Lopez, noticing the time and the weariness in everyone's eyes, stands up and stretches. "Alright," he says with a firm tone, "We've got a big day tomorrow. We need to get some rest." He glances around the camp, ensuring everyone is in agreement. The gang members start to disperse, heading back to their tents. Some bank the fire a bit, while others check their weapons one last time before settling in for the night. The camp grows quiet as everyone finds their spots to sleep, the occasional whisper or snore the only sounds piercing the night air. You follow suit, entering your tent and laying down on the makeshift bedroll. Despite the comfort of the fire's warmth and the camaraderie of your fellow gang members, your mind races with the events of the day and the rescue mission looming ahead.
As you drift off to sleep, you can't help but think about Juan and Pure. You feel a twinge of guilt for leaving them behind, but you know that saving General Shelley is the priority. Your thoughts drift to the strange powers the artifacts have bestowed upon you and the others. The wind seems to whisper secrets just outside your tent, and you can't shake the feeling that the world has become a more dangerous and mystical place with their introduction. You wonder what other changes might come, and how the gang will handle the challenges ahead.
The night passes slowly, filled with restless dreams of battles and the haunting whispers of the wind. When dawn breaks, the camp comes to life with the sound of boots on the damp ground and the rustle of fabric as the gang members prepare for the day. The smell of coffee and frying bacon fills the air as someone starts cooking breakfast. You hear Hawk's sharp whistle, and everyone gathers around the fire for a quick meal before the mission. The food tastes surprisingly good, providing a moment of comfort before the inevitable confrontation.
After breakfast, the gang finalizes their plans for the rescue. Lopez, ever the strategist, goes over the map with Hawk, discussing potential routes to the fortress. Benllie, with her expertise in stealth, suggests a covert approach to avoid detection. Karma, on the other hand, is more straightforward, advocating for a quick and decisive assault. Goofy, still in high spirits from the tiger prank, cracks jokes, trying to ease the tension. His laughter is infectious, and even Lopez and Benllie crack a smile.
Sully approaches you, his hand resting on his rifle. "Raven," he says, his voice a gentle rumble, "are you ready for this?" You nod, though your stomach is in knots. "We all are," you reply, trying to sound more confident than you feel. The gang's eyes meet yours, filled with trust and determination. Despite their diverse personalities and backgrounds, you realize that you've grown to rely on them.
You all mount your horses, the dawn casting long shadows over the landscape as you ride towards Blackwater. The tension is thick, and the only sounds are the thud of hooves and the jingle of your gear. As you get closer to the fortress, you see the outline of the towering structure in the distance, surrounded by a dense fog. It looks eerie, almost foreboding. You exchange a look with Goofy, who nods solemnly. The time for jokes is over.
As you arrive at the outskirts of the fortress, you dismount and tie your horses to a nearby tree. The fog is thicker here, and the air feels heavy with anticipation. Benllie signals for everyone to be quiet, and you all move forward on foot, sticking to the shadows. You notice her eyes darting around, searching for any signs of trouble. Her stingy nature and serial killer vibe seem to vanish in the face of danger, replaced by a focused, professional demeanor.
Lopez, with a firm nod, points at Sully, Benllie, and Raven. "Alright, you three," he whispers, "scout the fortress. Be quick and quiet. We need to know what we're walking into before we go in all guns blazing." Sully nods, his expression turning serious, and gestures for you and Benllie to follow him. Benllie, with her usual silent grace, slips into the fog ahead of you, her eyes sharp and alert. You and Sully exchange a quick glance, and he motions for you to stay close. The three of you move stealthily through the fog, your hearts pounding in your chests with each step. The fortress looms closer, the sound of distant footsteps and the occasional shout echoing through the mist. As you near the perimeter, you can make out the shapes of guards patrolling the walls.
