Mission

Chapter 5

*two weeks later*

Eron sat cross-legged, meditating. A holocron was levitating in front of him, glowing with a bluish light. The sound of the wind soothed his senses. Eron slowly got used to even the sound of a bird called a woodpecker. The first night was hard... the second and third were no better. He learned not to scream in his sleep, so as not to alarm his household. Despite the nightmares, Eron felt that he had slept well for the first time since... since the beginning of the war. He didn't have to get up immediately after waking up.

The holocron vibrated with power.... Capturing Eron's attention.... He felt that this holocron was.... different.... It held a great deal of knowledge.... but something told Eron that this was only a part of the knowledge of the being who had created this holocron. Through the force he felt.... the presence of something.... someone.... old.... ancient.... It wasn't a Jedi.... but it wasn't a Sith either..... He felt the words pouring into his head....

"Jedi fear what they might do if they become too powerful. Sith fear what they will become without their power. Both sides have their reasons... and neither understand the full truth."

Eron took a deep breath... the holocron... was speaking to him..... He wanted to ask a question.... but before he could, a voice in his head answered.

"You ask who you are? You are not a Jedi. You are not a Sith. You are more. Someone who has the chance to choose not only a side... but a meaning"

Eron wanted to deny it.... but he didn't... the previous Eron would have. He would defend the Jedi Order... now though... he listened... The holocron didn't say anything for a long time... Eron focused on the force..... Mandalay was in the kitchen... he could sense her..... Kota was spying on him at that moment..... you could feel his childish fascination..... He could feel the holocron's amusement.

"The boy sees a hero in you..."

A moment of silence. Eron felt the holocron attune to his feelings... guilt... anger... shame...

"Emotions are neither your weakness... nor your enemy, Eron..."

Eron frowned, trying to understand what the mysterious figure was saying.

"You feel guilt because you had to break the rules to protect your people. You feel anger because you wanted justice that never came. You feel shame because you realized your mistakes."

Eron nodded slightly.....the voice was right....but how could he change if there was so much darkness around....How could he escape from it....

"You don't have to escape from the darkness....that can't be done....but you can turn on the light."

The holocron slowly went out and lay on the floor, without any interference from Eron....it was disturbing and fascinating at the same time.....

Eron let out a breath from his lungs....and said.

"You can approach Kota..."

Kota hesitated for a moment, but finally came out of hiding and approached slowly.

"But that was a cool trick...what is it? It looks like a Rubik's cube."

Eron laughed quietly. Yesterday, Ragdoll had shown him three Rubik's cubes and challenged him and Kota to a duel to see who could solve theirs faster. Eron used his force to solve his. He won.

"No Kota... it's a holocron... You can think of it as... hmmm... a database. A holocron is used to store knowledge. The great Jedi used them to keep their knowledge safe for future generations."

Kota looked at the holocron and after a moment of hesitation, he lifted it up in both hands.

"But you did a cool thing with lifting things... can I do that too? Can you teach me?"

Eron looked at the boy sadly.... he didn't want to destroy his dreams.... especially when Kota saw how Eron used the force .... but the sooner he did it the better for the boy....

"Kota... Imagine... that force is like the ocean.... some are born by its shores.... the ocean waves can... destroy them.... Others are born near a river.... which is not as dangerous as the ocean, but even rivers sometimes spill out of their borders. Many others are born inland... sometimes by some pond, lake, or simply a well.... A well is the only thing that is made by human hands.... A man has to put in a lot of work to build a well.... but this well will never be as strong as a river, as vast as an ocean."

The boy's brain was working at full speed....

"Does that mean.... that I wasn't born by the ocean?"

"Those who are born by the ocean... are very powerful in force , Kota... I am not one of those people... I think I was born near a river or lake... but I started building my own wells to make the water cleaner... it's hard to explain..."

The boy frowned...

"So... I won't be able to do what you do?"

"Kota... I can't do what you do either. You can control water... you can shoot water straight from your hands... that's a powerful quirk. Just because you don't have 'Force' doesn't mean you'll be weak. I've known many people who, despite having no force at all, were really powerful."

Kota placed the holocron gently on the floor, walked over to the window in Eron's room, and shot a small stream of water that had a range of at most one meter.

"I... I'm weak..."

