[_____V_____]

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED INSIDE THE ZONE


As soon as the Knights entered the Zone, Paul the Monk went up to Despare again.

"These are for you again, my friend," Paul held 15 HPs in his extended hand with a sad smile.

"Damn, Paul...you are putting yourself at risk to save my ass everytime!" Despare remarked grimly.

"Hey Des, you are the only one in our group who can solve these riddles. Someone has to look after you," Paul smiled again.

"But...," Despare started to protest.

"No ifs, no buts. If you survive, I get the rest back. So no worries," Paul replied, thrusting the HPs into Despare's HP bag.

Despare smiled and shook Paul's hand gratefully, and Paul responded by High-Five-ing him back. Both of them then followed the rest of the Knights deep into The Zone.

Shortly after, the Slayers came running in with loud whooping war-cries. All of them dispersed almost instantly, each one having a distinct target in mind already.


Sector A:


DUDE GUADALUPE looked around all tense. He had the distinct feeling he was being watched, and he touched his Plasma Cannon more than once to feel relaxed. Just then, MURDERDOLL jumped up from the bushes and ran towards his right into the cover of some trees. Dude was taken completely by surprise, but he recovered quickly and smiled wickedly. Taking his Sniper Rifle off his shoulder, he zeroed in on Murderdoll's back through the scope. Once he felt he was locked in target, he started squeezing the trigger quickly.

BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!!
BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!!

All 12 bullets rapidly disappeared into Murderdoll's back, making it look like a huge plate riddled with plenty of reddish-black holes. Murderdoll rolled forwards once and then went flying into the bushes with a huge groan. She reached for her HPs hastily, just as Dude heard the twigs creak behind him.

Dude froze. He tried to steal a glance backwards without turning, but couldnt see anything from the corner of his eyes. But he definitely sensed something behind him. Slowly, without any sudden movements, he lifted the Plasma Cannon to his tummy's level. He heard the sound again, more distinctly this time. He whirled around, squeezing the trigger of the Plasma Cannon almost simultaneously in the process.

THRACKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!

The plasma beam burnt its way through the trees in front of him, and disappeared into the distance. Burning smoke filled the whole area, and Dude saw nothing for a few moments. As the smoke started to clear, Dude peered through the trees. The sight in front of him made him smile in frustration.

A large badger walked away from him to the left, and disappeared into the bushes.


ROSHIQ heard steps in front of him and ducked. He realised someone was very close to him, and had no idea if it was a friend or a foe. He parted some bushes and looked. SCOUSE MAC had come running through the trees, and had stopped for a moment to gain his breathing. Roshiq softly chuckled at himself, and raised his Sniper Rifle. Zooming in on the chest of Scouse through the scope, Roshiq started to press the trigger rapidly.

BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!!
BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!!

The first six bullets thudded into Scouse's chest and tummy, and he was thrown backwards. The next six bullets sailed through the air and blasted their way into Scouse's thighs and waist area as he flew mid-air, landing heavily across a tree and falling down. By the time Roshiq stood up to survey what damage he had done to Scouse, Scouse had scurried into the bushes, biting his lips to keep himself from moaning as a feeble hand reached for his huge bag of HPs.

Scouse patched himself and rolled to the left. The ground gave way under him and he fell down a slope straight into the river. The current was strong, and Scouse didnt fight it as he was whisked away, out of Sector A.


(To Be Continued...)