The Manaverse

1.28 This Isnt About Gender



North Eastern Slatewell Safe Zone

Granite City

Brick and the Vixens made steady progress through the streets towards the orphanage in the last dregs of sunlight. They killed any monsters they encountered and directed civilians to the casino along the way. Yet, they had to move slower than Brick liked.

Jut had dragged Brick to the orphanage recently, wanting to check in on them. Brick was very glad he had agreed to go with Jut because the trip allowed the orphanage to be visible on his mini map. He had a small version of the map in the top right of his vision and the building was marked.

The System's map feature was very useful. The image only showed places he had been before, but it allowed him to do some pretty cool things, like mark destinations, see his current location, and have access to important information about those locations.

Whenever Brick looked at the map and desired a location be marked, a target icon would appear there and remain until he dismissed it. He could change the mark's color and location as easily as he placed them. He could place as many markers as he wanted and add details to those locations that would pop up if he concentrated on one of them later.

His current location was marked with a picture of his face, capped by a small arrow pointing in the direction he was facing. Anyone in his party was also similarly shown on the map. Their directional arrows were only visible when he could see which direction they were facing, however.

The party was only a few blocks away now and the Monsters had thinned dramatically. So had the civilians that ran past them to safety. All along the way, the sight was frightening. The number of dead bodies was sickening and beyond horrifying. Many who had ran past them were injured and bleeding. The terror and panic in the air made their passage feel ominous.

When the group closed in on the orphanage, they could see the front line of battle. Rows and rows of hunters and armed civilians were holding back a massive wave of monsters that was trying to break their lines and chase after the fleeing population.

The buildings in this section of the Safe Zone were mainly residential. Elaborate mansions to finely finished condominiums dotted each street. These buildings helped break up where the front lines of battle could form. While the Monsters were pretty smart and many could hop the walls and fences if they tried, they seemed to be similar to people in the fact that they flooded down the streets and open alleys, taking the path of least effort and resistance.

It looked like their party would be able to slip in the front door and check out the orphanage with little interruption from the fighting. Brick just hoped the children and matron had fled or that they weren't too late.

"That doesn't look good." Brick said as they closed in on the front door he remembered. It was caved in.

"I'll scout it out," Kit said as she slipped out of her heels. Brick was shocked she was still wearing them despite their hurried run through the streets.

"Wait. I'll go in first." Brick said, pulling out one of his bats and a large shield.

"That's sexist." Kit retorted.

Brick gave her a grin. "Oh really? Do any of you have a shield? If so, please lead the way."

The women all glanced at each other, shrugging.

"That's what I thought. This isn't about gender but gear. Once we clear the ground floor, you can take off and scout the floors above if we don't find anyone. We just need to have a solid foothold first so you don't get surrounded." Brick explained as he readied himself to storm the ground floor.

With a silent count of three, Brick pushed through the open door. Just as he had expected, there were monsters inside. It could be a very good or very bad sign as the monsters were all looking to go up the stairs.

Bringing his bat down on the closest monster, Brick heard five feminine growls as the Vixens joined the battle. He only had the time to kill a dog monster and a cat monster before the floor was clear, thanks to the all-female team.

Brick didn't know if the fact that the monsters were not fighting each other, but instead working together, or if the fierceness of the Vixens scared him more. It was no wonder they were the best monster killers in the city.

"We're all clear." Scarlet said after doing a quick sweep.

Brick turned to Kit, who was standing ready with both daggers out. Her dress was ripped and stained, but she still looked like she could get across the room in a flash and have her daggers in anything that came at her. When their eyes met, Brick nodded.

Kit grinned and walked towards the stairs. Just before she disappeared up them, she faded from view, making Brick's jaw drop. Maybe he should have let her go first last time too.

In moments, Kit's head reappeared as she signaled them to come up.

"Whatever monsters were here flowed down to us or kept moving up." She explained as everyone joined her.

Brick took in the information and directed the women to double check the second floor.

"Want to scout three too?" He asked Kit, who was sweating pretty badly.

Kit shook her head. "On cool down. I'll cover you though."

Brick nodded his understanding and took his place at the foot of the next flight of stairs.

Once the others returned, Brick rushed upwards. He exploded onto the floor, expecting the worst. Instead, he noticed a glowing object flying at his head. He managed to dodge the bolt of magic and back down the stairs a few steps.

Taking a chance, Brick yelled immediately. "People out here. Not monsters. We've come to get you."

Furious whispering started from further in. Listening closer, Brick could make out the sounds of a crowd of people trying to be quiet. He could hear the sharp inhalation of breath, the small bouts of fidgeting, and the rustle of clothing people thought wouldn't be heard.

"Is that you, Mr. Almight?" An elderly, female voice called out.

"It is, Magatha. May we come up?"

"Please do. We're so glad you young gentlemen came to get us." Magatha said.

Brick walked back up the stairs, keeping his eyes on the final flight of stairs as he passed onto the third floor.

