The garage echoed with the sound of engines being tuned. Seven motorcycles stood in a row, each modified with compact siphoning cables running along their frames. Lyra was checking the last of the equipment when I arrived, her practiced hands moving over the machinery with familiar precision.
"You're late," she said without looking up. "The sun will be up in an hour."
"Sorry, sorry I had to prepare a few things," I replied, dropping my pack beside my bike. "Any problems with the equipment?"
Theon emerged from behind one of the bikes, his hands black with grease. He wiped them on his already stained coveralls before speaking. "Cables are secure. The bikes will be able to sustain the energy from a savage rank giving us about three to four hours of fuel running time. I've made some modifications to improve efficiency."
"Good." I surveyed the garage, counting heads. "Where are the others?"
"Right here, boss." Marcus's voice came from the entrance. Behind him walked Sara, Jin, and Kara. Each carried their own pack of supplies, weapons strapped across their backs. They looked ready for battle, which was good - we'd likely see plenty of it.
"About time," Lyra muttered, finally straightening from her work. "Everyone check your earpieces. We need perfect communication out there."
A chorus of clicks followed as we activated our communication devices. The sound of static briefly filled my ear before clearing.
"Testing," Jin's voice came through crisp and clear. "Everyone hearing this? Speak up if you're not."
After receiving confirmation from everyone, I gathered them around. The time for preparation was almost over. "Let's go over the plan one last time. Lyra?"
She stepped forward, her silver hair catching the dim light. "We're taking the west gate out. Guards have already opened the gates for our leave. Once we're past the outer walls, we split into three groups. Theon and I take point, Eli and Marcus center, Sara, Jin, and Kara bring up the rear."
"Communication protocol?" I prompted, knowing how crucial this would be.
Sara adjusted her pack as she answered. "No contact unless we're attacked by a beast. Keep the channels clear for emergencies."
"Route?"
Kara pulled out a map, spreading it across one of the bikes. The parchment was worn at the edges, marked with red ink in several places. "We follow the old mining road for the first hundred miles. After that, we cut southwest across the Rock Field. Theon's marked the known beast territories in red - we avoid those unless absolutely necessary."
Marcus touched the sword at his hip nervously. "Perfect, let's just hope we don't encounter an Apex rank or a pack of Colossus, otherwise we won't be worried about slowing down but staying alive."
"Don't jinx us," Jin snapped, smacking his twin's head with more force than necessary. "If we do encounter one, I'm blaming it on you now. You know better than to tempt fate."
"Ass," Marcus replied, rubbing the spot where Jin had hit him. "That actually hurt."
"You're the ass. Aren't you a Beastwalker? You never say that something bad will happen, otherwise bad things will happen," Jin continued, glaring at his brother. "It's basic hunting knowledge."
"That's a lie, you're just superstitious. Always have been, since we were kids."
"Perfect, I'm superstitious, but don't say that anything bad will happen or this superstitious ass will beat your ass, capich? I mean it, Marcus."
I watched the twins bicker, studying their identical features. Their grey eyes and blue hair were perfect mirrors of each other, but their personalities couldn't have been more opposed. Together, they were an effective team, when they weren't trying to kill each other.
"Let's move on from this," I interrupted, before their argument could escalate further. We didn't need this kind of tension before setting out.
"Yes, my lady," they responded in unison, their voices blending together perfectly despite their differences.
The garage door began to rise, revealing the pre-dawn darkness. The sound of machinery filled the space, drowning out the last echoes of conversation.
"Check your supplies one last time," I ordered. "Earpieces, weapons, beast meat rations, medical kits. Once we're out there, we will have the things we have on our back and the stuff we can hunt."
As the others performed their checks, Lyra approached me privately. Her face was serious, all traces of earlier amusement gone. "You sure about this, Eli? You have 600 miles to think about turning back but I'd prefer it if you made your mind now. The cycles are so uncomfortable and if you chicken out I prefer it before we ride a few days on them."
"Having doubts?"
She shook her head firmly. "No. Just making sure our leader doesn't. We're all in this because of you, you know."
I mounted my bike, adjusting the axe strapped across my back until it sat comfortably. "The only doubt I have is whether we'll find enough resources to make Haly happy. She's not easily satisfied."
"Well," she smirked, "I'm sure nothing would be able to satisfy that stuck up. What she needs is a good bone. Maybe then she'd loosen up a bit."
"Lyra, please," I said, fighting back a smile. "She's our protector. Show some respect."
"Hah," she gasped comically. "My little pupil is becoming stuck up too. I always thought you'd be the blood hungry maniac, how times do change."
Before I could answer, Theon's voice came clear through our earpiece: "We've already got permission to leave from the South Gate. Path should be clear.
"Then let's move," I announced, revving my motorcycle, something which I had only ridden a few times before but I was sure I'd improve across this journey. "Time to find mines and not die trying."
We pulled out of the garage in practiced formation. Theon's modifications made our bikes nearly silent, perfect for avoiding unwanted attention. The pre-dawn streets were empty, our passage marked only by the soft hum of engines.
The South Gate loomed ahead, already open and waiting for us. No guards were visible - which was strange, but I assumed we had just caught a shift change. We drove through quickly, our wheels crossing the threshold that separated the safety of Plethegon from the dangers beyond.
As we passed through the gate, I felt a familiar thrill run through my body. This was what I was made for - not the politics of the city or the business of cables, but the hunt and the promise of battle.
Haly Reach POV
"They left already, huh." I traced my finger along the rim of my wine glass, watching the dark liquid swirl, something I had long forgotten the taste of but oh well it comes with being a Devourer. The little squirms leaving wasn't unexpected, still she had left earlier than I thought.
"Yes, my Lady." Hector knelt before me, his head bowed low. Such a useful little salamander this one was, I still remembered the day when I had made him come to my chamber.
"That's good," I mused aloud, setting down my glass. "If they find mines, they make it easier on me, and if they don't..." I let the thought hang in the air. "I'm sure I can use her death for something else. I truly thank you for bringing this to my attention, Hector."
I rose from my chair and walked over to him, my steps measured and deliberate. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I felt him tense at my touch. "Now be a good boy and follow me. We have much to discuss about the future of Varon Industries."
I turned around and walked toward my private chambers, listening with satisfaction to the sound of his footsteps behind me. Really, being beautiful was much more practical than most people gave it credit for. It made men so much easier to control, still at the thought of it my hunger rose.
Poor Arthur wouldn't know what hit him when his precious daughter failed to return. And by then, it would be too late to prevent what I had planned for his company, that lien of thought made my hunger spike even more.
A war was coming and I was going to make Plethegon the sole city in this accursed land.