Guilty Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being used in this fanfiction without permission.  This fic is rated NC-17 for violence and sexual content, and it contains yaoi material. 

 

 

Culmination

Chapter 6

 

 

“That looks like just about it,” Johnny declared, setting the last crate down in the back of their small magic-powered jeep.  It was a relatively compact vehicle, barely seating four people, but there was just enough space to store most of the basic provisions they’d gathered during their shopping venture.  The rest—including new parts for the ship—he’d arranged to be delivered directly.  A quick glance at their purchases assured him that they had all they needed for now.

 

“There’s only room left for one person to ride,” May said with a frown, poking at the mound of supplies.

 

“You can drive it, then.  Bridget and I will walk back.”  Johnny tilted his hat up, surveying the streets for any sign of their missing companion.  “I wonder where he could have gone off to….”

 

May shook her head stubbornly.  “Bridget can drive—I’ll walk back with you.”  When it didn’t look as if Johnny were paying attention she set her hands on her hips.  “Johnny—”  She broke off suddenly when she saw his hand slide to the handle of his sword.

 

“Looks like he brought some friends along,” Johnny said with a hint of a smirk.

 

The crowds along the street parted, making way for the sprinting teen and, apparently, his flock of pursuers.  Johnny only took a moment to confirm their identities—one of the cloaked figures had been freed of his hood, revealing the crude, metallic face of one of the robotic Ky-impersonators.  Bridget was running only just fast enough to keep ahead of them, being weighed down by the bags he carried.  They were closing fast.

 

“May—get going.”  Johnny adjusted his sunglasses.  “You and Bridget get back to the ship.”

 

“But Johnny—”

 

“Don’t worry, there aren’t that many of them.  Get going.”  He offered her a brief smile before breaking out in a run, heading straight for Bridget and the charging machines.

 

“Johnny!”  When Bridget noticed his approach he grinned, looking intensely relieved.  “They’re really annoying!”  One of the robots was nearly upon him, a shift in its cloaks indicating a weapon about to be brandished.

 

“Get down.”  Johnny leapt at the pair; Bridget threw himself obediently to the ground, allowing him to easily sever the head of the closest robot in a flash of drawn steel.  He collided with another a moment later, sending them both tumbling across the dusty street—he rolled, on his feet a moment later as the robots each skidded to a halt.  Their brightly glowing eyes swiveled, accompanied by the quite whirl of machinery, as they turned their attention away from Bridget.

 

“JELLYFISH_ PIRATE_ JOHNNY,” one of them reported. 

 

“ORDERS_ ARE_ TO_ TERMINATE_ UPON_ DISCOVERY.”

 

“COMMENCING_ ATTACK.”

 

Johnny’s lip twisted.  “Fantastic.”

 

Bridget, meanwhile, had already clamored to his feet and was reaching May with the jeep.  “Take this,” he instructed, thrusting his bags into her chest.  She had to scramble to keep them from falling, and before she could utter some protest he’d already turned, slipping both yo-yos into his hands.  “Johnny!”

 

Johnny glanced up just as a sword blade swept inches from his face.  “Shit—”  He dodged backwards but the blasted things were fast, moving together like a swarm.  He was beginning to realize even from the short exchange why they had given Ky so much trouble.  “Bridget—take May and get out of here!”

 

“You’ll need help!” Bridget shot back, charging headlong into the group of robots.  Fortunately they seemed to be focusing all their attention on Johnny for the moment, and he managed to strike one squarely in the back of the head.  It reeled, metallic skull dented, but a moment later it had turned on him with full force.  Bridget’s smaller body and greater speed gave him just enough of an opening to dart out of the way of its counterattack.

 

“Damn pests—”  Johnny finished off one of the machines, but almost immediately afterwards another pair swept upon him.  The sword from one cut dangerously close—it wasn’t until a moment later that he realized it had sliced cleanly through his sunglasses and drawn a thin scar across his temple.  But the attack had left the attacking robot open, and Johnny planted his feet, bringing his sword around in a wide arch that claimed both opponents’ heads.

 

There was a clang of metal to his right, and Johnny whirled, expecting to find another Robo Ky.  He did; the robot was face down in the street, May’s giant steel anchor embedded in its back.  May herself was just behind, her eyes bright and breath heaving.

 

“Don’t think for a second,” she huffed, “that I’d leave a crewman behind.”

 

Johnny tilted his hat up, a grin stretching his lips.  “Yes, ma’am.”