You, Benllie, and Sully manage to find a vantage point behind a dilapidated shack, providing a view of the fortress's main gate. The guards are well-armed and appear to be in constant communication with one another. They seem vigilant, and it's clear that a direct assault would be suicide. Benllie pulls out a pair of binoculars and scans the area, noting the placement of sentries and potential weak points. She passes the binoculars to Sully, who takes a look for himself. "We'll need to find another way in," he murmurs. "Too risky to go through the main gate."
Benllie nods, her eyes narrowed as she observes the fortress. "I noticed a side entrance on the northwestern wall," she whispers. "It's partially obscured by a rock formation. Could be our best bet."
Sully nods thoughtfully. "Good spot," he says, his eyes never leaving the scene before him. "But we need to be careful. We don't know how many guards are inside or if they have reinforcements nearby." He turns to you, his expression earnest. "Raven, keep your wits about you. We're in this together."
You give a firm nod, feeling the weight of the mission pressing down on your shoulders. Despite the fear, you know you can count on your companions. "Got it," you murmur, gripping the rope in your hand tightly. The three of you continue to observe the fortress, noting the patterns of the guards' patrols. After a few tense minutes, Benllie taps your arm and points to a narrow alleyway leading into the fortress. "That's our way in," she says with a grin, her high-pitched voice a stark contrast to her deadly intentions.
Benllie, ever the observant one, takes a moment to count the guards around the fortress. She whispers back to you and Sully, "I've counted 12 guards around the perimeter, but I suspect more inside the walls. They're moving in pairs and seem to be quite organized." She passes the binoculars back to you, allowing you to take a closer look. You spot the guards' movements, noticing that two of them are heading towards the rock formation Benllie mentioned earlier. "We'll have to be careful,"
Sully nods solemnly at Benllie's assessment. "Alright, let's get back and fill the others in," he says in a hushed tone. You all slip away from the shack and move through the fog, retracing your steps to avoid detection. The tension is palpable as you make your way back. When you arrive, the gang is waiting anxiously, their expressions a mix of anticipation and concern. You give a low whistle, signaling your return, and they gather around the map once more.
Benllie points to the northwestern part of the map. "There's a side entrance here," she whispers, "it's hidden by a rock formation. We can use that to our advantage." Goofy, his humor momentarily set aside, looks at the map intently, nodding as he takes in the information.
Hawk, her ginger hair tied back in a tight bun, strokes her chin. "We need a diversion," she says, her eyes flicking over the map. "Something to draw their attention from the main gate while we sneak in through the side."
Goofy, his mustache twitching as he thinks, chimes in with an idea. "I can set up a distraction with some explosives I've been saving for a special occasion," he says with a mischievous grin, patting his saddlebag. "What do you say, karma? You up for causing a bit of chaos?"
Karma, who has been quietly listening to the plan, cracks a rare smile. "You know it," she says, her low, almost whispery voice carrying a hint of excitement. "But let's make it count. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve as well." She pulls out a handful of dynamite sticks and a few bottles of moonshine.
"Perfect," Lopez says, his eyes lighting up with a cunning glint. "We'll split into two groups. karma, you and Goofy take care of the diversion at the main gate. Make sure it's big enough to draw everyone out." He turns to Benllie, Sully, and you. "The rest of us will wait for the chaos to start and sneak in through the side entrance."
Karma nods in agreement, her British accent clipped and precise. "We'll make it a spectacle they won't forget," she says, sharing a knowing look with Goofy. The two of them slip away to prepare the explosive diversion, leaving the rest of you to finalize your own approach.
Sully checks his ammo, his eyes never leaving the fortress in the distance. "We'll need to be swift and silent," he warns. "No room for errors." Benllie pulls out her knives, testing their edges with her thumb. "Don't worry," she says with a wink. "I've got us covered."
The group huddles closer as the sound of distant explosions ripple through the air. The diversion has begun. Goofy and Karma's handiwork lights up the early morning sky, a fiery spectacle that sends a plume of smoke rising above the fortress walls. The guards at the main gate rush towards the commotion, their shouts piercing the fog.
"Now," Lopez murmurs, his hand tightening around the grip of his pistol.
