Downgrade

After Death

A Flashback

Just before they took themselves to the tunnel, Guilbert executed a Plan B for them to take if things won’t go well for them.

“We have to do it.” Guilbert said rubbing his thumb on the side of his lip. He looked at the paper that was on the table. All of them were around and carefully listened to him.

“Are you sure it will be alright?” Loshiana asked and stared at Miguel.

“It’s fine for me. Perhaps, I can make it through to the tunnel if we’ll be going into an unforeseen battle.” Miguel pondered. If there will be an ambush, the team will serve as a shield and will find a way to make Miguel get inside the tunnel, by holding back those opponents.

“We’ll do our best to protect you, Miguel…So, you can do the rest for Era.” Kinzel patted his back and smiled.

“Aye. Just thank me later when I’ll do it right. But first, we need to make sure that it will go to our first plan.” He chuckled.

“Oh, here.” Guilbert took a very fine amount of white dust inside a bottle in his pocket. “That’s a transportation potion I made myself.”

“Woah, you can do that too?” Quinten asked in admiration. His eyes were sparkling,

“Of course, I can make one, but that took me a year and a half.” Guilbert commented and chuckled. “That’s for an emergency. If we won’t be able to bring you back with us. Just blow it and it will take you to back here.”

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Quinten didn’t come home straight. When Guilbert brought the others back with his remaining power, he wasn’t able to use the transportation dust. Instead, he made his way back to the entrance. His heart was beating fast like a drum. The rain had stopped. He called his team as soon as he reached the end, but no one had a response for him. There was silence together with the wet surface. Blood was scattered everywhere. With trembling knees, he ran towards a familiar person lying lifelessly on the surface. His clothes were inked with blood and his arms were severely bruised. It was hell.

Every step he takes is heavy. His heart was being clenched by fear. Quinten’s power was still slightly visible in the place – some pebbles are still floating in the air. The bodies of the officers who also took their lives were also there, except for Jack.

“W-What happened here?” He shakenly uttered. His knees were trembling as soon as he saw Quinten lying on the floor. His eyes cried so hard, falling unto his knees.

“Q-Quinten…” He gently tilted the man to face him and saw blood rushing from his chest, and that shattered him more. His heart was missing.

“D-Damn you…you always act like you’re a hero…” He gripped his shirt and sobbed, digging his face on Quinten’s arm.

He stayed for long in that position, holding his family. When he had no tears to cry, he slowly lifted from the ground and gently carried Quinten.

“W-We’re going home, Quint…” He sobbed and eventually blew the dust and both of them brought themselves back to the base, where their family is devastatingly waiting for them with wet, sombre eyes.

___

Life and death are fortunate. A man that will be facing either of the two will be advantageous depending on how he will use it. For the second time, Era had silence. It was intentional. The grievance was enough to display their longing for a team member. Cody sighed in frustration. Vixen didn’t move from her seat. All were in the living room, their bodies were heavily worn-out. It had been a week since they got themselves into the tunnel and were able to escape. Vixen rubbed her temple as she looked at the siblings who’re still not waking up from the impact that the enemies have given them. They’re sleeping soundly. Guilbert’s head is getting better from the wound. The wound was slowly healing as it was wrapped in cloth, while Kinzel is having her time to mend her heart. They still don’t know what will be the effect of the potion on her, thinking that she is a blood user. But they’re still grateful that they didn’t lose their own lives.

“Will they…be fine?” Cody said as he veered his eyes to them. “They…will.” Vixen replied timidly, taking off her shoal and pocketed it.

“Did you see something?” She asked the man sitting across them, his eyes were filled with tears. Clutching his arms into a cross, he nodded in response. It was Miguel. “The gate wasn’t that far. I recognized a part of it. I saw ten roaming around the street. The place was a bit drastic to see. There were no residents. It was just a location of abandoned houses, a ground zero if I should point. We still do need to go to the secret club to find and talk to the Butcher.” He said.

Guilbert was able to get inside the tunnel and passed it while the others are battling the officers and Jack. Kinzel secured him a path and a chance to go where no one can comprehend his presence, taking himself to its other end - inside an abandoned warehouse. The structure was a bit off and not a usual passage for those who’ll pass the tunnel. The house was full of junks, just like what Mr. Elikai had told them, but it is the only nearest spot to the first gate.

“What are we going to do?” He asked. His disparage shirt was loosened on its collar and his cargo pants eventually need some stitches.

“We have to wait until they gain their consciousness again.” Vixen warily watched the siblings on the couch. They were severely battered. The image of Jack deliberately emerged in Vixen’s mind. She shed a tear, clenching her hand almost getting herself in pain as her nails dug. Revenge had whispered on her hear. She shook her head off. It wasn’t what Quinten wanted. But did she ask him about it? Was there a time that her friend asked for revenge? Was it really worth it?

Vixen stood from her seat and slowly stretched her body. Loshiana was keeping herself barely perceptible in the corner. She was embracing her knees as she sat on the couch.

Cody nudged from his seat and clapped his hands firm. “Aye. Quinten doesn’t want us to be earthworms. We should get our asses to move…A-And…” There was a pause and everyone can see how his lips trembled in sorrow. “A-And….” His eyes began to water. Vixen went to him and rubbed his back slowly. “And…I miss Quinten…” Then he burst into tears.

Loshiana looked away and so does Miguel, they sniffed and cried in silence.

Vixen stared on the floor, and remember what Quinten told her when they’re playing dirt during their upbringing. It was peaceful back then. The innocence from fear, retaliation and resentment kept them from getting harm.

“Sometimes, you need to be pessimistic in order for you to realize how to be happy.”

She made a warry smile and wiped her tears. And she guessed that sorrow will help you find happiness, and that he was right. And that it will be different now that he had left. Taking a deep, placid sigh, Vixen managed to put her hopes high again.

“Cody is right. Quinten doesn’t want us to see like this. We need to finish what he had started. What he made as a cause will surely bear a result, so we need be…firm…for him and for…this family.”

Cody nodded and wiped his eyes with his shirt. “She’s right.” He walked to the door and opened it.

“Where are you going, Cod?” Miguel asked him.

“To visit the one who calls me, Codfish. And to offer him cotton” He made a small smile and went outside to the backyard.

“I’ll just…go and comfort him for a while.” Vixen said to them. “Can you lookout for the two for now?” She added and gazed at Miguel and Loshiana.

“Sure. We’ll...take care of the two.” Loshiana replied.

“Thank you..." She gave them a comforting hug and a pat on their shoulders, heading straight to follow Cody.