Eron walked over to Kota and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Kota.... when I was your age, I couldn't do what I can do now. It was years of meditation, training, and learning from the masters. You can't compare my power to yours. Besides... do you know how powerful water is?"

Kota nodded. He had no idea.

"Water is life. With it, you will be able to give life where water is lacking. With your quirk, you will be able to cut even rocks. Water under high pressure will simply cut through almost anything. You will be able to put out fires, defeat villains... In your case, you don't need a well... As for your quirk, you were born by a huge lake... you just have to learn the secrets of this lake... you have to train to become stronger. I know you can do it."

Kota was silent for a moment, staring at the drop of water that dripped from his hand. He turned his head to look at Eron.

"But how long will it take me? I want to be strong now!"

"I know Kota.... but I can't tell you how long it will take... no one knows that... I'll tell you something else instead. The more often you do something, the more skilled you become at it. Remember that game you showed me? The one with the two brothers, one dressed in red and the other in blue?"

"Yes! Mario!"

"Exactly. Remember how hard it was for me to play at first? I'm doing better now, but that's because I had someone who already knew how to play and taught me. That someone was you, Kota."

Kota smiled shyly, but a hint of pride appeared in his eyes.

"Do you really think so?"

"Really. You were patient. You explained to me when I didn't understand something. You didn't get angry, you just showed me what I did wrong. Thanks to you, I'm at a higher level of advancement than if I played without your help."

Mandalay stood outside the door. She hadn't intended to eavesdrop... but when she heard Kota's voice, she stopped. Her hand froze above the doorknob. Kota had changed so much since Eron had started living here... and all in two weeks.

Finally, Mandalay knocked on the door, opened it, and said with a smile.

"Boys! Dinner's ready. Kota, today's your favorite curry!"

"CURRY!!!"

Kora rushed to the door, trying to win the race against time. Eron laughed quietly. Mandalay looked at him. There was emotion and gratitude in her eyes. Soon they joined the others for dinner.

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Evening. The Wild Wild Pussycats set off on patrol, but Ragdoll stayed at the mansion. Someone had to keep an eye on Kota..... Kota was just massacring Eron in Mario Kart. The kid didn't give Eron a chance. In the last round, when Eron was sure he would win, he was hit from behind by a turtle shell.... which took away his first.... second....third....and fourth position. He finished fifth. Eron calmly put the pad back in its place. He looked menacingly at Kota, who was grinning from ear to ear. Another victory went to the five-year-old...

"Enough of this disgrace. Now beat Ragdoll a few times so I can experience defeat with her."

Kota laughed. Ragdoll ran out of the kitchen, screaming.

"My turn!? Prepare to fail!"

Ragdoll jumped onto the couch like an anime heroine, with a battle cry and an impressive pirouette in the air. She stretched her hands towards the pad and said.

"I summon the force!"

Nothing happened... Ragdoll cleared her throat and looked sideways at Eron.

"I said.... I SUMMON THE "FORCE"."

Eron sighed theatrically and used the force to make the pad fly into Ragdoll's open hands. She immediately chose a character to play.

Eron leaned against the window frame, looking at the forest that seemed... dry..... no... this air was dry... warm... too warm for this time of day..... Not drawing attention to himself, he went outside... the sun was setting... but Eron looked to the east, where a new source of light was illuminating this evening... it was coming from there... dry...warm air..... Eron reached out using the Force.....far...he sensed...many people.....even those with bad intentions....It wasn't a fire...it was arson....

Eron entered his room without a word. He put on a hoodie, jeans, and heavy-duty boots. He clipped his blaster to his belt, ready to use at arm's length. His two lightsabers also found their places.

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Mandalay wasn't on patrol at all. The rest of the Wild Wild Pussycats weren't either. They had come to the prison to witness the interrogation of the so-called clones.... She was in a room with a one-way mirror. With her were Tiger, Pixie-Bob, and surprisingly All Might, who was interested in the boy's fate. One of the men who attacked Eron was led into the room behind the one-way mirror. His hands were handcuffed to the table. The guards left, and after a moment Detective Tsukauchi entered.

The detective sat down in a chair and began to write down.....

"Name?"

"CT-71741 Gravestone" TRUE

"Rank and assignment?"

"Sergeant. 336th Assault Legion." TRUE

"Commander?"

