Burning World
Part 2
His lungs burned and he felt how his heart`s heave beat, reverberating in his chest, many wounds, caused by tree`s branches ached, and he barely have time to wipe the sweat from his eyes. Kyoya Takamachi was sports man, but restless dash through rich wood was pretty hard even for him. He know that Miyuki can hold up with his temp, but he fear that mother may didn`t take such rush. Moreover she carried Nanoha in her arms all this time.
To his surprise, when he took a glance over his shoulder he noticed that Momoko didn`t only hold up with her children, but she even wasn`t so red as Miyuki. It give him some relieve, but it was the only bright spot in their very dark reality.
Kyoya know that in twenty kilometers from refugee camp Britannia army base was sanctioned. He hear as his father have a talk with others adults about that the only place where they can obtain any help was this base. And now the only choice he and his family has – it`s to reach Britannia fortress. What an irony – as many young man he loved his country and Britannia grown influence at Japan angered him. He often have a thought to enlist in JSSDF, protect his country from Great Foe`s attack and thus give his homeland enough influence and courage to deflect Britannia’s attempt to put Japan under her wings. And now only Britannia might be able to protect him and his beloved ones.
But before that they must reach the base alive. And this was a very hard task.
Their enemies were
deadly determinate to not allow any survivors to get from refugee camp alive. Many times he was forced to change a course because somewhere ahead he heard the loud scream that always was silenced by rumble staccato of auto-fire.
Kyoya was glad that Miyuki was with them, his sister superior navigating skills allowed them to not to turn away from right direction. He cursed inwardly when the one more time somewhere in this forest desperate scream was heard. Those monsters! They already killed and doomed for slow death so many innocent people tonight, but it`s seems their blood-lust was truly a demonic one. Bo, he have no time to grieve for fallen. He will when he bring his mother and sisters to save place, and then he not only mourn for anyone who died tonight, but he also enlist in Britannia army in order to bring most harsh punishment on Great foe head.
He felt how some weight was lifted up from his heart when he saw the gleam between the trees ahead. They reached channel of the river – it`s mean they have passed almost half of their way. If they cross the river they will go into Britannia base administrative territory and they can have some rest – Great Foe`s troops was to few in their numbers to take Britannia forces head one in this region. He hoped that mother and Miyukl have some spare strength to cross the river – stream was weak, but they have spent so many strength on this mad dash.
“Mom, Miyuki, hold on.” He slowed down a little, to allow his mother and sister to catch up to him. “I know you tired, but we so close to our goal.”
Myuki nodded and Momko give her son a wry smile. To her surprise Nanoha, who didn`t move an inch and don`t emit any sound other than her weak breath from the time when they abandoned the dying camp and flee to this forest, turned to her brother and said in quite but firm voice.
“We can do it, big bro Kyoya. I`ll swim on my own, momma already do more than enough for me and I have a faith in my ability.”
Kyoya gulped – he know that his sister was more mature than girls oh her age, but he didn`t know that she was that older. He was both astonished and somehow touched by his youngest sister will power. But his words of praise died when his eyes meet Nanoha`s own. Her normally bright sapphire orbs now was dull and wavered by unleacked years. Suddenly Kyoya understand why Nanoha was so silent, little girl knew – if she will emit any sound she will break into uncontrollable cry. Her little heart was broken because she know that she never again meet her father, hear his voice. No more she will hold by his hands, no more cookies that doted father give her secretly from her mother. All of her happy memories about her father was preleased by horrifying memories of this night – roar of flame, screams of dyeing peoples and grim voice of her brother that said “Father is gone. Now we will proceed without him.”
And right now her big brother, sister and mother didn`t have any time to help little nine year old girl to go through the pain of losing someone important. Kyoya felt how his eyes also start to watering up. All he managed to say was croaked.
“Good girl.”
He once more renewed his vow to make Great Foe pay for all of this pain and sorrow.
***
“Hmmm.”
Major Argus Gestfallen – the commanding officer of 45th assault regiment shrugged when his master sharp voice pierce the air.
“Hmmm, I’m bored, when they are?” Repeat his question Hilbert Dusselberg, who right now sat at the roof of his command APC near the cannon. “They should be here already twenty minutes ago.
“The lieutenant Workstullf reported that they keep the target on appointed route. They will come here in the nearest future, my lord.”