The five of you - Lopez, Benllie, Hawk, Sully and you - make your move, sprinting towards the rock formation that hides the side entrance. Your hearts hammer in your chests as the sound of the explosion rocks the air, the ground trembling beneath your feet. The fortress lights up briefly, illuminating the fog with an orange glow, and the guards' shouts become more frantic and disorganized. As you reach the side entrance, Benllie takes point, her knives at the ready. She peeks around the corner, and upon seeing the coast is clear, gives the all-clear gesture.
Sully nods in approval, and you all slip inside. The fortress is a labyrinth of corridors, the stench of damp stone and unwashed bodies heavy in the air. You stick to the shadows, Benllie leading the way with the grace of a panther. You can hear the distant sounds of the guards' boots echoing through the halls, their shouts of confusion as they respond to the diversion. Hawk brings up the rear, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of an ambush.
The group moves swiftly and silently, the only sounds being the occasional drip of water and the rustle of your clothes against the stone walls. You come across a guard patrol, their attention drawn by the chaos outside. Benllie gestures for you to stay put as she sneaks up on the first guard, her knife flashing in the dim light. A muffled gasp, and the guard crumples to the ground, a crimson stain blossoming on his chest. You and Sully follow suit, taking down the second guard with a well-placed rope lasso and a swift blow to the head. The third guard, distracted by his comrades' sudden silence, barely has time to react before Lopez puts a bullet between his eyes.
The guard in the tower, alerted by the sudden commotion, spots your group from his vantage point. He fumbles with the alarm bell, his eyes wide with fear and surprise. The clang of the bell resonates through the fortress, a harsh, metallic sound that pierces the air. Immediately, you hear the pounding of boots as more guards rush to the scene, their shouts growing louder and more urgent. The tower guard draws his rifle and opens fire, bullets ricocheting off the stone walls around you. The element of surprise is lost, and the fight is on. Benllie, Lopez, and Hawk return fire,The sound of gunfire echoes through the corridor, mixing with the clang of the bell. The once-silent fortress is now a cacophony of chaos, and the smell of gunpowder fills the air.
You and Sully push forward, knowing that speed is now essential. "Move!" Lopez yells over the din, his voice authoritative. You sprint down the corridor, the sound of pursuing footsteps growing closer. Benllie, ever the sneaky one, darts ahead and takes cover, picking off another guard with a thrown knife. You follow her lead, taking cover behind a crate as more guards come into view.
The battle is intense, with bullets flying and the ringing of metal on metal as the Bandidos engage in close-quarter combat. Hawk's lasso snares another guard, pulling him into a brutal headlock, while Benllie's silent blade finds its home in the throat of another. Despite the chaos, there's an eerie sense of unity in the gang's movements, each member covering the others' backs without a need for spoken commands.
Suddenly, a guard bursts through a door, his eyes wild with fear and adrenaline. He spots Raven and takes aim, but before he can fire, Benllie's knife flies true, embedding itself in his chest. He stumbles back, dropping his weapon with a clatter as he collapses. You look at Benllie, her expression unreadable, and realize she's saved your life without a second thought. The moment is a stark reminder of the gravity of your situation and the trust that binds the Bandidos together.
Lopez, with the grace of a seasoned gunslinger, draws his dual revolvers from their holsters. The sound of the metal on leather is as sharp as a snake's hiss in the tense air. He takes careful aim and, with a flourish of his wrists, fires both pistols in rapid succession. Two guards rushing towards you from the opposite end of the corridor are caught off guard. They crumple to the ground, their lives extinguished by Lopez's precise shots. The echo of the gunfire lingers, mixing with the clang of the alarm bell. The remaining guards hesitate, caught between the chaos outside and the sudden threat within their fortress.
As you spot the three guards coming from the back with their weapons drawn, you swiftly decide to enter Deadeye. Time seems to slow around you, and the world narrows to just the targets before you. With the precision of a seasoned gunslinger, you aim your pistol, focusing on the three guards. You hold your breath, squeeze the trigger, and feel the recoil as your shots ring out. The guards' eyes widen in shock, their bullets going wild. They fall to the ground, lifeless, before their comrades can even register the threat from behind. Your heart races as you exit Deadeye, the world snapping back into real-time. The clang of the alarm bell is almost drowned out by the sudden silence following the brief but intense firefight. The remaining guards look around in confusion, and the tension in the air is palpable.
