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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANA0X89UzHEPA
260Please respect copyright.PENANARpLQH48yhX
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAnns091FnUe
260Please respect copyright.PENANAobSjbI5TSA
"You ready to meet your maker, George?" Jed growled, his voice gravelly, with the faintest twinge of bitter humor.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAyMoUPLHiOE
260Please respect copyright.PENANAWqd2KFi3gN
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?"
260Please respect copyright.PENANAT5FtTHtLsQ
260Please respect copyright.PENANAFqQK4o1xNT
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANATzbcrPLoy6
260Please respect copyright.PENANAIszE6KwL6f
George's smirk grew, his tone almost sympathetic. "Justice. What a quaint little word for what we're doing here."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAhV0cgafXlN
260Please respect copyright.PENANA4CNuLMwkTc
The countdown in their minds was deafening.
260Please respect copyright.PENANA0HbAu6wcTu
260Please respect copyright.PENANApD2FcHwkWs
Three.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAXTqqeKjH5F
260Please respect copyright.PENANAiK1E1SoiQU
Two.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAvH3PfNZONB
260Please respect copyright.PENANAzLuCt5bNJh
One.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAm7axlXqZvX
260Please respect copyright.PENANA4ajU8U5hWF
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANA3almFTmRy6
260Please respect copyright.PENANAb8c8KHuLRp
Jed moved forward, revolver trained on George. "Looks like you lost, boy."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAptOni61ksG
260Please respect copyright.PENANAQO725ywf5Z
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANA2nFdm480iE
260Please respect copyright.PENANAumKHglw3ir
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAp1jfkC6DVj
260Please respect copyright.PENANAiQTLuNQhWI
"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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAk9EOkNTUJs
260Please respect copyright.PENANAtLK44NMM7E
"You playin' dirty now, George," Jed spat, glaring at the man.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAq1CMsAo3Rz
260Please respect copyright.PENANAMmhLlPa9RX
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAfWtCLM0UUd
260Please respect copyright.PENANABnBduTkU4O
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAhaWkg0OtXZ
260Please respect copyright.PENANAJZuoqQP0ql
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAZDM2HvE4Tw
260Please respect copyright.PENANAI2JiJpw47l
Jed coughed, his voice weak but dripping with venom. "You said you wouldn't use your damn bugs. You lied."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAdLZk1STe1U
260Please respect copyright.PENANAh4C0nSlvBt
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAdJSIbmBM2A
260Please respect copyright.PENANAOKu9V2SriS
He raised his gun, aiming at Jed's head.
260Please respect copyright.PENANA5IXA331fZM
260Please respect copyright.PENANAq5vSnWOdFE
"Goodbye, Jed."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAorHaiE5Fd7
260Please respect copyright.PENANA922PGBfSY6
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAvwcxASueAd
260Please respect copyright.PENANAlN52yPBKXk
"George… you're under arrest," Cody said, his voice heavy with exhaustion and pain.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAjSmUMCcUg5
260Please respect copyright.PENANAnnx5Ie3ews
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAe6Sy3HxdTR
260Please respect copyright.PENANA1lgeRQXu7h
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANADqL2TrgIxm
260Please respect copyright.PENANALqgCresbm8
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAg2zzqqxDGZ
260Please respect copyright.PENANAVzZSDccrli
"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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANApQQJ7wPcmT
260Please respect copyright.PENANAyoqA0FpQYI
Jed shook his head, his voice weary but firm. "Not for me. But my nephew… he might need it."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAjgMnQHFec9
260Please respect copyright.PENANAz5RMTmuL6p
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAu3B1p83ov0
260Please respect copyright.PENANAmvmfyJANUF
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?"
260Please respect copyright.PENANAKpP7TTywHN
260Please respect copyright.PENANA0DVH6b9vsI
Cody smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, old man. Name's Sheriff Cody. Coos Bay's finest."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAEwBLOjAP2V
260Please respect copyright.PENANAKQhwNkb7cN
Jed's lips curled into a grimace as he muttered under his breath, "Coos Bay. Well, hell. Ain't that just my luck?"
260Please respect copyright.PENANAecaSsnzixt
260Please respect copyright.PENANAXpjN9TbI02
Cody raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
260Please respect copyright.PENANAteI12W5fJi
260Please respect copyright.PENANAi4I67dFLbo
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAcG9vB4fMba
260Please respect copyright.PENANAOAOnqrAZF1
Cody hesitated, staring at the glowing crystal. "You sure about this? We don't even know what it'll do to him."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAKe53G3MtSm
260Please respect copyright.PENANA4oYFhOxPJ6
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAOGb4T5ayYY
260Please respect copyright.PENANA5EqKtMaXhc
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAtnvHeZ34wv
260Please respect copyright.PENANAY4e4PF6tZu
"What the hell does it say?" Cody asked, his voice uneasy.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAJ29TpLjgZA
260Please respect copyright.PENANAb23Zo432G4
Jed shook his head. "Damned if I know. Guess he'll figure it out when he wakes up. If he wakes up."
260Please respect copyright.PENANArfHpe8qkRK
260Please respect copyright.PENANAmomncZeKyi
Cody leaned back, rubbing his neck. "Well, I'll leave that mess to you. I've got my own path to walk."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAio1HDHh8cK
260Please respect copyright.PENANAa3O6ZywFVN
Jed looked up, squinting. "And where's that? Thought you were plannin' to play nursemaid to this one."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAHQFI4fsidr
260Please respect copyright.PENANAZIV8KJgq1W
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAd2ndF3FItZ
260Please respect copyright.PENANAnDl9Nt9u0e
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANA28wQZ0FMOC
260Please respect copyright.PENANAQGllx3uqjK
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANATC7DnLqRHo
260Please respect copyright.PENANAC64ZyH3ADa
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANA8OS6hoT3SP
260Please respect copyright.PENANAATmG3Nn6nf
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAzIOsqiHLnn
260Please respect copyright.PENANAAsoh56H9Xv
Jed grunted, watching Cody ride off into the fading light. "Luck ain't got nothin' to do with it," he muttered.
