The streets of the town were filled with cars, and the sidewalks were packed with people. Everyone just going about their day in sunny California. A man sits outside of a local coffee shop with his laptop out, an aspiring writer with nothing to write. A woman stands outside a hair salon, waiting for her spouse to pick her up. An elderly man exiting a grocery store, his two grandchildren following behind. These three were the first to notice it.
The three coincidently looked into the sky at the same time. At first it was just a small dot, they watched as it began to grow larger, quickly plummeting to the ground. As it approached everyone in town took notice, and the previously bustling town fell silent. The only thing heard was a loud wind as the massive object fell. The wind got louder, and louder. Large gusts blew throughout the town, knocking down anything not bolted to the ground.
The object finally crashed into the ground, shaking the town. Then everything fell silent once again. The people stood still, breathless, terrified of the events to come. As the dust settled the object became visible, everyone looked to find an arrow sticking out of the ground. Except this arrow was the size of a six story building, covered with a series of intricate designs, but no one was interested in them. The thing everyone cared about was the arrow’s fletching, they were all desperate to see what color it was.
The man at the coffee shop looked at the fletching, when he saw the color of the feathers he fell to his knees, overcome with despair because the feathers, were “Red.”
…..
Los Angeles International Airport, CA.
A man and women walked through the airport at a fast pace, both dressed in military attire. The man was tall and muscular, with a square shaped head. The woman was short, lean and muscular, with a round face. Normally the building would be packed with people, but right now it was completely empty. The footsteps of the two echoed after each step.
The woman removed her cap, revealing short grey hair, which matched her grey eyes, “Sebastian, how many squads have arrived already?” she asked, turning to her associate.
Sebastian kept his large head facing forward as he replied, “Fifty C-rank squads, thirty B-rank squads, and twenty A-rank squads. More will come as time passes.”
“Have we gotten all of the citizens to secure locations?” asked the woman.
“Yes, all citizens have been moved to the underground tunnels, they should be running away from the battlefield as we speak,” the man paused for a moment before asking, “Elaine, what are your thoughts on this Red-Arrow?”
Elaine was silent before replying, “Frankly, I’m worried. Recently the raids have been increasing in difficulty. When the first wave of awakened enter they’re either wiped out, or they receive massive casualties. Rendering them unable to re-enter the field for some time...a Red-arrow holds the third highest difficulty rating, if we’re not careful things could get disastrous.”
…..
West Side Freeway, CA
A military truck sped down the driveway, in the back of the truck twelve people sat silently. These people were all special because they were Awakened, an Awakened is a human who’ve been blessed with extraordinary abilities. No one knows how Awakened came to be, but since the Awakened appeared shortly before the earth was invaded, people believe that the two are connected.
“Doug, How big of a radius is the arrow gonna cover, when the barrier goes up?” asked one of the Awakened. A man of average height, with blonde spiked hair.
Another male Awakened lifted his head, “Umm, about. Sixty-thousand miles, I think.” answered Doug.
“How many hours do we have until the barrier goes up?” asked a female Awakened, with long black hair.
Doug looked towards the woman, “The arrow touched ground about six hours ago, so we have four hours until the barrier goes up, and the swarm invades.” he said.
“Hey guys!” called the driver of the truck, “I think I just saw a person walking on the side of the road.”
….
Site of the Arrow
Elaine and Sebastian stand at the edge of town, eyes fixed on the colossal arrow in the distance. Sebastian reaches in his jacket pocket removing a large silver disk, subsequently tossing it on to the ground. The disk then expanded, growing to the size of a large dining room table.
When the disk finished growing Sebastian and Elaine walked onto the large metal plate. Right when they finished boarding the disk shot up into the sky, halting after rising two miles in the air.
The two hovered in the sky, surveying the town, “Sebas, I think there’s a forty percent chance of an S-rank invader.” said Elaine, her voice filled with concern.
Sebastian opened his previously squinted eyes, “That means there’s a sixty percent chance one won’t show up. Let’s hope it doesn't show the two of us can take care of it, but we won’t be to protect anyone while we’re dealing with it. I don’t even want to think about the bloodshed an S-rank will cause.” he replied.
Elaine cast a cold stare towards the arrow, it’s feathers fluttering in the wind. She then held out her hand, a ring on her finger glowed in response. The glow grew brighter, Elaine muttered something under her breath, and the ring let out a large flash. When the light faded Elaine, and Sebastian were nowhere to be seen.
….
710 North Orangewood Boulevard, CA
“Ahh, thanks for the ride guys. Much appreciated, I actually haven’t been in a car in a while. I totally forgot how convenient they are.” said a tall man, with long black greasy hair, and large unkempt beard. Dressed in tattered, and faded clothing.
The man sat in the back of a truck military truck filled with Awakened. A male Awakened with spiky blonde hair leaned forward, “So..who are you? And why were you walking down the highway? Don’t you know this is a war zone?” asked the blonde man.
“Woah! Dude, common etiquette demands that you at least introduce yourself before asking someone a shit-ton of questions.” said the homeless looking man.
The blonde Awakened was silent as veins popped out of his forehead. He closed his eyes, opened them and spoke, “..Alright...my name’s Charlie. Nice to meet you, now do you mind telling us why the fuck you’re in this area?” he said, in a chipper tone.
“See! I knew you could do it! My names Robert by the way, friends call me Robb, so feel free to me that, because we’re all friends now!” said Robb, smiling, grabbing the shoulder of the nearest Awakened, “As for the reason, as to why I’m currently in this danger zone, at this current time. Is because I’m broke as all hell, and you get money from clearing these things.” Robb said, with a wide grin.
Charlie stared at Robb with his mouth agape. He wasn’t the only one, the rest of his squad looked at Robb in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me!? You're Awakened?” asked Charlie.
“Yup, I think so. I’m faster than a dog, I know that because I’ve raced a couple of dogs....and I’m currently undefeated.” bragged Robb.
Charlie was speechless, he turned to the female Awakened to his left, asking for her help. “So, uh, Mr.Robb, it’s nice to meet you, My name's April. I’m wondering if you’re planning on meeting up with your squad at one of the fortresses?” asked the female Awakened.
“Huh? Oh no. I don’t have a squad, no idea how to join one.” replied Robb,
It took a minute for the squad of Awakened to process what Robb was saying. April was dumbstruck, as she brushed her brown hair out of her face she asked, “......okay. Well, we’re going to arrive at a fortress in a few minutes. I recommend you stay there, and avoid entering the battle.”
Robb leaned back in his seat, “But, how am I supposed to make money doing that?” he asked.
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