor?" Pandora and Glass asked in disbelief while the others looked at him bearing the same disbelief in mind.
"Thank you, Professor." Halo responded.
The Professor then continued on to lead their way to flee the area. He and Zythandra took a boat each. He took Calcipher and the girls with him while Zythandra took the boys. As with his instructions, they set their course to a remote island to the far south but still within the Gallant Nation so they can still go back to the orphanage once this entire situation dies down. Calcipher and Zythandra happened to be the ones discovered the island and they also made sure that it's inhabited so they can use it as a hideout or anything of the sorts.
"Hey! You're a healer, aren't you? What are you waiting for? Heal him now." Amber commanded.
"I can't." Halo whispered underneath her breath.
"Did you say something?" Blake asked.
"Her Anomaly may need to take some time to activate so let's buy her time. Please heal him, Halo." Aira said.
Amber, Blake and Aira went on ahead and continue to defend the Hill House and themselves against the Keepers starting with the tank who broke down Rocco's Great Wall injuring him gravely in the process. As Blake continued to attack with his Tempest Salvo, Amber focused on defense since Rocco was taken out while Aira was tasked to deal with the tank herself. She then prepared for a devastating blow to do something about it.
"Hellfire's Embrace!" Amber chanted then intense flames encircled the entire perimeter where Rocco's wall was originally was. The intense flames are so hot that the bullets being fired at them are melting on the spot.
"Gale Scythe!" Aira screamed as she jumped as high as she can to get a good glance at the enemy tank. Once confirmed that her target is in her line of sight, she aggressively performed to slicing gestured created to powerful wind current that looked like two intertwined scythe blades.
The Keepers who are inside the tank immediately realized that it'll be their end if they stayed inside it so they hurriedly jumped out for safety. In everyone's astonishment, Aira's Gale Scythe cut the tank with such ease and it could've cut it all the way through if she packed her attack up with even more force. Nevertheless, she was able to destroy the tank as it exploded moments after making her, Amber and Blake able to focus their attention to the rest of the Keepers in the area.
"Halo. That's your name, right?" Rocco asked while coughing out blood.
"Yes. That's me. I'm here to help." Halo responded although she's not sure how can she be of use to them unless she can heal them which unfortunately an ability she can't manifest at the moment.
"I don't have much time left. I was badly hit by that explosion." Rocco explained. "Tell Madame and the others that I'm thankful for everything." He said while tearing up.
The panic in Halo's mind intensified even more as she felt that Rocco's life force is slowly but steadily fading away. All she can do is to encourage him to continue breathing and fighting for his life but eventually Rocco's body gave up due to the number of broken bones and the loss of a lot of blood. Realizing that she once again failed herself in proving that she can useful, she couldn't help herself but to cry.
Aira, Amber and Blake seemed to feel that Rocco has passed as they immediately rushed back to the Hill House where Rocco and Halo are. They can see from a distance that Halo was embracing Rocco's body as she cries uncontrollably but before they can continue getting to them, they noticed that Halo started to glow without her knowing it herself. This glow from Halo's body appeared to make its way Rocco's.
"Amber, what is happening?" Aira asked.
"I don't know. This is the first time I'm seeing her Anomaly." Amber responded. "Blake, do you have any ideas?"
"It appears that she finally manifesting her Anomaly." Blake replied. "But we have to check in further. Let's go."
The three of them finally got to where Rocco and Halo are. As soon as Halo noticed them, she approached them immediately to apologize in every way she knows. She continued crying, held their hands and got on her knees. Since she's not saying anything aside from asking for forgiveness, Aira, Amber and Blake doesn't seem to understand what's happening at first but they are quick to catch on. They eventually realized that Halo is implying that she failed to heal him but their emotions weren't able to devour them as something bewildering happened.
"I'm really sorry. I'm so sorry I wasn't much of assistance." Halo begged. "I failed you. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me." She added.
She continued to beg for everyone's forgiveness but without her knowing, Aira, Amber and Blake's emotions subsided and their attentions shifted from Halo and got fixed to Rocco. It was expected that no one can ever survive from the state Rocco was in but he proved it wrong. Although it seemed that he's in a state of daze, he managed to slowly get up as his injuries slowly healed immediately. Halo saw that the others are looking behind her so she did the same thing and she couldn't believe what she's witnessing.
"You healed here, Halo! We owe you a lot." Aira exclaimed and she rushed towards Halo to hug her.
"It appears that you did heal him so we're grateful for that." Blake commented.
"Yeah. I somehow healed him." Halo muttered to herself as she smiles triumphantly knowing that she's not useless after all.
"Since Rocco's up on his feet again, let's go back and continue kicking Keeper asses!" Amber shrieked.
"I don't know how you did but I thank you for saving my life." Rocco said. "Guys, let me handle the rest. I've had enough of them." He said as his expressions changed significantly. It appears that he is really set to end this feud once and for all.