“I know, I know.” Blazing bell wavered his hand In irritation. “I just disappointed in our little ninja boy and girl – they was trained to be fine fighters, but they slow as a drunken turtles.”
“They` re here!” Suddenly declared one of the scouts, immediately wall of soldiers come to life – almost synchronously the lifted their guns and pointed at forest. The crews of APCs worked as perfect as foot soldiers - the cannons turned with the same synchronization as battle complexes was raised (Dusselberg barely avoid the hit by jumping on the earth). Blazing bell smirked in delight and ordered.
“Give me a sniper rifle. I want to perform the shoot.”
Argus nodded and commanded.
“Sergeant Brus, give your weapon to major-general Dusselberg.”
The tall man, who stayed beside regiment commander swiftly and skillfully give his Snipe rifle K-66 Beholder to arch-mage.
Dusselberg professionally established his firearm at supports, pressed a butt of rifle to his right shoulder and leaned toward target-monitor.
Dusselbergs lips unintentionally raised even higher when through monitor he managed to see look of absolute despair at the faces of Takamachis.
Fools, do they truly believe that they get away from persecutor squad on they own. How naive – it was Dusselberg`s order that keep them alive this long. You must be a fool to overlook such obvious target as Britannia base. Truly he haven`t enough force to have a hope to survive an encounter with troops that stayed on the base. But he has enough time to get far away when Britannia army understood what happening on their backyard. The previously established squads gunned down prepared victims always, when Takamachis started to deviate from appointed route. Rout appointed by him, of course. And now he will score one more target.
***
Kyoya barely suppressed howl of despair when his gaze fall at the line of enemy soldiers and vehicles. Trap! They went into enemy trap as blindly as moths fly at fire. He should know that such trained soldiers as enemy troops was never make such blatant mistake as letting opponent to run freely out of their field of vision.
He quickly exchanged a look with his mother and sister – they can try to separate and dash at separate direction with tiny hope that someone (preferably mother and Nanoha) will get away. Buth this fading hope was crushed when he hear loud ca-chack form behind. When he slowly turned back he saw another line of Great Foe`s troops closing in.
It`s end! Think Kyoya desperately - he fail his father expectation, he wasn`t able to get his family away from death. Now the only thing he left was to die honorably.
‘Kyoya.” He could hear Miyuki voice. He raised his gaze at her face and saw the same determination burned deep into his sister`s eyes.
“Let`s go.”
Kyoya only nodded, but despite the situation he could fell how his mood lifted up a but. No matter what happened, Miyuki always was beside of him.
Siblings prepare for their last suicidal charge when booming roar shook vicinities.
***
“Whoa, hot-shots.” Whistled Blazing Bell, looking at Takamachi sibling expression. Let`s cool their head a little.
Hilbert Dusselberg was very prominent with firearms and his lock at target was as good, as the same of a skillful sniper.
He slowly pulled a trigger, licking his lips in excitement. Knowing what result will be.
***
Shockwave tearing the atmosphere accrued nearly of his head, disturbing Kyoya sense of balance. He spent some precious seconds at re-gathering his balance. And it was his adversaries the time that they need. A heartbeat after the Kyoya squirmed at the earth wrapped in the net. He quickly realized all futileness of any attempt to free himself and tried instead to look around to know situation with his family members.
His gaze quickly fall at Miyuki, who was in the same position as him – wrapped in the net at in the dirt. He managed to turn at another side to look for his mother and Nanoha. He find them quck enough but…
It`s cannot be.
His frozen mind refused to proceed further. His mother… his Mother.
“MOOOOOMMAAAAAA!!” Miyuki`s bloodcurdling scream push him out of his trance.
***
Nanoha didn`t understood anything at first. She only hear astonishing roar that assaulted her ears and she squirmed in her mother`s grasp closing her ears with her tiny hands and try to scream in agony but she was interrupted when something warm scattered at her face and in her mouth. She gasped and coughed, unintentionally swallowing war liquid. When she managed to clear her throat and opened her eyes to look at her mother she was paralyzed by sight of Momoko`s face. To be more correct – sight of remaining half of her mother`s face. It was unnatural. Nanoha can`t said how many time has passed when she just lay in her mother` hand and look at this grotesque vision.
