Saturday, 19th of Starlight Calendar.
Today marked the first three weeks since War of Throne started and also the start of spring.
The piling snow on the street and the dark clouds in the sky were almost gone as a wave of warm breeze swept through the air. Small animals emerged from their hidden chamber of hibernation and birds were already singing their heart out from dawn.
Gathering in front of the fireplace in the living room, the eight members of black faction sat down as we were having a morning meeting – including me.
For the past two weeks, my members had been locking themselves up in the basement and spending their whole day practicing their gun of choice.
Although I was proud seeing them training that diligently, as their leader, I thought it's already time to take a break and proceed with our plan.
Giving my members a piece of paper each, I sat back down as I explained.
"This is a list of our other bases' addresses. Remember it in your head then burn it in the fireplace after you're done."
Azazel gave me a weird look as she clutched the paper, "You know Yolan? Sometimes you scare me with how meticulous you are with these preparations. And the fact that you tell us to burn it after makes me question if you're a real criminal."
"There's even one in another country too. And the bases are mostly scattered around the country. This really makes me feel like we're in an action movie." Jessie giggled at the end of her words.
Eliot commented as he burned his paper, "Hmm… I think it's a good thing to be cautious. Do all these bases also have supplies like our current one?"
I nodded at his question, "Yes, I've stocked the necessary supplies to survive. If we ever get scattered, I want you to visit one of these bases as a temporary hiding place. That way I can ensure your safety until I'm safe enough to gather you in one place again."
Cassius frowned, "Don't phrase it as if you'll fight alone. You know I'll be there to protect you."
I just chuckled at his words. It's not that I didn't believe him, it's because as soon as Cassius said that, the others also gave me a similar expression of guilt – thinking it's also their job to protect me.
But I wasn't the type to stand still and let myself be protected. I would rather be on the frontline to lead my members and protect them.
Although I demanded their loyalty, I never demanded their devotion. I wanted them to trust me enough to listen to my orders but selfish enough to take care of themselves.
I wanted my members to realize that their lives were worth more than just being a pawn for the King.
"Hm?"
The searing pain on the back of my hand caught my attention. It came from the crest and it seemed like my members also felt it as they collectively look down on their hand.
CRASH!
Our living room's glass window was shattered, and on the outside a man was pulling the trigger of something that looked like an oval ball.
Recognizing what that thing in his hand was, I shouted.
"Duck!"
BOOM!
I held one of my nearest members and hid behind the couch. Eliot – face as pale as sheet – peeked over my shoulder.
"Is that an enemy-"
"Everyone! Get out of here now!"
My members immediately scattered on my command. I helped Eliot to his feet and pulled him away. Two white faction members were barging in from the window.
"There!"
BANG!
As expected, Haide's members were brutal, they immediately went after my neck as soon as they entered. Their bullets grazed my cheek as I ran away.
"Tsk!"
I pulled out Cecily and counterattacked, my bullet hit one of members' legs. Cassius – finding a suitable spot to shoot from behind the wall – backed me up. Allowing me to bring Eliot to safety and giving one last order to my members.
"You guys know the hidden exit in the basement right? Go there and leave immediately to one of the bases I told you about after you reach the passage's end."
"Wait, we're scattering? How about you then- Ouch!"
I flicked Azazel's head as I smiled.
"Why are you worrying about others' safety when your own isn't guaranteed? Don't worry, I'm not going to be killed that easily, so go hide first and wait for my summon."
I eyed Ornil and Baretta to quickly take the kids away. Understanding my intention, they nodded and led Samuel, Jessie and Eliot to the basement.
A chuckle escaped my mouth, reloading Cecily as I said to Cassius who was still shooting the enemies in the living room.
"Brings back memories, isn't it?"
Cassius sighed as he reloaded, "It is."
"Your leg… If it's too hard to run, leave being a bait to me."
"You've seen me running around. The pain isn't unbearable."