260Please respect copyright.PENANA1mubizDynX
260Please respect copyright.PENANARQi6yMzJ3W
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAsyoWWOClb4
260Please respect copyright.PENANA9eJinL01ko
"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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAuQGAJqs8Cp
260Please respect copyright.PENANA9VFcrKHG5m
Jed crouched beside Charlie , his gruff exterior softening as he watched the boy's steady breathing. He adjusted his hat, sighing deeply.
260Please respect copyright.PENANA4jbMjBs9W6
260Please respect copyright.PENANAnYyNjcGd6p
"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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAlHaApcyUX8
260Please respect copyright.PENANA5gumOC4doY
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAwougdQa9IS
260Please respect copyright.PENANALHED6amw9s
"Guess we'll see what tomorrow brings, won't we?" he said, his voice barely a whisper.
260Please respect copyright.PENANA96xTVUPRYn
260Please respect copyright.PENANAKA0MfjSeAP
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAeF3rnHbFdP
260Please respect copyright.PENANAZeBWaWlaPk
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAEFSJLX9mr8
260Please respect copyright.PENANAFESeTDxTPA
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANA0jUxNgf8BA
260Please respect copyright.PENANA79SPnCzc6g
"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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAam1dOhp5qZ
260Please respect copyright.PENANAKPRe9WNVKD
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANA5p44KD3al4
260Please respect copyright.PENANAaQEHdF7vsl
("You have earned it, Jacob. You are my most loyal man. I trust you more than anyone else.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANA0axReirvHm
260Please respect copyright.PENANAuWvUBxXOL4
Jacob bowed his head slightly, his scars deepening with the motion. "Danke, Herr General. Ich werde dich nicht enttäuschen."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAs7HnvDIZg2
260Please respect copyright.PENANA6u4UwWUPpf
("Thank you, General. I will not disappoint you.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAUru6Ra0StK
260Please respect copyright.PENANASoq75KjvDi
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAKvq1f86pOx
260Please respect copyright.PENANAsdqaCcDEIh
("Good. Now listen carefully.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAn4E4wTlpoY
260Please respect copyright.PENANAKEehAUE7vf
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."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAjAj4eMklT2
260Please respect copyright.PENANAHXyEyfjgHQ
Jacob nodded, his posture rigid. "Да, товарищ генерал. Мы отправимся немедленно."
260Please respect copyright.PENANA5IQwXvidDi
260Please respect copyright.PENANAn1JTFmGRQB
("Yes, Comrade General. We will leave immediately.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAgJ455H7FDy
260Please respect copyright.PENANAihg7ywz9Ud
The General turned, his smirk barely visible in the flickering light. "Грядущая эпоха принадлежит России," he declared, his voice rising with fervor.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAAn1W2zTo8I
260Please respect copyright.PENANAtIyxEuB5wm
("The coming era belongs to Russia.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAEvfDvBM3id
260Please respect copyright.PENANADzYx0dNItw
He paused, switching back to German, the shift in language almost seamless. "Und vielleicht auch Deutschland. Es ist schließlich meine Heimat."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4u9fMt0Lz
260Please respect copyright.PENANAMPotxrhFCs
("And perhaps Germany as well. It is, after all, my homeland.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAsTvXHcNqGH
260Please respect copyright.PENANAyTs4iAQQSc
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!"
260Please respect copyright.PENANAdbSBGRhIwi
260Please respect copyright.PENANA2j2DLfnUnp
("Glory to Russia!")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAbSnGk76VPR
260Please respect copyright.PENANAaykU76kdzL
The General echoed the cry, louder, fiercer. "Слава России! Und die Welt wird unser sein!"
260Please respect copyright.PENANAk3GaeAHja9
260Please respect copyright.PENANAiCaE2BP7ed
("Glory to Russia! And the world will be ours!")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAHGDJNKd4H8
260Please respect copyright.PENANA31lHZyaXtn
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAazCak1ac3L
260Please respect copyright.PENANAXQNl02rQcE
"Do not fail me, Jacob. Everything depends on this mission."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAKrzOfcAOyf
260Please respect copyright.PENANAntZlhlospo
Jacob glanced back, his expression resolute. "Я не подведу вас."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAyWLYjg71yC
260Please respect copyright.PENANApk0tJUDPyO
("I will not fail you.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAY6cVA5T9U0
260Please respect copyright.PENANAqC8gTgSOWL
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.
260Please respect copyright.PENANAOFSBbu3eoy
260Please respect copyright.PENANAYexlLzWhnQ
"Скоро," he whispered in Russian, his voice almost a hiss. "Россия будет величайшей в истории."
260Please respect copyright.PENANApH6RdfOwgI
260Please respect copyright.PENANAqBC9mTQvAj
("Soon, Russia will be the greatest in history.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAzHoqvT2GPW
260Please respect copyright.PENANA7VEdvMW7og
Then, almost as an afterthought, he murmured in German, "Und Deutschland wird nicht vergessen."
260Please respect copyright.PENANAeISQ982g7w
260Please respect copyright.PENANAAJuAomwlBD
("And Germany will not be forgotten.")
260Please respect copyright.PENANAXVFqnObPHi
260Please respect copyright.PENANABq94H5nypn
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