A/N: Part 2 will be released either tonight, or tomorrow. Thanks for understanding.

Last chapter, the group dealt with the aftermath of Metallic trying to kill Karia. Things seemed to cool down a bit after Karia was forced to "let" Metallic talk to Kodan through her, since all of the souls in Karia can supposedly hear and see everything she can.

Afterwards, Karia apologized for the way she treated Seric- and the group started to make plans on how to escape the Hopian Continent through a competition that Fixed Reality Casino is hosting.

Seric's P.O.V.

A little while later, in the living room of Marlox's house...

"You gonna introduce yourself new guy? I forgot your name to be honest..." Karia says to the "new guy" Elio to break the silence between us three in the living room. She passed out at the table about ten minutes ago, so we moved her to the couch where she's lying now. Elio's been standing against the wall this whole time, and Karia let me sit at the far end of the burnt-up couch.

"Did you not hear Amandeath shit-talk me in the kitchen? It's Elio. My Blessing lets me turn on- or off- anything with an electric current. Happy now?" He says with a scoff as he stares at the ground.

"Don't need to take your anger out on me bud. Guessing Amandeath "recruited" you under poor circumstances huh? I don't like her much either by the way." Karia says which I slightly smile at, her not taking people's crap can be handy. At times.

Speaking of hands, Amandeath and Metallic went into Marlox's "tool-room" or whatever Metallic called it. Seems like she's helping him out with the repairs... I do feel a bit bad for taking off his hand now. But it was either that or Karia dying, plus he can repair it so- I'd say it was worth it.

Anyways Elio continues, "Yeah, yeah you could say the circumstances were "poor". She murdered most of "family", almost killed me- but then decided to force me into your group instead. After shooting through one of my earlobes at least. And now she's-"

"WHOA whoa what the fuck? Was your family attacking her or...?" Karia jolts up and turns her head towards Elio, yeah my jaw drapped there too- what?! Is Amandeath THAT bad now?

"Yeah. We ambushed her. And to be fair my "family" was- well I'll finally admit it, a cult. The stuff we did was awful... but I was too blinded by Restroid's "kindness" to realize it. The mindnumbing drugs he gave us sure didn't help with that either... I think my body wants them again. Withdrawal- fantastic. Fuck me." Elio says, shoot... he has been seeming restless. Guess that's a symptom of withdrawal. At least Amandeath was somewhat justified in killing his "family" though.

"Oh. Well- that makes more sense then. Sorry for what happened either way, I guess. I studied cults a bit years back in the army, they really mess with peoples heads... but what was the name of the group, if you don't mind me asking? Didn't see too many back when I worked for the Hopian Army, thought they were pretty uncommon nowadays. Amandeath should've told me about this bu-"

"Yeah. Here I thought I was super smart yet I fell right into Restroid's hands..." Elio says as he starts tapping his foot on the ground.

...

He doesn't continue. Uh...

"Maybe we should wait to ask this stuff Karia, with the withdrawal and all he probably doesn't want to talk." I say which makes Karia look at me and shrug.

"I just zoned out. It's fine, better to get the stupid introducing stuff over with now. We- or they were "The New Red Fists". The name's deceiving though, Kodan would have killed us if he saw what we were doing to civilians with a name like that." Elio says which seems to surprise Karia. Oh yeah- I remember a while ago she told me that no one would have the morale to lead the Red Fists like Kodan did.

"Great. There's another mistake I made. They came back after all. Least they're gone now though, but I can bet some of those people were ex-Red Fists members... oh and neat fact, I have Kod-"

"Kodan's soul, I heard- your Blessing's abilities are public domain now. Pretty damn impressive how you beat him. But I gotta go-" Elio says as he pushes himself off the wall, but he starts running towards the washroom in the hall next to us once he gags.

"Poor guy." I say to Karia as she lays her head back down on the pillow behind her and stares up at the ceiling.

"Kinda. The Hopian Continent has pills that can help a LOT with withdrawal though. Just a matter when we'll be able to get them. Ironic that you're feeling bad though, considering your situation is WAY worse than his." Karia says which makes me chuckle a bit.

"Yeah. I try to be empathetic I guess..." I say with a sigh.

"Even funnier that Habram doesn't give a shit about empathy if the person you feel bad for isn't part of his faith..." I think to myself.

"You can sleep on the couch tonight if you want by the way. Or I guess that may be worse than your chair-bed thing... up to you." Karia says as she glances down at me.

"Oh- uh, sure thanks. Sounds good." I say- mainly just to let Karia feel better about herself though.

"Alright. Well- if you don't mind, I'm gonna get some rest. ...Do what you want but, just make sure Metallic doesn't pull anything. Please?" Karia asks which confuses me for a second.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Ah- don't worry about it. See you." Karia says with a cough as she turns onto her side- OH, she meant to make sure Metallic doesn't hurt her while she's sleeping.

"Sure, I can do that." Is all I end up saying. Obviously she was embarrassed enough as is just asking for help. Don't know why though- Metallic tried, and still wants to kill her...

Amandeath's P.O.V.

"Please, just go slowly pal... easy... eaaaasy..." Metallic tells me like it'll make things easier- while all he's doing is sitting on a operating chair, with a small table next to him. My job right now is to hold his heavy-ass hand up straight, while screwing in some of his bolts to attach it to his wrist.

This part's easy-ish since I'm used to doing small repairs on my sniper but, no clue how I'm gonna do the rest. Elio's being a bitch and said he won't help with fixing Metallic, even after I said sorry for the stuff I did. I meaaan I was obviously lying but- not like he knew that.