 

----

 

An hour later, the Jellyfish Pirate Ship was laden with new supplies, and Ky listened to Bridget’s recounting of the town events in the room they shared.  He was stretched out on his stomach in bed, relaxing comfortably thanks to Dizzy’s treatment earlier.  The news Bridget had to give him, however, was quickly working to dispel his ease.  “So he really is here—the man that Testament saw.”

 

“I think it must be him,” Bridget replied, seated atop his own bunk with bare feet swinging.  “He was with the robots, and his eyes were really dark.”

 

“And he mentioned our fight in Genoa,” Ky mused, his features working into a frown.  “I think you’re right—that must be the man.”

 

Bridget perked up suddenly.  “Johnny was pretty impressed, you know.  Said those robots were tough two at a time, let alone the army you took out by yourself.  You must be really amazing.”

 

Ky smiled thinly.  “I suppose it must be easier for me to fight them, as it’s my fighting style they’ve been programmed to imitate.  Johnny and I haven’t fought often enough for him to be familiar with it.”  He settled into the mattress.  “I’m glad, though, that you all were able to escape unharmed.”

 

“Oh, it was nothing.  Between the three of us, they didn’t stand a chance.”  Bridget turned to his bunk, blowing out the lamp above him so that the only light in the room was the light from the city flickering through thick-glassed portholes.  “Where’s Testament?  Isn’t he coming to bed?”

 

“I wouldn’t know,” Ky admitted, curious himself.  He hadn’t seen Testament at all since their briefing on the bridge that afternoon.  There was no point worrying about it, however, and so he tugged his sheets over his freshly bandaged shoulders, preparing for sleep.  “I’m sure he’ll be back soon.  “Goodnight, Bridget.”

 

“’Night Ky.”

 

Though Ky had every intention of sleeping—the next day they would venture into Rome, and he would have to be fully prepared—his mind would not allow him to rest so easily.  The knowledge that his assassin was not only nearby, but also aware of his caretakers, was more than enough to disturb any attempt at slumber.  Combined with his earlier concerns over his order and this incident’s mastermind, he was still very much awake when the door to their room slowly creaked open.  He didn’t have to open his eyes or hear the man’s voice to know it was Testament; he could almost sense the Gear’s magic as he slipped into the room and removed his boots.

 

“Testament…?” Bridget’s voice floated down from somewhere above in the dark.

 

Testament paused, but after only a short moment Ky could hear him moving about again, removing clothing.  “Yes, it’s me,” he replied quietly.  “Sorry to wake you.”

 

“It’s okay.”  Curious, Ky opened his eyes.  He could make out only faint shapes from the dark: Bridget on his stomach, leaning over the edge of his bunk, as Testament slipped beneath the covers of his own bed.  “Where’ve ya been?”

“Around.  Helping Johnny with supplies.”

 

“Ah, okay.”

 

Silence followed, and Ky was about to attempt sleep once again when Testament spoke.  “Is…Ky awake?”

 

Ky frowned, eyes snapping almost reflexively shut.  He wasn’t sure why he didn’t want them to know he was really awake, only…it sounded like Testament had something on his mind, and he knew the Gear wouldn’t speak it if he knew Ky were listening.

 

“Don’t think so,” said Bridget.  “Is something up?”

 

“Not exactly.”  Ky risked opening his eyes a little, catching a glimpse of Testament’s profile.  He looked…quiet, and somehow old.  “When we’re finished in Rome,” Testament said evenly, “I’m going to leave this ship.”

 

“What?”  Bridget’s tone clearly echoed Ky’s shock.  “You’re leaving—but why?”

 

Testament didn’t answer at once, making Bridget shift impatiently above him.  “I don’t have any right to be here,” he explained at last, still staring fixedly at the bunk above him, his voice calm.  “I’m not like the rest of you.  You all have a good life here—a peaceful life.  And I’m not sure that’s something I can be satisfied with.”

 

Ky bit his lip, remaining utterly motionless as he listened to the Gear’s reasoning.  Something like that…couldn’t be right.  Not after everything he had spoken with Dizzy about earlier…

 

The officer’s eyes widened slightly, but he held his voice back as he realized; Testament must have overheard them.  Silently cursing his own carelessness he tightened his fingers in the sheets, wondering…if there was anything he could do.  If there was something he should do.

