There were four people of different ages and ethnicities chained inside the van, their eyes wide with shock at the strange presence of that wooden woman, who broke down the rear doors of the vehicle with her bare hands.
Their wrists and ankles were chained to the iron seats, while a technological collar flashed blue lights around their necks, almost like an electric collar.
A man of about 50 leaned forward, analyzing those outside the van. His eyes were as narrow and dark as Kai's, his black hair streaked with gray was a little too long, and a rough unshaven beard covered much of his sour face. The combination of his square glasses with blurred lenses and his crumpled gray prisoner's pajamas gave him an air of slovenliness, despite the fact that he was the oldest among them.
When he opened his mouth to speak, a clumsy threat interrupted him:
— You there! Stay where you are or I'll shoot! — The driver of the van, who had been thrown away, was standing a few meters away. The fall had injured him, as evidenced by the bloody wound on his head and the difficulty he had in moving, but it wasn't enough to kill him. — Put your hands where I can see them and don't try anything funny!
Sete turned her attention to the wounded agent, a look of irritation hanging over her delicate face. The soldier shuddered, his finger on the trigger of the pistol.
She didn't make any sudden movements, just grabbed a small leaf from the nearby pumpkin vines, discreetly twirling it between her index and middle finger. Within seconds, she infused the vegetable with her greenish power, transforming it into a tough, sharp blade. Her wooden form receded, giving way to pale skin and brown hair as the young deity ran out of energy.
The driver didn't even realize what had hit him, as he immediately fell to the ground with a green object stuck in his throat.
— Ethan, please check the other soldiers. — Sete asked, standing up thanks to Bianca's support. — Rest assured that they won't bother us anymore.
The pale boy nodded in agreement, setting off at a brisk pace to touch the agents and ensure their eternal rest.
— Thank you, I think… — The man finally whispered, his voice failing because of his dry throat. — Can you take these off us and maybe give us some explanation as to what the hell just happened? — He pointed to the reinforced handcuffs with his head, fiddling uneasily with the metal collar around his neck.
Sete agreed with a short nod, tasking Thomas with explaining the whole situation, including who she is and why she's here.
Halfway through the boy's speech, the deity had already regained a small amount of her strength, which allowed her to disentangle herself from Bianca and climb into the back of the van on her own. The four prisoners exclaimed in surprise as she pulled the chains out of place as if they were made of grass, carefully breaking the older man's handcuffs and then that sinister necklace.
The process was repeated three more times. The next to be freed from his chains and collar was a muscular, tanned young man with spiky red hair and fierce amber eyes. He looked about 20 or 21 and nodded a mute thanks to Sete, still looking a little suspicious. The next moment, the young man stretched out his calloused hand and helped the older man to his feet, stepping out of the van to free up space.
Ethan returned from his task as soon as they were out of the vehicle, and joined Thomas in the explanations. Bianca remained quiet, but was ready to help if necessary.
The third to be freed from the handcuffs was a girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes, who looked about the same age as the red-haired boy. She was a little pale and her lips were chapped, but she smiled weakly at the young deity as the necklace fell to the floor of the van with a metallic clang.
And finally, Sete crouched down in front of the remaining little prisoner. The girl recoiled, insecurity stamped on her moist caramel irises. She must have been around 6 or 7 years old, her dark brown skin contrasted against her gray pajamas and her braided brown hair fell over her narrow shoulders.
— Hey, what do you say we have a delicious meal after all this? — Sete asked softly, with a gentle smile as she broke the chains that bound the child. A real gentle smile. — Bianca will certainly do a great job, she prepares incredible food...
The young deity chattered as she carefully tore the necklace from the girl's neck, surprising the quartet who were used to her simple and violent behavior.
Once free, the little girl ran into the blonde girl's arms, burying herself there. Sete approached again, found a chamomile seed and made it bloom next to the child's head with an elegant flick of her wrist, giving her the impression that she had pulled the plant out of her ear. The little girl's eyes widened at the magic trick and she smiled when the white flower was placed over her ear, adorning her braided hair.
— What's your name? — The young deity asked. — My name is Sete.