"Yeah yeah I hear ya loud and clear. Don't get your panties in a bunch." The assailant scoffed before turning off her communicator. "Now let's see here... This should be fun."
Since the current rifle didn't have the necessary firepower, she grinned to herself while reaching for what looks like a very large firearm. "This baby will do wonders for sure. Kid won't know what hit 'em."
She looks at her right hand before letting it take the shape of an attachment. Upon setting the weapon up, she connected her hand to the device, using her free hand to take hold of the massive object. All that remained was to take position and aim down the modified sight.
A display monitor reflected into their eyes, giving the necessary information needed to make a fatal shot. While she was getting ready, the fauna sucks her teeth wondering what is taking them so long. They could barely keep themselves from losing to the ironclad rodent.
Gale finally regained enough conscience to rush towards her injured sibling. She only thought about getting them out of there for the moment, but the sounds of a fight going on only made her more wary. Further inspection revealed that Ume was fending off the attackers all on her own.
A peculiar scent reach her, recognizing that these weren't any ordinary assailants. Blood was being spilt and when she found the source, the disbelief of shock welled up inside her. Maya was long gone, a grim depiction of what's to come of them if they don't succeed here and now.
There was no time for grief however as Ume started to struggle once more. Her defenses were starting to decline as each blow she took started to grow more painful with every consecutive hit. She couldn't breathe effectively under the stress of being relentlessly assaulted.
"What's the matter kid? Can't keep up?" The squirrel smirked before smacking Ume away with her tail. It was strange that the assailants didn't seem to be running out of stamina. While they were having trouble putting Ume down, they weren't breaking a single sweat.
Nonetheless, she needed a way to put the fight back in her favor. She yelled at Gale, telling her to get out of here as soon as possible. Gale wanted to protest but knew better than to refute against Ume.
Out of reluctance, she picked up her sister and made a run for the nearby woods. With the distraction out of the way, Ume turned her attention back to the attackers and took one last breath. A surge of energy coursed through her as the ground began to quake. This was it... She's making a stand for something she cares about and was intent on doing everything that she could to protect what's left.
Meanwhile, Gale was racing through the forest until she couldn't hear the sounds of the fight behind them. Catching her breath, she rested against a tree, still holding onto her sister for dear life. A pained groan from Rumin, made Gale realize the mistake in her grip and alleviates the issue.
"S-Sorry about that... Here..." She tore off some of her kimono and placed a thick enough stick for her sister to bite into. As the wound was being wrapped up, Rumin bit down hard to hold in the pain until it was done.
Once she calmed down, she tried speaking to Gale but was briefly hushed into silence as the overprotective sibling continued to survey their surroundings. Eventually, she grew annoyed and spoke out despite the potential risks.
"It's my fault sis... I didn't think it would end up like this but... We did nothing... We did nothing and now she's gone. I just don't know who's who anymore right now... Is everyone else still okay?..."
Gale wished she had any good news right now, but reluctantly replied. "She's still alive if that's what you're asking. Kinda put herself in the way so we could escape..."
"You can't be serious... You could've HELPED HER; so why?... Why did you just leave her to fend for herself?!!" It was obvious Rumin was upset, but Gale continued on.
"Look... It was either get you outta there or risk something worse happening to you. What else did you think I was possibly gonna choose in that situation?! Can't you see that I'm just doing the right thing?!!"
Rumin was about to violently retort but saw the look in her sister's eyes. Her friends knew that they were the ones at a greater risk in comparison to their on lives. They didn't have to but... The bond they shared just couldn't get sullied like that.
"You stay hidden ok? I'm going to head back. If anything happens jus-..."
"It may not be what they want but... If we can at least save one of them... Maybe we can make it up to them in some way. One is more than my mind and heart can take right now..."
That was when both siblings got alerted by something moving about through the area. Gale made sure her sister was out of plain sight before dartig off, only to bump into something rather sizeable.
"Alright. I hope you're ready for a fight because I'm in no good mood whatsoever." Once she stood back up however, the thing that she bumped into just happens to be Hiraku. Her expression became grievous once she realized who it was.
"Gonna start speak for yourself or are gonna explain why you've been following us around like some weirdo." Before she could get a response, Hiraku hugged her tight, speaking incoherently before getting smacked away.
"Last warning. What the hell are you doing out here?!" There was a snarl in her voice that made the man jump back before clearing his throat.
"W-Well y-you see... The thing is I've been looking for you and your sister for a while now. Saw you went with some company and it made me a little concerned. I'm just glad that I got out here just in time."
Gale raised a brow in suspicion. "What do you mean by 'in time'? Were you expecting something to happen out here?"
Hiraku gulped, finding the words difficult to vocalize. He knew what he had to say, but just couldn't bring himself to truth. Luckily for him, several sounds started to approach them, only to reveal the assailants that were targeting the girls from earlier tonight.
"Well well well~... Didn't expect our little weasel here to actually make himself useful. I must say I'm impressed." The fauna grinned in triumph as she dusts off her outfit.
"Sod must've felt pretty scared for his life and thought that making our job easier would make things better." The squirrel gestured, still holding onto a battered Ume.
Gale's instinct was to leap forward immediately, but Hiraku puts himself in between the two parties. Finding the action intriguing, the fauna folded her arms in amusement, pressing a finger to her chin.
"I suppose you deserve some kind of reward for keeping our targets in one place. Though, if you wanted to use them so badly, you could've just waited until we've reared them in. Not like we would do the things you're interested in anyway. Let alone at all."
Hiraku quivered on the spot while Gale was wondering just what is actually going on.
"C-Can we not talk about that in front of the children?..." He wanted to avoid the situation as much as possible but unfortunately, the fauna could only stifle a snicker.
"After all you've done to them, you still think you're gonna achieve some kind of vindication? I never took you for a jester sweetie. Either that or you're actually more ludicrous than I give credit for."
Gale grits her teeth as she listened to the conversation. An uncomfortable anger was building up inside of her, clenching her fists so tight that you can almost hear it. "Just spill it already coward!!! Why do you know these people and what the hell it has to do with any of us?!"
So much for an easy way out. Tensions were beginning to boil over and if it goes on for any longer, he's gonna have hell to pay. Thankfully, the fauna grew tiresome of beating around the bush and turned on a projector device from her wristwatch.
"It's no use playing games anymore hun. While I'd love to keep it professional from a business perspective, you've long past dug your own grave at this point. Besides, nothing beats stirring a pot that's over flowing right?"
Hiraku's eyes widened, going into a frenzied panic as he tried his best to convince the fauna that this wasn't necessary. The fauna paused for a moment, actually giving him a bit of her attention, albeit an unamused one.
"It's obvious you're not going to capitulate your sins. Though maybe if you grovel and beg, I might consider changing my mind."
Hiraku hesitated, but got down on his knees, pressing his head against the floor. "I'm not worthy of making any demands Mistress. For the love of all that is sacred, I beg you to at least humor this one simple request from a lowly being such as myself."
The fauna scoffed, expecting him to do what she told, but not in such a humorous fashion. "As if you couldn't get anymore pitiful than you already are. A parasite like you deserve to be removed from this very planet. But first, let's see what they have to think about it shall we."