It was 7 in the evening, it had already gotten dark approximately an hour ago, everyone waited for their dinner while talking about the afternoon's training.
The practice with Heiss was a first-person correction on bad postures at the moment of performing an action, no one was spared from this evaluation, even the so-called Inquisitors of Elend were corrected for unnecessary mistakes when fighting or moving.
They didn't believe they had any serious errors, but Heiss showed them that any unnecessary movement would open up infinite possibilities, many of them disastrous for them.
Ethan in particular was expecting to face him, despite his strong initiative, Heiss denied it, saying that first they must be aware of this error before putting it into practice, at the end he only said "sleep on it".
"Finally, I'm hungry"
There aren't many options on the menu, just some typical dishes, and since they had spent the day training, some decided to eat protein to replenish what was lost.
A typical meal is Encocado de pescado, it has a base of coconut milk and accompanied by fresh fish from the region, yuca and plantain.
Everyone ordered the same except Jesús who wasn't very attracted to seafood, he decided to eat Cuy asado, a dish that personally I wouldn't eat, I don't know if he ordered it because he knew what it was or because of the fact that they told him it tasted like chicken.
The waiters arrived and served the plates with a drink of spicy limeade, the fish plates with their spectacular white sauce and roasted and fresh accompaniments.
Each one seemed happy, except Jesús, who had a complex look on his face, everything went through his head, he had heard his relatives when he was little that Cuy tasted like chicken and that it was a very exotic and delicious meal, now he was regretting his decision.
"Can that be eaten?, it looks like a huge rat"
Emily was intrigued by the food, her disgust didn't go unnoticed, as several of us felt the same way.
'I could eat it if it were necessary, only if it were'
I looked with pity one last time at Jesús before focusing on my plate.
Personality #4: "You eat it all, if not tomorrow I'll make your training a worse hell than today's"
Without looking at him, I left those words in the air, Jesús visibly trembled and took the fork and knife and got to work.
***
An hour later we were in the hotel with a map of Florencia deployed digitally in front of us, a hologram that was reflected through a black tube placed on the table, the image came out and reflected on the table, so everyone could see it.
Technology had advanced greatly in recent years, phones no longer had as many electronic compartments as in the past, because it was replaced by deploying an image on a special crystalline film, only the upper part that sent the image and had the camera was made of metal alloys and electronic compartments. They were able to make everything fit in a small rectangle that contained everything necessary.
Personality #4: "As you see, that's why we can't use the Puerto Asís airport, it's in the middle of the city and has contact with cartel people, at any robbery, they will be notified, and we could be exposed, besides the planes only fly short distances, the ideal option is Florencia, my contact there can get us out unofficially, besides we have the advantage that the airport is outside the city, the only thing we need to do is get away from the checkpoints, so we won't have problems with the guerrilla"
"It seems feasible, but shouldn't we cross the city to be able to reach the airport?, it's not in the city, but I don't see another route that doesn't pass through the middle", for Caleb it was considerably less risky than to do what they had planned before traveling together.
The journey from Puerto Asís to Florencia is approximately 8 hours of travel, but the journey to the airport is not so simple, there is a ravine that surrounds the city and goes beyond the airport, in simple terms, the only way is to enter the city and reach the airport.
Less dangerous than trying to take an already controlled airport, but with caution to be considered.
Personality #4: "There is another way, we can move around the city, without crossing the ravine, not only will we avoid unexpected checkpoints, but we'll have a safer route, in the end we'll have to cross the ravine on foot to be able to pass to the other side"
"The only thing is that it's a big detour that will take us more time", Ethan clarified upon realizing the disadvantage of the plan.
Personality #4: "Yes…", I confirmed while determining which route would be the best.
Personality #4: "Here!, it's 2 kilometers from the airport, and we can cross where the ravine is lowest, it also connects with the routes from rural areas"
Caleb checked the route to the pass, slowly nodding in agreement with what was proposed.
"It seems good, we already have the route established and contingency plans in case of a conflict, I think that would be all"
'With this I no longer have to worry about narcos or guerrillas, I just need to be alert when we get to Medellín to meet with Kalika, that's the only thing I still don't have contingency for, I should plan something if necessary'
'Anyway, that would be all, we should go to sleep'
'¡TAP!'
Instantaneously, a board game appeared in front of them, a 12-player parqués board with different colors at each game station, Jesús's charismatic smile shone on everyone's face.
Just 10 minutes ago he was on the verge of collapse after eating the Cuy, and now he had already found a way to entertain himself.
'Where did he get a 12-player parqués board from'
The more players in a parqués, the longer the game takes.
"What luck, they had one downstairs at reception"
Ethan and Cloe's gazes were directed at Caleb, as if expecting to see what answer he gave, Emily for her part just watched the game, with a glint in her eyes.
"Don't look at me, we can play without waiting for me to approve"
They turned and were happy to be able to play, they pulled out the colored pieces and the dice.
'¡TAP!', however, before they continued with the game, Jesús took out five bottles of vodka, each with 40% alcohol content.