"CT-6640 Hellbound." TRUE

"And who is his commander?"

"Commander Eron Kai." TRUE

"Is Commander Eron Kai the same boy you tried to kill?"

"Yes, sir." TRUE

"... Why?"

"A good soldier follows orders. Order 66." TRUE

"What is Order 66?"

"According to this order, all Jedi are to be executed for treason against the Republic." TRUE

"Tell me... then what crime did Eron commit?"

"I am not aware of any crime committed against the Republic by Commander Eron Kai during my service under his command." TRUE

"Then... why did you want to kill him?"

"Order 66 sir... A good soldier follows orders." TRUE

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All Might, leaning his hand against the wall, lowered his head. His shoulders slumped... from exhaustion.

"A good soldier follows orders....how many times have we heard that?"

Tiger straightened and flexed his muscles.

"From everyone...except Hellbound."

Pixie-Bob shook her head in disbelief.

"Order 66? Kill all the Jedi? But why? Did the Jedi prepare some attack on the Republic that Eron didn't know about, and because he was a Jedi himself, he was sentenced to death for treason?"

Mandalay looked at Gravestone.... She turned on the microphone and told the Detective.

"Ask him what he thinks of Eron."

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Tsukauchi heard a voice in the receiver. He nodded. He tried to look calm and composed...but how could he be calm when questioning men who wanted to kill a boy?

"Sergeant Gravestone.....what is your personal opinion of Commander Eron Kai?"

Gravestone straightened up....his voice changed...it was no longer neutral....now he spoke with pride.

"Commander Kai is the best officer I've ever had the pleasure of serving with. It wasn't like that from the start, but he quickly became the most important part of the 336th. When there was nothing to eat, he starved with us. When it was impossible to sleep because of enemy fire, he didn't sleep either, but kept watch. When it was time to go into the attack, he always went ahead, saying 'Follow me'. He remembered the names of every guy in his company, which he had commanded at first....the second company, that is..." TRUE

Tsukauchi sensed a change in tone towards the end of his statement.....so he asked another question.

"Second company? What happened to his first company?"

"The Commander was inexperienced at the time. The General gave the order for Commander Eron Kai to take command of the company and lead it in an attack....he got too far ahead....they were surrounded....only the Commander survived. We reached his position about two hours later. The clones covered him with their bodies to hide him from the enemy." TRUE

Tsukauchi was shocked...but he was a professional too...he had to continue.

"How....how did Eron act then?"

"The Commander became very quiet." TRUE

"Sergeant...you and the other soldiers took care of Eron, right?"

"Yes." TRUE

"Then...why didn't you disobey Order 66?"

"Because a good soldier follows orders." TRUE

The mirror shook upon impact. A web of cracks spread across its surface in an instant. Tsukauchi and Gravestone looked towards the glass, which although cracked, had not yet fallen apart.

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Tiger gritted his teeth. His fist somehow...accidentally landed on the glass.

"They forced the young one to lead the men into battle and now this prick has the nerve to say that the order to kill Eron was just a simple order!?"

Mandalay put her hand on his shoulder.

"Tiger... I think... someone... hypnotized them... or brainwashed them... Look at all these soldiers... they all look the same and call themselves 'Clones'... that means someone created them, raised them and practically programmed them for blind loyalty."

All Might butted in.

"I think we need a team of psychologists here. I'm also angry Tiger, but let's not get carried away. Before we judge them, let's try to find the cause of the problem."

Pixie-Bob checked her phone. She screamed in horror.

"ERON IS GONE AND THE FOREST AROUND THE YOUTH CENTER IS BURNING!"

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Gunshots, screams, and fire. Shiozaki Ibara hid in the building she occupied with three other girls. She came here for a summer camp that was supposed to last a whole month. Another girl named Nagamine Shiori crouched next to her. Hers is called 'Glass Garden'. The Quirk allows her to create and manipulate glass. Shiori was shaking with fear. Ibara finally asked quietly, her voice terrified.

"What do they want from us?"

Shiori looked at Ibara.... with tears in her eyes.

"They....they probably want me..."

Surprised, Ibara opened her eyes wide.

"Nagamine-san? But why would they want you?"

"Because.... my grandfather is the vice president of HPSC..."

Ibara hugged Shiori to herself.

"Don't worry. God won't let us get hurt.... We have to believe, and..."

