"Yes. They have requested for backup."
Hedish Norma was explaining the situation to Renekom. However, neither one of them was completely aware of the trouble the Zeta Squad had found themselves in.
The Seear nodded. "Hugo is there himself, and then they should have found Faris there," he said. "Anyone else at the outpost? Have them join in as well."
Hedish shook his head. "I'm afraid there isn't much help there. The outpost is undergoing a shift change. Personnel were shifted to an Asian outpost because of the Cult activity of the last month."
"Did no one take their place?"
"We sent two Sokidus to assist incoming operatives. And Faris is there as well."
"Well, then they should be fine. Even if there are three dozen wizards, Zeta Squad and Faris would be more than enough for them."
"Are you sure, Renekom? I think we should spare a backup squad to assist."
Renekom sighed. "Fine, fine. Do as you wish. In fact, I think a squad was sent to Ukraine two days ago. Have them join in." After a pause he looked away saying, "You know how short on personnel we've been since the Outsider-Basilisk mess."
The senior Mystic nodded as he took a deep breath. "I'll send out the orders right away."
***
In the Huéznar Cascades, the wind smelled like sulphur and mercury. Gusts of wind gathered earth and mud ten meters above the wizards' heads and began to form a cylindrical solid mass.
A shaky voice whispered, "You're one gullible bunch…" into the ears of the Zeta Squad and friends.
"Who said that?" Camille asked.
Faris pointed up. "There he comes…"
The earth, dust, and the peculiar smells all culminated, and a human body formed. It landed in front of the wizards. Trilby hat, Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and tanned brown skin – the man looked familiar. Then, he looked up. The squad saw his French cut beard.
"Derek, the famous tongue-man," Hugo said.
He smiled. "In the flesh…"
Faris glanced at Hugo and Vincent standing next to each other. "You eggheads had no clue, did you?" he remarked.
With a frown and flared nostrils, the bounty hunter tightened his fists. "Take these damned braces off," he said, grinding his teeth, "And I'll tell you exactly all the clues I have!"
"This is too good!" Derek exclaimed. "All the thorns in my side have gathered together. And none of you will leave here alive!"
While he laughed maniacally, Hugo looked at Faris. With the roll of his eyes, he pointed at Vincent. Faris established a telepathic link just between the two of them.
"What is it?" he asked.
Hugo asked, "Do you think Vincent was involved?"
"No, no. The kid's clean. He got played just like the rest of you."
The Zaatsu pressed his palms together. The White Bolt felt the grip of the Ki-limiting bracelets loosening. He looked over.
"Don't get too comfortable," Hugo said. "You're still not at full strength." He looked at him and added, "Assist the squad."
Vincent shook his head. "Not before I fry the pig!"
"He's an alchemist."
"I can handle him."
"I'm sure you can. But they need you more. I will take care of Derek myself."
"You sure?" asked Faris.
Hugo nodded.
Derek spread his arms wide open and called, "Devil's Hearth… Attack!" Pointing then at him, he added, "But leave this Zaatsu for me."
The wizards – half floating, others sitting in tree boughs or standing on the ground – began to move closer to the Eye compatriots.
"Jiro," the Alchemist called to his general. "You're with me."
Faris and Hugo moved a step ahead and stomped their right feet on the ground, sending a Ki tremor towards the Devil's Hearth. While Derek and his aide blocked it and stood firm, the rest of the wizards were forced to spread out.
"Engage!" Faris screamed and the battle began. Using his mind link, addressing all his allies, he said, "Use caution. Assess them before showing your cards."
Neil rushed to his right and attacked two wizards who had steadied themselves on a rock at the edge of the stream. Within seconds, nine more swarmed him. Gina moved in to assist with Ben and Riley in close pursuit.
Further down the stream, Vincent engaged three and was followed by eight more. Camille gave chase to assist him.
To the left, Marcus clashed with the rest beneath the trees with Ella at his side.
And with that, each of the three groups of Martial Artists was now beset by eleven wizards.
"Need any help, buddy?" Faris asked, smirking, still staring at Derek.
Hugo too smiled. "Nah, I can handle 'em. You got a lock?"
"Oh, I got a lock…"
Derek's narrowed gaze got instantly widened when astonishingly, Faris vanished. He teleported nearly two hundred meters away from the commotion. But he did not go alone – six wizards were ripped out of the fray with him. Three had been pressing Vincent and Camille, three hounding Marcus and Ella. Faris had left Neil's group untouched. Four against eleven was survivable. But two against eleven? That needed fixing.
"You won't save them, Mystic," a wizard said as the sextet moved in position to attack. "You've only delayed the inevitable and doomed yourself."
Faris smiled. "We'll see about that."
As the soldiers clashed, the leaders too rushed at each other. Derek's charmed fist struck Hugo's. A shockwave was produced. The wizard general was pushed back.
"You're full of tricks, Zaatsu," Derek said as he jumped back.
His fist was charmed with alchemical magic. Rearranging the composition of the internal elements, it should have melted Hugo's arm off. But somehow, the peculiar magic was repelled.
"You're not an Alchemist, are you?" He smiled. "That was quite an impossible trick you pulled off there."
Hugo scoffed. "Not at all. But if that's the best you can do, then I suggest you should surrender."
"Oh, we won't disappoint."
As his smile slowly faded, the Zaatsu asked, "So, this is the fabled Devil's Hearth?"
Derek chuckled. "Indeed," he said. "But let's not stand and chat. After all, this isn't a spectator sport…"
Assisted by his general, the Alchemist once again attacked, and a fierce battle began.