🌟 HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! 🌟✨
🔥 Let the drums of destiny roar and the skies sparkle as we welcome our newest LEGENDARY adventurers…⚔️ Wilnet Duverne! ⚔️ & ⚔️ Colin Crossan! ⚔️ 🎉⚡️ With their arrival, our grand voyage just became even MORE epic and electrifying! 🚀✨
💎 These fearless champions have taken the leap, joined our elite crew, and unlockedEXCLUSIVE rewards, legendary perks, and early access to the greatest adventures ahead! 🌍💫
đź‘‘ Who's ready to step into greatness and forge their own legend? 🔥✨ The gates to glory are OPEN, and YOUR journey awaits! 🚪đźŚ
🚀 Don't be left behind—JOIN US NOW and embrace your destiny! 🏆⚡️🎊
***********************************
The dry, cracked earth of the Grey Terminal crunched beneath their boots, each step stirring up a faint cloud of ash and dust.
Sabo and Ann navigated the desolate expanse with practiced ease, their sharp eyes darting across the mountains of refuse that towered around them.
The air was thick with the stench of smoke, rot, and decay, a nauseating reminder of the endless fires and festering waste that plagued the sprawling dump.
Above them, the sun was a faint blur, shrouded by a veil of smog that seemed to hang like a curse over the land.
"Not exactly the five-star dining experience, is it?" Ann muttered, kicking a charred tin can that clattered noisily across the ground. Her black hair caught what little light pierced the haze, making her stand out like a beacon in the gloom.
Sabo chuckled, his pipe resting casually against his shoulder.
"The best bounties hide in the worst places," He replied, his voice carrying an almost mischievous confidence. "Besides, the stink keeps most people away. Makes it easier for us."
Ann wrinkled her nose, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she scanned the horizon. "Easier for us to puke, maybe. If we don't find someone soon, you're buying me dinner—somewhere decent this time. No greasy street carts."
He grinned, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "You mean the street cart that served the best skewers you've ever had? I'll keep that in mind."
She shot him a glare but couldn't suppress the twitch of a smile. "Just don't forget who saved your hide last time. That dinner is an earned right."
They pressed on, weaving through piles of broken furniture, rusted scrap metal, and scorched remnants of lives discarded. The eerie quiet was punctuated only by the distant crackle of flames and the occasional caw of a bird scavenging for scraps.
Despite the grim surroundings, there was an undeniable thrill in the air, the kind that came from the promise of a chase.
"Ever wonder who actually lives here?" Ann asked after a moment, her voice softer now as her gaze drifted to the makeshift shelters scattered in the distance. "It's like a graveyard, but… alive."
Sabo shrugged, though his expression grew more serious. "People who've got nowhere else to go. Some of them are just trying to survive. Others… well, they're the kind we're hunting today."
She tilted her head, curious. "Think they know we're coming?"
"Maybe," he said, pausing to adjust his gloves. "The smart ones will try to run. The bold ones will try to fight. Either way, we'll get what we came for."
As they crested a hill of debris, the landscape unfolded before them, revealing a cluster of figures in the distance. Shadows flitted between heaps of trash and smoke, their movements swift and deliberate.
Ann's hand instinctively went to her weapon, her pulse quickening.
"Looks like dinner's on you, Sabo," She whispered, a grin spreading across her face. "We've got company."
He twirled his pipe, his smirk widening into a grin of his own. "Told you the best bounties hide in the worst places. Let's go say hello."
Their banter was cut short by the heavy sound of boots approaching, the rhythmic clatter echoing ominously. Ann and Sabo turned, their gazes narrowing as a squad of armed guards emerged from the shadows, flanking a man whose polished shoes and fine suit stood in stark contrast to the squalor around him.
"Sabo," The man's voice rang out cutting through the oppressive air of the Grey Terminal like a blade.
Sabo's smirk disappeared in an instant, replaced by a look of unbridled disdain. His shoulders stiffened, and his grip on his pipe tightened until his knuckles turned white.
"Father," He spat the word like venom, his tone sharp enough to draw blood.
Ann, standing just a step behind him, felt the tension ripple through the air. Her hand instinctively went to her weapon, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the threat.
The man before them was impeccably dressed, his pristine suit a stark contrast to the filth and decay of the Grey Terminal. Yet his polished appearance did little to hide the cruelty etched into every line of his face.
Outlook III sneered, his lip curling in a way that made Sabo's stomach churn.
"Still playing the rebel, I see," He said, his tone dripping with condescension. "How predictable. It's time to end this childish rebellion of yours and return to where you belong. Your place is in High Town, not wallowing in this… cesspool."
Sabo's eyes burned with fury, his body rigid as he stood his ground.
"My place?" He repeated, his voice sharp and incredulous. "You mean as your puppet? As a spineless lackey who turns a blind eye to the suffering you and your kind create? I'd rather rot here with the so-called 'filth' than spend another second living your lie."
Outlook's eyes narrowed dangerously, his face a mask of haughty disdain.
"Do you hear yourself?" He snapped, gesturing dismissively to the squalid surroundings. "You've traded a life of privilege, power, and purpose for… this. Trash. Vermin. You disgrace the noble blood that runs through your veins."
Sabo took a step forward, his voice rising with every word. "Noble blood? Don't make me laugh. The only disgrace here is you, Father. You and your sick obsession with control. You think privilege makes you better than these people? They've got more humanity in their little fingers than you'll ever have."
Ann stiffened beside him, her grip on her weapon tightening as Outlook's expression darkened. She could see the simmering rage behind his eyes, the kind of cold fury that made men dangerous. Her instincts screamed at her to stay ready.
Outlook raised a hand, and from the shadows stepped a squad of armed guards. They moved like predators, circling the pair with practiced precision, their rifles raised and trained on them.
Behind the guards, a group of rough-looking outlaws emerged, their smirks betraying their allegiance. Clearly, these criminals had struck some sort of deal with Sabo's father.
"You've always been stubborn, Sabo," Outlook said, his voice low and menacing. "But even you should know when you're outmatched. You don't have a choice here. If you refuse to return willingly, perhaps your little… companion here will give you the motivation you need."
Ann bristled at his words, stepping forward before Sabo could stop her. She glared at Outlook, fire blazing in her eyes.
"Try me, old man," She said, her voice steady and defiant. "You think I'm scared of you? I've faced men a hundred times more dangerous than you'll ever be. So go ahead—make your move. Let's see how long you last."
The outlaws snickered, their taunts cutting through the tense atmosphere.
"Aw, look at the little spitfire."
"Think you can take us all on, girly?"
"Don't get any ideas, kid. You're outnumbered."
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
Thank you for being a part of this journey. May these stories bring excitement and inspiration to your life, and I look forward to bringing you many more adventures!
If you've enjoyed my stories and want to help keep this adventure going strong, consider joining my Patreon! For as little as $2, you'll unlock extra chapters, exclusive art, and tons of perks.
🔮 Myth Guild 🦉
Patreon:Â patreon.com/Myth_Valley