Sully, impressed by your quick thinking, nods curtly. "Good shot, Raven," he murmurs, before gesturing for the group to move out. Benllie retrieves her knives from the fallen foes, wiping the blood off with a practiced ease that sends shivers down your spine. The adrenaline from the fight keeps you going, despite the ache in your patched eye. You follow Benllie and the others, The fortress is a maze of shadows and echoes, and the urgency of your mission weighs heavily on each step.
Lopez nods solemnly at your successful infiltration and the clearing of the corridor. He motions to you and Sully. "Good work," he says, his voice low and urgent. "Now, you two go on ahead and find General Shelley. We'll hold them off here and keep the path clear." With a quick check of your weapons, you and Sully press deeper into the fortress. The layout is confusing, but you trust in Lopez's leadership to keep the rest of the gang safe. The corridor splits, and you make a swift decision to go left, following a faint murmur of voices that could indicate General Shelley's location. You stay close to the walls, listening for any signs of trouble as you navigate the dimly lit halls. The occasional shout or gunshot in the distance reminds you of the chaos outside. You come across a locked door, and Sully gestures for you to stay put while he kicks the door in. It splinters open.
Sully, seeing the unarmed guard, decides to engage in a fistfight. He steps into the room, flexing his muscular arms, his eyes locked on the guard's. The guard, surprised by the sudden turn of events, attempts to scramble for a weapon, but he's too late. With a fierce roar, Sully charges, his fist connecting with the guard's jaw in a powerful blow. The guard's head snaps back, and he falls to the ground, unconscious. You and Sully exchange a quick glance, understanding the gravity of your situation. You look around the room, which appears to be a makeshift prison cell. In the corner, you spot General Shelley, his eyes wide with shock, but relief etched on his face. He's tied to a chair, his clothes tattered and bloodstained.
The moment General Shelley starts to stand up, his body glitches unnaturally. His eyes roll back into his head, and he collapses onto the chair, his body convulsing. The sight is eerie and unsettling, and you can't help but feel a mix of fear and confusion. Is this a side effect of the artifacts or something else entirely? The room seems to tilt for a brief second, and the air feels charged with a strange energy. The glitching stops abruptly, and Shelley's body goes limp, leaving you and Sully staring at each other in bewilderment.
"What the hell was that?" Sully whispers, his voice tinged with concern.
You approach General Shelley cautiously, keeping an eye on his erratic movements. "Shelley, it's us, the Bandidos," you say, trying to keep your voice steady. "We're here to get you out."
Sully nods urgently, understanding that time is of the essence. He rushes to General Shelley and starts untying the ropes that bind him to the chair. You keep an eye on the glitching, fearing that it might be a trap or a sign of something worse. The room is tense, the silence only broken by Shelley's strained breathing and the occasional distant gunshot. As the ropes loosen, Shelley's body jerks again, but Sully manages to free him. He lifts the general to his feet, and together you both support him as he sways unsteadily. "This way," you murmur, leading the group back towards the shattered door, the sounds of the ongoing battle growing louder with every step.
Sully steps forward, his strong arms flexing as he scoops General Shelley into a bridal carry. Despite his injury, Shelley's weight seems to be no match for the burly sergeant's muscles. The general's eyes flutter open and close as he gasps for air, clearly weakened from his ordeal.
As you and Sully make your out with General Shelley in tow, you notice the blonde girl with curly hair in the next cell. She's bound and gagged, her eyes wide with terror as she sees you. General Shelley, still in a dazed state, weakly points at her and mumbles, "Save... her." Despite the urgency of your escape, you make the split-second decision to help this stranger.