Much like the floors below, the stairs led onto a carpeted hallway with apartments on either side. Half way down the building was an open area with art work on display with a couple metal benches set about for public use. Past that space were more apartments leading to a full wall window at the end.

Just before the first set of doors, two tables and a couple couches made a makeshift barricade. Along the hall, doors were open on either side and children spilled out in the dozens. Peeking over the barricade was a familiar healer and Magatha. Isabelle's hand was glowing the blue of mana.

When Isabelle registered it actually was him, her hand dimmed and she sank back in exhaustion.

"All clear," Brick called down the stairs. In moments, the Vixens appeared behind Brick. Two he didn't know took up guard positions by the stairwell.

Brick hopped over the barricade and landed next to Magatha who was helping a nearly collapsed Isabelle drink some water.

"Wow. Are you okay, healer lady?" Brick asked as he crouched next to them. "And, not to disappoint you both, but I'm the only gentleman in the group." Brick shrugged and said with a grin. "But I did bring amazing backup."

Even exhausted and tapped out, Isabelle was able to glare at Brick. Her tone, however, was neutral. "Just very low on mana..." She trailed off as Scarlet and Kit joined them by scaling the barricade. "I see what you mean... Either way, hunters are here. Are you our escort to safety?"

Brick nodded. "The battle line is close, but we can slip you down a path blocked off by more hunters. They have opened the bunkers back at the main building."

Relief flooded both Magatha and Isabelle's features as they hugged each other then began to get the children roused and ready to leave.

"Incoming." One of the Vixen's by the stairs shouted before she readied her weapon. Brick recognized the woman as the one who had been dancing with Jut's pal, Diggy. Her name was Joy, if he remembered. The cat monster erupted from the floor above, its claws extended to rip her to pieces.

Brick was struck dumb as he watched Joy take the monster apart with only her fists. Each time her fist crashed into the beast, it glowed briefly and the damage caused by her strike was clearly distinguishable.

Brick let out a soft whistle. "Diggy was right. She is a battle babe."

Kit chuckled softly. "Damn straight and she deals the least damage out of everyone on our whole team." She gave him a subtle wink before turning to the mass of huddled people. "The sooner we can get you all to safety, the sooner we can join the fight. How long do you think we'll need to get moving?"

"We'll be ready in a few minutes. We had everyone nearly ready since this whole thing started." Magatha said, gesturing to a few of the children to hurry. The kids she gestured to scampered away to comply.

Brick's mind raced. A plan began to formulate slowly as he went over everything he had seen on their way there. "How many entrances are there in this building?"

Magatha thought over his question quickly, responding "Three. You did mean that the monsters could get in through, right?"

Brick nodded. "I saw two on the bottom floor. Is the third the roof?"

Magatha also nodded. "That's right. It's a flat roof with one door. Although, it didn't lock, even before the wave began."

Brick rolled his shoulders and neck, stretching it out. He knew this was going to suck, but they didn't have any other choice. "Then we need two party members to guard each entrance. Then we will funnel the children, Maggie, and Isabelle out the front we came in." He turned to Magatha. "Take the left alleyway across from the front door and head straight towards the casino. You should be able to see the hunters at each intersection. They will guide you further." Brick then looked at the Vixens in turn. "I want the four best on defense down on the ground level. I will take my place at the rear entrance as that is outside of the Safe Zone barrier."

As the Vixens nodded and followed his orders, Brick started for the stairs leading down. When he noticed Kit moving towards the roof with Joy, he stopped Kit with a soft touch on her shoulder.

When Kit looked back at him, her eyes were filled with battle lust and a hint of concern.

"I don't want Jut to kick my ass if you die while I am leading this mission. Come back safely, okay?"

Kit gave him a smile and punched his shoulder playfully. "Same goes to you, his party leader. Let's make sure we have a story to tell him, shall we? We can't let him be the only one of us to have something to share after this is all over." Then she bounced lightly on her bare feet and continued up the stairs.

Brick shook his head and muttered to himself. "Do not make me come after you to make sure that's true." He said before he launched into action, resuming his course and stepping down the first step.

As Brick led the way down to the ground level, he heard combat start above them. He didn't notice as Isabelle stared after Kit then himself longer than she should have as she rose to her feet.

Brick ran into a dog monster on his way down from the second floor, cracking its skull open with a single swing. He turned onto the ground floor just in time to strike out at another dog monster that had bounded through the rear entrance. That door had been caved in as well. The second monster went down just as easily as the first.

Crimson appeared next to him as he stopped at the back entrance, leaving enough room to bottle neck the monsters.

"Guess it's you and me." Crimson said merrily. She hoisted a Minotaur's club with both hands, smiling wickedly and watching the door.

Brick returned her smile avidly. "Sounds good to me."

The flow of monsters in through the rear entrance was steady, but not something the pair couldn't handle. Brick would catch a monster's attack on his shield and turn out of the way as Crimson would strike the beast. Or, Crimson would strike down at a monster who would stop to adjust it's attack and Brick would pummel it to death in the momentary opening. They would push the bodies to make a barricade until the corpses would dissipate and they start the cycle over again.