More importantly shit his hand is getting hard to hold up-

"C'mon pal, just a bit more- one bolt left!" I grit my teeth as I start tightening the bolt as quick as I can-

"Need my Blessing ag-"

*CRACK!*

"AGH- CURSES COME ON!! WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST HOLD IT LIKE-" Metallic starts screaming at me after I drop his hand, but after I give him a stink-eye he stops that pretty quick.

"...Sorry. I apologize, that was quite the impulsive reaction. Thanks for trying your best, pal. But that may not be enough in this case, which is truly unfortunate... one bad thing after another, even an optimist like me can be brought this low it seems. Ya... eh. Not the time." Metallic says as he hangs his head down low. Ouch.

Oh boy- I start to hear Elio groaning across the hall. Think I may have heard him in the washroom before too... better go check on him. Even if he was being a prick to me before.

"Yeah. I get it Metallic. Shitty situation, still you gotta keep the volume down though- don't want any nosy people hearing us from outside. Anyways I may have a plan. Gonna go check on Elio first though, give me a sec." I say which Metallic does a small nod to.

"May have to put a gun to the guy's head if this doesn't work... well- assuming he's going through withdrawal at least." I think to myself as I start walking towards the washroom, I can hear him sniffling AND groaning now.

"Elio?" I ask as I lightly knock on the door.

"What now?!" He complains back to me,

"I've got a deal I want to make with you. I think you'll like it, so I'd recommend listening up. Sounds like your body is hating you for not having those drugs in ya. We're filthy rich now so, we can go out and buy you some withdrawal meds." I try to say clearly, since I think I may have had trouble listening to people when I stopped taking hard drugs a few years back myself.

"OK. The catch?" He replies slowly.

"Fix Metallic. Before we go would be ideal b-"

"Yeah sorry but, I'm not fixing anything like this. After. You can blow my brains out or something if I- fuck... ugh. If I don't fix him after, I was saying." Elio says which makes me sigh.

"You realize how dangerous that'd be? Metallic's defenseless, you can probably barely shoot a gun- and I'm gonna be spewing those microbots out soon. Even an officer would wipe the floor with us unless Metallic used the Emperor." I explain... I mean technically we only need Metallic to scare people off but, hoping Elio won't realize that.

...

He's just groaning- and even whimpering a bit now though.

"The hell's he doin-"

"Maybe. But I just used my Blessing to check out the electronics around here. A convenience store is like- four blocks down the road." Elio says-

"Bullshit. How'd your Blessing tell you th-"

"Fuck- just listen, please! The neon signs! The current goes through the letters, I can see them! Now please, for the love of the gods can we go? I can't take this anymore." Elio starts to cry out in frustration.

"Ah. Right, reading signs through their currents could be pretty handy in the future actually..." I think to myself as I feel kinda dumb.

"K. We'd better go now then, been through this before- the withdrawal stuff gets waaaay worse before it gets better. Also if you're lying about the stores location, you're dea- oh. We need disguises again... blegh." I complain. My hairs probably gonna fall out if I dye it so soon again... not sure if that's how it works though.

"Ok, so what, just get a hat- and cover up your eyes. I'll get a... I don't know, a hat too? Metallic doesn't need to co-"

The bot barges out of the tool room, "O.F. course I need to come! There's just no way that I'm letting you two go out there alone, when security could be very tight! Marlox bought a few different colors of paint for me to use, I'll go slap a new one on. ...Um... or could someone slap it on for me please? I promise my company will be well worth the cost." Metallic says with a sheep grin. Uh... wait that's not how you say it. Whatever.

"Appreciate ya wanting to help but, is it really worth it for you to come Metallic? Even with the paint, our body types could let someone match us to our wanted pictures." I mention. Metallic tried interrupting me there but surprisingly he stopped himself- nice.

"Of course it is... ah. I know- I'll put the paint on, AND a massive cloak- or blanket, I doubt Marlox had any big cloaks lying around. The army will never notice us! Now come on, let the painting begin!" Metallic "commands" as he tries to grab my arm... but- pretty quickly he resorts to wrapping his arm around mine instead, as he drags me along with him.

A little while of disguise preparation, and walking later...

💊🤖👱‍♀️

"Feel better?" I whisper to Elio as us three are walking away from "Buy 3 Get None Free". I went to the store a while back but- as the name hints at, the owner's kinda a douche so I never went back. Ironically it's got fair prices though.

More importantly though we got the pills, and Elio swallowed two of them dry right after we left so- yeah kinda curious as to if they worked yet...

"A little, but it'll take a bit until I feel the full effects. Man that cashier was a dick though, calling me a crackhead like that... would've taught him a lesson if I had a full gang behind me like before. Anyways, thanks. For letting me buy the stuff I mean. Metalli- I mean Metal... ah, point is I'll do what you asked now. Should be pretty easy." Elio whispers back, yeah calling Metallic "Metal-Man" isn't safe either now...

Either way, we did see one group of Soldiers. But they either A: didn't see us or B: didn't recognize us. I'm betting on the first one since they were kinda far away... have to remember that Marlox's house is in a relatively remote place. Pretty handy.

"Hmmm- lets see how much of a conscious he has. Because he should owe me one..." I think to myself with a smile as I glance down at Elio's hand, then hold it.

"Wha- really? Hand holding? Whatever I guess." Elio says as he shakes his head- he doesn't let go of my hand though.

"I'm horny too but fucking on the streets is a biiit much even for me. So you'll have to wait Mr. Stern, I'll take you up on your offer though." I say back to him with a laugh.

"Offer? I didn't-"

"A.W.! How cute! The first part at least- I'd hold hands with you guys too if I had any." Metallic shouts- but he quiets down after I give him a glare.

To be continued in the next part!