Jed and George locked eyes, the tension so thick it felt like the world had gone silent. Jed's deathly cold stare bore into George, whose calm, almost casual gaze held a confidence that made Jed's skin crawl. Behind them, Jose scrambled on hands and knees, disappearing into the cover of nearby rocks, his ragged breathing the only sound breaking the stillness.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXKz0avDqgJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAWc0t6a2apN
They stepped toward each other, closing the distance to just a few meters. The dusty ground shifted under their boots, the dry air electric with the promise of violence.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAKwJmNqu3Yk
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfpA1Ey0YDE
"You ready to meet your maker, George?" Jed growled, his voice gravelly, with the faintest twinge of bitter humor.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAmG31zDLncm
256Please respect copyright.PENANAbjPXnc25pf
George smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Funny, Jed. I thought the same about you. But you've always been too stubborn to die, haven't you?"
256Please respect copyright.PENANAeTzf9LqI2v
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaZiAeuriS0
Jed flexed his fingers near the butt of his revolver. "That's one way to put it. But today ain't about stubbornness. It's about justice."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAsX8mUgYl8c
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1oKWQDqibE
George's smirk grew, his tone almost sympathetic. "Justice. What a quaint little word for what we're doing here."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAQYLg5HiUzF
256Please respect copyright.PENANAhZf7GJ8m0R
The countdown in their minds was deafening.
256Please respect copyright.PENANASaRRVI0Grw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAH8MY3RdkS1
Three.
256Please respect copyright.PENANABVIevScteN
256Please respect copyright.PENANAK0R0UtqJiI
Two.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAhvv2WsQT0C
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjAr6y64gjS
One.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAx2DCGFU5YT
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1JIhe2fiBO
George's hand darted to his holster, but Jed was faster. His gun was out in an instant, the shot ringing out like a crack of thunder. George fell back, clutching his chest as he hit the dirt.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAtoPkJANt7b
256Please respect copyright.PENANAw9R0F4taTU
Jed moved forward, revolver trained on George. "Looks like you lost, boy."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAh8UMDrxvdl
256Please respect copyright.PENANAs0ZdbxJawA
But George laughed—a low, chilling sound that sent a shiver up Jed's spine. "You're quick, Jed, I'll give you that. But you never saw the bigger picture."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAyasmU2WbwP
256Please respect copyright.PENANA77WTPYt3b6
Jed's brow furrowed as he noticed the movement on his arm and leg—ants. They scuttled across his skin, small fragments of glass and metal fusing unnaturally into his flesh. He felt the sharp sting of the objects embedding themselves, followed by an overwhelming burn.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaFqUkXfu6j
256Please respect copyright.PENANAYf4jAwOOkY
"Damn it!" Jed cursed, his voice rising in pain and frustration. Without hesitation, he aimed the revolver at his arm and pulled the trigger. A shot to his leg followed as he dropped to one knee, blood oozing from the wounds but freeing him from the ants' grip.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxWV59QuZlm
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3IzMUPQPpm
"You playin' dirty now, George," Jed spat, glaring at the man.
256Please respect copyright.PENANA6xiLzqCMCb
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7ntLxinOlv
George, still on the ground, grinned as he slowly sat up, revealing the untouched fabric of his shirt where Jed's bullet should have hit. "Who said I ever played clean, Jed? You should've known better than to trust a man with a dream."
256Please respect copyright.PENANA875lH6wPpu
256Please respect copyright.PENANAii070Cvy4b
Before Jed could react, George's revolver was up and firing. The bullet struck Jed square in the stomach, and he crumpled to the ground with a grunt of pain.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAqA2w8ZJaxy
256Please respect copyright.PENANAW7cOLykwez
George rose to his feet, brushing the dust off his coat. He lifted his shirt to reveal the ants crawling across his skin, the tiny creatures forming a protective layer over his torso. "They've got my back, Jed. Literally."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAckngpFRVNJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANABeWqmqv6lE
Jed coughed, his voice weak but dripping with venom. "You said you wouldn't use your damn bugs. You lied."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAra77zNbesJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjvayxocODc
George sighed, almost regretful. "I had to, old timer. You're too good. I couldn't beat you without them. And I have to win, Jed. For peace. For a chance to lie in the grass, feel the sun on my face, and finally let go of this world's suffering."
256Please respect copyright.PENANATTZeV8Z3mk
256Please respect copyright.PENANASV2vkcmf1Z
He raised his gun, aiming at Jed's head.