 

It was then that he caught Bridget’s eyes on him, and he held his breath, fearful that he’d be given away; surely Testament wouldn’t be pleased to know he was being spied on.  But the boy only lowered his gaze, speaking to Testament.  “It…doesn’t have anything to do with Mr. Kiske being with us, does it?”

 

“Ky?”  Testament’s gaze flickered briefly to the man, confirming to himself that he was indeed asleep.  Ky did not look particularly peaceful, but he was still enough.  After a thoughtful moment Testament turned his eyes blindly upward once more.  “I don’t think so.”

 

“Why’s that?”

 

“Because…I’m not sure what to make of him,” Testament admitted.  “We’ve had our battles in the past, and now they’ve ended.  No, this has nothing to do with Ky.”  Even if it was related to what he had overheard from the pair earlier, he could not say that he was so embittered by the man as to desire escaping from him.

 

Above, Bridget hummed thoughtfully.  “Then it must be Dizzy.”

 

Testament frowned, but he could not refute that claim; he sighed, closing his eyes.  Normally, he would have never admitted these things to the other.  But Bridget had, since his arrival here, done everything in his power to make Testament feel welcomed, and he felt that he at least owed someone an explanation.  Maybe it would save him the trouble of speaking to Dizzy later on.

 

“Yes.”  He shifted in bed, as if the thick covers were suddenly too uncomfortable for him.  “I’m glad to have seen her again.  But I do not belong here.”  Already he could feel the quiet ache behind his ribs, the sensation of cold that had chased him through Genoa in the first place.  It was somewhat humbling.  “Dizzy has a good life here; she’s happy.  And I…am merely a burden to her.”

 

“I’m sure she doesn’t think that way,” Bridget was quick to interject, his tone somewhat more serious than it usually was, which he found somewhat baffling.  “She was really happy to see you, too.”

 

“Maybe.”  Testament was not nearly so optimistic, and his fingers curled stiffly against his stomach as he replayed Dizzy’s words from earlier through his mind.  “She doesn’t want me here,” he concluded at last.  “It wouldn’t be right of me to stay.  I know what she expects of me, and I simply cannot do that for her now.  I’ll only distress her more if I remain.”

 

Bridget shifted above him. “Testament….”  The tone of his voice was solemn, and again Testament frowned, having not expected such a show of sympathy.  “But then where are you gonna go?  Back to that forest place?”

 

“I….”  It was the one question Testament had not yet resolved in his own mind, forcing him to pause before responding.  In the end, however, he could not come up with a satisfactory answer to give. “I don’t know,” he confessed.  “The forest…it is too quiet there.”  He had not even left the ship yet, and already he knew what would become of him if he were to return to that place.  He could feel it nestled in his gut like ice, harsh and burning.  “It isn’t a home to me without Dizzy there.  It only feels cold…empty.”

 

Bridget’s head appeared over the edge of the bunk abruptly, and Testament glanced up at him, startled.  The boy was smiling faintly.  “You mean, it’s lonely.”

 

Testament’s eyes narrowed.  “Lonely…?” he echoed.  He had never thought of it in such a way.

 

Bridget’s head disappeared, only to be replaced by a pair of small feet and spindly legs.  Gradually the boy worked his way over the edge of the bed, lowering himself until his toes brushed Testament’s mattress.  The Gear could only stare in bewilderment as Bridget couched down, still gripping his own bunk, until he finally pitched forward unceremoniously onto the Gear’s stomach.

 

Testament grunted, leaning back as best he could as Bridget shifted and wriggled against him.  “What are you doing?” he demanded.  He was in no mood to put up with these childish antics, but by the time he thought enough to try and push Bridget off, it was too late; the boy was settled on top of him, arms tight around his waist and head pillowed on his chest.  “Bridget?”

 

“You don’t really wanna go, do you?” Bridget asked, wiggling so that his legs rested in a comfortable tangle around Testament’s.  “You’ll be lonely.  And the best cure for loneliness is being with someone.  Right?”

 

Testament snorted irritably at his reasoning.  “There’s not enough room for you,” he muttered, trying to pry Bridget away from him.  He wasn’t used to this kind of close contact, and he wasn’t sure what to make of the extra weight against his chest.  “Get off.”

 

“Nope.”  All his prodding only encouraged Bridget to tighten his arms, keeping him firmly rooted.  “Didn’t you contact us in the beginning because you wanted to see Dizzy?  You must have been lonely then, too.”  He chuckled as he shifted lower, settling himself comfortably under Testament’s arm.  “I’ll keep you company.”