The door to the small house was blown in. A moment later, two men entered the room, dressed in forest camouflage and gas masks. They were armed with rifles similar to AKs.

"We have two more!"

There was nowhere to run. Ibara was hit in the face with an open hand from one of the attackers. The other grabbed Shiori by the hair and dragged her towards the exit. Ibara was dazed from the blow. A bruise had already appeared on her cheek. The brutal mercenary grabbed her by the arm and began to drag her right after his colleague.

Ibara whispered the words of prayer through her tears.

"Oh God... I beg you... help us.."

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James Mallory aka 'Six-Chamber' was a mercenary. After being kicked out of the Marines, he started taking any job he could get... until he finally ended up in Africa... after 10 years he started his own crew. He was a professional and wasn't afraid of any assignment... as long as it paid well and he had a solid escape plan. His 'Revolver Hands' quirk meant that he had two powerful revolvers sticking out of his forearms, the caliber of which he could modify at will... to the smallest sporting cartridges, up to .500 Magnum. He could create ammunition directly in the revolver's cylinder, but it drained his energy... so he often carried two black 'Peacemakers' in .44 caliber.

Six-Chamber was not happy. His employer had assigned his own man to burn the whole place down, but only after the action was over... and this psychopath had inhaled his flammable gas and now he was acting so stupidly.... He had to hurry and find Shiori Nagamine..... There were flames everywhere. He gave the signal for extraction. The helicopters were already on their way..... He and part of his team left the burning camp to find a new place for a helicopter landing pad....

'Wildgas' couldn't hold back. More gas bubbles were appearing on his skin, which he pierced with his teeth to inhale their contents..... a great drug. With its help, he had just burned several of the caretakers who managed this camp. He was smiling.... he couldn't hold back any longer.... he had to burn.... burn.... burn everything to the ground.... trees, buildings, people.... he would burn everything.....

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

His mad laughter could be heard everywhere.

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Eron used his the force to run and jump between the trees. He was guided by the force... he could sense death... fear and desperation... it had to be an attack. At the edge of the camp he saw a man who was sucking some substance from the blisters on his hands into his mouth, only to spit fire towards some building on the sidelines after a moment. He heard crying from inside. Anger gathered in Eron. He smelled the stench of burning bodies... he decided... he would kill this man.

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Wildgas smiled brightly as the screams of terrified girls came from the building he had just set on fire. His attention was caught by a kid who was walking towards him. He smiled even wider.

"Ah! Finally, someone who understands that fire is art! Someone who is ready to become fuel for my art! I can finally..."

Wildgas grabbed his throat with both hands. Something began to choke him. He lost ground under his feet.

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Eron reached for the dark side of the force..... In anger, he raised his hand... and began to strangle the pale, thin man.... He pulled him to himself.... forced him to kneel.... and simply asked out of curiosity.

"Why did you do that..... ?"

Eron relaxed his grip on Wildgas' throat. He coughed and replied.

"How dare you interfere with my art! I am an ARTIST!!!!!!! I AM..."

A brilliant red sword flashed. Eron was in no hurry. Slowly... very slowly he thrust the red laser towards the heart... slowly piercing each... one... layer...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Wildgas' voice echoed around.... And despite the raging chaos and fire... everyone heard it.....

Eron's lightsaber exited through Wildgas' back. Eron used his power to throw his body towards the fire. Sam walked over to the wall of the building that wasn't burning yet. He plunged his lightsaber into it and began to carve a large circle to free the people inside.

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There were several girls inside. One of them saw the psychopath burning Ms. Riku alive. Four defenseless girls were shaking with fear... Komori Kinoko was among them. Her hair covered her watery eyes... there was no escape... there was no way out.....

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The girls heard the scream of the psychopath... but it wasn't a scream of joy like before... it was a scream of agony..... Less than a minute later, a red laser pierced the wall in front of them. The laser began to move clockwise. When it made a full rotation... the laser disappeared..... The cut piece of wall slid out... and through the hole entered a boy..... who Kinoko would never forget.

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Eron looked at the scared girls. Practically children...

"You're safe... you can come out... this building is not safe."

The girls cowered in fear... Eron spread his hands.

"I won't hurt you... I promise... but now please, you have to get out of this building... it might collapse from the fire.

