“Nadia's name is also on that list as well.”

“Bullshit!” the German soldier replied.

“No, I have seen it with my own eyes. She tried to lead us into a trap, I was there.” Preacher said.

“And where is she now?” the German soldier asked.

Certes answered the soldier's question with a nod.

And though Commander Snelling fought a bit, his restrained hands were no match for such a numerous detail of soldiers. And so they led him to the cell in which he would be held, formerly known as DC Jail.

“Do you think Alicia and Jackson were successful?” Preacher asked as Certes rejoined the group of German soldiers at their airship.

“I do,” Calypso replied. “At least I hope so.”

“Sir, what is our next order?” the German soldier asked of their highest ranking officer.

“The darkness will not be kind to us,” Preacher replied. “We will remain here overnight and lift off for Berlin at daybreak.”

“Understood sir.” the soldier responded with loyalty.

“Double the guard detail on our city's edge,” Calypso ordered.

“Right away sir!” a Resistance soldier replied.

And as the soldier turned to double the detail of guards who protected the outskirts of their city, Calypso began to look out across the landscape.

Mountains, once beautiful with the influence of almighty God, were now war-torn and littered with signs of mortar shelling and fires. What was once a crisp breeze of nature blowing through the city streets, now reeked of dead flesh and ash.

Calyspo's wandering eyes skimmed the city behind him, noticing neon signs and hybrid cars replaced by calligraphy painted signs and carriages powered by both horse and steam. Though Humanity had withstood such a devastating barrage of attacks since Invasion Day, it had forever been changed; the memory of how things used to be, just that. A memory.

He hated the Ancients. With every speck of his very soul, he hated the race that had humbled them back to such Victorian times. And he was tired of being on the defensive. Sick of waiting for the gray-skinned bastards to strike, only to pray for their defenses to hold.

He, like many of the remaining Humans, wanted nothing short of redemption. And as he turned to glance back into the wastelands, thinking of what once was scenic land painted by the hand of God, he hoped for the return of Alicia Lucard. He knew she would have a plan.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

Almost there. Alicia thought as she attempted to curb her heavy breathing and push forward just a bit longer.

“Alicia,” Jackson said. “You go, I'll...” he added, cut off swiftly.

“No, you go,” she replied, her angelic voice hindered by such a small intake of oxygen. “Get them to safety. I'll be right behind.”

Jackson wanted to argue with her, wanted to plead for her to make better sense of the situation. The New Kinneston survivors were exhausted, a few even having passed out during the trip. All day, every minute of every hour they had ran for Washington City. No water breaks and no stopping.

Alicia had decided their best chance of survival was to somehow make it to Washington City in the span of only a single day. She knew the Ancients would soon have slayers of Humanity on their heels, and she was right. For nearly an hour now, the Ancients had been right behind them, murdering any survivor of New Kinneston who fell behind.

The group was exhausted, and a few of the surviving had even fallen back on purpose, choosing death over a continued journey to possible freedom. Viewing the trip as a forced death march.

Jackson wanted to plead with her heart, but they both knew there was simply not enough time. She was more skilled in fighting the Ancients, especially on foot. She would provide them all with the best chance of survival.

“You get you ass to Washington City, you understand me.” Jackson said firmly, tears filling his eyes as he wondered if this would be the last time he laid eyes upon her.

She simply nodded, her own eyes tearing heavily. Having tasked Jackson with pushing the group of survivors to sprint the hill that lay ahead, Washington City merely a hundred or so yards away from them, Alicia pulled two pistols. And as she leaned against a tree of rotted bark, Alicia closed her eyes for a moment. Remembering life before Invasion Day, while thinking of her newfound love for Jackson Ayers.

She had to live, fate had granted her no other choice. Her heart, in such a short time, had been changed for the better. She had found herself madly, deeply in love. And the Ancients had taken enough from her already.