At the south gate, soldiers stood firm, lantern light flickering against their armor. At the west gate, Euly leaned against the wall, eyelids heavy.
His head dipped.
A sharp smack jolted him awake.
"Ah—! I'm up, I'm up!" He straightened quickly, forcing a smirk. Then he muttered under his breath, slipping into Spanish, "Odio vigilar las puertas... solo quiero dormir." (I hate guarding the gates... I just want to sleep.) Euly rubbed his hand through his hair.
Raffi loomed beside him, broad hand still raised from the strike. "No sleeping on the job, Euly," he muttered, voice deep but not unkind.
"Yeah, yeah, I know..." Euly's head bobbed again.
Raffi sighed, shaking his head. "You'll get us both killed one day."
Euly narrowed his hazel eyes, squinting into the dusty horizon. A shadow blurred across the desert ruins, fast, too fast to be human. Before he could move, his com buzzed sharply at his side.
He pressed the button.
Euly: "Hey, is that you, Hido?"
The reply came back frantic, broken by heavy breaths.
Hido (com): "No, no, incoming El Bacteria! It breached my side of the gate, but I pierced it with my spear. It fled your direction. Four-legged mutation—watch yourself!"
Before Euly could answer, Raffi stepped forward, his deep voice steady. He extended a massive hand, Abi energy surging as he growled:
Raffi: "Art of the Knight... Gray Sword!"
A titanic blade materialized in his grip, gleaming in the twilight.
From the haze, the grotesque El Bacteria burst forth, a lumbering four-legged abomination, mouth yawning wide with rows of jagged teeth dripping bio-fused sludge. Its eyes burned with unnatural hunger.
Euly: "Tch. Finaly some action, Art of the Knight... Copper Sword!"
A copper-hued blade flashed into existence along with a green heroes cape.
Euly swung twice, arcs of raw Abi slashing through the air , but the creature was fast, its body twisting unnaturally as it evaded with terrifying agility.
Raffi reeled his massive sword back and roared, his swing releasing a wave of gray energy so massive the beast couldn't possibly avoid it.
The slash tore through the Bacteria's bio-flesh, sending it tumbling, howling as it collapsed in a spray of violet fluid.
Just as it staggered to rise again, another spear whistled through the air, piercing clean through its skull. The beast froze, shuddered, then crumpled to the dirt.
Hido emerged from the opposite side of the gate, chest heaving. Sweat streaked his face as he leaned heavily on his remaining spear.
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Hido (panting): "Thanks... guys... whew... almost passed out there!"
Euly snorted, flicking dust off his copper blade.
Euly: "Been a while since we had a Bacteria show up here. Makes me wonder if it has to do with the war."
Raffi shook his head, calm as ever.
Raffi: "I doubt it. Those things always find their way around."
Hido, still catching his breath, straightened.
Hido: "Speaking of the war... I hear the King's taken back more land from the Els."
Euly's smirk faded, his gaze drifting toward the horizon.
Euly: "Sometimes, I don't know if that's good or bad. Feels like the whole world's burning, and us Zoners are just... existing. Waiting to see who shows us mercy."
Hido frowned, gripping his spear tightly.
Hido: "You're a Zoner Knight, Euly. You shouldn't talk like that."
Euly (flat): "It's just reality."
Silence hung for a moment, broken only by the wind against the gates.
Hido forced a grin.
Hido: "Yeah, well, the people believe in you guys. Especially Lanni."
Raffi's hazel eyes softened.
Raffi: "I admire her. Haven't seen that woman show an ounce of fear with the world the way it is."
Hido: "She's tough, tougher than most of us."
Euly tilted his head.
Euly: "I don't know. Jett's pretty tough too... he's basically second in command."
Hido glanced between them, his voice lowering.
Hido: "Not many people like him. At least... that's what I hear."
Raffi grunted, resting his massive sword on the ground with a dull thunk.
Raffi: "That's because he's the establishment type. He'd rather shake hands than draw blades. It's admirable... but it's na?ve. And na?ve men can put others in danger."
The three knights stood in the dust, the broken carcass of the El Bacteria sprawled at their feet, its foul blood steaming in the desert heat. Above them, the Zoner Gates loomed, as unyielding as the battles to come.
The Day had slowly come to an end, as the sun said goodbye. All the zoners werer safe because of the Zoner Knights.
Within Lanni's chamber, candlelight painted the walls gold. She sat on the edge of her bed, clad only in a night gown, her sword propped against the nearby dresser. Across from her by the door was Hido her lover, posture uneasy, his eyes flicking between her and the floor.
"Are you sure hijacking that cargo ship is wise?" Hido asked, voice low. "What if you get hurt?"
Lanni smirked. "Come on, you know me. I won't be bested by a handful of robots."
"But what if the King finds out?" Hido pressed. His brows furrowed. "He might come after you directly."
Lanni leaned back, stretching her arms with casual defiance. "He won't. And if he does..." Her lips curled. "I'll have my soldier man protect me."
Hido's cheeks flared crimson. "Uhh... I'm nowhere near as strong as you or the king."
She crooked a finger, motioning him closer. Hesitant, he leaned in. Their lips met, a soft kiss. Lanni pulled him onto the bed, climbing over him with a sly grin.
Hido swallowed, his voice trembling. "Hey... I just want to say... what you're doing is brave. If this works, you'll save a lot of people."
Lanni's tone softened, though her fire never dimmed.
"Yes. That's my duty as a Zoner Knight. Will you be by my side when we hijack the ship?"
Hido shifted, guilt flashing in his eyes. "I wish I could. But... I'm tied up helping Naggi."
Lanni raised a brow. "What's wrong with Naggi?"
Hido exhaled. "Turns out her kid, Levy ran off again. She cried all day, wouldn't stop. I feel bad for her."
Lanni's gaze lowered, thoughtful. "Children can be complicated... especially when they grow up on Deer Point."
"Yeah," Hido agreed. "She said he ran into the animal forest. That place is massive... and crawling with parasites. I don't know how long he'll last in there. Could you... help?"
Lanni leaned closer, her lips brushing his neck. "I'll reach out to some of the animal tribe leaders. Maybe they can keep an eye out."
Hido's breath caught. The candle flickered, shadows deepening.
Lanni "Come here". Hido smiled "Yes ma'am. She reached for the lantern, snuffing out the light.
The room sank into darkness.