 

“Bridget….”  Testament sighed; Bridget seemed intent on staying, and it might not be worth the effort to try and push him away.  Instead he settled as best he could with the addition to his sleeping space.  It was strange, and a little humbling, to feel the gentle press of Bridget’s chest with every intake of breath, the warmth of another’s skin.  It reminded him of the days when he had first met Dizzy, alone and frightened, the way she had curled next to him in colder nights.  Without really thinking the Gear reached up, sliding his hand through the long strands of Bridget’s thick hair.  There was a different texture to it than Dizzy’s—it was tangled and coarse, unlike the perfect locks of a Gear, and he was distracted for a while by trying to dislodge the worst knots with his fingers. 

 

It was warm—pleasant, even, to accept the closeness of another beating life.  However, he could still feel the imprint of ancient instinct against his ribs, the quiet, undulating disgust that had once been bred into him.  He hated humans.  It was his nature and his purpose, and none of Bridget’s innocent gestures would ever be able to erase that from him completely.  But for now he was content, if not a little confused, as he closed his eyes in preparation of sleep.

 

“Bridget…you said…”  Testament’s fingers curled slightly in his hair.  “Does this mean you’re lonely, too?”

 

Bridget didn’t respond, and by the deepness of his breath Testament assumed he was no longer awake.  Somewhere nearby Ky, too, shifted in his sleep.  Seeing as he had no choice but to follow their examples the Gear relaxed, gradually letting his concerns slip away beneath the pressure of a young body against his chest.

 

“Hey, watch where you’re flinging that stuff.”

 

“Cut it out, you’re gonna make it uneven.”

 

“How about this?  He can wear this!”

 

“He’s not wearing that.”

 

Ky sighed, doing his best not to fidget as the girls swarmed around him.  Having managed to obtain a few hours worth of sleep the night before he was somewhat rested, until what seemed like half the crew dragged him, still yawning, from his room to the galley.  He’d been fed and bathed, and was now undergoing any number of ridiculous treatments and procedures, none of which could be considered very dignified.

 

“You should have picked a better color.”

 

“This color’s fine—hey, watch it!”

 

“Ah!  My skirt!”

 

“Are you all right, Ky?”

 

The last voice belonged to Dizzy, and he smiled slightly in relief.  He wasn’t yet brave enough to open his eyes, fearful of what he might see and also because they were still a bit itchy.  “I’m all right,” he quietly assured.  Despite all the madness that seemed to be whirling about he’d been able to feel her hands against his back, the heat of her magic helping to ease the sting from his yet healing burns.  Which was greatly appreciated, considering that the pirates seemed determined to tear him apart.

 

“Hmm…not bad,” Bridget declared, somewhere in front of him.  “I think we went with the right color.”

 

“Told you so.”

 

“You should have gone with the blue.”

 

Ky took a deep breath and opened his eyes at last; the girls halted, standing back with sudden, anxious attention.  “Can I see?” he asked, trying to sit up taller for when he beheld his fate.

 

“Not yet—first, the clothes.”

 

With a sigh Ky allowed himself to be tugged to his feet.  The girls seemed to be everywhere, helping him strip out of his sleep shirt before setting in with far too much interest on his pajama bottoms.  Yelping in a very undignified manner Ky managed to shoo them away long enough to do the job himself, turning discreetly away until a pair of pants were thrust into his arms.  He gulped when he realized what the material was.  “Is this really necessary?”

 

“You want to fit in, don’t you?”

 

“This is Rome, after all.”

 

Sighing in resignation, Ky stepped into the pants and fastened them around his hips—they hung lower than he would have liked, and he could feel something brush against his calves when he moved.  As soon as his pants were secured the crew pounced once more, forcing him to sit as they helped him into the rest of his clothing.  With so many helpers it didn’t take long, and at last they seemed ready to let him see what terrible things had been done to him. 

 

Bridget slipped around behind him, turning his stool so that he could see the full-length mirror leaning against the far wall.   He had to admit, it was a startling transformation.  Not only was he clean, fingernails clipped and his injuries mostly mended, but his entire appearance had changed.  His hair was now a dark brown shade with a few highlights, stiff from the dye so that it spiked out a bit more than usual.  The contacts Bridget had helped him put in earlier seemed to make his eyes gleam amber, matching the lighter shade in his hair.  Someone had even applied some makeup to his face—barely enough to really notice, and yet it somehow made his face look sharper, the lines of his cheekbones more defined, as well as around his mouth.  His attire had been equally altered; he was now clad in soft leather pants which rose just to his naval and widened at the ankle, and a vest of the same material which barely passed the bottom of his ribs.  Though it carried buttons it was clear there was no way the garment was large enough to stretch across his chest, and was held closed by only a pair of silver chains.  Both vest and pants were trimmed in bright yellow.  The outfit was completed with more leather around his wrists, thick boots, and the same silver cross necklace he always wore. 

