Fantasy Kaizoic: Earth Reborn

[Da Doofus]

Darrek looked at the center of the camp, beyond the fortunate cover of metal buildings at Stryx leading the colonists to what seemed to be a victory as mercenaries retreated. Hopping the walls and retreating out the rear gates (that had been blown open by mortars).

“Um.” Darrek looked around. “So I didn’t think this far ahead.
How am I-“ He looked at the cliff’s edge. “I guess I’ll climb back down.”

Rufus limped toward them. “Kairo.” He glared.
“That was reckless, stupid, and downright suicidal.

You’re fuckin’ lucky it worked cause I ought to kick your ass for that.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

"Yeah cause you definitely can with that leg." Kairo teased, instinctively looping Rufus's arm around his shoulder to hold him up and support his weight. Rufus may have seen this as a success, but Kairo wasn't so sure. For all he knew, Bazin could come out of this alive, and if that was the case, he'd be back seeking vengeance.

"He tracked me using that damned suit, ya know?" Kairo added, letting the guilt out now that he had people he could confide with. "We could've avoid-....no, nevermind. Let's just figure out what happens next. Are you leaving with Darrek?"

 

[Da Doofus]

“I don’t think I’m going anywhere. I showed up cause I knew those mortars were Bazin’s ace in the hole.” He sighed. “Whatever these Republic stooges got to pin on me I’ll find a way out. Always do.

You got to get the kid out though.” He pointed to Darrek. “He’s not supposed to be here, and they’ll either shoot him or cage him.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

As much as Kairo wanted Rufus to stay, he knew that this wasn't the place for him. He felt the need to reject his decision, but he knew that little he could say would change the man's mind. If he wanted to leave, he could leave at any moment.

"Bazin really fucked this entire thing up." Kairo cursed, looking around at camp, before meeting eyes with Darrek. "It's gonna take a while before these people'll accept people like you Darrek." He sighed. "But on that note, you really plan on climbing down?"

 

[Da Doofus]

“Don’t see any other way do-“ Darrek ducked and hurried to the rope as footsteps approached from the shelter.

Helen was running over with some of the unarmed colonists.

“Kairo!” She called out, just missing Darrek’s tail whipping over the edge. “Are you insane?! You could have gotten killed?”

From a distance, Stryx was assisting wounded across the camp to medical care.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo watched for only a moment as Darrek made his way down the ledge, before looking back at Helen with as relaxed of an expression as he could have mustered for the moment. It wasn't much comfort, but he hoped that it was something.

"Sorry I got carried away," Kairo said, rubbing the back of his neck with his good hand. "Is everyone back at the shelter safe?"

 

[Da Doofus]

“We’re all ok, aside from a few of the soldiers and . . .” She looked at Stryx in the distance. He was comforting one of the female soldiers mourning what could be assumed was her husband.

Rufus however, was looking over the cliffs edge, and was frozen for a moment.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo would catch Rufus's sudden tenseness, and though concerned, knew that he couldn't take a look for himself. He'd have to keep Helen occupied for now, at least until Darrek was able to leave. He just hoped that everything was okay.

Ignoring the man for a moment, he followed Helen's gaze towards Stryx. Eye's growing somber at the scene that unfolded. The guilt hitting him front and center.

"I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened." Kairo mumbled, hands so weak that he had to focus on keeping a grip on the pistol. "None of this should've happened."

 

[Da Doofus]

“Hey there, Doc.” Rufus pushed himself off of Kairo and limped toward Helen. “Need myself some tenderness.” He laughed and looked back at Kairo, then at the cliff as though directing him toward it.

Helen rolled her eyes and assisted Rufus. “Come on then. I’m obligated to help you.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo, though still shaken, understood the gesture. Allowing Rufus to go with Helen. Using this time, he moved towards the cliff and peaked down to see what Rufus had been gesturing.

 

[Da Doofus]

Down at the cliff’s edge, in a small clearing before the dense jungle dominated all. Darrek was running into the trees.

Further away, and following him, was a trio of mercenaries led by an orange figure wielding a red-hot blade.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo watched in shock at what was occurring in the jungle. That particular orange was distinct to Bazin, but how was this possible? He'd filled the villain with lead earlier, and imagined that so many fatal wounds would take quite a while to heal. Enough to take him out of commission. But the sight that laid before him? This was completely contrary to his expectations. Bazin barely seemed to have slowed down.

This wasn't good, Darrek was outnumbered. Not to mention, Bazin was a threat no matter how injured he was. What could he do to help? Climbing down in a timely fashion was almost impossible with his wrecked hand, and even if he did so there was the problem of how he could actually help.

He couldn't help, not anymore. But maybe he could find someone who could.

Turning over, he glanced at Stryx. He hoped he wasn't still pre-occupied with comforting that soldier, because Kairo would feel real bad for pulling him away from that.

 

[Da Doofus]

Stryx had moved on from comforting the woman, who was being escorted back into the camp by a medical Syndroid.
The Commander was now ordering a group of colonists to help him shut the gates

 

[Chai_T3a]

Stryx seemed busy, but that didn't stop Kairo from hastily running to the commander. The topic at hand being just a bit more important then fixing the gate.

