The ground below showed no sign of change, as Jamal continued his flight above. How much damage did Alice really do with that attack, he couldn't help but wonder as his mind began to drift off. The comfort that he would eventually bring to his family couldn't come sooner enough, as the potential future that awaited them would be worth the fight. That, and the ideals he and the rest of their forces continued to fight for, or at least try to. Or maybe that was just him, and his cloudy mind starting to slowly change things about him.
Meanwhile, the first of the houses were now visible to him, as well as some of the looming apartment complexes a few blocks away. The city was a lot more compact than he thought, especially from coming around and not a head-on assault, but that was simply how the city was designed.
"Guess I'll have to wait now." Jamal muttered to himself, as his descent to the ground was quick to come.
Moving with ease, he simply couldn't put his mind around the amount of pressure that was instantly relieved from his and Alice's attacks alone. Sure, did Alice's attack do a whole lot more damage than what Jamal was putting together, but by no means should the Reserve Guards defense break down that quickly after an insignificant power-up. Perhaps it could only mean a few things.
"It's likely that this city battle will be far more deadlier than this activity so far," Jamal muttered, as behind him, could he see the row of carrs and the forces assigned with them zooming towards his direction. "At least they're coming now."
"Jamal!" a new voice replaced his thoughts, causing him to look below.
Dashing towards him, was Brat in the form of a rhino, with an unconscious Alice straddled between his shoulder and neck.
"Stay put." the creature grumbled again, the steps getting louder with him approaching.
Just great, Jamal couldn't help but give off a fake smile, itching to have his fists talk. Behind the rhinoceros, Leon was pacing several yards behind, heaving for breath with such a run and used-up energy. At least his body looked okay, Jamal took note, as his feet finally touched the earth.
"You thought, you could get away like that." Leon finally caught his breath, as the carrs were finally able to move around him and continue onward. "Did you even do anything?"
"Not yet, but we're just outside the city limits now." Jamal stretched his arm in the general direction for them to look at.
"Well, that's good." Brat cleared his throat before speaking, finally turning back human and Alice being propped up against a nearby tree trunk by some passing soldiers. "As for Alice, some of the others will watch her until she wakes up."
"Sounds good with me."
"Same here," Leon added, "Now, it's time we get ourselves another city."
"Alright, I'll see y'all by the front then." Jamal grinned and was ready to go, flames coming off his skin again.
The pair of men didn't even wait, as they jogged past him and along the convoy of carrs, as a streak of red followed in the air above them, leading their way towards the first of the homes. Hopefully, for them, the others were doing as well as them.
...
The paved road gave them perfect access to the city ahead, as the Port-O-Bea flank with Hops and the others with him marched towards it. One wouldn't be able to tell that it was the resistance force from up close, since they all looked like regular Reserve Guards, changing into the cleanest uniforms available. At least most of them were able to get fitted properly, but a few of their men just couldn't find a perfect match that wouldn't reveal their actual identity. Thankfully, they willingly decided to stay back and notify the group of any incoming forces through a signal from one of their powers. It was going too well for them.
"That was one of the strangest ambushes I've ever witnessed or even seen work." Sera couldn't help but compliment, stepping over a dead body with slices over its chest.
"Yeah, that was just a bit too easy." Heskins was still a bit uneasy about their situation, rifle in hand, "They wouldn't really let us waltz in that easy, would they?"
"Guys, let's just take advantage of our situation. Stay calm and keep pushing forward." Hops chuckled, as the team passed by some captured Reserve Guards, numbered about fifteen, looking gloomy about the situation they were in as they were being led back to the coastal city's camps. "See, we even have some POWs."
"As if that's exciting." Fonda kept silent until now, looking at some of the apartment complexes a few miles away. "This is going to get a whole lot worse."
"As if the others don't know that ready. We'll have to adapt from here on out. Expect the less expected."
Sera stared among them, looking at the city that they would have to traverse through. All the casualties and lives that would be sacrificed or changed forever on either side for this place was almost pathetic when thought about deeply enough. The emotions inside her knew that this was all unnecessary, but yet they had no choice. It was this or let that man ruin the world for his fogged goals. But it did bring up a good question they all should have considered before disembarking.
"Y'all, have we ever considered that one of us could really die here?" Sera pointed out, just as the road was beginning to turn around a small stream and directly to the city outskirts.
The Viligantes of Power with her slowed down to a standstill, as those words made them think for a second as to what she meant. Die, over here?
"You're thinking about the Prophet, aren't you?" Fonda looked at the woman, to which Sera nodded.
"We can't cry or have any sign of fear about that. We gotta stay strong and keep it together!" Hops broke his sense to the group, "We all won't die as long as we stick together like we've always had. And once we reunite with Alice and them, will we be truly unstoppable. Now let's get back on task!"
"He's right y'all. We have to lead all of our forces and show off by example." Heskins leaned the rifle against his shoulder, as Hops pressed forward, "Not everything is set in stone as they say, so let's focus on one thing at a time, alright?"
Fonda shook her head in agreement, while Sera was in complete disarray at their composure. Sure she hadn't really told them, but this battle was something she feared could change everything. All their preparations could mean nothing once they entered the place and horrors that would come. She just had to hope it was enough, as Sera's sword shed a brief pulse of energy, acknowledging that they were going to still give it their all.