256Please respect copyright.PENANA6oyDIbJ5AE
256Please respect copyright.PENANAtgM3K8dSJe
"Goodbye, Jed."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAQgL9kI3YCt
256Please respect copyright.PENANArjVZ7sJlD8
Before he could fire, three rapid gunshots echoed through the air. George staggered, spinning around as blood blossomed across his side, shoulder, and leg. He stumbled, seeing Cody standing weakly in the distance, gun trembling in his hand.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAsTeANa96Tl
256Please respect copyright.PENANARROkTWHXJA
"George… you're under arrest," Cody said, his voice heavy with exhaustion and pain.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAN3tbPhQC19
256Please respect copyright.PENANACRm5x2mTq6
George's vision blurred, and he fell to his knees, his revolver slipping from his grasp. His mind drifted, and for a moment, he saw them—his sister, his parents—standing in a field of green grass under a brilliant sky. The sun warmed his face, and peace filled his heart.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5GCe60L7f
256Please respect copyright.PENANAzt9hg7hDEx
But reality pulled him back, and he crumpled to the dirt. "Mom… Dad… Sister… I'm coming," he whispered, his voice barely audible as he flopped to the ground.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAisfRcpsLeS
256Please respect copyright.PENANAKv9ZrTSX00
Jed, clutching his stomach, struggled to his feet. He stumbled toward George's lifeless body, grimacing with every step. Cody limped up beside him, holding a glowing Holy Crystal in his hand, and then symbols appeared on his arm.
256Please respect copyright.PENANADG70S88fvu
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfrybYI4XF3
"Here," Cody said, extending it to Jed. "I ain't lettin' you keep it, but… you can use it. Might give you some special power."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAFd12G3IPrR
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUvjzTnQuBh
Jed shook his head, his voice weary but firm. "Not for me. But my nephew… he might need it."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAHMkixN063P
256Please respect copyright.PENANABTtiPH3U9V
Jed limped alongside Cody as they trudged through the desert night, their weary steps crunching over dry, cracked soil. They reached the spot where Charlie lay unconscious, his chest rising and falling faintly. The Holy Crystal pulsed softly in Cody's hand, its eerie glow illuminating their tired faces.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxcrbmyRYH8
256Please respect copyright.PENANAkMh5xJnO0E
Jed gave Cody a sidelong glance, his tone laced with suspicion and dry wit. "So, you're a sheriff, huh? That explains the high-and-mighty act back there?"
256Please respect copyright.PENANAb1LzVARVvn
256Please respect copyright.PENANADwetY2ySRq
Cody smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, old man. Name's Sheriff Cody. Coos Bay's finest."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlJxKdO9foy
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1BF47ekyzC
Jed's lips curled into a grimace as he muttered under his breath, "Coos Bay. Well, hell. Ain't that just my luck?"
256Please respect copyright.PENANAh0XUq1oDNS
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjG7tmjP9Iq
Cody raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfx0V8KibrJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAGffZjghi3j
Jed waved him off, crouching down beside Charlie . "Means nothin'. Just reckon the only thing worse than my shootin' is your timing." He grunted, turning Charlie 's limp hand over. "Go on, then. Put that damn rock in his hand."
256Please respect copyright.PENANANlWebzfGB6
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUzn0Dh9MTM
Cody hesitated, staring at the glowing crystal. "You sure about this? We don't even know what it'll do to him."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAaK8xML1sT
256Please respect copyright.PENANAMbhimsRpM0
Jed's gaze hardened. "Boy's been through hell and back. If this thing's got a shot at helping, we owe it to him to try."
256Please respect copyright.PENANACWeF3sVo11
256Please respect copyright.PENANARZJ2kgKSBZ
Cody sighed, crouching beside Charlie . "Right, right." He gently placed the crystal into Charlie 's palm, the glow intensifying as it touched his skin. Suddenly, faint cuts appeared along Charlie 's arms, forming strange, unreadable symbols. Cody leaned in to study them, but the glow obscured the markings.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAG3GTWwdNAb
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAhPoYQ0t3F
"What the hell does it say?" Cody asked, his voice uneasy.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAF3G4CBUeDg
256Please respect copyright.PENANABxGcmTOtPW
Jed shook his head. "Damned if I know. Guess he'll figure it out when he wakes up. If he wakes up."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAYN3zcii6Zh
256Please respect copyright.PENANASVXbFs6Xod
Cody leaned back, rubbing his neck. "Well, I'll leave that mess to you. I've got my own path to walk."
