A group of four travelled down a seemingly poor town. But it was far from dirty and unclean. In fact, it was very clean and barely any dirt was around. Rivers of fresh, unpolluted water ran rampant around the settlement. The group of four had brown and black cloaks to prevent being seen. However, from their size and body conditions, they were twelve and thirteen in age. Yet, no one attacked them.
The Lake Settlement was a neutral place, and many people came and went from there. People with cloaks on meant they wanted to keep their identities hidden. And people shouldn't fuck with cloaked people unless they prepared for the possibility that those cloaked people could send them to God- Heaven.
The four children were, of course, Vito, Liza, Zack, and Coco. They'd robbed some bandits along the way and fought off a group of normal zombies. It was easier than expected, since the group of zombies were merely stranglers who weren't killed in exterminations. Real zombie hordes measured up to hundreds of thousands. Yeah, it wasn't a pretty sight. This was a testimony to Captain Milly's abilities.
Reaching a hotel/bar, the group entered. They drew some curious eyes, but none acted on impulse. "What do you need?" The very pretty counter girl asked. She was two years older than Zack, who was the oldest if you didn't count Liza. Zack walked over and put down three tickets with a lion symbol. These things were called, 'Food Tickets.' Otherwise, the basic currency around most settlements around Bastions.
Bastions operated on a different currency called, 'Lids.' Each lid could be exchanged for one hundred food tickets. Plus, lids could buy you tickets, but tickets couldn't buy lids. Food Tickets could also be exchanged for, as you guessed it, food. Not many people ask where food tickets come from, mostly because they are too busy surviving. But Jay had taught Vito that food tickets came from Bastions and were used to control the populace.
"Only three?" The girl asked with a frown, seeing four of them. Zack nodded, he knew that Vito didn't exactly need food. Energy for him was a must though, fortunately Devil Hand covered that aspect. As long as he could keep using Devil Hand, he had an infinite amount of energy. Aka meaning, he didn't need to eat at all. Of course, there were limitations. Vito only had one hand. So as long as he was providing energy to his heart, he couldn't use it to attack or defend.
Plus, Supernatural Heart provided a lot of natural energy to him. So Vito wasn't really afraid of not having enough energy. And even if he was afraid, there was Coco and Zack. Coco had Mother Nature's Gem, allowing her to summon nature itself to help her. Zack could use the power of the heavens to supply him with energy. All in all, Vito didn't need energy.
The group sat down as they all awaited their food. During the two days they had escaped. They made significant progress with things. Such as Vito beginning to learn Marksmanship for guns. Zack is about to finally unlock his bloodline. Coco comprehends nature. And Liza exploring herself, and why she was special.
"So. Where do we go from now?" Coco asked at last, not being able to handle the silence. Zack responded. "We'll make our way towards the fiftieth Bastion. Surprisingly, it is near the fourteenth one." Coco nodded, Liza couldn't help but butt in. "What about the goals after that?" Zack shook his head. "After we ensure our survival, I want to build my very own Bastion." Everyone looked at him strangely. "I know you guys want to live, and I won't force you to help me. After all, it'll be very-"
"Doesn't matter, I'll help you." Surprisingly, Vito was the one to talk. He swore that if he and Zack were able to escape alive. He'd help him to the best of his ability, plus it was also helping Vito. The amount of slave species that run around the poor fourteenth Bastion was still a lot. Dozens of species become slaves, and Vito could harness such authority to get more talents and boxes. It was a win-win situation.
Coco and Liza also agreed with Zack. The latter felt warm that they were willing to help him, even if it was fraught with danger. With new determination, Zack looked at them. "Then I won't fail you! We'll create the greatest Bastion ever." Even with Vito's stone cold heart of emotionless cruelty, he couldn't help but feel a little hot blooded. That and the Ember Pulse was heating up his blood. Or was it the Supernatural Heart? Who knows?
Suddenly the girl came over with a tray of food before placing it down. It was moon wolf flesh, cooked by the cook in the kitchen. Probably the girl's parents or older siblings. The girl took one look at Zack without his cloak on and her cheeks turned red in an instant. Everyone at the table, except Vito, were drop-dead gorgeous or killer handsome. The girl calmed her fluttering emotions and winked at Zack.
"Females are weird." Vito made a remark seeing the girl's behaviour. Coco and the girl looked at him resentfully. While Liza was still new to this type of stuff. "Heh, don't mind Vito. When I'm done eating, I'll see you up there." Zack said cheerfully. The girl misunderstood and became flustered before serving other people with extra enthusiasm. Unaware that Zack merely wanted to ask some questions about the settlement and for a map.
Coco snorted seeing Zack didn't understand her wishes, Vito didn't really care. The flesh from the moon wolf was devoured by Zack in mere minutes before he went upstairs with the girl. "One food ticket that he's going to lose his first kiss up there. And maybe his second and third." Vito said, placing another ticket on the table. Coco wasn't willing to miss this opportunity to steal Vito's ticket. "No way that's going to happen." As she placed a ticket too.
"What are we doing?" Liza asked innocently. Vito shrugged and began to play a game to keep his precision, focus, and speed. Also known as spreading your fingers apart and stabbing before the spaces. Vito didn't use Dagger Proficiency for this one, but after five minutes he equipped the talent. His hands moved like a blur, this also served as another purpose. Deterrent. He was merely showing off one talent. The people around were nervous and knew what he was saying.
'Don't mess with me, or I'll make you regret fucking living.' Everyone got that message, and they respected him. But not everyone was very smart in the brain. Or had functioning kidneys. A group of seven drunk men approached Vito. Sneering. "Y- you think- hiccup- I- I'm scared of- hiccup- ya!?" Vito shook his head and merely stood up and back down again. The men's necks were slit with barely any marks. If not for the blood that was flowing, no one would've known.
Coco coldly moved to the side as the men's bodies collapsed. Everyone ridiculed those drunken people since they decided to mess with the kid. Though, a few people did mock Vito since those drunken men were the 'friends' of the Mayor's eldest daughter. And she didn't like losing her 'friends.' Or in other terms... boy toys.
However, even if Vito knew. He didn't really care. If this eldest daughter had a problem with him, then she could say it to his face. After then he'll stab out her eyes and cut her hands off before making sure she can never have children again. Yet, he won't kill her. He'll merely let her suffer. Vito had a cruel heart for those who wanted to harm him, and it'd stay like that as long as he lived.
No matter what, he'd never fall as long as he was cruel enough. Vito sighed, it didn't matter much anyway. They were going to leave the Lake Settlement soon enough. Right after they rested and found a way to Bastion 50. A few minutes passed and Zack came down flustered. The girl with him, holding his hand. She seemed satisfied. Zack touched his lips absentmindedly. Vito laughed maniacally and grabbed Coco's ticket with clear disdain. "Get good."
"So? How many kisses did she give you?" Coco accepted defeat and asked. Zack didn't respond verbally but put up seven fingers. "How about long make out sessions?" Vito asked. Zack put two fingers up. "Damn, did you like it-" Zack snapped. "Let's stop talking!" A clear blush on his face, Vito chuckled before returning to a serious expression. Zack did too, seeing the dead men.
"Let's book a room here." Liza told them. Everyone agreed but Zack still seemed a little bright. "Then it's settled, we'll book a room." Vito nodded and called the girl before giving her the tickets to stay the night. The girl again winked at Zack and said. "You can stay in my room if you want, Zackary~" Vito thoroughly had the creeps and remarked. "Girls are weird."