Realm Lord-Chapter 177: Time to Leave

The morning air was crisp and filled with the scent of diesel and metal as Aziel and Arthur approached the front gate of the massive wall that surrounded Port Nova. Their footsteps echoed against the concrete pathway, each step bringing them closer to the next phase of their journey. The imposing barrier that had protected them during their brief stay now loomed overhead, its reinforced steel and concrete construction serving as a stark reminder of the dangerous world that lay beyond its protective embrace.

Cara had instructed them to meet at this location the day before, and as they drew closer to the designated meeting point, they could see two familiar figures waiting for them near the gate. The sight that greeted them, however, was far more impressive than either of them had anticipated.

There, positioned strategically in front of the gate, stood Cara and Myah leaning casually against what could only be described as the most intimidating vehicle either Arthur or Aziel had ever laid eyes on. The machine before them was clearly some form of armored SUV, but calling it simply an SUV would be like calling a dragon a large lizard – technically accurate but woefully inadequate.

Arthur and Aziel stared at the vehicle wide-eyed as they closed the remaining distance, their pace unconsciously slowing as they took in the incredible sight before them. Aziel’s excitement was practically radiating from him in waves, his entire body language shifting as his enthusiasm reached new heights.

"That thing is... fucking awesome!" Aziel exclaimed, his voice carrying a note of reverence that was typically reserved for sacred artifacts or legendary weapons.

They both continued to stare at the SUV in amazement, their minds struggling to process what they were seeing. The vehicle was unlike anything they had encountered even in their wildest imaginations. It was a large, black SUV-shaped machine, but that’s where any comparison to civilian vehicles ended abruptly.

Every surface of the vehicle was covered with thick armored plating that gleamed dully in the morning light. The armor wasn’t just functional – it was artistic in its design, with lines of fluorescent blue energy pulsing through intricate channels carved into the metal. The glow seemed to follow specific patterns, creating an almost hypnotic display that suggested the vehicle was powered by far more than conventional fuel.

Most impressive of all was the mounted gun turret positioned on the roof, its barrel thick and menacing as it pointed toward the sky. The weapon looked capable of taking down aircraft, much less any ground-based threats they might encounter on their journey.

As they got closer and managed to drag their attention away from the vehicle long enough to acknowledge Myah and Cara, Arthur couldn’t help but voice the question that was burning in his mind.

"This is one sweet rig they’re letting us take," he said, his voice filled with genuine amazement. "Seriously, Cara, what kind of pull do you have?"

Cara’s response was a light smirk that played across her features before she chuckled, cleverly avoiding the question. The deflection was smooth, but Arthur caught the hint of something deeper in her expression – secrets and connections that ran far deeper than she was willing to reveal.

"Yeah, it’s pretty great," she said, her tone casual despite the obvious pride in her voice. "Almost 800 horsepower and seats up to 8 people with an abnormal amount of room for storage. These armor plates could tank a missile or two, and the gas tank holds an absurd amount of fuel. On top of all of that, it has a remote-controlled turret up top, can shoot missiles out the front, and can do a handful of other nifty tricks." freeweɓnovel~cѳm

She paused, letting the specifications sink in before continuing with a more serious tone. "These things are far and few between when it comes to production, so we’re beyond lucky to have access to one."

Arthur and Aziel took their time walking around the vehicle, their amazement and awe-struck gazes taking in every detail of the incredible machine. The craftsmanship was evident in every rivet and weld, the attention to detail suggesting that this wasn’t just military hardware – it was military artwork, designed by people who understood that form and function could coexist beautifully.

The armor plating was seamless in some places, overlapping in others to provide maximum protection while maintaining the vehicle’s aerodynamic profile. The fluorescent lines weren’t just decorative – Arthur could see that they followed the contours of what appeared to be an advanced energy distribution system, possibly related to the vehicle’s defensive capabilities.