Kinoko went first... hesitantly at first, but the other girls followed.... The boy gave her a hand as she went through the cut wall..... she almost fell, but the boy held her.... and at a safe distance from the burning building.... he slowly helped her fall to her knees....

"What happened here?"

Kinoko was shaking....

"Some... people with guns... attacked the camp... we don't know why... they're killing the adults... they're taking the girls to one place..."

The boy crouched down next to her. He looked at her calmly. There was something in his gaze that told her 'You're safe... don't be afraid'.

"What's your name?"

"K....Komori....Kinoko..."

"Okay. Komori Kinoko.... Do you see that river? Once you cross that bridge, and continue along the path, you will reach the Wild Wild Pussycats residence. There is someone there who will help you....can I count on you to lead this group safely to the residence?"

Kinoko shook her head....she was too shy...too scared...but she saw no judgment in the boy's eyes....

"Alright...then wait for me by the bridge. Hide in the trees and wait for me, or the other people from the camp."

The boy stood up and walked towards the fire. Without hesitation...without fear....Kinoko only managed to say....

"...Who are you?"

Eron stopped....he thought....what to say.....He turned his head...he looked at the scared girl...he couldn't see her eyes, which were covered by her hair....but he wanted to calm her down.....

"Call me Eron."

Kinoko watched as Eron walked into the fire.

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Ibara and Shiori were dragged to the center of the camp. Fire raged around. A dozen or so mercenaries were searching the remaining houses. Both girls joined a group of a dozen or so girls. They were forced to kneel. The group was guarded by several mercenaries. Suddenly, they heard a terrible scream.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The mercenaries raised their weapons at the ready.

"What was that?"

"Fuck, I don't know... it must be that psychopath..."

"Maybe he stood barefoot on Lego"

The three mercenaries laughed uncertainly... until they heard voices over the radio.

"OH FUCK WHAT IS THAT!"

"SUPPORT FUCK! GET SUPPORT!"

"MY HANDS! FUCK! YOU CUT MY HANDS OFF! AAAAAAAAAAAGGGG!.."

The mercenaries looked at each other, terrified.

"Guys.... heroes came?"

"A hero wouldn't cut off your hands... they must be the HPSC dirty work guys.."

"What now?"

One of them waved his rifle at the group of girls.

"What do you mean? We have a bargaining chip. Even the guys from HPSC won't risk the lives of a dozen girls, among whom may be this old geezer's daughter."

"Right... by the way, our commander will deal with them..."

They nodded to each other.... but more words started coming through the radio....

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Eron came across a group of some soldiers or mercenaries. He didn't care who they were. The verdict had already been passed. If they attacked the camp, the Wild Wild Pussycats residence could be the next target... he couldn't let that happen.

"Hey! Stop you little son of a bitch!"

But Eron didn't stop. A red light flashed against the setting sun....

"OH FUCK WHAT IS THIS!"

Eron slashed the man across the chest, cutting him in half.

"SUPPORT FUCK! GIVE SUPPORT!"

The second man lost his life when Eron threw him towards the protruding poles of the burning building.

The third man raised his weapon to shoot, but Eron cut off both of his hands at the wrists. He didn't have to do it, but he wanted two things. First, he realized that they were talking through some kind of communicator with other soldiers... Second... he wanted to hurt him. He wanted him to be afraid, just like his victims were afraid of him.

"MY HANDS! FUCK! YOU CUTED MY HANDS OFF! AAAAAAAAAAAGGGG!.."

A precise cut deprived the mercenary of his head.

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A group of eight mercenaries gathered in the square in front of the houses. A few more terrified teenagers joined the group of girls. Ibara watched as the mercenaries talked quietly among themselves.... she didn't know what was going on.... the fire was getting stronger. She was scared. All the girls were scared.... a voice came from behind the firestorm.

"You don't know me. I don't know you. It was pure coincidence that I ended up here. It wasn't a plan. You were just unlucky that I was in the area. So I'll make you a reasonable proposition. Go away. I won't chase you. I won't look for you. I'll forget you exist."

The group of mercenaries aimed their rifles in every direction... no one knew where the voice came from exactly.

"Fuck! You're some kind of pro hero or HPSC dog! I know one thing! You won't do anything to us as long as we have hostages."

