They halt at a flat rock beside the stream. Moon Black quickly sits down. "Oh! My feet hurt," she says.
The sound of rushing water covers the air as they catch their breath.
"It's been a long day. We probably need to get going. Can't guarantee who we might encounter," Jullian says.
"We better take some rest! We need to. I'm pretty sure we're far away from the outlanders' reach," Moon Black's breath still catching.
"Yeah, okay. But we shouldn't stay long," Jullian warns.
Jullian sits beside Moon Black. Justice slumps to the ground as he catches his breath. Daisy and Uddin also sit on the ground, while Scarface stands. Machi Kuli sits nearby, scanning the trees. Helma sits a distance away from them, sitting afar.
"Hope you're not hurt?" Uddin asks Daisy.
"I'm fine. How about you?"
"I'm good. Glad you're okay."
"Listen, Uddin... You babysit me too much. I don't..."
"Shut it. We're sisters now. Blood till the end. Damn! Girl... I'll take a bullet for you...," Uddin's eyes glitter.
"It's kinda weird."
"What's weird?"
"It hasn't been a week but you're already willing to bond this much. It's only been four days."
"It's not just all about time. What makes a true sisterhood lies in the relationship within. We didn't just get along, we created a bond."
"Thanks."
Scarface advances towards Helma.
"Hey," he says.
"What'd you want?" she asks.
"Listen, I... (Sil)"
"James, Scarface, or whatever they call you now. Just go, don't try to do anything, just leave."
"Helma, please just listen," his voice is low and menacing.
With a narrow gaze she warns, "Don't make me repeat myself. Just leave."
"Okay."
"I wonder what's between the both of them?" Daisy asks.
Scarface walks towards the group and sits beside Uddin and Daisy.
"Scarface. Tell us, what happened?" Uddin asks.
Scarface's hands move through the leaves, plucking them as he speaks. "I was a member of the Blue Whale gang. We're known as the Cleaners."
"Cleaners? What's that?" Daisy asks.
"We're trained with knives to cut down enemies. We don't easily go out on missions, 'cause we're assassins."
"So, that's what Helma was trying to tell me when she pronounced Blue the other time..." Uddin says.
"Yeah. I was comfortable and used to that life. However, cleaners aren't allowed to have normal lives."
"Hmm... So the problem was that you got married to Helma and got in trouble for that?" Daisy asks.
"Yeah, but there's more. We hooked up and had a baby. That complicates things. We couldn't hide the baby, so we paid a nurse woman to take care of the child."
"But she mentioned a name like Signi. What does that mean?" Uddin asks.
"Helma was also a member of the Blue Whales. That's how we knew each other. They're called the Signi. Elite warriors that are sent on regular missions."
"So, I take it that a Signi and a cleaner is forbidden to be together even when being in the same cult?" Daisy asks.
"Yes. The nurse got tired and ratted us. Somehow I don't know why."
"Wow! So how, or where's the baby?" Uddin asks.
"Killed. As we tried to flee, Helma couldn't run fast while carrying the baby, so I took him from her hands and threw him to the ground."
"Brutal." Daisy's eyes widen.
"Helma stopped. As she tried to pick the baby from the ground they caught her. She pleaded, calling my name to save her, but I fled and didn't even look back."
"In short, you left her to die!" Uddin says.
"I was afraid. So I ran."
"No wonder she hates you. You're the monster that killed her baby," Uddin says.
"I'm fine with that. Glad she's okay after all," Scarface replies.
"No! He's no monster to me..." Moon Black replies to Uddin.
"No one asked you to speak, kunt..." Uddin replies back.
Moon Black chuckles. "Ha!! Look at the girl, she looks 18 or younger. She's probably got a baby's brain."
"You're always a cut to the flesh. Don't spoil the atmosphere," Uddin says.
"If it were you, you'd have done the same?" Machi Kuli asks Moon Black.
"Hell yeah! I'd have done the same if it were me! Better survive or be killed. Ain't that right, Justice?" Moon Black asks Justice with one eye closed.
"Of course," he replies.
"You two are maniacs. Especially you, Moon Black. Pity any dude that'll fall in love with you. Dude's screwed," Jullian says.
"Nobody invites Moon Black in the conversation. She always ruins everything."
"I'm not ruining anything... bitch! Just a fact," Moon Black replies to Uddin.
"Fact my ass. Keep your crude statement to yourself."
"You two fight like cats and rats," Machi Kuli says.
A footstep, light as a feather, approaches. The air becomes heavy with anticipation. As the figure emerges from a distance, the soft crunch of gravel underneath their feet announces their presence.
"Wait! Someone's approaching," Moon Black stands, watchful eyes.