"I’ll repeat it one more time," Aziel said, lightning lightly sparkling around his hands in response to his excitement. "This thing is fucking awesome!"

Cara laughed at his enthusiasm, the sound warm and genuine. "I’m glad you like it because we’re gonna be spending a lot of time here for the foreseeable future."

Aziel chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head awkwardly as the full implication of her words sank in. The reality of their situation was beginning to set in – this impressive vehicle wasn’t just transportation, it was going to be their home, their fortress, and their lifeline for the duration of their time on the road.

Suddenly, Myah’s voice cut through the moment like a blade, frustration and attitude lacing every word with venom as she spoke. "Can we go now? I’m bored and want to get moving."

Her tone was sharp and impatient, carrying the weight of someone who had been waiting far longer than she cared to. The contrast between her irritation and the others’ enthusiasm was stark, she obviously still wasn’t too happy about Aziel and Arthur getting added to the team which upset Arthur but there was nothing he could do about it quite yet.

Cara looked at her for a moment, her expression unreadable as she processed Myah’s complaint. Then she smiled and looked back toward Arthur and Aziel, her leadership instincts taking over. "She’s right. Put all your stuff in the back and get in so we can head out."

Arthur and Aziel nodded in unison, their movements becoming more purposeful as they shifted from admiration to action. They gathered their gear and began loading it into the vehicle’s spacious cargo area, which was indeed larger than what the exterior dimensions would suggest. The interior design was as impressive as the exterior, with custom storage solutions and organizational systems that maximized every available inch of space.

Once their belongings were secured, they climbed into the van-esque back section of the vehicle. The interior was surprisingly comfortable, with bench-style seating that could accommodate multiple passengers while still providing adequate space for movement. Arthur and Aziel settled into their seats across from Myah, who had already sprawled across her bench-like seat in an obvious attempt to claim as much space as possible for a nap.

Cara took her position in the front driver’s seat, her movements confident and familiar as she prepared to operate the complex vehicle. The dashboard before her was a marvel of technology, with multiple screens, control panels, and interface systems that looked more appropriate for a spacecraft than a ground vehicle.

As she got ready to begin driving, she turned to address the passengers in the back. "I’m the only one who was trained to drive this vehicle, so we’ll stop at night to make camp each night. In about 2 days, we’ll reach Fort Breton, which is on the way to Fort Stan. We’ll refuel and resupply there before driving another 3 days to Fort Stan."

She paused, her expression growing more serious as she continued. "If everything goes as planned, we’ll be in Fort Stan in just under a week."

Aziel, ever perceptive despite his enthusiasm, noticed the odd tone in her voice as she spoke the last part. His eyebrow arched upward in curiosity. "What was with that tone?"

Before Cara could respond, Myah’s voice drifted up from her prone position, her eyes still closed as she spoke with the weary wisdom of someone who had spent far too much time in District 3.

"Nothing ever goes as planned in District 3," she said, her words carrying the weight of hard-earned experience. "That’s kind of the whole problem. It’s impossible to make plans around creatures as sporadic as void creatures. They have no pattern, no way to guess their next move. So to be honest, I’d say we would be lucky to reach Fort Stan in under 2 weeks, much less one."

Her words hung in the air like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over the excitement and anticipation that had been building. They weren’t just going on a road trip through dangerous territory. They were embarking on a journey through a war zone where the rules of engagement were constantly shifting, where the enemy was unpredictable, and where even the best-laid plans could be shattered in an instant.

Arthur felt a chill run down his spine as the full implications of their mission began to crystallize in his mind. The armored vehicle suddenly felt less like an impressive display of technology and more like a necessary tool for survival. Fort Stan wasn’t just their destination – it was their goal, and reaching it alive was going to require every advantage they could get.

The engine rumbled to life beneath them, a powerful sound that seemed to shake the very ground. As they prepared to leave the safety of Port Nova behind, Arthur couldn’t help but wonder what challenges awaited them in the unpredictable wasteland of District 3.

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