It was unnatural. This woman can`t be her mother. Despite the fact that that she was still lay in this woman`s arms, Nanoha still refused to acknowledge this woman as Momoko Takamachi. Her mother face was beautiful, she always loved when her momma hugged her very tight and rubbed her cheeks against Nanoha`s own. Her momma face can`t be this hideous mask, as if someone carefully cut away large chunk of her mother`s head. This dirty, blood stained string can`t be her mother silky, warm stream-like hairs, whose Nanoha so liked to rub, dreaming that someday she will grow the same wonderful hairs. Her mother`s eyes always gleamed with love and affection, and Nanoha know how many people drown in those eyes, how could someone say that this dull, glassy orb can belong to her momma. How could this dead woman be her mother, who promise to always be near. How? HOW?!
And still.
Time started to flow when her mother`s body start to fall. World trembled and sky began to spin in Nanoha`s eyes.
Her world crumbled alongside with Momoko Takamachi`s corpse. Nanoha didn`t fell the pain when the eart hit her in the back, she didn`t fell anything than weight that press against her. Something flew at her face, and only a few seconds after she realized what – blood. Her mother`s bold.
And then scream, borne from very depth of despair bursted from her mouth.
***
Kyoya`s breath was caught in his throat as he looked at his mother`s body. But despite all his pain he couldn`t look away from primary target of his anxieties – his sister. Nanoha was laid still from the moment when their mother was shoot. She didn`t do anything, she just stare at their mother`s face. She didn`t even flinch when Momoko`s body hit the ground burring her beneath, Nanoha just laid motionlessly under the corpse and allow the blood to flew over her.
Then, his younger sisters eyes suddenly shot wide and previously emotionless blue orbs now was filled with horror and despair.
And then Kyoya heard the most horrifying scream in his life. This almost animalistic howl comprised all despair, all panic, all sorrow, all terrible memories of these evening events and all of her shattered dreams.
“Nanoha!” Kyoya could understand, that he can`t do anything to console Nanoha, but he simple couldn`t just lay here and see as his baby sister suffered.
Nanoha`s scream start to fade away, as her bode started to grew short of oxygen. But after taking a deep inhale another heart-breaking wail pierce the air.
“Nanoha.” Whimpered Miyuki as her own tears started to leak. She never felt so helpless, she couldn`t save her mother, she couldn`t die in the fight and now she even can`t help her sister, who now in great pain. Damn, how those cold-hearted bastards can call themselves humans, after doing such horrible things to innocent helpless people in the camp.
Nanoha`s scrams didn`t stop – seems that girl lost capability to think, she just scream out all feelings that ravaged her soul. She didn`t try to get away from uncomfortable position, or stand up, or even wipe out the blood that now totally soaked her face and turned her cute little visage into as hideous mask as her mother`s own.
“Wow, she have on a hell of throat, aren`t she?” Suddenly new sound was added to mixed cacophony. The voice. Kyoya and Miyuki turned to the source of voice and both narrowed their eyes in hatred. This man, claded in red clothes, ornamented by numerous bells, was well-knowed in Japan. And well-hated. Sadistic and heartless mass-murderer who killed numerous people over the globe was beforehand sentenced to death and he barely avoid being caught when his tank armada was defeated near Beijing.
Now he casually approaching to them, surrounding by his soldiers, his hands was wide open as if he tried to hug his victims. But look of ghastly satisfaction ruined all of his friendly approach.
“So leech-king now stand before me?” Kyoya spat. “How do you fell your majesty after bravely crushing the dreadful refugee camp. I suppose you and your brave cronies so tired after shooting at defenseless peoples.”
“Oh, one more tough guy.” Chuckled Dusselberg hugging himself in playful expression of hurt. “Truly I always got the most loudmouthed guys to speak with. My karma, I suppose.”
“I hope one day one of those “tough guys” will rip your head off.” Snarled Miyuki.
“Wow, tough girl.” Hilbert licked his lips. “Well, I suppose it`s in your blood. Hm, interesting, are you scream before death as good as your father.”
He really enjoyed the gasp of horror that leaved both siblings lips. He approached the fallen boy and sat before him.
“Your daddy screamed
really good before he die.”
“Bastard.” Hissed Kyoya, felling that his cheeks started to get wet from his tears. He know that his father have no chances to get from that situation alive, he know it thousand times. But to hear it from this sneering beast. It was simply unbearable.
“Damn it, damn it.” Moaned Kyoya. “You Great Foe, take away everything from us – our country, our pride, and now even the lives of our beloved ones. When did you get satisfied?!” Bellowed Kyoya at his tormentor.
