Eric gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He took a step forward and raised his arm to strike John.
John smiled and sidestepped, easily avoiding the attack. He grabbed Eric’s arm and twisted it, causing him to cry out in pain.
Jolene gasped and took a step back.
"How the tables have turned. You remember, don’t you, Eric? The way you used to treat me."
John raised his hand, his palm wide open in front of him and Eric shuddered.
"This was your ritual before you and your buddies would beat me up."
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Eric flinched and John snorted, "you’re lucky I’m not like you. Don’t worry, I won’t hit you."
He chuckled and lowered his hand, "you can keep your girlfriend, she was great. She was a fantastic fuck. Her pussy was tight, not anymore, though."
"You bastard! I’m gonna kill you!" Eric yelled, but John didn’t react. He knew the boy was no threat.
"Do what you will," John shrugged and turned his back on Eric.
John winked at Jolene as he walked past her and said, "I need to talk to you, later."
He shot Eric a cheeky smirk and walked away. He knew Eric’s mind would race with the possibilities. What could he want with Jolene? Would she cheat on him again? That would be enough torture for the moment.
"Asshole," Eric muttered.
John turned around and glared at Eric.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," Eric replied quickly, averting his gaze.
"That’s what I thought," John scoffed.
Jolene shook her head in disbelief and walked away, leaving Eric alone. She wanted to be with John, but he had asked her to become an accomplice to get his revenge on Eric who made his life hell in high school. She understood him, but she did not want any part of it. Still, she couldn’t deny him. He was a man unlike anyone she had met before. He had charisma, confidence, and he was powerful. She was drawn to him.
"Fuck you," Eric whispered, tears stinging his eyes as he watched Jolene walk away.
During the following days, the group continued improving their teamwork and collecting the materials they needed. It took effort, a few close calls, and injuries, but they managed to collect enough materials to finish fortifying the base and some of them gained new skills.
Theodore’s group were due to arrive soon. John had been using Echo for surveillance around the area.
John glanced around the courtyard and nodded to himself. It looked good. The base was ready, but they weren’t.
"Everyone, gather around. It’s time for a final briefing," John announced.
The group gathered in front of John and waited for him to speak.
"Listen up. Theodore’s men will be here soon. We don’t know exactly when, but we have to be ready. I want you all to go over the plan one more time. Do not deviate from it."
John pointed to Maria and Dalia, a group of 5 was standing behind them.
"All of you will wait at the top of the new watch tower. Your job is to provide support. Julia, you’ll be using your new healing skills and buffs to keep everyone alive."
Maria nodded and Dalia said, "don’t worry, we’ll make sure they stay safe."
John then pointed to a group of 5 people and said, "Stephanie, Octavia, August, and Julian will be waiting near the entrance. You’re to engage the enemy as soon as they arrive. Make sure they can’t escape. I don’t want them running back to Theodore and warning him about us. He will know about it, eventually, but we don’t want him to know immediately."
Stephanie nodded and said, "we got it. We’ll keep them busy."
John then pointed to the rest of the group and said, "the rest of you will be scattered throughout the base, waiting in ambush. We have to be ready for anything. If Theodore’s men manage to get past Stephanie’s group, then they might try to breach the walls. We have to stop them at all costs. They cannot be allowed to get inside the base."
"Don’t worry, we won’t let that happen," Octavia said.
With that, John concluded his speech and made his way outside. The new base had walls on the outside. There was a 10-metre distance between both walls, narrow enough to serve as a chokepoint.
There were no openings in the wall, which made it difficult for the enemy to breach, but it also made it hard for them to enter.
The group watched as John and the others left for the watchtower. They were nervous. This was their first real battle against another faction.
Julia and the rest of the group climbed up to the top of the tower. It was sturdy and secure. The tower was made of stone and steel reinforced by monster materials. It had a platform that allowed them to observe the surrounding area.
They could see John and his team approaching the entrance, and they could see Theodore’s men in the distance. They were coming closer, and they were moving fast.
"They’re coming," Julia said nervously.
The group gathered around her and stared out towards the horizon.
"Don’t worry," Dalia said.
"We’re ready," Maria replied confidently.
Theodore’s men approached the entrance. Stephanie and the others were ready to attack. They were hiding behind the walls, waiting for them to get closer.
"John Sarack! Come out immediately," one of the men shouted.
John stepped forward and said, "what do you want?"
"You know what we want," the man replied.
"I don’t think I do," John replied.
"It’s time for all of you to return to the university under Theodore’s rule."
"No, we won’t be doing that," John said.
"Don’t be foolish. You know what will happen if you refuse."
"I don’t care. We’re not going anywhere."
"You’re making a mistake, John. I hope you know that."
"So be it," John replied coldly.
The man shook his head and signalled for his men to attack. They raised their weapons and charged forward. Stephanie and the others launched their attacks, but the enemy was prepared.
They fired back, and the air was filled with magic spells and explosions. Projectiles of all sorts whizzed by and bombs exploded on the walls.
John ducked behind the wall for cover, and so did his team. They exchanged fire, and it seemed like the enemy had the upper hand, but then John looked back and nodded towards Maria.
As he did, a deafening blast struck right in the middle of the enemy forces. A massive explosion erupted from the ground, sending bodies flying through the air.