One of the mercenaries pulled out a gun, pulled a girl by her hair and put the barrel of the gun to her temple. He continued.

"We have a job to do! We only came here for one girl! The rest can go free! We only want Nagamine Shiori! We'll take her and leave! Let us go! If not, I'll kill one girl every thirty seconds until I find Nagamine Shiori!"

The captured girl tried to break free from the mercenary's grip. She was crying... they all were crying, but she was crying the most.... from fear... from helplessness... she was afraid.

No one answered him for a moment... suddenly a boy came out of the fire... he couldn't have been older than... 15... 16 years old... he had some strange, metal cylinder in his hand.

Ibara looked at him..... there was anger on his face...

The mercenaries aimed their weapons at him.

"What the fuck are you doing!? Playing hero, little boy!?"

Eron looked at the man with the gun who was speaking. Apparently he was the leader of this group.... great..... he will be a good example..... Eron spoke and raised his empty hand slightly, making a strangling gesture.

"You didn't listen to reason... so now you will listen to fear...."

"Linder? What do we do?...Linder?"

Several mercenaries turned their heads to look at Linder... he let go of the girl... and the gun..... he was holding his throat and was floating in the air... his face turned red.

"FUCK! HE'S SOMEHOW STRANGLING HIM! SHOOT!

The mercenaries opened semi-automatic fire from their rifles. Ibara closed her eyes so as not to see the boy die.... but the mercenaries kept shooting.... and the boy had a red sword in his hand.... he.... deflected the bullets..... and the red-hot bullets fell to the ground.... Ibara remembered her grandmother, who quoted the Bible to her.... so she whispered the words, from the holy book.... that came to her mind....

"And I looked, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and a rider came out with a flaming sword to judge and make war."

Ibara was terrified.... was... was he God's answer to her prayer?

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At first, Eron was surprised by the speed of the projectiles... they were at least several times faster than blasters... but such a small number of attackers was no problem for him... after all, he led assaults on thousands of droids, which fired thousands, if not tens of thousands of blaster shots at him.

He walked slowly... methodically... he felt the projectiles bounce off his lightsaber to fall on the dried grass, which in those places where the projectile landed, caught fire... He used the Force to change the trajectory of the projectiles... most of them flew past him... in truth, he could deflect all the projectiles with the Force... but he decided to deflect the projectiles with his lightsaber for one reason... it increased the enemy's fear.

The mercenaries ran out of ammo. They reached for spare magazines. Eron pulled their commander towards him and impaled his chest on his sword... he threw the body to the side. When the fastest mercenary aimed his weapon at him, Eron summoned it to himself with one movement of his hand and cut it in half.

"HOLY SHIT! LET'S GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!"

The mercenary threw down his weapon and went in the opposite direction. Right after him, another one started... and another one.... Unfortunately, they didn't get very far, because the wall of fire made it impossible to escape.

Eron moved forward. The most important mercenary pulled out a combat knife and swung at Eron. He was surprised when his knife was cut by the red blade.... a moment later, Eron slashed him with his sword across the neck, killing him instantly. Right after that, he made a half-turn and cut another enemy. He grabbed the last one left in the fight with 'Force'.... he slowly moved him towards himself....

"You should have listened to reason."

Without waiting for an answer, he crushed the mercenary's larynx, letting him fall to the ground in convulsions.

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Ibara watched in horror at what had happened....this boy....had killed...so many people...so quickly.... She looked at his face....anger had given way to determination....the boy was walking towards the surviving mercenaries. They had long since thrown down their weapons. The girls were terrified...Shiori clung to her in fear....but she had to do something...they had given up...they weren't a threat....stop....please....stop...stop....stop.....

"Stop! Please! Enough already! They've given up! Please don't do this!"

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Eron stopped. He turned around so that the girls were on his right and the mercenaries were on his left.... He looked at the girl with some strange plant instead of hair.... she was afraid... he could feel her fear.... Despite that.... she stopped him.

"Why should I stop?"

Ibara trembled in fear... The boy's voice was... cold... calm... too calm for someone who had just killed people....

"Because... because they are no longer a threat... they surrendered... they wanted to escape, but the fire... stopped them..."

Eron took a few steps towards her.... Ibara didn't turn her head.... Eron crouched down to level so the girl wouldn't have to look down on him....

