Ben helped arm those that didn't have proper weapons with some of the guns that none of you were using. Even Harpy was made to give up some of hers, but it was generally agreed upon that she didn’t really need them.

The deeper you got into the city, the more the hordes seemed to thin out. And you quickly found out why when you saw Young practically vaporizing a group of undead with a powerful pulse of her own Ki!

Man, that Bloodstone was really putting in some work…

The way she fought was entirely different from before. Gone was her sense of calm and tranquility. Her whole body radiated with malice and hatred. You sense it in her Ki. You've never seen her this angry before…

Everyone was stunned by what they saw, but you were the first one to take a step forward. Your grandmother turned on you with blood red eyes, and for a moment, you were afraid that she might forget herself and-

Young took a shuddering breath and blinked several times to clear her vision.

“Cindy! You brought backup.” she said with a sigh, some of the tension leaving her shoulders as she did. “Good.”

Shaggy trotted up behind you, staring up at his master.

“I see that you’re in good health.” he observed.

“I wish I could say the same for you, you old mutt.” she said, leaning down to pat his head. “Thank you for keeping her safe.”

“Of course. She might be giving me orders someday, so I figured I’d try and get on her good side.”

She smiled at him and straightened her back, returning her attention to you.

“I swear, her grandma gets sexier every time I see her.” Deadhead whispered, earning him an elbow from Ben and Louise. “What? I'm not wrong.”

You decided to ignore that in favor of hugging your grandmother.

“Do you feel okay?” you asked cautiously.

“I should be asking you that.” she said, carefully avoiding the question. “You have done well in assembling this many. Our medical tent was overrun, and we were forced to flee deeper into the city.”

You glanced past her to see a group of civilians hiding inside of a barricaded building.

“But, more importantly,” she went on. “I believe I have located Simon Garth. He is still in the city.”

“I knew it!” Deadhead shouted. “I should've killed that rat bastard when I still had the chance!”

Ed the Ware-Rat turned to stare at him, and the two shared a look.

“Not you! The other one, that's missing half a fucking face!”

“Must you shout?” Louise asked irritably, covering both her ears.

“He is right.” Ana offered. “He is too dangerous to be left alive.”

“Normally, I would agree.” Young added. “But I do not believe that he is entirely at fault.”

Everyone gave her a confused look, you included.

“Cindy, do you remember that amulet he wore to the summit?” she asked.

(Cont.)