"Sir, can I speak to you for a moment." Kairo curtly asked as he approached the commander.

 

[Da Doofus]

“Kairo?” Stryx asked, looking at his arm. “What happened to you?”

 

[Chai_T3a]

“Oh this?” Kairo said, glancing down at his absolutely battered arm. It was nice to see that Stryx was concerned for him, but now wasn’t the time for that. “Just got a little bit is all. But we can worry about that later. Darrek’s in trouble, and I don’t think I’m in any kind of state to help him right now.”

He hoped that explanation was vague enough for the colonists to be unsuspecting.

 

[Da Doofus]

Stryx sighed and stepped away from the gates to speak with Kairo.

“What are you talking about? Darrek is here?”

 

[Chai_T3a]

Now that the two had some privacy, Kairo found his guard relaxing. He could finally speak what was on his mind.

“Darrek and Rufus somehow figured out we were going to be attacked. Must’ve been trying to warn us or something. They came in, helped out with the efforts, and Darrek left right afterwards for...obvious reasons. Climbed back down the cliff.” Kairo explained. “Problem is, he’s getting chased down there by Bazin’s men. And me and Rufus are both to injured to help.”

He directed Stryx towards the cliff, where they’d be able to get a good view of what was happening below.

 

[Da Doofus]

Stryx looked around the camp, and sighed. His eyes drifted over the cliff’s edge to look at the jungle.
****************

Darrek was running through the forest, unaware of his pursuers. The air was cool and the ground around him shrouded by the canopy with only the faintest speckles of light from the moon to breach leafy gaps.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Darrek kept a constant pace as he sprinted through the forest, the camp growing further distant with each step that he took. His departure was impulsive and rather unplanned, but there was little he could do about that. The consequences for doing so, meant a journey back on foot. He wasn’t looking forward to it, but then again, he’d much rather prefer the long walk over being couped up at home. Especially after realizing the dangers that laid ahead for Kairo.

His running slowed to a brisk walk once he felt far away from the camp. Taking a bit of time to orient himself. Hiding with the covered supplies during the journey here meant that he didn’t get a good feel of the direction they had gone, but he’d taken a few peaks outside, and was familiar with the land. A few moments of composure and analysis and he should know where to go.

 

[Da Doofus]

His thoughts would be interrupted by a gunshot, and the nearest tree exploded at the section level to Darrek’s head.
In the distance, a bleeding Irokai was aiming a weapon at him as six mercenaries were running after Darrek will axes and swords. On the flanks were three Vindav bandits.
Blood drooled from Bazin’s mouth as he barked orders to attack Darrek.

 

[Chai_T3a]

To say that the sudden gunshot had shocked Darrek would have been an understatement. The young irokai tensed, quickly turning around to face whoever had shot at him.

Bazin? What the hell? How was he keeping up to him?!

Darrek immediately turned to run, legs carrying him deeper into the florawith renewed vigour. He wasn’t the type to run from a fight, but he could recognize when he was outmatched. Against 6 armed mercenaries and a juggernaut war veteran? No way in hell was he going to win. Hopefully the brush would give him some cover from the gunshots, but otherwise, he was exposed. A prospect that Darrek wasn’t particularly enjoying.

 

[Da Doofus]

The chase continued deeper and deeper in the jungle. Due to the constant explosions of the Archaic colony battle, much of the wildlife was absent from the jungle so only Darrek and his pursuers made noise.

Sometimes a gunshot from Bazin sliced through greenery and a tree, and other times one of the mercenaries would spot Darrek from the sides. The vegetation slowed the Irokai down so escaping proved more difficult than normal.

Finally, Darrek came to a clearing. A great tree bearing a tribal effigy of Kavera upon its bark stood in the middle with its umbrella treetop dripping dew like tiny falling stars upon the grass.
Such serenity would not be enjoyed as Darrek’s pursuers drew closer, and to flee from this spot would only make his path obvious.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Darrek's vocabulary consisted of only curse words at his absolute trash luck. There was nowhere left to go, at least nowhere forward. Rather ironic, how this beautiful effigy could end up getting him killed.

He frantically looked around, hoping he could find another solution. He couldn't think of much, beside's hiding, so he did just that. Veering back into the jungle, he ran to the side, finding a big tree he could hide behind. It wasn't the best spot, but he didn't have a lot of time to choose.

 

[Da Doofus]

Bazin stumbled into view first, followed by his six human followers. He let out a pained wheeze and spat out blood while clutching his stomach.
Blood dripped from there and also his legs.

“Boss . . .” One human spoke up. “I think this is a bust. You don’t look so g-“

The Irokai fired blind, but blew the man’s head clean off with his heavy caliber firearm. His body dropped to its knees as steam came from the shredded stump.
“That little rat Darrek is going to be dead before the sun comes up.” Bazin snarled through red teeth. “You worthless apes hear me?” The body now fell over limply.
“And when I say dead . . .
I mean the scavengers are picking at damn pieces left.”

The humans stood in fear of their employer’s wrath, but agreed with his words obediently.