Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.-Chapter 536: Out of the mist.

The first survivors to come out of the mist were spat out the white fog like as if they were being shot from a canon. It took them a few seconds to figure out that they were not in the mist anymore.

Tensions remained high as they waited for their leaders and the rest of the missing to return as well. Many eyes focused on the mist, a mixture of hope and terror. More than a few were holding back from heading back inside to start a search.

The moment the last survivors emerged from the swirling, jagged curtain of the mist in a vehicle, everyone could finally breathe. Helmets were lowered, hugs were given, sorrow escaped from the pits of some throats and corners of a few eyes.

The air in Ferry Island felt like a breath of fresh air_ even if it did taste like gunpowder, blood and charred wood. The pending dusk looked beautiful against the faint grey sky. It’s overly bright golden rays almost seemed to be welcoming them home, if one ignored the uncomfortable heat.

Word of their return made waves, whispers of awe followed.

"They have come out alive and unharmed!"

"My God. how is that possible!"

"They are really alive!"

"Where are the people from Fortress four?"

Vicente lay a still body of one of his men on the ground. "Well not all of us made it back."

Victoria didn’t wait for an explanation. She sprinted across the hot ashy ground, her long dress torn at the hem. Eagerly, she threw herself at Vicente and planted a massive, dramatic smooch right on his lips." My love, I thought that bitch killed you." She said, not caring that Vicente was still covered in the soot of battle and blood that was not his. He looked a bit stunned and relieved himself, holding her tight.

He grunted, because she threw herself at him really hard. And then, he raised his body slowly, arms firmly wrapped around Victoria’s waist. "In the mist, I cannot be killed. Have you forgotten this?"

She scoffed. "Is that a deal you made with the mist? You talk as if it is your mother or father."

He chuckled.

"And what is this I hear about grilled children?" She tugged on his ear really hard. "I swear to God V, if it is true what the rumors are saying."

Vicente winced. "I just survived death V. Can we talk about this later? I am still trying to wrap my head around everything that has happened today. I saw that Kingsbridge lord walking in the mist, upside down. Like a ghost. I almost peed my pants for a second."

Victoria laughed.

Not everyone was joining the party, though. Lucas stood near a burnt-out vehicle; his face twisted in a scowl. He cursed under his breath, kicking a piece of shrapnel. His golden dream of Vicente falling in battle_ and himself rising as the new leader of Ferry Island_ was officially going down the drain. Their comfortable lives and privacy would no longer be a given right after today. Vicente would make sure of this.

On the other side of the clearing, Hadrian_ a man who usually treated a handshake like an extreme emotional burden_ didn’t hesitate. He rushed toward Sunshine and pulled her into a bone-crushing embrace. "I really thought the mist got you, I was not sure these pills actually work. The boys, your husband and bear would have starved me to death if I did not return their favorite person to them. It is great to have you back." he muttered into her shoulder, his voice thick with uncharacteristic emotion.

Sunshine patted the back of his suit, laughing softly. "It’ll take more than some moody mist and a woman that bends spoons to finish me off, Hadrian."

He pulled back, his eyes frantically scanning the survivors behind her. His face fell as he noticed some of their squad members were missing. "The rest of them, Nimo..."

Sunshine, sensing his panic, reached out with her mind. They’re okay, Hadrian. They’re safe, trust me, I cannot say much."

He gave he a skeptical nod. "If you say so."

"They’re fine," she said aloud, giving him a reassuring nod. "I have them. Now, where are the kids?"

Hadrian stepped aside, pointing toward a small group huddling near a transport vehicle waiting for orders to set off. There were eighteen of them in total, their faces smudged with dirt but their eyes wide with wonder at the soldiers and superhumans in exo suits that save them.

"Eighteen," Hadrian said, his shoulders sagging. "We checked every house, every hole. These were the only ones. There’s no telling how many died in Emily’s initial strike."

Sunshine walked over and knelt in the dirt, despite her aching joints. She looked at the small, trembling faces and then back at Hadrian. "You did a great job, Hadrian. Their parents will be so happy to see them. That is something."

She started handing out juice boxes and candies to the kids, assuring them that they were safe. One little girl, who did not look older than two was napping in Father Nicodemus’ arms, covered partially by his wings.

Sunshine raised her eyebrows curiously. No two-year-olds had gone missing in Westbrook.

"Her parents died in the first strike. I will raise her and the rest of the orphans in the church." He cleared his throat. "Will that be an issue?"

Sunshine shook her head. "Everyone is welcome in the house of the lord. Talk to Ariel, he will provide whatever you need in terms of supplies. Rori Quinn will help you hire the right care takers."

Father Nicodemus laughed. He knew she did not mean her words. Not everyone was welcome, in her books.

"Where is Mrs. Krotchner?" She asked. Then she repeated the question, over a megaphone.

It took a minute of confusion and Vicente found her. "I slit Mrs. Krotchner’s throat and I will find the rest of her surviving accomplices and deliver the same justice."

Sunshine growled. "You short sighted poisonous ass!" She turned around and called for Poncho. She needed to know if they had got all the information out of Mrs. Krotchner. "Where is Dominic?"

He was their mind reader or searcher. Perhaps, luck was on their side, and he got to the woman before Vicente’s blade.

Meanwhile, Lucas let out a shaky breath and quickly stepped forward to reach Vicente. Seeing his chance to crawl back into Vicente’s high graces, he leaned closer, pointing a finger at the Fortress Four team. "Vicente! There is something that I have come to learn!" He whispered, for only Vicente to hear. "I just got word from my people. Fortress Four isn’t just helping us_ they’re plotting! They’ve already moved into Kings Bridge and are taking the whole territory!

I think we have been played by them. And they are not just moving into Kingsbridge; their superhumans are making themselves comfortable in our town. If we don’t stop them now, I am afraid we will meet the same fate as Lord Emily. And by we, I mean you."

Vicente’s eyes narrowed.

Luca’s mouth rose slightly, in a sly smile. The more he stirred the pot; the more chaos would follow. If all worked out well, Vicente and Sunshine would kill each other and then he would take the entire town.

How great would that be?