Rocco walked out of the dilapidated Hill House cabin to face the remaining Keepers that are dead set to either capture them or kill them on the spot. The rest of them trusted him enough to just inside and leave the enemies to him. Halo didn't know what to do so she just stayed inside as well. Amber put out her Hellfire's Embrace to reveal the Keepers to Rocco and vice versa. Revealing Rocco to the enemies made them extremely uneasy that they once again froze in fear.
"Abyssal Welcome." Rocco muttered to himself as he extended his arms forward. All of a sudden, the ground started to shake which once again startled the Keepers and the rest of his team as well.
The shaking of the ground starting gentle but it gets strong quickly in a very short period of time. It became so violent that only Rocco can withstand the earthquake while the rest has been dropping to the ground or already holding on to something to regain balance. Then, the ground that all the Keepers are stationed became hollow allowing them to swallowed whole and fall deep into the earth. Screams of agony and fear from the fallen Keepers are the only things can be heard as Rocco continues to execute this technique. He was able to wipe out all enemies in one fell swoop.
"Help!" One Keeper was heard screaming.
"Call for backup!" One other Keeper shrieked.
"We have injured men here! Check for casualties." Someone commanded which sounded to be the leader of the Keeper. "Damn you, Anomalies!"
After Rocco stopped using his technique, Amber, Aira, Blake and Halo approached him. They were equally terrified and amazed at the same time knowing what he can really do with his Anomaly and how destructive it can really be if he allows it himself. As reserved of a person Rocco is, they didn't really realize even in their wildest dreams that he can be this scary when he's in the state of pure anger.
"That was some sick move, Rocco. I didn't know you can do that." Amber commented.
"I'm more terrified of you now than ever before." Aira said.
"What do we do now, Rocco?" Blake asked. "There are surely other Keepers or even Sentries coming to hunt us."
"Let's go back to the orphanage first." Rocco replied.
"Halo, you can join us." Aira said.
"Will we be following the Professor and the others?" Amber asked.
"That's what we need to confirm further." Blake replied.
"We'll discuss that after regrouping. Let's go." Rocco instructed.
Though still baffled, Halo couldn't do much else but to follow what was instructed by Rocco. All five of them stealthily went to the orphanage to check on Tabitha and the others. Luckily for them, it appears that there are no Keepers rounding up in the area so they easily got in. However, Tabitha, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Wazowski and other attendants were surprised seeing them because the news has already spread that they're also targeted by the military and wanted dead or alive.
"What are you doing here?" Ms. Sullivan asked.
"We're under the impression that you're with the Professor and the others." Mr. Wazowski commented.
"I'm glad that you're all fine but you mustn't be here." Tabitha said.
"We know, Madame. We're just here to check up on you then we'll leave right after." Rocco explained.
"But we need to round up supplies first before leaving." Blake added.
"Right. Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Wazowski, please help them prepare and make it quick. We don't know when the reinforcements will arrive. We can't afford to make this orphanage as a battlefield." Tabitha replied.
Rocco and the others, with the assistance of Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Wazowski, headed to their supply room to prepare. Halo seemed to be still in shock of everything that's happening but she couldn't help herself to ask and confirm the situation so she just does what's being asked of her. Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Wazowski finally confirmed that they wasn't aware where the Professor and the others were headed since the military force's attack was unexpected so they weren't able to properly discuss their plans.
"What will we do then? Where are we headed at point?" Halo asked.
"I don't know. All we need to do for now is to avoid any kinds of encounter with the military force." Rocco replied.
"The Professor promised that they'll come back for us. Can't we just stay here and wait for them?" Halo asked.
"That we can't do. We will be putting the lives of the attendants and the children if we stay here." Blake pointed out.
"We need to isolate ourselves to save these people. I know you don't know us that much but we must stick together to survive." Rocco commented.
"If those Keeper or even Sentry bastards come for us, we'll definitely take them down." Amber said.
"I just hope we can meet with the Professor and the others again." Aira muttered to herself.
"I know a safe place in the North. I'll accompany you there." Ms. Sullivan suggested.
"Is that with the Fury Family? A couple of the most loyal members of our Gallant Network are working there, are they not?" Mr. Wazowski responded.
"You're correct. The Fury Family is believed to be fond of Anomalies as well so it should be fine taking refuge there." Ms. Sullivan explained.
"I appreciate the gesture, Ms. Sullivan. However, you mustn't endanger yourself further for accompanying us. If what you said is true about the Fury Family, you can just give us a map and we'll go there ourselves" Rocco responded.
"Are you sure?" Ms. Sullivan asked.
"Yes and every one of us agree with me." Rocco replied and the rest of them did nod in agreement except for Halo.
After gearing themselves up with proper supplies, Ms Sullivan immediately created a map for them to safely go where the Fury Family is in which they believe to be a safe place for them for the time being. As they're about to leave, one of the attendants came rushing in to announce that dozen units of Keepers and even Sentries are closing in so they have to leave right away. They've used their Anomalies to quickly gain distance and since Halo doesn't have an ability to increase her speed unlike the others, Rocco let her ride with him.
