User blog:Baluar/God Eater: Fall of the Heavens, chapter 13: Shadow

Again, hope there's no chapter with this name.

As they strode across the deserted alleys of what was previously a bustling city, Baluar began to whistle. The happy tone contrasted with the dead corpses in the streets, the destruction the buildings were subjected to. After a few minutes, Lina was utterly annoyed.

-Couldn't you keep silent? - She asked. - We're trying to be sneaky, remember?

-Aragami will come to us if we are more obvious. Otherwise, they could sneak up on us just as we are trying to sneak up on them. - He answered.

They went on to be silent another while. Since walking in silence wasn't his idea of... well, working, Baluar tried to bring up conversation subjects.

-So, how did you kill the Ouroboros? It's a rather impressive feat.

-I just... did what I had to. Otherwise, I doubt any of the Branch would have survived.

-That doesn't answer my question.

-I don't know, ok? I just fought there, and won. Is there a reason for you to ask, anyway?

-Woah, woah, calm down. I just wanted to know. I am a curious man. - Baluar said. After saying that, he rised his head up.

-Well, you can stick your curiou...

-WATCH OUT! - Baluar's scream interrupted Lina while he threw her a good three meters away. A second later, a small shot hit right where they were standing, causing an explosion that threw him away, unharmed but caught off guard. - Well, that was a blast. - Lina thought that was probably the worst pun she had ever heard, but simply stood up and helped him to do the same.

-Why do that? Throw me around like that?

-What, you don't enjoy that I took you out of the explosion's range? - He asked back. - I'm only protecting valuable assets. Since I know I'm durable enough to withstand all but the strongest attacks, I threw you out of the way, since I don't think you're that much above average. A good enough explanation for you? - She simply nodded. - Great. Now, could you tell me what do you think shoot us?

-It's probably what we call a "Shadow". Black floating beings, like your Sariels, but skeletal in structure and with a resistant hide. I never saw them firing from a so long distance, and besides, their bullets normally don't explode.

-Aragami don't organize themselves and invade Branches. I think an abnormal Aragami is the least of our concerns. - Baluar answered. - Just don't tell me it's invulnerable to Blade attacks.

Lina's gaze said it all.

-Damn.

<--- Previous chapter