256Please respect copyright.PENANA06Aa9GCwaw
256Please respect copyright.PENANA85qNz2lVDE
Jed looked up, squinting. "And where's that? Thought you were plannin' to play nursemaid to this one."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAh8Ek7Yh1ut
256Please respect copyright.PENANATYyGDDIR6b
Cody smirked, brushing dust off his coat. "Mexico. Got to get that 2nd crystal. Maybe I'll see you two around if you make it that far."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAQGFttxwSoO
256Please respect copyright.PENANA5swhKgHqyL
Jed chuckled dryly, his voice rasping with weariness. "This boy's been yappin' about Mexico ever since we left the damn farm. Says he's got dreams down there." He shook his head. "Guess we'll see if they're big enough to survive the road."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAJye3h0u3l9
256Please respect copyright.PENANAFEr2U2nOPS
Cody adjusted his hat, his expression turning serious. "Just so you know, old man, if it comes down to it, I'll be the one takin' that crystal."
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9mScK3wvBo
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgqN3YiUcev
Jed shot him a wry smile. "Well, we'll see about that, won't we? Hate to break it to ya, but this 'old man' ain't as easy to put down as you might think."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAWX8AZdqDva
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZOcYOLMpih
Cody tipped his hat, calling for his horse. The animal trotted up, and Cody hoisted himself into the saddle, wincing at his still-fresh wounds. "Take care of yourself, Jed. And keep that kid in line. He's lucky to have you, even if you don't believe it."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAd5m1KcqU3v
256Please respect copyright.PENANAu3YuIOtAAe
Jed grunted, watching Cody ride off into the fading light. "Luck ain't got nothin' to do with it," he muttered.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAaYkghebZC
256Please respect copyright.PENANAGP4Sel2Gae
Meanwhile, Jose nursed a drink at the dimly lit bar, his sharp eyes watching from the inside. Everyone in the bar glared at him, but Jose ignored them. His focus was on what he'd just witnessed: the power of the Holy Crystal.
256Please respect copyright.PENANA5LvqjRq9nO
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1QVoNKXS3x
"So," he murmured to himself, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "The crystal gives abilities, huh?" A sly smile crept across his face as he leaned back, letting the shadows of the room conceal his expression. "Guess that means I'll be the one takin' it. One way or another."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAWGLlfVUQkd
256Please respect copyright.PENANAFNbjACZSIn
Jed crouched beside Charlie , his gruff exterior softening as he watched the boy's steady breathing. He adjusted his hat, sighing deeply.
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7VbQpNBbjK
256Please respect copyright.PENANAiuXi23botm
"Well, kid," he muttered, his voice low and reflective, "looks like you and I are still breathin'. Don't ask me how, but we are."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAd38R2JR5pJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAKF6lbvWpw
The night stretched out around them, silent and vast. For a moment, Jed allowed himself to feel the weight of everything they'd been through—the blood, the pain, the losses. Then he shook his head, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjYqT4HTJMh
256Please respect copyright.PENANAh6S8X0zhXV
"Guess we'll see what tomorrow brings, won't we?" he said, his voice barely a whisper.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZdC0n3CFLY
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1uJKcwijCm
The snow fell in thick, relentless sheets, blanketing the Russian countryside in a cold, unyielding silence. The mansion, an imposing structure of dark stone and frosted iron, stood as a testament to power and wealth. Inside, the warmth of flickering firelight battled against the cold draft that seeped through the ancient walls.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAhtfVsV3BRU
256Please respect copyright.PENANASrAaPLR1IY
In the heart of the mansion, a study dominated the eastern wing. The room was vast, its high ceilings adorned with carved wooden beams. Bookshelves lined the walls, crammed with dusty tomes in Russian, German, and Latin. A large oak desk sat near the back, but the real focus of the room was the pair of armchairs by the roaring fireplace. The General occupied one of them, his silhouette imposing as he held the Holy Crystal in his hand, its faint glow casting eerie shadows.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUgAwKBhvB3
256Please respect copyright.PENANA59mUgYUD5A
Jacob, the scarred man, stood just a few steps away from the fireplace, his tall figure outlined by the golden light. The scent of aged leather and smoke hung heavy in the air.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAs5YVZeShqB
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaR2TpyRXU3
"Sir," Jacob said, his voice steady but tinged with reverence. "Thank you for granting me the honor of touching the Holy Crystal. It has...changed me." He flexed his fingers, as if still feeling the lingering power from the artifact. His Russian was fluent, precise, but his tone betrayed a mix of awe and ambition.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAeRzYgazxQW
256Please respect copyright.PENANACY5vsUPL23
The General switched to German, his words deliberate and laced with a faint accent. "Du hast es dir verdient, Jakob. Du bist mein treuester Mann. Ich vertraue dir mehr als allen anderen."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAbCm2OiHYlm
256Please respect copyright.PENANAuUoQ67KhX5
("You have earned it, Jacob. You are my most loyal man. I trust you more than anyone else.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANAIcd2bx7w28
256Please respect copyright.PENANAkcqxKn8bXp
Jacob bowed his head slightly, his scars deepening with the motion. "Danke, Herr General. Ich werde dich nicht enttäuschen."