CRASH!
Another window got shattered, this time near the front door, and another four of white faction members got inside.
This time, they were led by a person I hated seeing the most.
"Cassius."
"Yes."
We nodded to each other and started moving. Being pitched between the front and the back, we had no choice but to lure the enemies somewhere else.
BANG! BANG!
Cassius and I shot at the newly entered enemies, forcing them to hide behind the wall.
That gave us enough time to went upstairs.
"Chase them!"
Keith led his men upstairs. Seeing them climbing up the stairs, I pulled one of the windows' curtains and threw it at them.
"Shit!"
BANG! BANG!
With how thin the curtain was, Keith easily shot it down.
"What are you being dazed for? Hurry!"
They ran after us again, following us to one of the rooms.
But they were already too late.
The moment their eyes met mine, Cassius had already jumped off from the window and I was already one leg on the window frame.
Standing on the windowsill, I gave them one last parting words.
"You guys are a bunch of slowpokes."
Meeting Keith's eyes, I grinned-
"Adios."
And jump off the window as I gave them a salute.
I felt the slight cold breeze brush my cheek in the air before my body landed on the soft mattress below.
"What the-! They actually jump?!"
The curses from my enemies became background music for me as I ran out to the streets.
I took a glance back at the mansion and Keith's flabbergasted expression was apparent on his face. The sight almost made me laugh.
As expected, taunting your enemies before your exit was definitely worth the delay.
'But I don't see Haide anywhere.'
My question was immediately answered when I saw a man standing in front of the gate. Both Cassius and I had to stop in our tracks because Haide aimed his gun at us.
"You… Aren't you Yolan's-"
Cassius frowned when he saw Haide. He then glanced back at me before aiming his gun at the man in front of us.
"Nice to meet you again. Cassius, was it? Just so you know, I hate you to the core."
"I don't know why you hate me, but because you're our enemy now, I also share the same hatred of you as you did to me."
Their conversation didn't register in my ear as I was more focused on our surroundings. The number of members inside and outside the building didn't match up.
'There're only seven of them, so where's the last one?'
I thought Haide had already ordered all his members to attack by raiding my mansion, so this missing member was definitely not planned.
'Don't tell me… Is he on one of the roofs?'
As if to proof my thoughts, my back was suddenly struck by a bullet. The force made me stumble to the ground as pain started spreading through the shoulder that was hit.
"Yolan! Ugh!"
Cassius was also struck on the arm by one of the bullets. One of the white faction members was standing by on my mansion's balcony. He had somehow climbed up there and became the last precaution to kill us.
'A sniper… Why didn't Haide tell me he has one?'
I glared at the gray-haired man in front of me, demanding explanation. This was definitely not on our plan.
But when I met his gaze, all I saw was his shocked, guilt-ridden expression.
"You-" I frowned.
'Did your member rebel against your plan?'
I clicked my tongue as I pushed my body up. Haide finally snapped out of his thoughts and aimed his gun again – this time at me.
BANG!
"Ugh!"
But instead of me, a bullet hit Haide's arm. His shot might be accurate, but his agility was still below mine.
"Cassius!"
"Yes!"
Other white faction members had started coming out of the house. With these people chasing us and a sniper that observed our movements, I had no choice but to retreat.
I ran toward the separate garage that held my motorcycle in it.
Once I opened the garage door using the remote control, I turned the engine on my bike as Cassius sat behind me. It's a garage with a front and back door, making escape easier from both sides.
I gripped the handle tightly and went full throttle.
BANG! BANG!
Cassius shot the members chasing us, hindering them from moving. The sniper was still shooting at us from above, which forced me to drive even faster.
'He's so persistent.'
"Cassius, hang on tight."
I swerved my bike and went on the road. Watching them from my mirror, seemed like they had no more plans to chase after us.
"They are finally out of reach."
"Yeah, let's go somewhere safer."
It's finally time to make our exit.