"Hey, you! Stop right there," the woman called out, her voice filled with suspicion. "I know you only saved us to sell us off to other slavers!"
"Hey, calm down," I replied, lowering my gun. "I'm not a slaver. Besides, your sister is with us."
The woman's eyes narrowed in doubt. "You're lying."
"Sandra Gutierrez, red hair, loves electronics," I explained. "It's fine if you don't believe me."
"Fine, I'll believe you for now, but I still..."
Before the woman could finish her sentence, one of the figures behind her rushed forward. I had no time to react as their arms wrapped around me... in a hug?
"Oh! A gallant knight has arrived to save a princess," the girl clinging to me exclaimed with a teasing tone, her words laced with a hint of mischief.
My heart sank at the sight of the remnants of horns on her head, leaving me uncertain of her true intentions. I couldn't shake the feeling that she might have a sinister agenda, ready to devour me with her demonic allure.
"My name is Venidith, or that's what they named me," she introduced herself, her voice carrying a captivating allure that matched her demonic nature. "I am a primordial demon of lust!"
In the presence of another figure, presumably Hannah, I found a glimmer of hope. "I'm Hannah, and don't worry, she's just delusional," Hannah reassured me, her voice steady and composed. "Venidith, back off from him."
Despite Hannah's assurances, the dark aura surrounding Venidith confirmed the accuracy of my goggles, warning me of the danger that lurked in her beguiling facade.
Venidith released her grip on me, visibly frustrated by Hannah's intervention. "Hey! Just because I'm in a bad situation doesn't mean I'm not dangerous!" she retorted, her words tinged with defiance and pride, as if seeking to assert her power.
"We don't have time to argue," I asserted firmly, my voice rising above the echoing gunshots originating from the direction of the slave chamber. It became apparent that the survivor group was bravely attempting to rescue the captives.
High above, a jet soared, releasing a crate with a parachute near the source of the gunfire, while another followed swiftly, unleashing a devastating assault that obliterated the grotesque, flesh-like buildings nearby. Gustav's strategic maneuvers seemed to confirm the goggles' information, but the lingering question remained – would his efforts prove sufficient to save everyone?
An urgent message blinked on my goggles, prompting us to leave the area immediately. "Leave now! Support has been provided."
Seeking a swift exit, I inquired, "Hey, can the girl over there walk?" My gesture indicated the girl standing hesitantly behind Hannah. "We have to leave."
"Her name is Juliette," Hannah replied, her voice steady. "I'll carry her. She appears to be mute."
Venidith clung to my back, voicing her distress, "I feel so weak! Come on, knight, let's go!"
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, I let out a sigh, fully aware that time was of the essence. "Fine, let's go," I said, bracing myself to navigate the perilous path ahead.
~~~~~~~
We reached the gates just as another jet roared by overhead, followed by a deafening explosion that sent shockwaves through the air. The chaotic scene made it challenging for us to make our way out, as hordes of fleshlings relentlessly poured in. Despite the chaos, Hannah remained by my side, showing no signs of distress.
"I'll take this," Venidith declared, swiftly reaching out to grab my M16 from my hands.
Startled, I abruptly halted in my tracks, my gaze fixed on Venidith. "Damn it, demon, what are you doing?" I questioned, my voice laced with concern.
Venidith, seemingly unfazed by my reaction, flashed a confident smile. "Chill, I know how these things work. I've lived for thousands of years," she assured me, her aim steady as she fired off a precise shot that found its mark.
Hannah, ever the voice of reason, intervened, her tone stern yet commanding. "Venidith, behave and stop being a pain in the ass for people, would you?" she reprimanded. "Come on, let's keep moving."
With a heavy sigh, I adjusted my stance to compensate for the weight shift caused by Venidith's presence. I instinctively placed my hand on her ass to steady her, causing her to momentarily flinch but maintaining her focus. "So you like them," she quipped a hint of amusement in her voice.
Venidith continued firing shots in rapid succession, the deafening noise echoing near my ear. Fortunately, the protective headgear and ear nozzles I wore mitigated the impact, reducing the intensity of the sound.
As I glanced up the hill, my attention was drawn to the intermittent flashes of light every few seconds. It was Sam, diligently engaging an unseen target.
Suddenly, Hannah's piercing scream jolted through the chaos. "Shit, look out!"
Before I could react, a powerful force struck me, sending me sprawling to the ground. Darkness enveloped my senses, the lingering echo of the impact reverberating through my head. Gradually, I regained consciousness, my vision blurry and disoriented. Through the haze, I saw Venidith standing over me, still clutching my M16 tightly.
"He--y,"
"Sh--t,"
I strained to focus my eyes, my gaze fixating on the goggles covering my face. Suddenly, a garbled message emanated from the earpiece of the goggles, barely audible amidst the chaos. "Don't use it," the automated voice warned.
"The Bas--"
"Jul-- can--- Yo---,"
A warm, comforting glow surrounded me, gradually dispelling the haze that clouded my vision and easing the persistent ringing in my ears. With a concerted effort, I managed to pry my heavy eyelids open. As the brilliant light enveloped me, a soothing sensation washed over my body, rejuvenating me from within.
Venidith, on the other hand, appeared to be in rough shape. Her legs contorted at an unnatural angle, a grim testament to the ordeal she had endured. I turned to her, concern etched on my face. "Are you alright?"
She mustered a faint smile despite her obvious pain. "Yeah, fresh like a... Daisy"
Surveying our surroundings, I noticed that the monstrous creature we had encountered earlier now lay torn in half. However, it had undergone a disturbing transformation, its flesh darkened, and the spikes protruding from its back enlarged.
Hannah provided an explanation, her voice tinged with worry. "You and Venidith were struck by a massive rock. You were on the brink of death, but Juliette intervened just in time."
Venidith interjected with a self-assured smirk. "Yeah, she kept you alive when you were about to be crushed in half. But thanks to my glorious power, that false demon met its demise."
I couldn't help but glance at Venidith's mangled legs. "But you're not in a better shape yourself," I pointed out, concerned for her well-being, "It looked like a mushed beef Pretzels."
She brushed off my concern with a dismissive wave. "Don't mind it. It doesn't hu-" Before she could finish her sentence, Venidith toppled backward, collapsing onto the ground.