Chương 13: White hat squad

At the forefront of this imposing party was a striking woman. Her muscular form was draped in a daring leather bikini and thigh-high boots, exuding an air of confidence and strength. A longbow was slung comfortably at her side, a silent testament to her formidable archery skills.

Riding beside her was a man with slicked-back black hair and a slender build. He donned a sleeveless leather coat adorned with silver throwing knives, their presence hinting at his proficiency in the art of blades. Vials filled with fluorescent liquids dangled from his horse's saddle, mysterious concoctions ready for use.

A towering figure followed, a half-naked behemoth with a pelt of body hair. He perched on an enormous horse, a colossal silver warhammer slung casually over his shoulder. The warhammer's gruesome visage resembled that of a vampire's skull, stained with blood, flesh, and hair from his countless battles.

Another enigmatic figure wore a black leather mask that concealed his face entirely, save for his eyes. He carried a sniper rifle of extraordinary length, its sleek design and intricate motifs marking it as a weapon of precision and craftsmanship.

Next came a man with striking white hair and glasses, his crooked teeth forming an unsettling smile as he surveyed the cadets. His horse bore an array of metal contraptions, their purpose seeming more akin to torture devices than traditional weaponry.

Finally, at the head of this formidable group, rode a man who exuded an air of authority and superiority. His posture was that of a victorious general, his good-looking face unmarred by scars or blemishes. His long, wavy brown hair cascaded like a noble's, further accentuating his regal appearance.

Unlike his comrades, his tricorne hat bore a unique distinction—a row of long, white fangs decorated it, giving it a crown-like design. He wore a white leather coat, slightly torn at the edges by claw marks, revealing glimpses of a chainmail beneath. Armor adorned his limbs, hinting at a readiness for battle. In his grasp, he held a meticulously crafted silver longsword.

The horses, carrying twin chests on each side, spoke of their long journey and the purpose of their visit to the academy.

Garf extended a welcoming gesture to the party. "Oh, Jacob, welcome home. And greetings to the other esteemed members of the white hat squad," he declared, acknowledging their arrival with a sense of familiarity and respect.

Jacob, the leader of the white hat squad, gracefully dismounted his horse. In a mere instant, his demeanor shifted from a commanding leader to a warm and amiable presence.

He greeted Garf, one of the academy's masters, with a genuine smile.

"Good to see you, Master Garf. What a fine group of cadets we have this year," he remarked, his eyes twinkling with friendliness. He extended his warm regard to the gathered children, his charismatic charm shining through.

Among the cadets, Bran's face contorted with anger, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. The arrival of Jacob and his squad had stirred strong emotions within him.

"For all your hard work, I've brought a small gift for everyone." Jacob snapped his fingers, summoning Kled, the headsman with glasses, to his side.

Kled, with a hint of apprehension in his voice, whispered to Jacob, "My Lord, are you sure about this? Wouldn't it be wiser to give it to the council?"

Jacob responded with a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with a hint of cunning. "It's a small price to gain favor from the masses. And when they're on your side..." He left the rest of the sentence hanging, the implication clear.

Kled nodded in understanding, his own smile matching Jacob's. He approached one of the chests and opened it wide. Inside, the container was filled to the brim with individually wrapped chocolate bonbons.

"Please, everyone, take one," Jacob encouraged, his voice laced with an eerie sweetness that was as captivating as it was unsettling. The young cadets stood frozen, unable to believe their eyes.

Bran, his anger simmering beneath the surface, took a hesitant step forward. However, it was one of Bran's companions, a boy named Dab who had joined him in bullying Tod earlier, who suddenly burst forth from the crowd.

"You're a murderer! You let my whole village burn!" Dab's accusation was loud and piercing as he pointed an accusing finger at Jacob.

The atmosphere grew tense. "How dare you?" Kled moved to intervene, but Jacob raised a hand to stop him. His calm demeanor belied the tension in the air.

Dab continued, his voice trembling with anger and grief, "If you hadn't chased that vampire and instead helped the people in our village, my...my family..."

We are taken back in time. In the midst of the night, a small village was consumed by the hungry flames of chaos. The air was filled with the acrid scent of smoke, and the night sky was painted an eerie orange by the raging inferno. Panic had gripped the villagers as they ran frantically in all directions, their cries of despair piercing the darkness.

Amidst the chaos, Dab with desperation etched onto his face, sprinted towards a burning house. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel the intense heat as he approached. Fear gnawed at him as he peered through a window.

Inside, a heart-wrenching scene unfolded before his eyes. His little sister was trapped in the middle of the room, flames dancing menacingly around her.

She cried out in terror, her voice a haunting contrast to the consuming fire.

Dab turned away, his gaze now focused on a distant figure. The white hat squad, led by Jacob, was making their way through the village.

Their purpose was clear - to hunt down the vampire responsible for this nightmarish ordeal.

"Where did it go?" Jacob demanded, his voice firm and unwavering.

One of his squad members, equipped with a sniper rifle, peered through the scope. "He's a couple of kilometers to the north, escaping at high speed."

The villagers, their faces etched with desperation and fear, implored the squad for help. However, the white hat squad seemed impervious to their pleas, driven solely by their mission.

"We won't let it escape," Jacob declared decisively. "Follow me!"

Dab, his heart heavy with dread and despair, approached Jacob sitting on his horse, and clung to his leg. "Mister, please, my sister—"

But before Dab could finish his plea, Jacob responded with a heartless act. He forcefully kicked Dab away, sending the young boy tumbling to the ground.

The white hat squad rode out, leaving the villagers to their own in the fiery chaos.

Dab raced back to his house. The walls of the once-familiar structure seemed to mock him, engulfed in the fiery rage that had descended upon the village. Fear gripped his heart, but a deep, unwavering love for his sister propelled him forward.

Without hesitation, Dab shattered a window, his hand bursting through the jagged shards of glass. "Come on, sister, grab my hand!" he pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation.

His arm extended into the blazing inferno, the searing heat radiating through his trembling fingers.

Inside the fiery abyss, his sister's cries of fear and pain filled the air. Tears streamed down her face as she choked on the smoke, her tiny frame engulfed by the merciless flames. "I can't! I'm scared!" she sobbed, her voice barely audible amidst the crackling of the fire.

Dab's heart ached as he witnessed his sister's torment, his own helplessness consuming him. The skin on his outstretched arm blackened, blistering, and began to peel off.

Yet, he remained resolute, driven by an unshakable determination to save her. "Please, sister, trust me," he implored through gritted teeth, his voice a desperate plea over the roaring blaze. "I will save you, I promise."

Summoning every ounce of strength he possessed, his sister managed to rise from the fiery hell surrounding her. Coughing and choking, she bravely took faltering steps toward her brother's outstretched hand. Her tiny form, adorned in flames, appeared like an ethereal figure amidst the inferno.

But just as hope flickered to life within Dab's heart, a terrible rumble shook the burning house. His sister's eyes widened with terror as she gazed upwards, her voice lost in a scream that was drowned out by the collapsing structure.

Beams and rubble rained down upon her, and the flames intensified, a cruel fate sealing her doom.

Dab's cried of anguish pierced the night, his desperate attempts to reach deeper into the inferno futile. His hand, now severely burned and blistered.

Several villagers, led by Bran, rushed forward, their faces etched with sorrow and determination.

With all their strength, they pulled Dab away from the crumbling house, their hands firmly gripping his trembling body. The village around them continued to burn, consumed by the merciless fire.