Earth Warriors (Undergoing Revision)

Chapter 123 - Matters of the Heart

2 hours later. 

As the dust settles, the smoke clears out and the ashes disperse from the land, it is clear that one scar of the battle will remain there for a long while. The once proud center full of scientific wonders and showcases, it is now a distant and ashen crater in a park that's already ravaged by the Zlocan onslaught. Even when the sun is still on the horizon, it provides little comfort as the other Warriors, including the remaining rebels, can do nothing but observe the remains of everything they built, all for the purpose of making their homes free, harmonious and prosperous once more. 

But as the events of that day have shown, it will mean the opposite for many, especially for the Zlocu and their collaborators. 

Most of the rebels, already with torn-up clothes, including the bandanas and vests they wear either only stare at the crater of where the museum once stood, glance away with quivering mouths and trembling eyes, or even kneel down and let off any reservations they have of themselves, no matter the amount of weeping to be done, even when others hug them in response, for as this may be the last time they can bear arms together. 

While this happens, Wolfpac is scouting the area for some potential survivors as they glance at the darkened ground, one devoid of any life, including the tiniest of insects and plants. Aside from a few shards of glass, pieces of concrete from any nearby building or the few skeletal remains of hands and legs, there's nothing to spot in the zone that can be remarkable enough to be there for a few while, even with the three having little to no cuts and bruises in any part of their bodies, not even their faces. 

"This is... quite some blow, isn't it...?" Julian says with a hunched posture while walking alongside Rita, with Rian in front with the light blade activated. 

"Quite underselling it, Jules," Rita says while she stares at the ground, still scouting the zone full of barren earth and withered life. 

"And not helped by making it that blatant, too. C'mon, it's the least we can do for this fuckup," Rian says while trying to keep a firm posture as he walks. 

"You sure about that...? I think the UEF may need a change of plans for this..." Juilan adds. 

"That's guaranteed for sure, but if it's a surrender, then hell no." 

"It's not that, it's just that so many more will..." Before Julian can finish, Rian only sighs as he stops for a moment with the rest doing the same. Rita can only glance at Rian for a moment while sticking close to Julian. 

"What's wrong?" Rita asks. 

"...You gotta accept nothing in this period can come out fully alive or even unharmed, bata. It's the best I can offer for you even if it's not enough," Rian adds without ever batting a glance at the two, still staring at their chief for a moment. 

But before they can try anything else, Rita glances at her right side just near Julian's direction. She squints her eyes for a bit to discern the figure in the distance, one that's walking steadily with a hunched posture, staring at the ground without any rhyme and reason over it. 

"Wait, you found something now?" Julian says as he glances at Rita. 

"Oh god, it must be her!" Rita adds as she runs toward the figure, with both Julian and Rian glancing at each other for a bit before they run toward Rita's direction as well, wondering what could be the figure that she sees, one with a peculiar silhouette. 

Getting closer, the figure gets less shrouded in dust and smoke,  and it's clear, it's quite a familiar princess in the flesh. 

Amira, all by herself without Logan and the three rebels.