Roar!
The mutations had stopped in their tracks, no more movement. Jacob, who was inches away from some mutations, moved his knife and eliminated them all.
"They actually stopped!" Johanna collapsed to the ground surrounded by mutations.
Brutus, who was extremely tired, sat on the ground as he looked around and realized that if he had taken a few more minutes, they would have possibly died.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Jacob, seemingly tireless, didn't stop and began decapitating mutation after mutation. These lizard-like creatures in human form died slowly under the blade of Jacob's weapon.
"Are you planning to kill them all?" Brutus looked at Jacob in the distance and yelled at him.
"Are we going to leave them here?" Jacob expressed his doubts and said, "I want to send a message to the Capitol, their people must be either on our side or against us."
"They've stopped!"
"It's time to eliminate them!"
Although most of the inhabitants of District 3 had left, the warriors stayed to fight, and many were doing so while retreating under the siege of the mutations. Seeing Jacob at the frontlines, no one really wanted to abandon this place. However, upon hearing that he was holding the line so that everyone could retreat, those who couldn't fight left without saying a word.
For now, as long as they don't have control over the other districts, they won't ask for help from District 1 and 2. Jacob knew that the loyalty of those districts was deeply rooted in the Capitol, so it would be really problematic if they refused to fight.
"Eliminate all the mutations, I'll be recording a message for the Capitol." Jacob, who saw everyone moving with white weapons towards the monsters, walked towards the hovercrafts and requested medical assistance for Brutus and Johanna.
This time they had suffered very serious casualties, so they had to leave this place as soon as possible. Fighting against the mutations was truly a problem, but if he managed to control them, the Capitol would easily fall under his dominion.
"Play with their strength, win the game..." Jacob murmured with a cold smile.
With the battlefield now calm, people cautiously approached the mutated creatures lying motionless on the ground. There was an atmosphere of caution and awe as they examined the strange shapes and features of the mutos.
Jacob observed alongside Brutus and Johanna, impressed by the power that his intelligent assistant had demonstrated in taking control of the creatures. Though grateful for its intervention, he also felt a mix of fear and fascination for the power that now resided within him.
The people of the district, in an act of bravery, approached the mutations and began eliminating any creature that still showed signs of life. With caution and expertise, they shot and stabbed the mutos until they were sure they no longer posed a threat.
Once the creatures were eliminated, the survivors of the battle began scouring the battlefield for useful weapons and supplies. Among the debris and the bodies of the mutos, they found an assortment of weapons abandoned by the peacekeepers.
Jacob and the others joined in the search, picking up machetes, axes, and other sharp objects that could prove valuable in future confrontations. The metallic sound of weapons being collected filled the air, a constant reminder of the fight that was yet to come.
Meanwhile, the community organized itself, assigning tasks and establishing security measures to secure the camp. Wounds were attended to, and those who had been defeated in battle received medical care.
Jacob, with his mind filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions, joined the collective effort. Although he had gained a new form of power through his intelligent assistant, he was also aware of the dangers and responsibilities that came with it.
...
"We're leaving this place; I don't want to stay here any longer."
"[Master, the hovercraft will be here in five minutes!]"
Night was falling, and soon the surroundings would be completely in darkness. As Jacob walked around, he soon heard the sound of the wind breaking from the sky.
At this moment, there were about 700 people in this place. After continuous trips to the districts that ensured the well-being of the survivors, these were the ones who remained, and they all carried weapons.
Protecting District 4 is not profitable at all, considering that the Capitol can launch these kinds of attacks. Investing resources in this place was not beneficial at all.
"How did we do?" Brutus appeared beside Jacob, his shoulder bandaged, and exposed wounds scattered across his body.
"We didn't do well, but it was within expectations... If we didn't have the support of the hovercraft and if we hadn't stopped the mutations in time, we would all have died," Jacob replied, being somewhat optimistic or honest with Brutus.
"I am more confident in our victory. With 20 hovercraft, all the districts will join us in a matter of seconds," Brutus looked into the distance as several shadows passed swiftly through the sky.
"I still doubt Districts 1 and 2. You, better than anyone, know the loyalty they have to the Capitol... Although I'm not a devil, their response will be crucial for their treatment after the war." Jacob looked at Brutus and said, "In the dark days, District 13 abandoned all the other districts and made a special deal with the Capitol..."
"How?" Brutus was surprised that Jacob shared that information, especially with him.
"Both sides have nuclear bombs. A fight to the death would end with all living beings dead from the bombs or radiation... They gave us garbage weapons, little ammunition, and surely now they will be more committed to this revolution they didn't expect anything from..."
Jacob paused, looked at the sky, and pointed, "I trust that once your wounds heal, you will lead an attack on District 2. First, you will communicate with them, and then we will initiate the cleanup. We must corner the Capitol; only then can we win."
"Yes..." Brutus looked at Jacob's back with a deeper gaze. He truly had respect for this young man who was an incredible leader at such a young age.
"[The hovercraft is here, Master...]"
In the distance, Jacob's eyes saw a dark-skinned man followed by people in dark combat suits. Behind them, a female figure ran out, and she quickly ran towards him.
"Jacob!" Katniss shouted after embracing him tightly.
Jacob, looking at Katniss again, whispered, "Didn't we see each other a few days ago? It feels like years have passed, Katniss."
Katniss looked up, gazed at Jacob's face, and said, "District 13 sees a future in the uprising you're leading, so they sent Squad 451, who will be at your command, and they will initiate an attack on the Capitol when the time comes."
There were no familiar faces among them, as these were not people Jacob had had the pleasure of meeting before. Even Gale was not among their ranks, so it must be a newly formed team.
"Help is always welcome..."