Theodore sat on the stairs, his gaze lost in the void, a cup of water in his hand. Seraphine approached him, presenting the notebook he had shown her earlier. Rinehart's voice cut through the heavy atmosphere, his words laced with curiosity. "Are you afraid of child stories?"
The question seemed to hang in the air as Rinehart flipped through the pages and landed on the name 'Vangha.' His reaction was visceral, as if he had touched something cursed. His eyes mirrored Theodore's haunted expression. Ghost's curiosity remained unquenched. "Who is it?"
Theodore's response held a weight of knowledge and experience. "You don't need to know. But yes, she's the one who wrote it. She has a way of seeing things, things that no one else should know. Like the day I lost my hand. I was meant to be in that car, but something made me step out." Theodore's gaze shifted towards Rinehart. "They've wanted me dead since before I was even born."
Ghost's question returned, persistent. "Who wrote this?"
"A witch named Vangha," Theodore replied, his voice tinged with a mix of uncertainty and determination. "She's known for her ability to foresee futures. Some even claim she's immortal. But regardless, we're going to deal with her."
As Theodore regained his strength, he pushed himself up, disappointment etched into his features. "It's easier said than done. But I know where we can find her. My grandfather visited a place she frequented before his death."
Rinehart's response was swift and decisive. He grabbed his gun, loading it with a determined expression. "Then let's go after that witch."
The soldiers sprang into action, rushing to the barracks to gather their mechs and vehicles. Theodore followed more slowly, the weight of his exhaustion still evident. The barracks buzzed with purpose, filled with weapons, power armors, and mechs. Soon, they were all equipped and ready to move.
Rinehart climbed into his mech, his posture commanding respect. His voice echoed with authority. "Soldiers, this is Operation: Find the Witch."
Theodore approached Rinehart, determination in his eyes. "I'm coming with you."
Rinehart's stern gaze met Theodore's, concern evident. "You're not in the condition to handle the speed and pressure."
Theodore's grip tightened on Rinehart's frame. "Tell these stories to your child. Let's go."
Seraphine, however, intervened before he could mount the mech. She gently, yet firmly, guided Theodore away, settling him into a mobile operations vehicle. "You're coming with me for a while."
Though Theodore resisted, his body weakened by days without proper sustenance, he soon found himself sitting in the vehicle, facing Seraphine's intense gaze. Her anger and concern were palpable, the look in her eyes akin to that of a stern mother. He attempted to rise, but his body betrayed him, weakened by the lack of food, water, and sleep.
"I was going to be fine," he murmured weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. Seraphine's response was swift, a sharp slap across his cheek. Theodore's hand instinctively went to the spot where her hand had struck him, his gaze unwavering.
"Now you're acting tough?" Seraphine's voice held a mix of frustration and concern, her emotions mirroring those of the entire group. "You Bloodhearths..."
Theodore's response was subdued, his admission laden with fatigue. "I'll stay put."
As he made his way to the map controls within the vehicle, Theodore programmed the army's GPS to guide them to a swamp located 25 kilometers away from the Bloodhearth castle, a considerable distance from the capital.
"Onward!" he declared, his voice a quiet yet determined call to action. The convoy, led by Rinehart's mech and accompanied by soldiers in their mechs and vehicles, set off towards the foreboding swamp, their collective pursuit of Vangha and the answers she held propelling them forward into the unknown.