During the long drive, the tranquility of the drive seemed almost surreal, with no sign of the Forbidden emerging to disrupt their trip. The absence of any Forbidden allowed them to be at ease for a moment, from the unpredictable Forbidden. For the first time in what felt like days, they could afford to lower their guard, if only for a moment.
Hyacinth was a destination significantly different from the other towns. Hyacinth stood as not just a mere stopover but as a important hub where one of the bases of the Regione Novem resided. Years of collaboration between Hyacinth and the institution had elevated the town to the pinnacle of technological advancement. The place seemed almost seemed futuristic. Skyscrapers pierced the skyline, their reflective surfaces mirroring the streets below. Advanced transportation systems transporting travelers from one end of town to the other in what seemed like seconds. In this region of progress and ingenuity, it promised much with the vow of discovery and advancement.
"Hey, Mary, does this place remind you of home?" Simon grinned.
"Absolutely not," Mary chuckled, looking at the futuristic architecture surrounding them. "Magnolia is nothing like this. But I have to admit, there's a certain charm to this place. It's like stepping into a whole new world."
"Besides Gardenia, Regione Novem has a base there as well," Bard added, observing the advanced structures of Hyacinth.
"How do people even live here?" Eve sighed, shielding her eyes from the glare of the futuristic buildings surrounding them. "Any longer and I think I'll get a headache. I mean, it's like living in a light show, I can't imagine trying to sleep here."
"The technology overload is definitely a bit overwhelming," Vulcan remarked. "But I suppose the people here have gotten used to it over time," he added.
"It's as if they've made their own world within this town. Each corner holds its own secrets, its own quirks. Where everything operates at a different pace and under a different set of rules." Bard paused, taking in the sights and sounds of Hyacinth. "It's fascinating in its own way, don't you think?" His tone a sense of wonder and intrigue, reflecting the charm of the technologically advanced town.
"That's certainly one way to put it, Bard," Simon said.
"There's no reason for us to make a stop here, right?" Vulcan asked.
"Not really, there's no need for us to stop here. We'll simply pass through Hyacinth," Bard replied, glancing at the others for confirmation.
"Absolutely," Eve chimed in. "Let's keep moving forward and make it to Legis."
"Very well," Bard nodded. "Given our steady pace so far, we'll arrive in Legis within the next few hours. But let's stay focused and alert until then."
Eve's eyes slightly widened as she felt the unmistakable presence of void energy in the air around them. Before she could say anything, the earth beneath them shook violently, accompanied by the force of powerful winds. The gusts tore through the streets, shattering windows of nearby buildings and sending shards of glass flying through the air. Trees swayed dangerously before being uprooted to the sheer force of the winds, crashing to the ground.
As the earthquake intensified, fissures tore through the surface, tearing the ground apart with gaping cracks that seemed to swallow everything in their path. With each passing second, the cracks widened. During the earthquake, a building was brought down by the force, its foundations weakened, before succumbing to gravity's pull and crashing down, sending clouds of dust and debris into the air.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them stopped its violent tremors, while the powerful winds had died down as quickly as they had came. The abrupt stop left behind a feeling of disbelief, as though it had been nothing more than a bad dream. As soon as the chaos ended, panicked voices pierced the air as people stormed out of the shattered buildings and flooded onto the streets. Shouts mixed with the wails of alarm, the place completely overrun with panic.
Bard skillfully drove the car during the chaos, as the disaster subsided, he brought the car to a stop. "What in the world..?" he muttered.
"That had to be the work of a Forbidden..." Eve said, still in disbelief.
"Are they that desperate that they're attacking indiscriminately now?!" Mary exclaimed, her tone a mix of shock and frustration.
"That might be the case, and if so, that's not the last time something like that will happen," Bard sighed, the reality of their situation now settling in.
"Hey Bard, the road ahead is completely destroyed. You'll have to drive back and find some other way around," Simon observed, pointing to the road ahead, which lay in ruin.
"Its intention is clearly to stop us from going any further. If we turn back now and try to advance, it's safe to assume that they'll start their attack again," Bard analyzed.
"Are we stuck here then?" Vulcan asked.
"Unless we find that Forbidden when it starts its attack again," Eve suggested as she considered the possibilities.