"We need to leave fast. Can't afford to know who's coming," Machi Kuli warns.
"No, we engage the enemy," Moon Black insists.
"Huh! Want us to wait? Time's not on our side," Machi Kuli replies.
"Can't tell for sure. There might be more than one. Others might be hiding somewhere. Run, and they might tail us. Can't risk the enemy knowing where we live," Moon Black says.
"I suggest we run. They won't be able to overpower our forces back home!" Machi Kuli warns.
"Moon Black's right," Scarface's voice cuts through the air.
"Not you too..." Machi Kuli says.
"Better we stay and fight than run. Better we fight and die than compromise our whereabouts," he says.
The figure materialises before them.
"Oh, it's you. Wait. What are you doing out here?" Moon Black asks.
"Yoo guys..." Lewa raises her hands with a rock on.
"Why are you out here?" Jullian Nova asks.
"Chill guys... I was only sent to check...(Sil). I chose to keep an eye on you guys, in case you need any backup. But anyway, you guys are safe, and that's all that matters... I'll just be going then."
Moon Black's gaze is still piercing, like she feels something's missing. "Wait. Don't you dare. Lewa, tell us, what's it you're holding back?"
"Ooh! Tough girl... You look like a tiger with those eyes of yours... I owe you no explanation, girl... Better stick to your lane."
Their stances become tense. They glare at her with weary eyes, ready to pounce. A palpable aura of readiness, anticipating a threat, ready for battle.
They all close in, hemming her in on all sides.
"Goosebumps... Now I am scared! Sneaky Birds want a fight? Sure, but the battle's unfair."
"Lewa, you're outnumbered. Tell us, are you the strange woman who tried to grab the Chuppah from us at Comptings?"
"Not. That ain't me."
"Stop holding back. You're hiding something, what is it?"
"You're violating. Ganging up on fellow citizens is punishable by death. Council's law."
"Lewa. We won't let you leave unless you spill."
"Spill what, Moon Black!"
"Why were you tailing us?"
"I told you. I only came to check up on you guys... And that's all."
"We've been on missions that took longer. We need no babysitter. You're not telling the truth."
"Fine! Seems you guys won't let me pass... Lady Jane asked me to come spy on you guys, that's all."
Moon Black draws her blade, channels close to her carotid artery.
"Continue."
"Chill, tiger... I was about to continue. She only asked me to come spy on you guys. But that was late last night. She asked me not to tell anyone."
"That's all?"
"Yes, of course."
Moon Black puts back her sword in its scabbard.
"Right. Guys! We leave."
As they walk, Jullian advances close to Lewa. "If you're not that woman, then who's she?"
"So a woman came by and tried to steal the Chuppah as well?"
"Yeah. A woman wearing a disguise."
"Somehow, other territories got eyes on the Golden Chuppah. That woman's moves were rock sharp. Dodged every one of our attacks," Machi Kuli says.
"Indeed. The woman's formidable. Might be a top assassin. She's got dark shadow moves," Scarface says.
"Dark shadow moves, what's that?" Daisy asks.
"That's the assassin's movements. Stay hidden, stay quiet and undetected. Proves why we didn't sense her presence inside the room," Scarface says.
"Who's the newbie?" Lewa asks.
"You mean Daisy?" Jullian replies.
"No... I mean the girl. You guys got another recruit?"
"Long story. She's Scarface's ex-babe. Or whatever they call themselves," Moon Black says.
"Ooh! Interesting... Scarface, you got a babe? She's pretty..."
Lewa advances close to Helma. "Hey, what's up? Looking good."
"Thanks."
"Hope you're not trouble?"
"She's good," Uddin replies.
"Hey Moon Black... Hope you won't ask Lady Jane?"
"Trust me. I'm no snitch. Can't tell her motives. Staying quiet works for me. It's best I say nothing than out my voice without knowing what's going on."
"Got a plan?"
"No, not for now."
"So... Where's the Golden Chuppah? I wanna hold it. Where's it?"
"We failed. It broke."
"Broke? How?"
"Mysterious. It is made of smoke, alarm input, and light features. Plus it's fragile. Hands crossed. Ominous light came. Jullian struck. It fell. Then broke into pieces. Men assembled on us. We bailed."
"That doesn't seem right."
"What doesn't seem right?"
"The Golden Chuppah everybody wants. Just break after a strike and minor fall? Girl, that's not the Golden Chuppah."
"You're spot on. I suspected so. The tunnel was abandoned, only one guard standing at the front entrance. The castle was guard-free entirely. They probably dropped the fake to lure the enemies."
"You guys have failed the mission. Honestly, council's going to be mad."
"Sneaky Birds don't fail missions. We'll definitely make a comeback."