Everyone was perplexed with Lima decision.
-What? What do you mean Lima?!
-Lima, are you crazy? What the hell are you talking about?
-I'm sorry, this is all my fault.
Lima feels happy for how much her companions care for her. Tears flow from her eyes.
-Stacy stop crying, it's alright, it's not your fault. You guys made me happy for the time we passed together. Kyle, you have to become more assertive, you are too hesitant to do anything. Jay, you have to think more before acting you are too reckless. However you complement each other, and I expect great things from you all, making a true impact in the world as rebels.
-You aren't thinking that we will let them go, are you? We appreciate that you turn yourself in, but the more rebels we take, the better for us. We have to do it for the sake of our future.
Lima smiles and takes a deep breath.
-I have to atone for my sins, I'm sure that's my fate. However these kids only wanted to make the world a better place, so there's no reason to take them too. I vowed to not hurt you, so I cannot do it. And I hate to rely on someone I just met -says Lima as she looks to Leo -but I think I can trust you to take the kids out of here, they will know where to go when they are safe outside this city. I'm sorry I'm dumping on you all of this.
Some of the citizens try to catch Kyle, but as soon as they got close, they were projected across the room. Leo grabbed the three kids without delay and get on the window, looking behind one last time.
-Are you sure of your decision? We could all get away safely out of here-
-Yes, these people need this win to pick themselves once again.
-Then I guess this is it. I will make sure to keep them safe until we get out of the city. Goodbye, Lady Lima.
-Farewell.
-You are not going to escape. Get them!
«Ice Burst: Icy Jet»
Leo jumped out of the 3rd floor window with the 3 kids, concentrating on his feet a considerable essentia in order to jump further and faster across his way. His back disappeared from their pursuers eyes as he was embraced by the night darkness.
*****
Jay start hitting Leo to let him go, pointlessly.
-Leo, stop! We have to go back! Lima is gonna be brought to the Nation authorities. Do you know what they'll do to her?!
-Please, big brother. You are strong enough to take her back.
-Please, you got to save her-
-SHUT UP! Lima sacrificed her life for your rebellion ideals, putting this city resident's life in front of her. Don't you dare to sully her honor asking me that. There are few people in this world that live and die for their own code, and they deserve all the respect that we have to give. There's no way I will get back, even though that I would without a second thought if it was not her wish to give her life for the town.
Jay, Kyle and Stacy got quiet hearing Leo's words, they knew he was right and should respect Lima's will. It was Leo who broke the silence.
-Yet Lima put something in front of her own ideals…you guys. She put your lifes in front of all these people. Your lifes weight more than this city. So it's okay to cry now, but you have to remember her as you make a new path ahead of you.
Leo's party fled without more words to be traded among them, the only sound heard was Leo's feet against the ground as he leapt and their mumbling mourning their leader and friend. Jay felt snowflakes hit his arm, making him looking up and see for a few moments Leo's shedding chilled tears.
*****
It was dawn, when the group of Serpens City residents got to the city Nation Manor with their prisoner. She was not harmed, even though that there were some that wanted to take their frustration on her. However that was not done, respecting her attitude of turning herself in and in the name of her good actions across the years.
-Stop! State your affair!
-We are here to bring one of the rebels, one of the main perpetrators of the tribute theft. She is also known as the "Silent Melody" and one of the rebellion's officers, Lima.
-No way you measly peasants could capture someone like her.
-It's true! We got her, so our debt is paid right?
-Let's see about that.
One guard entered the Nation building, vanishing for a few moments. From the front gate of the Nation Manor, the Nation troops of the city came out, escorting an uptight middle aged man and their captain: Lodi Stump. This man is cunning and even though that he barely could use essentia and doesn't have an essentia ability, he climbed the ranks of the Nation to his position, due to his shrewd mind and flattery alone. This time he saw a new opportunity to rise once again, as one of the most notorious rebels was literally delivered to his own two feet. Nevertheless, he remained composed, not risking to show any emotion.
-Boys, looks like we got some big fish right here. You caring citizens can rest assured; you have done well so don't you worry about the tribute.
-But sir, the Nation said that it was…
-Are you questioning my judgement?
-No, sir but-
-So they are free to go. They have done what we couldn't, catch this lady right here. I guess that pardon a new tribute that they already paid is not something we can deny it now. They will not back away from here without it, I'm sure of it.
-But...
-Good, now get her out of here, handcuffed with top tier slate metal. Pass over the word that the tribute is paid off.
-Sir, that's not how the Nation…
-We will pay for it, if necessary. The almighty Nation couldn't get the scent of the rebel officers, and these nice people deliver one of them. That's the least we can do, right?
-Yes sir.
-Thank you for your service, we will get it from here.
-Thank you, kind sir. We did it, everybody!
As the citizen crowd get away, Lima was arrested with the special handcuffs to inhibit her essentia. Lodi creepily smiled as he walks in front of Lima and contemplating her body, traveling his finger across her chest.
-It's such a shame that we have orders to dispose you… it's such a waste. I would like to taste you, but I know that would be something I would regret just like someone before, right…Luna?
Lima shuddered hearing that name, looking back to Lodi.
-Finally your pretty eyes look at me. You thought that I would not dig up your past? We are the Nation; we know all about you so called rebels -says Lodi as he gets close enough to Lima to whisper – and your sordid past. It's so sad that the people you filthy parasites swore to protect were the ones that gave you up. And do you know what's the best part? We were the ones that robbed the tribute, however I guess it's not stealing if the tribute is technically ours. What do you think of my brilliant plan? You rebels were finally forsaken by this shitty town.
-Sir, we need your seal to validate their debt pardon.
-What debt pardon? Why would we forgive any debt?
-Sir?
-You bastard! They did what you told them to do, I gave myself up for them!
-Hmmm… doesn't ring a bell, people need to pay for what they own, am I right or what? hehehe. Men, escort her to her night cell. Tomorrow we will send a message to these rats at the main plaza. Tell the workers to build the hanging gallows for tomorrow's special event.
Lodi walks away, laughing out loud.
*****
In the outskirts of the city, Leo hides in an old shed with the kids. They're still sobbing, but they understood the situation. Leo looked lost in his thoughts when Jay abord him.
-I'm sorry for everything. You got involved in this because of us.
-Yeah, it was because of you. And I'm almost certain that Jax is thinking I am in trouble again and he would be right.
-Who is Jax?
-The biggest pain in the ass I know… and of course my little brother. I wonder where he is.
-Is he like you?
-Hmm…I guess I'm more handsome and clever, but he's not too bad himself. A little pessimistic, I think.
-I wish I had some older brother like you.
-You have me Kyle, no need to worry. We are a family.
-…I mean a reliable one like Leo.
-Yeah, wish I could be more like Leo, maybe I wouldn't get caught by the troops. I'm such a mess.
-Don't say that Stacy, it was not your fault! Things are getting harder each day, and all of this because of the tribute disappearing. We try so hard to find who did it, but we couldn't discover it, not even got a clue.
-We did our best and couldn't get anything. We don't deserve to have been by Lima's side at all. She didn't deserved to be taken, she…
-Shush. We got company.