 

“Well?” Bridget chirped.  “What do you think?”

 

“Is it really me?”  Ky reached out as if to touch his own bizarre reflection, but paused when he caught sight of his now black, shiny fingernails.  He frowned.  “Who did this?”

 

“Oh, that was me,” one of the girls to his left said shyly.  “Bridget said you’d be in all black, so I thought it’d look cute.”

 

Ky blinked down at his hands, baffled.  “Cute?”

 

“Don’t touch them—they’re still wet.”

 

“Well?”  Bridget was all but bouncing excitedly.  “Do you like it or not?”

 

Ky pushed to his feet, approaching the mirror so he could get a better look at himself.  The leather was tight around his hips and thighs, and though at first he worried it would restrict his mobility he found it didn’t hamper him too much.  It was actually almost…pleasing, the way the constriction drew attention to his hips, as if settling his center of gravity lower on his body.  The vest, also, left his arms free to move easily.  A moment later he realized what it had been touching his legs—from the back of the pants were a pair of long fabric strips, like coat tails, which shifted whenever he moved.  He twisted a little, watching them sway back and forth.  Everything seemed to fit his body perfectly, and he was amazed that Bridget had been able to judge his stature so well.  He ran his hands lightly over the vest and pants, getting the feel of his new attire—careful not to smudge his drying nails, to his mild annoyance.

 

“We~ll?” Bridget sang.

 

“It’s…a lot, isn’t it?”  Ky frowned thoughtfully as he continued to turn a little, fascinated by his reflection as if it were no longer him.  “I’ve never worn anything like this.”  He rubbed idly at his stomach.  “It’s strange having so much bare skin.”

 

“We’ve got a lot of people to fool,” Bridget pointed out.  The girls around him were all wide-eyed and almost breathless, as if waiting for some greater response from their charge.  “Everyone in Rome knows your face, but they’ll never suspect it’s you if you look like that.”

 

“No, I suppose they wouldn’t.”  Ky blushed a little, wondering what his men would think if they were to see him like this.  But despite his embarrassment there was no denying that he found the entire transformation amazing, even a little awing.  He’d never considered that a mere change of outfit could make him look so unrecognizable; it reminded him a little of Testament, and how he had looked so different when dressed in casual clothing, surrounded by the ship’s children….

 

“I like it,” Ky admitted at last, turning to face his benefactors.  “It’s embarrassing, but you all did a wonderful job.  I don’t think anyone could possibly recognize me like this.”

 

The girls let out a cheer, and the officer was nearly tumbled as several of them pounced on him in their excitement.  One of them called for them to watch out for his nails, which coaxed a few to stand back.  Ky couldn’t help but chuckle at their enthusiasm; Bridget especially looked about to burst from pride, his hands on his hips and face beaming.  “See?” he declared.  “I told you I’d pick something good.”

 

Though Ky had admitted to being satisfied with their work, he was nowhere near as pleased when it became time to leave the room.  It was easy, with the girls and Bridget, to pretend his new outfit was only for laughs and enjoyment, but the closer they came to the ship’s hull the more he realized he was about to traverse this way through open public.  His first obstacle would be enduring Johnny’s reaction.

 

As he had expected, the man burst out laughing at the first sight of him.  Ky rolled his eyes, crossing his arms self-consciously over his chest as he and May nearly doubled over each other with hysterics.  “Yes, I know,” he muttered, sending Bridget and Dizzy glares when they giggled as well.  “It is not that amusing.”

 

“Oh, of course it is!” Johnny declared, giving Ky’s shoulder a light shove.  “You look…adorable.”  And he laughed some more, making his way down the ship’s steps to the airfield below.  May followed with a hand stifling her own snickering.

 

Ky sighed, but he had no choice but to follow as well.  His mood sobered quickly the moment his feet touched the dusty landing strip, and he took in his first in-person view of the city of Rome in several years.  The outline of its shattered buildings raised something of a feeling of dread inside him, and he couldn’t help but shift anxiously as he joined Johnny and May.  “It’s…been a long time.”

