Aezel, the team leader and unofficial queen of no-nonsense, stops mid-stride, with a plastic jug full of water in hand. She fixes Maya with a flat stare so sharp it could slice a loaf of bread.
"So, you prayed to God to bring Irvine Donovan back safely? Why? Were you expecting him to protect you?" Aezel deadpans, her voice oozing sarcasm. "I honestly can't decide which is more ridiculous, your God or him. But here's some advice, don't do that again, especially not in front of other people."
Maya stays silent, her cheeks reddening, because she knows Irvine's nearby. And if there's one thing Irvine doesn't like, it's being the subject of her prayers. Sure enough, he looks about as happy as someone who just found out they're the punchline of a bad joke.
Atniel, on the other hand, is practically glowing with excitement.
<< So she prays to God, huh? >>
"Don't get all hyped up," Irvine mutters under his breath. "She's the same girl who did that indecent act, remember?"
<< God is most forgiving! As long as you sincerely repent to Him, and are serious about improving yourself, you will find His forgiveness as vast as the seven universes combined. >>
"Meh," Irvine grunts, shrugging like a guy who's decided emotional engagement is overrated. He wanders off to the back of the bus to deal with the team's actual fuel problem.
Aezel also heads to the back of the bus, to the hydrogen generator where Oughan has been waiting for some water. She joins him, knowing they need to fix the fuel issue before the Gnoll Muckfangs return with reinforcements.
But here's the catch: they can't just dump water into the generator and call it a day. They have to wait 15 minutes for the water to be electrolyzed in order to collect some ppm of hydrogen before starting the bus. Because, of course, nothing says high-stakes survival like a mandatory waiting period.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team is embroiled in a petty yet heated debate. The two medical ladies, Litzy and Rebecca, are still adamant that Lily doesn't belong on their bus.
Lily, clearly done with the drama, stomps onto the bus, grabs her stuff, and hops off. She looks ready to sit in the back of the truck without complaint, but the two nurses apparently aren't satisfied just yet.
Rebecca grabs Maya's arm and coldly throws her at Lily, while the other one, Litzy…
"Aaarrgh, ptuh!" Litzy spits dramatically on the ground, looking ready to take on the villain role. "Why don't you take her with you?" She gestures to Maya like she's pointing out a particularly annoying bug. "We don't want to catch her stupidity!"
Aezel, who's been quietly working on the generator, suddenly stops. Her face turns icy as she side-eyes Irvine, clearly calculating something devious. Two seconds later, she slams the empty jug on the ground, and snaps at the two sexy chicks.
"Who gave you the authority to decide who stays on the bus?"
"It's our bus to begin with!" Rebecca crosses her arms, her tone dripping with superiority. "The governor specifically provided this bus for us and Barry. You don't get to boss us around."
"You have no authority over us!" Litzy approaches Aezel with provoking gesture. "You might be the leader here, but that only applies to your team not us! Watching a kid like you bossing us adults makes me sick!"
Aezel's eyebrow twitches, a clear sign someone's about to regret their life choices. Initially, she only didn't want Maya to be in the back of the truck together with Irvine. But after hearing this seemingly arrogant blonde, she grabs another jug of water, freezes it with a glare, and smashes it onto the ground like she's smashing the blonde's ego.
But the ignorant Litzy still finds the audacity to sneer. "Ooh, you froze some water, huh? So scary!"
Unlike her, Elea knows how serious their situation is and rushes toward Aezel, her face full of disapproval.
"Aezel, what are you doing?"
But Aezel doesn't answer. Instead, she dumps out another jug of water with theatrical flair. "I worked hard to get this water, so I have every right to do whatever I want with it."
She proceeds to empty all the remaining jugs, gets unto the bus to grab some food supplies, and then comes out only to announce something right in front of Litzy's face.
"Anyone who wants to stay on the bus, be my guest!"
The entire space metaphorically shrinks, and for the first time, Litzy's smirk vanishes. The weight of Aezel's threat finally sinks in.
Realizing they're about to lose their comfy ride with nothing to bargain, the two medical ladies sheepishly move their belongings off the bus. Of course, the same thing applies to anyone else.
Aezel then sweetly instructs Maya to sit up front with her and Oughan, leaving the rest of the team to squeeze into the back of the truck like sardines in a 5 x 3-meter can. And so, the journey continues, but the truck bed quickly devolves into an awkward silence filled with simmering hatred and unspoken grudges.
No one looks remotely happy, except Atniel, who seems thrilled by the turn of events.
<< God is indeed the best planner! He felt so sorry for your situation, so the conflict occurred and they ended up here in response to their unfair treatment of you. So? Which of your God's favors do you deny? >>
Irvine, surrounded by people who clearly hate each other, wisely says nothing.
<< Well, why don't you get some sleep for now? Your brain will be actively fragmenting your memory during sleep. It will clear your mind, keeping you from being confused, and accelerate your ability to absorb my teachings. >>
"Is that so?" Irvine mutters, a response he instantly regrets as everyone's eyes snap toward him.
Panicked, he pulls his knees to his chest and tries to sleep. Unfortunately, even sleeping doesn't save him from embarrassment. Deep in dreamland, he starts whispering deliriously.
"Your cursed spears are no match for mine…"
"I'm the disciple of the Great Livne Atniel…"
"You'll never touch me…"
The group stares at him, exchanging confused glances as Irvine's whispered nonsense continues.
Elea snorts. "Great. Not only is he useless, but he's crazy too."
Jack shrugs. "Well, at least he's entertaining."