Upon seeing those two bottles, Lucius and I decomposed and felt like vomiting seeing it.
"It wouldn't be fun without some penalty"
'What penalty, don't bother, I almost died yesterday from drinking chirrinche, and today you want to give me vodka?!', was the first thing that came to Lucius's mind upon hearing Jesús.
"That sounds fun!", Emily said with great enthusiasm; upon seeing that everyone agreed, except Lucius and me, we had no choice but to give in.
'Anyway, could this help improve cohabitation, right?'.
***
3 hours had passed, it was already midnight and they finally had the first three places.
The winner, the first to get all the pieces out was Jesús, then Emily followed by taking out her pieces after two rounds and in the third Lucius came out, completing the game and leaving us all exhausted.
We could continue, but no one wanted another drink anymore, it would seem that we all took similar amounts, but that wasn't the case, we were lit, just on the edge of being drunk some, others were already beyond saving. Since each one took a shot when someone took pieces off the board and completed a move, except the player who took them out. What made the difference was how many times you went to jail in the span that you entered the game and they killed one of your pieces, each time was one more shot you had to drink.
The one who had to drink the most was Marcus, his forehead was on his own hand, sitting next to the table. It seemed like he was already at a dead point, he couldn't vocalize words well and maintain his gaze, we decided to leave him alone and not give him more alcohol.
This experience was something I didn't expect to have to live, my brother from the district once said, "live what you have to live, just enjoy the moments you know won't come back".
Was that why I was behaving like this?, who knows, the only thing I knew was that for once in my life my shoulders didn't feel as tense as before, they were only slightly less heavy.
I turned to look at the others, Lucius was spared from continuing to drink, he was already about to run to the bathroom to vomit, for now he was just trying to take care of poor Marcus. Jesús was chatting happily with Ethan who was trying to calm him down so he wouldn't shout and wake the neighbors, Caleb went to make a call to Kalika to inform her of the progress and how soon we'll be arriving, he had a lot to report, especially about the possible civil war that would begin in a few months in Colombia. Rudolf decided to go out to smoke what would be his last cigarette according to him. He had promised his wife that he would quit smoking, and he didn't manage to quit when she was kidnapped. Emily was talking with Cloe, both with red cheeks, although Emily seemed worse at tolerating alcohol, since she was like Jesús who raised his voice and conversed happily.
While looking with a slight smile, I realized that part of the connection with personalities weakened or increased depending on the degree of drunkenness I had. I was already close to feeling drunk, so the connection was tenuous, although I could see and hear them, a curtain of smoke helped make those voices less loud, that made me feel a little calmer.
From one moment to the next I realized that I was looking at Emily's companion, at her again.
Upon feeling that someone was watching her, she turned in my direction, seemed slightly surprised, swallowed and looked back at Emily.
For some reason a soft laugh came out of my mouth without me noticing, she noticed when she heard it and a pout formed on her face. I remained looking at her astonished by her behavior, she was always calm and with a serious profile, after the pout she looked at me and smiled while closing her eyes, it was a dazzling, friendly and playful smile.
My gaze froze on that scene, it felt like time was moving slower, I didn't know if it was the alcohol, I just knew that I wanted to stay there, without any worries, that she would keep that smile forever.
***
The next morning everyone was on the soccer field ready to continue with the training, each one with their hangover, Marcus had it the worst, Caleb for some reason seemed like the alcohol hadn't affected him in the slightest.
'With such a tremendous body, he could even be immune', I thought at the same time I was analyzing him.
Hours passed and lunchtime arrived, each one ordered a simple lunch, Jesús didn't make the mistake again and stuck to what the others ordered.
Finally, four in the afternoon arrived, and I stopped the improvement training we were maintaining yesterday. We had already done group training and strategy in the different changes, the synchronization wasn't perfect, but they could understand and blend better.
Personality #4: "We're going to change this part, since each one knows what they have to improve, and they practice it, the best thing is that you put it into practice. For this we're going to have a combat, #1, #2 and #3 will observe the combat carefully, Rudolf you can choose between practicing or observing, either of them could teach you more about what you lack, although I advise you to observe better. As for Caleb's team, you have it simple"
Analyzing each one from top to bottom, he nodded and then said the following.
Personality #4: "You 4 will fight against me as a team, it's your decision how you want to fight, the only thing I tell you is that you take it seriously, this won't just be practice for you, they will be observing you and with that they will be able to improve, so don't hold back and come with everything, if you hold back I'll make you regret that decision"
Everyone felt a frenzy upon hearing those words, either he was underestimating them or he was confident that he could defeat them all.
Each one looked seriously at Heiss and nodded to his words.
After 5 minutes each one was around him, forming a square, Rudolf decided not to attack and stayed as a spectator.
Caleb was going bare-knuckled, Ethan and Cloe each had 2 daggers, and Emily had her high-density spear.
Personality #4: "Nothing more…", he fell silent while slowly closing his eyes.