 

Johnny cocked an eye. “You all right?”

 

“Yes.”  Ky shook himself.  “I’ll be fine.”

 

Dizzy and Bridget came up behind him a moment later, and Ky turned just in time to see Testament starting down the stairs as well.  Ky cringed slightly, expecting a particularly embarrassing reaction from the Gear.  But when Testament’s eyes fell on him they only widened slightly, his gait pausing as if having not recognized this new crew addition.  A strange expression twisted his features, mostly one of confusion, before he continued to the earth and stepped past without word.

 

“Testament!”  Bridget turned on him enthusiastically, thrilled to see him clad in the outfit he had made for him.  Though in truth it was nearly identical to his old attire, it appeared that Bridget had done an excellent job in its construction.  “Does it fit?” the boy asked anxiously.  “Do you like it?”

 

“It fits,” Testament assured.  “You…did a good job.”

 

Frowning, Ky watched them.  Once again he was at a loss as to how to respond to Testament and all his behavioral vagaries.  It seemed that with every encounter his impression of the Gear changed.  Even now he could clearly remember the scene he’d witnessed the night before, and the brief glance he’d been granted earlier that morning: Testament reclined easily in bed with Bridget draped over him, both of them quiet, peaceful, and natural.  To Ky it seemed like an inordinately intimate gesture considering the brief span of their acquaintance, and yet both of them regarded each other now with no greater uncertainty or affection than before.  Perhaps he was only overestimating the significance of the event and the closeness they’d shared.  It had, after all, been quite some time since Ky shared a bed with anyone, innocently or otherwise, to the point in which he barely remembered what it felt like to be so close to another person.  He wondered if it had been as much of a comfort to them as he assumed it should have been.  What it would feel like, if Bridget had granted him that same courtesy and reassurance.

 

“Well, here we are,” Johnny announced, and Ky shook himself, stepping forward to better hear.  His foolish imagination he banished to the corners of his mind for now.  “Dizzy, May, you two will be in charge of the ship while we’re gone.”

 

May started to protest, predictably enough, but Johnny was already a step ahead.  “Those robots know we have Ky,” he reminded her.  “They might come looking for him, and if they do you’ll need to defend your crew.  Right?”

 

Though clearly displeased, May nodded, crossing her arms.  “Be careful, Johnny,” she told him, with as much seriousness as Ky had ever seen her display.  Johnny reassured her with a smile, and Dizzy as well, before the two girls turned to return to the ship.

 

“We’ll go in two groups,” Johnny said to the remaining trio, adjusting his hat and new sunglasses.  “Since Testament and Bridget are the only two that might be able to spot our dark-eyed friend should he show up, they’ll be in different groups.  I’ll go with Bridget, Ky with Testament.”  As if anticipating another objection he added, “You should avoid fighting if you can help it.  From what Bridget tells me those robots won’t attack Testament right away, and they shouldn’t be able to recognize you at all.  The two of you should be safe to gather lots of information that way.”

 

Ky nodded seriously.  He and Bridget wouldn’t have made sense as a team anyway, given that Bridget was the weakest of them and he himself was still recovering.  Though he wasn’t sure what to expect from his combination with Testament it was the best option.  “Still, I should have a weapon.  In case.”

 

“Oh, right.”  Johnny reached behind him, undoing an extra belt around his waist to offer it—along with a sheathed sword—to Ky.  “I’m sure you’re prefer Thunderseal, but that kind of ruins the point of disguising you.”

 

“I understand.”  Ky slid the sword out an inch, inspecting the blade.  It was a katana, larger than a normal one but still thinner and shorter than the swords he was used to.  It would have to do for now.  “I suppose we’ll be meeting back here?” he asked, securing the belt to his waist.

 

“Yeah—at sundown, so give yourself enough time to get back through the city.  None of us are staying after dark.  In the meantime, if you get in trouble, I already gave Testament a radio you can contact us with.  Everyone set?”

 

“Yeah!” Bridget piped up, bouncing to Johnny’s side.  Ky was startled to notice the massive steel weight settled on the boy’s slender hips—it should have crushed someone of Bridget’s stature, but he didn’t appear to be hampered at all.  He seemed to be underestimating many things lately.

 

“All right.”  Ky stepped forward, taking a deep breath as he set his gaze on the city ahead of them.  “Let’s go.”

 

 

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