The air was warm and damp, no breeze blowing
The snow around the area had already mostly melted
The earth was mostly visible with patches of snow on it
Everyone was silent as they followed Leo's gaze
Sato slowly walked toward them with the octagon-shaped crystal in his hands
Thomas's face was frozen in horror on the red side
Marquez's face on the blue side
Sato's eyes were shut as he walked toward them
But for the first time, he opened them, looking straight at Leo.
One of his eyes crimson, the other one blue
A similar octagon shape was printed on his pupils.
"Thomas..." Leo muttered, his breath shaking.
Thomas's eyes visibly turned and dragged across the crystal that trapped him
So was Marquez
"I told you to leave," Edd muttered toward Leo
But he didn't hear. His fist tightened as he placed one foot back.
The other men tensed as well
Leo dashed forward, charging toward the old man
Instantly, the whole group moved as well
Leo was fast, but everything caught up to him so quickly
The moment he dashed past Edd toward Sato
The three other men moved like blurs
Kado was already running at his pace
Leo's eyes widened when he saw Kado on his Left
But
He wasn't surprised again. He moved faster.
Wind whipped past his ears.
Slowly, his eyes moved from Kado to the front, regaining his focus
His eyes widened again
Immediately, he skidded to a halt, his feet kicking up dust
Craig was already in front of Sato, holding up his block.
But that wasn't what made him stop
It was Len
Just inches from Leo. He held his stance directly in front of him
Both his hands half-clasped together. Between his hands, a compressed ball of flame floated.
It hummed softly with pressure.
Air that wasn't blowing before now orbited around the ball.
Len's muscles tensed the longer he held it, his eyes glaring at Leo.
"Come on, I dare you," Len said through gritted teeth
Leo's eyes scanned
On his left was Kado, hands aimed at his head
Behind him, Edd hadn't moved. Though the scent of cigar smoke lingered around him.
There was no way out
Leo exhaled, tension from his body disappearing.
He held his head low.
Sato began to walk again. He didn't even look at Leo.
Calmly walking past
"Stop!" Leo ordered
Sato stopped, back turned
"You're the other outsider... Leo, Right?" he asked.
"Are you sure you want to face me?"
He tilted his head toward Leo. The octagon rune began spinning
The men who blocked Leo suddenly moved away, appearing beside Sato in a blur
The path was now clear for the two
Sato's eyes remained fixed on Leo
"The blonde one wasn't so lucky,"
"What?" Leo asked, eyes widening
Sato looked at the crystal in his hands, then back at Leo.
"Thomas is fine," he added. "You'll get him,"
"Find the girl before she succumbs to her injuries,"
"Or... Fight me," he finished
Leo's hand trembled, briefly hesitating
Sato looked up at the sky
"The moon is young, I have time."
"We really don't," Edd said
Sato looked at him
"Then I'll make it quick."
All eyes were on Leo, waiting for his decision.
He still hesitated
The world around them had a faint red glow
The crimson moon was glowing
"H-how can I trust you?" Leo asked
"The girl is over the hill," he answered
Leo's eyes flickered between the hill and the crystal object
"You should go," Kado added. "Thomas will be returned safely,"
"What are you guys planning?" Leo asked again
All the men exchanged glances
Finally, their gazes landed on Sato, who didn't look at anyone except Leo.
"An extraction," he said
"What? What do you mean?"
No one answered Leo
"You should go," he followed up. " This world isn't for you people to meddle with,"
"Stay out of our problems," Sato said finally
The group watched Leo intently, waiting for him to make a choice
...
He twitched, eyes scanning them.
But he could only see a cold, tired gaze directed at him.
Through the crystalline octagon, Thomas watched him.
Eyes blinking multiple times as if it were a message
Leo stared, but the blinks were unreadable
Leo stood there. He couldn't choose.
"Suit yourself," Sato said
He turned and began walking. The rest followed.
"Wait!" he shouted
They never stopped
He dashed toward them. The moment he was about to reach them.
Flames shot from their feet, thrusting them forward into the air.
They were flying in the direction where the tall skyscraper buildings were
Even though the snow melted, the buildings still looked foggy.
The light emmiting from the flames slowly became more and more blurry
Leo watched as they disappeared one by one
"Fuck..." he muttered under his breath
"I'm such a fuck-up," he muttered again
He looked at the city in the distance, then at the hill
"I'm coming, Autumn," he said before running off.
End