Slowly he opened them and black color appeared in his iris, making him look empty and emotionless.
Personality #13: "You can begin"
"TAP"
Immediately Emily launched herself at her target, dropping the spear in its pointed blade form, cutting through the air with a whistle as it descended.
With a simple foot movement I dodged the spear and moved to her side, I threw a punch at her side, which was blocked by the same spear, despite the block, she retreated several steps from the strong blow.
At the same time, two daggers approached dangerously to strategic points to immobilize Heiss.
It may be that yesterday he had said that injuring a companion could put them at a disadvantage, but he was the one who had encouraged them to give everything they had without involving firearms.
One from behind Heiss and the other from in front, one directed at his spine and the other at his jugular.
If they killed him it was a fair price for his arrogance, regardless of whether lady Kalika scolded them, this was a way to show respect to the Inquisitors of Elend.
Each one approached their vital point at an amazing speed, they were waiting for Emily's attack to be able to join at the moment she failed. They had barely spoken and already had a solid strategy, Heiss knew that at the moment he got rid of them, the team's tank would arrive and crush him with his powerful physique.
Giving a light turn, he crushed the arm that was directed at my spine with his foot, taking advantage of the same spin, without looking back, one of the hands extends and takes Cloe's wrist in the air.
Tensing the muscles in a fraction of a second, I threw Cloe as if she were a toy in the air and crushed her against Ethan, who was trapped by one of my feet that kept his arm on the ground.
Emily recovers and takes the spear before throwing it with the same impulse from the recoil, it's directed at my chest.
On the other side, Caleb arrived ready to attack or receive the spear and counterattack if he dodged it.
With a simple movement, I raise my hand at a terrifying speed and hit the spear at its bottom before it pierces me, sending it flying through the air. In the same way, taking advantage of my block, Caleb sweeps towards me with his entire body, trying to catch me, so his companions could finish me off.
Up to this point only less than 5 seconds had passed, and Rudolf and his team couldn't believe everything that had happened in that time, they didn't afford to look away.
Heiss upon seeing him approaching decided to face him head-on and block him.
First a kick to his head, which hit Caleb's neck and head hard, however, that only made him turn a little, he resisted and endured the blow in order to tackle his opponent.
Heiss had already guessed that he would resist, as his own neck could be considered an indestructible muscle in itself. Knowing that his limb was still in the air, there was only one way out against such a massive tackle.
He placed his hands around his neck, taking advantage of his opponent's mass and his foot still on the ground, he delivered a knee strike to Caleb's jaw.
"¡Cack!", the jaw sounded from the blow.
Releasing him at the last moment so as not to cause severe injuries, just a direct shock to the brain. The body withdrew backwards, and fell slowly from the strong blow.
At that point, Ethan and Cloe had been able to get up from the onslaught he gave them and prepared to throw their daggers, taking advantage of the fact that he was busy giving a decisive blow to Caleb.
Heiss's eyes moved in their direction, 4 daggers were thrown at his position. And in an almost acrobatic way, when he had barely touched the ground, he extended his body in an arch backwards, forcing his spine to support all the weight of his body.
"Fssh..", a sound that cuts through the wind was heard.
Each one went straight, passing by without hitting his target.
Ethan and Cloe gritted their teeth and pulled out another blade, each one from a pocket on their thigh, Heiss slowly got up from his arched form.
"¡¡¡!!!"
Even though it was according to the plan, everything was in vain, Heiss had observed them and in a fraction of a second he was already in front of Cloe.
A powerful side kick impacted Cloe's abdomen sending her flying against one of the trees outside the soccer field.
"¡CLOE!", Ethan screamed upon seeing his companion fly out and crash into a tree.
Personality #13: "Nobody told you that you could get distracted"
He appeared in front of him after kicking Cloe, he also put his hands in spear form and unleashed a rain of precise blows on all the pressure points of the body. Without a chance to defend himself against the speed of his attacks, he ended up incapacitated and fell to the ground by himself.
Then he looked at Emily who was standing from the impulse of throwing the spear, she ran in his direction, Heiss simply walked back in the direction he was.
"Swish", something falling through the air was heard.
Heiss raised his hand and took what was falling in his direction. It was the spear he had blocked and came flying through the air.
At that point Emily understood that it was a bad idea to get close, but it was already too late. He lowered the spear, barely received it and launched himself in her direction, he raised the tip of the spear and aimed at Emily's neck in just one second.
Emily could only raise her hands and watch astonished as she was pierced with her own weapon without any chance of escape.
At that point, only 45 seconds had passed, and all had been neutralized in an overwhelming manner, all he could do was surrender.
Later each one got up and approached limping to the previous circle where they were, the battle, if it could be called that, had ended.
No one before had crushed them like that, maybe Kalika could have disarmed them that quickly, but knock them down like that?, they didn't believe it was that possible.
Personality #13: "Fuuu…", letting out a big sigh and inhaling a big one with great difficulty announced.
Personality #4: "…With this we end the combat practice"