“Who know.” Blazing Bell just shrugged his shoulders. “By the way, we not some Great Foe fantasy-stuff, we`re Armagest.”
“Great Foe suit all of you right.” Snarled Kyoya. “You`re the enemies of all peoples on the all inhabited worlds.”
“Maybe, maybe.” Hilbert didn`t look wavered by Kyoya accusing at all. “But we got grown out of time. Argus! Get our little prize.”
It was pointless order, because right now one of the soldiers approached Nanoha, who stopped screaming and just chocking and sobbing under her mother`s body and with powerful jerk pulled her out. Nanoha shrieked and tried to come back to her mother, but she couldn`t overpower much bigger and stronger soldier.
“No! No! Let me go! Momma, MOMMA!!!” Yelled Nanoha, squirming in her captor`s hands.
“Wow, what a voice.” Blazing Bell tilted his head. “Such opera singer was gone.”
Still screaming Nanoha become soft in soldier`s clutch, she could understand that she can`t get away on her own and she just sobbed and whined her mother` name. It wasn`t last long – when soldier give her to the Blazing Bell the last whispered something and touch Nanoha`s forehead. Girl immidiatly went silent.
“Monster, what are you do to Nanoha? Aren`t you complete your goal when you destroyed oyr camp?” Snarled Miyuki.
“My goal?” Dusselberg turned to meet her gaze. “My dear, your sister is my goal. I destroyed the camp in order to get her. Chill out – she just sleep.”
“WHAT?!” Both of siblings was flabbergasted by reveal. What did he want from their baby sister?
“Shocked, aren`t you?” Red claded man smiled snidely. “But it`s true, cute little massacre and updating of our meat stock was just a pleasant bonus. Capturing your sister was my primary goal.”
“Bonus? BONUS?!!” Kyoya almost lost his mind out of rage. “You FUCKER!!! Do you know how many people dyed this evening?!”
“More or less.” Snorted Dusselberg. “Hey, can I have some fun? During this boring retreating a didn`t any chances to kill someone. Uou know it was pretty harsh – not only my organization loses on every planet, occupied by EEUD, but I was robed from my greatest source of fun.”
Both Miyuki and Kyoya cannot believe this man. Fun?! He considered acts of mass-murdering as fun. Many tales during the world stated that Great Foe (or Armagest) was responsible for every major conflict in Earth and later EEUD`s history, but Kyoya was skeptical about that. Many of those conflicts can`t bring prominent to third side, so probably politicians tried to put all the blame on someone else. But now Kyoya was iron-claded believer of those stories – indeed the Great Foe was nothing more than bunch of blood-soaked psychos.
“You know, Argus.” Voice of the monster interrupted Kyoya thoughts. “Its boring, those siblings right – it was massacre. I love massacres, but tonight I really wanted to see a fight.” Pouted Hilbert, shile tapping his left arm index finger at Nanoha`s forehead.
“Oh.” He suddenly brightened. “I know. Hey, ninja-siblings! I have some propose!”
Kyoya and Miyki didn`t bother to answer, they just give him dirtiest of look.
“Oh, so scary. But hear first – I can`t just let you go, But if you have a death match, I`ll let the winner to let go. Refuse – and I gun you down at the spot.”
“Go on.” Kyoya give him a coldest smile. I and Miyuki have our pride. We better to die together than became jesters for you.”
“I agree.” Nodded Miyuki. “So go – kill us.”
“Hm, you rally tough guys.” Hmphed Blazing bell, still doesn`t looking irritated at all. “I like your spirit, but I can`t let my fun go. How about this if you don`t take my generous offer I`ll start to torture our little princess right in front of you. I certainly need her alive, but who said I need her unharmed?”
Kyoya`s mouth wet dry instantly. He wasn`t afraid to die, but to see his baby sister to be brutally tortured. He know what an abyss of pain awaited every victim of Armagest and he certainly can`t allow Nanoha to go through this. He sighed, if this bastard will hold his promise, at last he can save Miyuki.
Exchanging a glance with his sister he understood – she think the same.
“Okay, you bastard.” Kyoya voice was dull and comprised all weariness of young man`s soul. “You will have you death match. Untie us, we will dance for you.”
“Good children.” Hilbert Dusselberg smiled broadly in response.