Livya sat in front of the couple, in the place where Sandy had set up tents for the wounded. Five other Crows lay nearby, being treated by Luís, who moved quickly between them.
"You smell like ointment," Gabriel commented to his partner.
"Yeah, my whole chest is covered in it," Naomi replied.
Despite having suffered two serious injuries, Naomi wasn't in any danger of dying. According to Luís, the wound was shallow, but she wouldn't be able to continue fighting.
"Who would have thought things would turn around like this," she said, smiling at Gabriel.
"Strange, I'm used to being the one patched up, not the one doing the patching."
They had only lost two Crows. The ground was littered with fallen attackers. Sandy, along with a few others, was tending to the bodies.
"I thought I was going to die," Gabriel admitted, his eyes still showing traces of recent tears.
"Please, Gabriel," Naomi said, pale from blood loss. "A little stab like that isn't going to kill me."
Livya felt relieved seeing her friend was okay. The shock of discovering Naomi was among the injured had been overwhelming, as this was the first time she had ever seen her really hurt.
"Livya?" Naomi called out. "And you? I didn't see you during the attack."
"I'm fine," she replied with a smile, hiding the pain from the claw marks that streaked across her back. "Naomi, that woman with the staff was the strongest Crow in the Nest. You did well, much better than I would've. I probably would have died."
"It wasn't exactly fair," the injured woman said. "She didn't feel pain. I realized that later. She shouldn't have been able to get up with her guts spilling out."
"And there goes my appetite," Gabriel grumbled.
"It's frustrating, though," Naomi added. "I got this far, and now I won't be part of the final battle."
Sandy climbed onto one of the cars, drawing everyone's attention. "We've had two deaths and six injuries," she said bitterly. "I'm leaving Luís and five other Crows to take care of this camp. The rest are coming with me."
The blonde approached where the injured were sitting, talking to each of them individually. Naomi, who initially hadn't liked Sandy, was starting to change her mind. Seeing how she encouraged the wounded and treated the fallen with respect made Naomi warm to her.
"Amanda caused quite a mess," Sandy remarked, standing before Naomi. "But I'm glad you're on our side. In fact, none of us here, not even me, could have taken her down."
She knelt on the grass, bowing her head briefly in respect. Her golden hair danced in the wind, the braid having come undone in the chaos.
"Thank you," Sandy said, standing back up. "I assume you'll stay with your companion?" she asked Gabriel and Livya.
Livya, though she wanted nothing more than to stay with Naomi, couldn't shake her hatred for Sister. Gabriel was about to answer when Naomi spoke up.
"They're both going with you," Naomi said, giving Gabriel a sharp look as he prepared to argue. "This is our mission, and we'll see it through—for us and for those who died."
Gabriel swallowed his protest, agreeing with her completely. Sandy waited for a response, but when none came, she said, "Very well, we'll leave soon. Be ready."
"She's an interesting woman," Naomi commented, watching Sandy walk away.
"Don't worry," Livya said, resting her hand on her friend's leg. "We'll avenge our companions, and I'll personally kill Sister."
Gabriel, who had been sharpening his weapon, paused for a moment, surprised by the novice's words. Deep down, he had always thought it would be Naomi facing the brute. After what he had seen, she was the only one with a real chance. He said nothing, but he feared for Livya.
"One more thing!" Sandy shouted, climbing back on the car. "I sent Marcelo to bring the Beetle."
The camp erupted in chatter at the news. Livya didn't understand the reason for the commotion, but she sensed she would soon find out. Saying her goodbyes to Naomi, she went to take her place in the driver's seat.
"Gabriel," Naomi called.
"Yes?"
"How many bullets are left?"
"Only four."
"I see," she said thoughtfully. Then she added, "Keep an eye on her."
"I will."
As they left the safety of the camp for the wounded, the convoy moved out again, with Sandy leading. Unlike before, when they had set out with twelve cars, now only nine remained, with one heading back to the Nest to retrieve the Beetle, and two staying behind to care for the injured.
Gabriel sat next to Livya, who winced every time she leaned against the seat. With a new blade of grass in his mouth, he said, "I saw your injury earlier," keeping his eyes on the road as the wind blew against his face. "I'm glad you didn't tell Naomi."
"I didn't think it was right," she admitted, embarrassed at being caught. "She almost died, even though she's trying to act tough. She's as pale as a sheet."
The man had to agree. Naomi always had the habit of pretending to be fine, even when she wasn't.
The car jolted as it hit a rock, both passengers bouncing in their seats.
Unlike the beginning of the journey, when there had been a tense but still lighthearted atmosphere, now the tension had shifted. All the Crows scanned their surroundings, searching for any sign of another attack. Unconsciously, they had formed a formation resembling the tip of an arrow.