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9uTYrOm1ls
256Please respect copyright.PENANAF13i7uf1wU
("Thank you, General. I will not disappoint you.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANAsb0vVICdzj
256Please respect copyright.PENANAIeI31fpMeP
The General smiled, though it was more a baring of teeth than an expression of warmth. He leaned back, switching to Russian as he ran his thumb over the smooth surface of the crystal. "Хорошо. Теперь слушай внимательно."
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUp0fywNNxV
256Please respect copyright.PENANA0XGhJyb6hV
("Good. Now listen carefully.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANAnUleDbjI6C
256Please respect copyright.PENANAytO4zXEo1D
The General stood, his tall frame casting a long shadow over the room. He paced to the window, gazing out at the swirling snowstorm as if lost in thought. "I need you to go to Mexico," he said, his voice steady but heavy with command. "Take Paw-law with you."
256Please respect copyright.PENANA55Swc5bHWw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAadzCwvrxm
Jacob nodded, his posture rigid. "Да, товарищ генерал. Мы отправимся немедленно."
256Please respect copyright.PENANArlaGs9Qp23
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVCy0EHboH4
("Yes, Comrade General. We will leave immediately.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANAE7Vhmp80gT
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaYBPIjZWAs
The General turned, his smirk barely visible in the flickering light. "Грядущая эпоха принадлежит России," he declared, his voice rising with fervor.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjMpVw89var
256Please respect copyright.PENANAcP6Qg6TUWy
("The coming era belongs to Russia.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANAiEeH6u5MUc
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXiteNlSlZz
He paused, switching back to German, the shift in language almost seamless. "Und vielleicht auch Deutschland. Es ist schließlich meine Heimat."
256Please respect copyright.PENANA98hkeHMueG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAJJSVVRsEj
("And perhaps Germany as well. It is, after all, my homeland.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANAPzte5FGJAH
256Please respect copyright.PENANAuQ6rXhCYjR
Jacob met his gaze, the fire in his eyes matching the General's intensity. He clenched his fist and shouted in unison with his leader, "Слава России!"
256Please respect copyright.PENANA090lEfJ6ne
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4zQaF8mFmH
("Glory to Russia!")
256Please respect copyright.PENANA5LNHhFs8M7
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9izmHHA47M
The General echoed the cry, louder, fiercer. "Слава России! Und die Welt wird unser sein!"
256Please respect copyright.PENANAFnddvLLuJ1
256Please respect copyright.PENANAJfCD5ggcxe
("Glory to Russia! And the world will be ours!")
256Please respect copyright.PENANAYLIi9Wbezj
256Please respect copyright.PENANAab2odWtDnI
Jacob turned on his heel, his boots echoing sharply against the hardwood floor. As he reached the door, the General called out one last time, his voice softer but no less commanding.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxLbVu3vt4m
256Please respect copyright.PENANAOO08ePMfwd
"Do not fail me, Jacob. Everything depends on this mission."
256Please respect copyright.PENANARnbRyAz9aB
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgZWA2iJYVg
Jacob glanced back, his expression resolute. "Я не подведу вас."
256Please respect copyright.PENANASOyuMEZVa9
256Please respect copyright.PENANAYvXUe7FFP1
("I will not fail you.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANAs79p7gik7M
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4tlPTVFRLM
The door shut behind him with a heavy thud, leaving the General alone in the room. He stood by the window, watching the snow swirl against the darkened glass. A faint, satisfied smirk played on his lips.
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjn0NniLhSE
256Please respect copyright.PENANAsl8NJQU953
"Скоро," he whispered in Russian, his voice almost a hiss. "Россия будет величайшей в истории."
256Please respect copyright.PENANARznEegftoR
256Please respect copyright.PENANAr366msAv3r
("Soon, Russia will be the greatest in history.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANANHWtRMpKCi
256Please respect copyright.PENANAb11yM3MeSm
Then, almost as an afterthought, he murmured in German, "Und Deutschland wird nicht vergessen."
256Please respect copyright.PENANA6SVgk5sRQq
256Please respect copyright.PENANAYtM9LOpICf
("And Germany will not be forgotten.")
256Please respect copyright.PENANApUkRzdgNzP
256Please respect copyright.PENANApaz96QNyu0
The General's hand tightened around the Holy Crystal as he stared into the storm, his vision of conquest reflected in the frost-covered pane.
ns216.73.216.206da2