"You want.... me to let those mercenaries live... the people who came here to kidnap one of you? They killed many innocent people here."

Ibara felt her throat tighten with fear, but she didn't pull away, didn't back down. She felt that if she looked away now... the boy would kill those mercenaries... she had to convince him somehow....

"Please... don't do this... justice will catch up with them... soon the pro heroes, police, fire department will arrive here... they..."

Eron looked at the girl... another girl was hugging her... Eron nodded slowly... considering her words... Showing mercy... showing that he could be... conciliatory... yes... that might be the right move. The girl impressed him. She didn't convince him... but she made him think... he had lost himself too much in the dark side of the force... It must have looked... terrifying from the point of view of those girls.... He stood up. He turned towards the mercenaries.

"Look... you came here to kidnap and kill... and this girl is begging for your lives..."

He lowered his sword. The red blade disappeared with a soft hiss.

"I want you to remember this. I didn't kill you only because that girl has more mercy and courage than all three of you put together."

The mercenaries fell to their knees....their nerves gave way...they wouldn't die....not today.... Their fear grew stronger as the boy continued speaking.

"But.....remember that you didn't choose reason, only fear....so if I ever see any of you....you attack someone....you take candy from a child....or you look at me wrong....I will find you....I can find you without knowing your faces....you don't have to believe me....all you have to do is make one more mistake."

A tall burning tree began to fall towards the girls. Ibara looked up and screamed in terror.... but the impact didn't come..... she opened her eyes.... the boy was standing in front of her.... with his hand outstretched towards the burning tree..... the tree was levitating in the air..... the boy made a movement with his hand and the tree flew away, falling to the ground and harming no one.

"We have to escape as quickly as possible"

Ibara heard his words.... but how... there was fire everywhere... which was approaching them.... fire was everywhere... except for the river..... Unfortunately the bridge remained behind the line of fire.

The girls slowly regained their senses.... or rather the fear of the fire outweighed the fear of the boy.....

Eron approached the river.... it was well 30 meters wide.... he would manage on his own.... but he couldn't leave the girls to die..... a warm wind blew in his face.... carrying the words.....

"Eron"

Eron felt as....the voice from the holocron spoke to him...but...how could that be possible?

"Eron.....You won't save them by using the light side of the force....you won't save them by using the dark side of the force....use both....use your anger to fill their hearts with hope.....you can save them...."

Eron already knew what he had to do....it would take a lot of strength from him....but he had no other choice....He turned to the group.

"Listen! I'll get us to the other side! You have to stick together, because there won't be much room! Follow me!"

Eron moved his hands towards the river....and slowly....very slowly began to open them.....the water in front of his feet disappeared.....creating a passageway....he took one step...the second...the third....he turned his head....no one was following him....

.

Ibara stood paralyzed. The water parted like the Red Sea. The boy stepped into the breach... He felt no fear... and had a powerful quirk....

"Blessed are those... who have not seen and yet believed...."

She whispered the words of a prayer as the boy turned his head and looked at her. He was... afraid... but not for himself but for her and the other girls.... no one moved..... so Ibara took the first step... the second.... the third..... when she was level with the boy, she looked at the wall of water.... she saw fish swimming in it..... The boy's voice snapped her out of her shock.

"Hey... don't be afraid..."

She turned to him... he continued.

"I'll help you... but you have to convince the others... I promise you, no harm will come to you as long as I'm with you."

Ibara looked at the group... she knew exactly what to do.

"Hold on to my vines! We can do this! We'll make it!"

Her vines moved towards the girls, who grabbed onto them... and slowly joined her and the boy.

Eron began to walk forward... step....step....step..... The exit closed behind them.... the girls screamed in fear, but the water didn't take them downstream..... they walked on sand and rocks... the ground was wet... but they walked on the bottom of the river..... they moved with the boy... step... step...step...

"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me"

Ibara looked at the boy who was whispering something.

"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me..."

Step....Step....Step.....

"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me"

Ibara did not understand.... but she felt the meaning of these words in her soul.... The words carried hope that calmed her.... gave meaning to their march across the river....

"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me"

The words that the boy spoke... had a comforting effect on her and the whole group... and when the boy stood... breathing heavily... she said...

"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me"

The boy looked at her... there were streams of sweat on his face... it must have been... a very difficult task... he nodded to her....

Step...Step....Step....