All the while, Magatha and the other two Vixens, Barbs and Fia, monitored the children as they passed through the front door in a line. Magatha was yelling to them. "That's it, kids, single file. Keep an eye on your buddy and keep moving. That nice hunter gentleman at the corner will direct you where to go next. Don't stop until we are in the casino."

Before he knew it, Brick was being shouted to by Barbs at the front door. "They're all gone. Except neither Joy nor Kit have returned. That healer lady didn't come down either."

Brick waited to respond until he was sure the cat monster he was fighting was dead. "Damn it. If we don't go soon, we'll be stuck here."

As one, Brick and Crimson backed up until they were halfway back to the front door, just on the inside of the Safe Zone barrier. Brick would have hated living in this building. He much preferred to sleep inside the Safe Zone. The atmosphere was just better inside compared to out, despite it being so crowded.

"If we all go up there, we'll be surrounded and lose our hold on the way out." Brick said. "So, who wants to go?"

Crimson slammed a scorpion monster flat with sickening crack before she shooed him off. "You go. We will hold the floor."

Brick hesitated. Could the three of them really keep the floor secure? Then he shrugged. As he had told them earlier, it wasn't about gender and these three had already shown they could kick some ass.

Brick nodded and moved back towards the stairs. He remembered they had mentioned Isabelle too, but she wasn't on the third floor which was now empty. He considered looking into one of the rooms, but he heard fighting from up the last flight of stairs. He had to make sure Kit and Joy weren't in trouble first.

The stairs let off into a small square room with a heavy door. That door was set across the opening, off its hinges. Brick stepped over the door and looked around the flat roof. Brick could hear the sounds of combat coming from the street below now.

The edge of the roof was a two-foot high wall of concrete. Air conditioning units were spread throughout the open space with some piping connecting them to the building. Joy and Kit stood back to back in the middle of the units, using the machines so each only had to fend off monsters from two directions.

From the bodies piled up near the door, it was clear to Brick that the women had been pushed out from guarding the door by a rush of monsters. A magical, blue light passed over his ear and crashed into one of the monsters attacking Joy.

Brick turned to see Isabelle poking up from behind a dead Minotaur. She was sweating profusely and breathing raggedly. He could tell she was tapped out.

"Sit back and rest. I'll step in." Brick shouted at Isabelle and she nodded, disappearing behind the corpse as she sat.

Brick made sure to keep himself between any monster and the door as he attacked the closest one. The monster died and with the way now clear, Joy and Kit could join him. They both noticed him and did just that. The three stood together and slaughtered the monsters.

Once Brick was able to stand in front, blocking attacks, Kit and Joy were able to unleash their skills.

Kit disappeared for a moment and reappeared on a monster's back, her knives buried deeply in the creature's flesh. Another monster would see her and swipe at her. She would disappear again and reappear nearby, sticking another monster. Brick noticed she was never invisible for more than a moment or two. Didn't she say she had a cool down?

Joy weaved through the monsters. Her fists were glowing the same blue as the bolt of magic Isabelle had shot past him. While she didn't do much damage, she kept moving, whittling the monsters down quickly with fast jabs.

Anytime a monster would shift there focus to one of the girls, Brick would strike them with his bat or shield and regain their attention. He would activate his skill whenever he knew his attack would land successfully.

Soon, the three of them were standing still, breathing deeply. Monster corpses littered the roof with blood and gore everywhere.

Isabelle had emerged from her hiding spot, stumbling over to them.

"Anyone need a heal. I have one or two left."

Brick looked at her. So did Kit and Joy. It was obvious Isabelle was in no condition to heal anyone. Her eyes weren't focused and she could barely walk.

"We will be fine." Brick said. He placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her steady when she almost fell over. "What's wrong with you?" Brick asked, making Isabelle look at him.

Isabelle's eyes came alive as she focused on Brick. It was like she was fighting to stay awake. She scowled, but not at him. It was like she was pushing herself to think clearly.

"I think I over did it on my mana chip consumption." Isabelle said softly. Then she shut her eyes.

"What does that mean?" Brick asked.

Before anyone could answer him, a scream came from the street below. Everyone but Isabelle ran to the edge. The battle line of hunters and fighting civilians had broken. Growls, screams, and blood filled the open street right next to the building they were on as the mass of monsters flooded past.

They watched in horror as the horde ran in and began spreading out through the Safe Zone.

"We need to block the door off. Hurry!" Brick barked.

Joy and Kit listened to him, hopping back and moving towards the door. They began moving corpses to further block the door. They wouldn't last long but it was better than nothing.

Brick moved Isabelle behind them as he joined Joy and Kit. All the while, he watched the edges to make sure nothing climbed up and over.

With his will, Brick checked the countdown.

01:32:45

"We are so fucked." Brick swore as he lifted another dead monster over his shoulder.


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