A peculiar bird perched on the bars of her cell seems to be speaking to her, its feathers ruffling with each syllable. The girl's eyes dart around in fear, trying to follow the sound of your footsteps. Upon noticing your approach, the bird flutters away, leaving the girl visibly relieved. You quickly realize she's not just a random captive, but someone with a strange connection to the supernatural. This discovery adds another layer of complexity to your rescue mission, as you now have two people to save instead of one. The decision to save her could lead to further complications or unveil crucial information regarding the enemy's intentions.
The moment you remove the blindfold from the blonde girl's eyes, she starts speaking rapidly in French, her voice trembling with fear and urgency. Despite your limited French vocabulary, You awkwardly reply, "Oui, oui, oui," to the girl, not understanding a word she's saying. She stops talking abruptly, tilts her head, and then speaks again, this time in English. "Merci beaucoup," she says, sounding both surprised and grateful. She's obviously not from the local area, which adds another layer of mystery to her situation.
You help the blonde girl with curly hair to her feet, her legs wobbly from being bound for an unknown amount of time. She looks around in bewilderment, taking in the chaos of the fortress and the grim reality of her situation. Sully nods at you, indicating that you should hurry. He adjusts his grip on General Shelley, who seems to be growing weaker by the moment. You cut the girl's bonds, and she winces at the sudden pain. She whispers a soft "merci" before taking a shaky step forward. She's dressed in an elegant, yet torn, dress that seems out of place in this harsh environment. The girl's eyes dart around the room, searching for the bird that was speaking to her, but it's nowhere to be seen.
"Come with us, we're getting out of here," you say firmly, placing a hand on her arm to steady her. She nods, understanding the urgency in your voice. Despite her fear, she seems to have a fierce determination burning within her, something that resonates with the spirit of the Bandidos.
Sully, with General Shelley still slung over his shoulder, turns to you and grunts, "Let's go, Raven. We don't have all night." His voice is tight with urgency, and you know he's right. The fortress is in an uproar, and the longer you stay, the greater the risk of being caught. You nod, and together, the three of you start to make your way back through the corridor, retracing your steps through the path of chaos you've left behind. You can hear the clang of the alarm bell growing fainter as you move away from the center of the complex, hopefully leading you back to the hidden side entrance.
As you, Sully, and the blonde girl make your way out of the fortress with General Shelley in tow, you emerge into the foggy night to find that your gang has indeed made their presence felt. The courtyard is littered with the bodies of the enemy, and the surviving guards are in full retreat. The sound of the alarm bell has become a distant echo, and the night air is thick with the scent of gunpowder and fear. The gang members that are still standing look battle-worn but triumphant, their eyes lighting up as they spot you with their general. You can see Hawk in the distance, lassoing the last of the fleeing guards and bringing them to the ground with a satisfying thud. Goofy waves from the top of a nearby wall, his sniper rifle slung over his shoulder. The sight of your successful rescue operation fills you with a mix of relief and pride.
"You've done it, Raven!" Hawk shouts, a rare smile playing across her usually stoic features. She dismounts from her horse, her ginger hair a fiery halo in the dim light. "We've got the general! The rest of these scoundrels are running like rabbits."
The gang gathers around, their expressions a mix of relief and concern as they see Shelley's state. Benllie's eyes widen when she sees the stranger. "Who's she?" she asks, curiosity piqued.
"A...friend," Shelley manages to say before coughing heavily. His voice is strained, and it's clear that his condition is severe.
"Friend?" Lopez repeats, his expression a mix of confusion and skepticism. He steps closer to the girl, his hand hovering near his holster. "What's your name, and why were you in there?"
The blonde girl with curly hair, introduced as Astorna, speaks softly, "Mon... mon nom est Astorna, je... je parle pas beaucoup d'anglais..." Her French accent is thick, and her voice is shaky from fear and exhaustion. Despite her limited English, she manages to convey her name and inability to speak the language fluently. The gang members exchange puzzled glances, but their focus remains on the immediate situation—getting General Shelley to safety. Lopez nods slowly, his eyes never leaving the girl, contemplating the implications of her presence.