"I recognize those people," Livya said, referring to their previous attackers.
"It was when we were heading to the Oasis," Gabriel replied, steering the car around some trees. "They're desert people, mostly bandits. But I'm surprised they agreed to attack us. Big Brother must have made them an irresistible offer."
"What do you mean?"
"They don't accept coins," Gabriel explained, leaning between the seats. "They need resources and food, but even they know not to mess with the Crows. If they agreed to this ambush, something big must have been offered."
Livya thought of the S.L., but quickly dismissed the idea. She pondered in silence, only snapping out of it when Gabriel had to grab the wheel to avoid a tree.
Nightfall swallowed them, and the hidden moon let darkness reign. The stars helped them navigate around trees and rocks, but their destination was clear. Up ahead, light flickered from the forest: fire.
They passed through a wall of trees, arriving at the enemy base. Two hundred meters ahead, the wooden fortress loomed over the group. Everyone dismounted, awestruck by the colossal structure. Gabriel looked at the walls, losing hope of breaking in.
"Good thing the princess sent for the Beetle," Nahara said, approaching them. "Otherwise, things would be complicated."
"What is this Beetle everyone keeps talking about?" Gabriel asked, still gazing at the walls ahead.
"I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I can tell you those walls won't last a second," she teased, then changed the subject. "I heard about Naomi. How is she?"
"She'll survive. Unfortunately, she won't be part of the attack, which is a significant loss," Sandy replied, joining them.
"A Corva capable of defeating Amanda is truly a loss to bear," Nahara agreed.
"By tonight, it will all be over," Sandy said, standing beside them. "Are you looking forward to going home?"
Gabriel hadn't stopped to think about that since the mission started. It was almost a week since he left the Nest, and he couldn't think of it as his home. It was just a place to sleep.
"No," he said finally. "But I do long to sleep in my own bed."
Even though they were relatively far from the stronghold, they could see the movement on the walls. Heads passed by like shadows, while some remained still, staring at them.
"Corvinos!" The amplified voice of Grande Irmão reached the group. "I see you escaped my trap. Congratulations! But I don't think you'll do anything against the wall."
Gabriel noticed that the man's voice seemed to hesitate at times. The others just stopped, listening. Sandy clenched her hands tightly as she listened.
"Enjoy yourselves while you can, Corvos," the word came out with mockery. "Soon, I'll be hanging each of your heads on the walls."
With a sharp, buzzing sound, the voice disappeared. Livya waited for insults or a retort, but Sandy did something that caught her off guard.
"Does he really think he can handle us?" the blonde said, turning around. "This has to be a joke."
Laughter erupted among the Corvos. None of them believed that, even in their current situation, they had been threatened.
"I'm looking forward to the Besourão's arrival," someone in the crowd murmured.
Livya sat down below a tree, leaning her body to the side to protect her wounded back, watching the absurd situation unfold. Both adversaries were face to face, and yet, the Corvos were talking and eating jerky as if it were normal.
She picked up her hatchet and smoothed the edge. Satisfied with the weapon, she lowered it and placed it on the soft grass. The dew settled on the leaves, bringing a chill, and a cloud of mosquitoes followed. It wasn't unusual to hear someone cursing while trying to swat the insects away.
A strange sound made her grab her weapon immediately. A motor echoed from the forest. Everyone got excited and moved closer to the trees. Gabriel was among them.
Livya joined him, sharing in the curiosity, and was left speechless at what she saw. A modified tractor was approaching. A steel shell completely protected the front, extending halfway across the vehicle. In the front, bulletproof glass helped the driver navigate. The shell was held by two iron beams welded to the sides of the tractor. In the dark, the machine resembled a beetle, Livya realized. It came out from behind the trees, heading toward the stronghold's gate.
Sandy ran eagerly to see the driver.
"It couldn't have been easy to get here!"
"The forest didn't help, but this baby..." the driver said, tapping the steering wheel. "It drives over anything."
"Everyone," Sandy shouted, hanging from the tractor. "I think everything's good. Soon, Grande Irmão's head will be on the wall."
The agreement was unanimous. She spoke again:
"They have those strange weapons," she referred to the nail guns. "That's why I have an interesting proposition. Who wants to come with me to take down the wall and participate in the first gunfight?"
Livya was tempted to be part of the initial attack, but quickly dismissed the idea; she couldn't risk getting injured before finding the assassin of her partner. Sandy chose eight Corvos to mount the available parts of the machine. The piece of metal rattled as the engine started.
"It's time!" Sandy shouted, her voice thick with bloodlust. "Let's kill them all!!"