On the other hand, while Rocco is executing his ultimate attack; Abyssal Welcome, the odds are not exactly in the Professor and other's favor unlike what was happening to them back there. The quakes were also being felt in the seas not just on the ground where the battle was actually taking place. With that, devastating waves were created. At first, the boats that the Professor and the others were using can withstand the first few waves but the incoming waves are getting more troubling than the ones came before.
"What are they doing up there?" Glassed exclaimed.
"Keep on holding on to something or we'll all go overboard!" The Professor commanded.
"Reaper, can't you nullify they're Anomalies?" Pandora asked.
"This is Rocco's doing!" Beast screamed. "Do something about it now!"
"I can't. We're too far from them and they're not in my line of sight." Reaper responded.
"You're so useless!" Beast replied.
"Beast, calm yourself. Everyone is trying their best to survive this ordeal." Calcipher said.
"Another huge wave is coming. Brace yourselves!" Zythandra announced.
To subdue the incoming wave, Glass, Medusa, Surge and Beast worked together but unfortunately they failed. Surge charged up his Anomaly release to stop the wave from building up strength while Glass has manifested a barrier as huge as he can to block and avoid the devastating impact directly on their boats. Medusa then went ahead in grabbing both boats with her hair although she's afraid of damaging her hair further. Finally, Beast transformed into a powerful octopus to grab on to both boats as well from under water.
Surge released his charged energy but it didn't much effect to the incoming wave. Glass's barrier shattered since it couldn't handle the force of the wave. Upon impact, Medusa and Beast's holds to both boats were a failure as well. The two of them lost their grip both above and below the sea surface. The four of them were the ones who were greatly affected by that last wave that they lost consciousness in the process. Glass, Surge and Medusa were easily tended since the three of them are on board. In Beast's case, it became a challenge for the rest of them to fetch him since no one can locate her whereabouts.
"Pandora, can you sense Beast?" Reaper asked.
"I'm trying. These waves and the changes in the current is making it hard for me." Pandora responded.
Little did they know, another wave is coming their way and it's equally powerful or even more than the previous one. Since their attentions are focused in looking for a way to locate Beast and bring him back onboard, they were directly his by the said powerful wave. They were lucky enough though that their boats still withstood the impact so they were still left sailing. However, their balances were disrupted resulting for them to be violently thrown to the ground. With this, everyone but the Professor lost consciousness as well.
"Is everyone alright? Answer me." The Professor asked. "We're in grave danger. I can't maneuver both boats on my own." He muttered to himself.
At this point, the boats are starting to drift away from each other all the while Beast is still not being located. Reaper quickly regained consciousness but he seemed to be fully himself yet as he feels disoriented. However, he suddenly felt the urge to finally stop this ordeal they're experiencing so he subconsciously activated his Anomaly. He then looked towards where he's currently sensing Beast.
"What are you doing, lad? You better take cover and try to maneuver your boat." The Professor instructed but Reaper seemed to not hear anything else aside from his own thoughts.
Suddenly, Beast's unconscious body emerged from the violent seas as he's being carried by a whale on its back. The only witness seeing this feat was utterly lost for words in surprise which is the Professor. We was surprised even further when another whale made itself seen from somewhere nearby and started to approach their boat which is drifting away from the boat where Reaper and the others are.
The first whale that carries Beast approached the boat where Reaper and the others are and also carried them to where they're supposed to be headed. The second whale that's carrying the boat where the Professor and the others are followed them without any signs of hesitations. The Professor continued to call out for Reaper but he continues to be in some kind of trance so he still can't hear anything. Eventually, Reaper's grip in his subconscious was severed resulting for him to faint. After fainting, the whales that are carrying them stopped and swam back to where they originally came from. Luckily for them, they are now in calm waters. The Professor then was able to maneuver their boat next to Reaper and the others' boat. Before trying to confront Reaper, he saved Beast first since he was left by the whale floating on the waters nearby.
"Professor, where have you been? You're all soaked up." Zythandra asked.
"Professor, I must've fainted back there. Sorry about that." Calcipher greeted.
"That's fine you two. The important thing is everyone is safe." The Professor responded. "Zythandra, tend to Beast. I just saved him from being overboard."
"Roger that." Zythandra responded.
"Calcipher, check on Reaper. See if there's something off with him." The Professor instructed.
"What do you mean, Professor?" Calcipher asked.
"I think it is his doing why ended up safe. Check his vitals if there's some discrepancies." The Professor explained.
"Really? Well, I still don't know what's up with but I'll definitely check on him." Calcipher responded.
"I'll make sure that the rest of them are safe. It appears that they're still unconscious." The Professor said.
"What happened here? I wonder." Zythandra asked.
"A lot." The Professor replied.