The dust still hadn't settled after the fall of Aries' giant goat. The entire coliseum seemed to sigh in relief.
I tried to catch my breath, still on my knees, glancing sideways at my allies as they ran to help me. Manuela reached me quickly to help me stand, but the moment she touched me my ankle screamed in agony, so I gently pulled away.
—I think I sprained my ankle —I said. She nodded and helped me sit more comfortably on one of the bleachers—. Good thing it's finally over.
—My respects, kid. Maybe you really were a general of that ice-whatever —Antonio said.
—Haha, legends tend to exaggerate the facts too.
—Don't worry about your ankle. Once that group surrenders and we return to the Nexo, all injuries heal instantly.
—Wow. Finally something good about this place —I said with an acidic chuckle.
—You said it, kid.
Manuela never took her eyes off the creature's corpse, as if she feared it might regain its vitality at any moment.
—What are they waiting for? —she muttered, almost to herself.
The [Victory] message vanished. Cold sweat broke out as Sucre's expression changed. We both turned toward Manuela, who stood firm, like someone who hadn't finished the job yet.
—It's not over —her voice was dry, almost resigned—. For a match to end, the opposing team must be defeated or surrender within the time window after the boss falls…
Sucre frowned.
—But we beat the damn goat.
—Exactly. What would be the point of all this if not victory? —I replied, only for Manuela to shake her head.
—Yes. They were given the chance to surrender… —Manuela swallowed.
A chill ran down my spine as understanding dawned.
—Then…
—Exactly. —Manuela locked eyes with me—. The other team is still in play.
As soon as she said it, I activated [Search V] again.
The three white tokens were still active beneath the beast. My hands trembled as I touched them, and even though I hadn't clearly visualized them, I had caught them out of the corner of my eye when they fired at us. I hoped that would be enough for the system to give me their information; for the first time, I'd get to see who we were really facing…
I wish I hadn't.
[José Martí / Level 2 / Rank Steel][Emiliano Zapata / Level 4 / Rank Copper][Simón Bolívar / Level 4 / Rank Copper]
"Damn it. One good, two bad."
What stood before us could only be described as a fight between hamsters and dogs. José Martí might not fit the image of a warrior, but he was undeniably a great precursor of the Cuban revolution. His rank and level were manageable for our team—but the other two were the real problem.
Emiliano Zapata, one of the most important revolutionary leaders in Mexican history, who fought to return land to those who worked it under the banner of "Land and Freedom," backed by revolvers and lead. And if we were talking about freedom, there was Simón Bolívar—the man who claimed the very title of "The Liberator." Not just a soldier, but a visionary who sought to unify South America under ideals of liberty and justice, stopped only by illness.
—What's wrong, kid? —Manuela asked. I had to lift my head to answer.
—Your lover… that's what's wrong…
—My what?
The conversation was cut short by the echo of footsteps on metal in the distance—heavy, steady steps, resonating with confidence across the metallic corpse.
Sucre sprinted at full speed, shouting until he was out of breath:
—Ambush!
In the blink of an eye, a rain of bullets poured down on us. As best we could (I dropped flat), we hid beneath the black stone bleachers. With the help of [Search V], I confirmed the enemy was advancing. Using hand signals, I directed my team to crawl around the line of fire until we ended up beneath the metallic goat's corpse.
We used its massive body as an improvised shield. Bullets whistled again and again, grazing our ears. For a moment, the fear of feeling a knife at my throat again became terrifyingly real when I lost sight of one of the attackers.
—Down! —Manuela shouted, throwing herself over me.
My heart screamed as shots ricocheted off the coppery corpse. After several seconds of deafening gunfire, silence fell. I opened my eyes to summon the system and confirm the situation—but it wasn't necessary.
From atop the beast, a shadow loomed over us: a broad-shouldered man with long, striking hair, wearing the same uniform as Sucre but adorned with countless more insignia, wielding a sword fit to cleave a cow in half.
The Liberator.
—Bolívar! —Manuela exclaimed.
With terrifying agility, the Liberator scaled the dead goat's body and hurled himself straight at me. I tried to retreat, but my ankle gave out and I fell. His saber swept past my neck. I dodged the first strike more by luck than by skill. As the second attack came, a shout seized the scene.
—You will not touch the boy! —Manuela cried, intercepting at the last second, crossing her bayonet against Bolívar's saber.
—Manuela? What are you doing? —the Liberator asked, confused.
—That's exactly what I wanted to ask you —she shot back, shoving him away and gaining a bit of distance.
With a leap and a flurry of thrusts, Bolívar not only regained his position but put Manuela in check. Barely, with bayonet and rifle, she managed to match the mastery of his saber.
—Manuela, please —Bolívar pleaded—. Surrender. The beast is dead. Take the points from that achievement and try again. On the first floor, surrendering is worth more than dying.
—Oh, my love —Manuela replied, catching her breath—, that's exactly what I'm asking of you.
A muzzle flash straight to the face forced Bolívar to retreat, wiping soot from the shot just in time to evade Manuela's stab. Steel rang through the air.
Manuela barely held the block. Bolívar was stronger, faster, and every blow he landed rattled her bones. Finally, the Liberator's blade grazed her shoulder, opening a shallow wound.
—Alright, my love —Bolívar said—, I ask you once more… surrender.