Freedom... life was just a short distance away... just a little more... a few more steps.....

The girls shouted with hope in their voices when in front of them the water parted, and the other bank of the river was revealed..... A few more steps....

Step...Step...Step....

.

.

.

"Everyone! Forward! Now!"

Eron shouted. The girls, one by one, began to go ashore. Their legs were wet, shaking with cold and fatigue... but they were alive.... Ibara was the last to go ashore... and Eron followed her immediately. He fell to one knee, trying to calm his breathing....

Ibara approached him and wanted to say something, but the sound of the shot stopped her words in her throat.

A large man emerged from behind the trees, two powerful revolvers sticking out of his forearms. He was holding a girl, known as Komori Kinoko. He was using her like a human shield... he spoke with amusement.

"Well... I have to thank you boy... I didn't know how to get my target out of this fire, but you did it for me... you impressed me... but now... give me the girl and I'll let you live..."

Eron pushed the girl away from him so she wouldn't stand in the line of fire. There were about 30 meters between him and the man... he was tired... and the man had his hand on the neck of that girl... Komori....

"And... if I refuse?"

Six-Chamber smiled....

"Then... I'll kill you first... then that girl..... then all the others... except that... one..."

He pointed his free hand at Shiori....

Eron's gaze fell on Komori. The girl was barely standing, with a look of terror on her face..... Six-Chamber's arm, wrapped around her neck... he could break her neck with one move. Eron glanced at the weapon attached to the mercenary's belt....

"What do you say... to a little duel...?"

"Hmmm... keep talking boy...."

Eron straightened up... he got into a position to draw his blaster.

"It's simple... you vs me. Your weapon vs mine. Your speed vs my speed...."

Six-Chamber looked at the boy with a hint of respect...

"You'll die...."

"Maybe so... maybe not... if I die, you take the girl..... if you die... then your mission won't be your problem anymore...."

The mercenary nodded in appreciation.... he loved old Clint Eastwood movies....

"Too bad, kid.... I've started to like you... let's do this... I'll shoot you... and then I'll recruit you to my team..... but first let's settle the details of the duel... for the girl we're fighting for now... She'll take a rock and throw it up... when the rock falls, we'll shoot... Do we have a deal?"

Eron nodded

"We have a deal. Let the girl go."

Six-Chamber let go of the tearful Kinoko, who fell straight into Ibara's arms.

Shiori slowly lifted the stone...she stood on shaking legs....

Eron and Six-Chamber stood opposite each other in silence. They were exactly thirty steps apart. The mercenary measured the boy with his gaze...and was surprised when he saw no fear.

Eron closed his eyes. He breathed evenly. Thanks to the 'Force' he could hear Six-Chamber's every breath, every sigh of the terrified girls, every rustle of leaves in the wind...

The stone flew up.

SHOT

Six-Chamber smiled....he pulled out his weapon before the stone hit the ground...then knelt on the ground...a blue bullet had passed through his chest a moment earlier...which pierced him through and through.

Eron stood, with his blaster raised, a small smoke rising from the barrel.

Six-Chamber coughed....

"heh....you knew...that I wouldn't wait...for the stone to fall..."

Eron slowly nodded, agreeing with the mercenary....he didn't know....he just didn't follow the rules.

Six-Chamber spat out blood...

"You've got balls, boy...You'd make a great...mercenary...."

The man fell face forward. He stopped moving. Eron slowly lowered his blaster, though his hand was shaking slightly.

Kinoko spoke uncertainly.

"You...you killed him...."

Eron looked at her... Kinoko was scared...seeing the emptiness in his eyes...

"Yeah....sorry you had to see that."

Eron closed his eyes...he felt...someone coming...or rather flying from the sky.

"I AM HERE!"

All Might landed, raising clouds of dust around him.

All Might looked first at the group of terrified students, then at Six-Chamber's body, and finally at the boy.

"YOUNG ERON! WHAT HAPPENED HERE!?"

Eron turned away from All Might, slowly walking towards the Wild Wild Pussycats' residence. Without turning around, he said.

"The usual. Another assault on enemy positions. Mission completed successfully."

All Might looked at the burning camp. He saw three masked men trying to swim across the river. He went to save them... he would find out what happened here... and then he would have a serious talk with young Eron.

End of Chapter 5