The Fortress of the Chosen part 2 (I)

"So, this is your base of operations?"

"Look, it's the best we could afford, okay? Don't be so fussy about it"

"Sorry, I didn't want to offend you, it's just..."

After watching carefully every corner on the house we are in, the supposed rebel's lair, I was very disappointed. Every way I see it only looks like an abandon place from years ago in the verge of falling apart.

Perhaps it sounds exaggerated, but it's not so far from reality. Certainly it won't catch anybody's attention... well, I'm not someone to judge.

"What? If you have something to say then say it" Leah kept insisting.

"Forget it. More important, at what time do we get going?"

"In 5 minutes we'll depart to our post"

"Ah? So soon?" why do I always keep getting in trouble? "Whatever, what do we have to do?"

"Our team will start moving from the south entrance, from there we'll go to the centre of the city. In the chance that we meet a member of the cult we must try to evade it and continue. If that's not possible then we'll face them and gain time for the others"

"What means you have to do it?"

"We have a variety of grenades. Flash, noise and explosive ones, although only 3 of the latter. A couple of handguns with 3 bullets each. The car is loaded with some bombs on the trunk in case of an emergency. That will be it"

"That so... it's better than nothing"

"Are you implying that is not enough?"

"No, telling the truth I don't know if it's enough or not. I had never faced a human, the users of light that I met before all shared the same goal of using our powers for everyone's sake, and specially to defeat the monsters that attack us. The idea that I would be fighting someone like me but with different ideals had never crossed my mind"

"Asriel... I'm sorry, I been venting on you. We ended up dragging you onto this"

"What are you saying? It's not your fault, anyway I was planning to speak with the one in charge of the city because of the message he sent"

"Seriously you think that he has the answers you seek? That there is someone out there who knows about the events regardless the day of the Apocalypse?"

"I don't know, however it's the only clue I have. Also, I feel somewhat safer being with all of you. I was already thinking that everyone in the capital were crazy, I'm glad that wasn't the case"

"Don't worry, when our operation is successful everything will go back to normal... I hope"

"Leah, you really believe that all will simply solve when Victor dies? What will happen with the rest of his followers? You expect that the command chain will crumble by their leader's death?"

"... no, the truth is that nobody thinks that it'll be that simple. But, what more can we do Asriel? We should abandon our home and fall preys of the beast that lurk on the outside?"

"No, you have a good point... okay, leave it to me"

"You have a plan?"

"I'll try to speak with him, try to make him understand that what he's doing is wrong and come to an agreement. He won't hear what you have to say, however maybe he'll listen to me because we share the same power. There are so many questions I'm urge to know, I trust that he knows something more about it. Where those beings came from, the reality behind the day of the Apocalypse, the reason of our abilities. He must know the answers"

"It's been a long time since I was wondering... why are you so obsessed with that topic?"

Her question left me blank. Why, eh? I would also like to know. It took me a couple of seconds to gather the words and sort them inside my mind. Not only for her, I need to do it for me. To be able to understand myself better.

"In that moment when everything changed it was like a light illuminated my life and I was able to see the world with other eyes. My monotonous day to day life has been transformed into a new and exciting experience, you'll never know what tomorrow has for you. It's true that there are beasts that attack us constantly and each second can be our last, however my desire for adventure and craving for knowledge are so big that can easily overcome the fear and terror I could feel. It's as if I had awakened for the first time after a long dream of years. I can't remember the last time I felt so... alive"

"Asriel..."

She stood completely silent the same way as I do. Her face showed a complex expression that I couldn't explain.

"Miss Leah, preparations are ready"

One of the assistants appeared in the room bringing a report of the situation.

"U, understand. We'll go immediately"

"As we agreed I'm coming with you"

"Sorry to depend on you, but you're our best bet. I think I have something that can be of help, follow me"

She led me down a hallway until reaching another place of the house, there it was a blanket covering some shape. Then Leah approached and remove it.

"This is..."

"I hope you know how to drive it" said throwing the keys to me.

"I get an idea. Let's go"