"The force of nature sure gave you guys a scare, huh?" came a familiar voice, as they suddenly appeared and plopped down onto Bard's lap with a mischievous grin.
"What the- you're... Forbidden Lust!" Bard exclaimed as he realized who had just landed on his lap.
"Did you miss me, honey?" Lust said with a seductive tone, leaning in closer to Bard.
Everyone in the car readied their weapons and Ornaments, ready to fight Lust.
"Waitwaitwait, time out! I'm not here to fight!" Lust pouted.
"This damn slag, I'll kill you this time!" Forbidden Blood's voice echoed in Simon's mind.
Bard noticed Lust's appearance, noting her lack of weapons and the recent regeneration of her arms. "You wouldn't put yourself in such a vulnerable state," he observed, "and not to mention, it looks like your arms regenerated not too long ago. What do you want?" He sighed.
"Thank you, honey, I knew I loved you for a reason!" Lust said before kissing him on the cheek.
"You better hurry, or I'll pierce your core like I did with that other one," Eve threatened.
"Ah, Forbidden Illusion, he didn't like that one bit you know..." Lust grinned mischievously, "anyway! I'm here to stop you, no fighting, just peacefully talking." She wrapped her arms around Bard, her touch strangely comforting.
"Seriously, after all the destruction you just caused, you expect us to believe you're here for a peaceful chat?" Mary interjected.
"Hey now, that wasn't me," Lust said as she leaned closer to Bard. "Besides, don't you humans love doing things peacefully?" She teased, her fingers tracing playful patterns on Bard's arm. "Just stay away from Legis, simple as that," she added with a smile.
"And what if we don't give a damn and keep going?" Simon retorted.
Lust giggled, her tone turning slightly colder. "Well, then you'll have to face the consequences, won't you?" she replied. "But trust me, you won't like what happens next."
"That attack happens again..." Bard whispered.
"How smart, that's right, honey! You'll have to deal with the force of nature until you're all dead!" Lust taunted as she kissed Bard's cheek. "But don't worry, I'll try to save you. Of course, no guarantees." With a playful wink, she pulled away.
"Or we can destroy that Forbidden before they get the chance to do any real harm," Eve said.
"Interesting. But let's be realistic here. He's far from here and by the time you even reach him, you'll likely be too injured or outright dead to put up much of a fight." Lust taunted.
"I've dealt with Forbidden Illusion. So, tackling another Forbidden won't be a problem," Eve retorted.
"He told me you were at death's door, barely clinging to life. You're lucky that Blood closed your wounds. But now, my dear, why don't you give me your answer?" Lust's gaze softened as she lovingly looked at Bard.
"Hmm, 'honey'..." Bard said sarcastically, "do you really want my answer?"
Lust leaned in closer, their lips barely inches apart, her breath warm against Bard's skin. "Yes, your answer is the only one that matters to me," she whispered seductively, her gaze locked onto his.
"Once we deal with this Forbidden, we're coming after you," Bard asserted, pushing Lust away from him.
"Ah, what an idiot I've chosen for a lover," Lust sighed dramatically. "Very well, just know that if you try to move any further, then you'll have to deal with the force of nature again." She used her spatial retreat and disappeared.
Still surprised from the encounter with Lust and trying to make sense of the situation, Eve finally broke the tense silence that lingered among them.
"We'll have to move quickly; once that 'force of nature' starts again," Eve said, a tone of determination in her voice.
"Agreed," Bard nodded thoughtfully. "Considering the distance she implied, it's likely that we'll need to make our way to the opposite side of Hyacinth to confront this Forbidden."
"Is everyone ready?" Eve asked, everyone nodded in unison.
"But hey, Bard, gotta admit, I'm feeling a little jealous here. Seems like that Forbidden really loves you ," Simon remarked with a playful grin.
Bard subtly smiled, "I'm not entirely sure I want the affection of a Forbidden, but let's set that aside for now. We have a more pressing matter at hand, let's get ready for the next fight."
Lust let out a sigh as she stood atop a building, her gaze fixed on the streets below. In her hand, she held a katana, its blade reflecting light.
"Ah, my dear, stupid lover, I can only hope you don't meet your end. The force of nature doesn't discriminate from ally and foe. Good and evil. It will keep attacking until everything in its range is dead..."