The next morning was strangely bright, as if the sun had finally decided to observe what was happening, or even laugh a little at what remained of this shattered continent.
Franco woke up to a strange sound—like... an explosion?
He opened his eyes in alarm to find Marco standing over him holding a shattered frying pan.
Marco (with a wicked smile):
"Good morning, Sleepy Warrior! I'm ten minutes late for training, and this frying pan is allergic to being late."
Franco (stretching tiredly):
"Is this some kind of torture? Or do you just like noise?"
Savio (from a distance):
"Both."
They led him to a small backyard, built in the middle of the ruins. Wooden targets and simple devices were set up there, made from the remains of old machinery, some of which looked like they would explode just by looking at them.
Marco:
"Listen, Franco... none of us are superheroes, but we know how to make a fight out of nothing. Today, we'll start with three drills: hand-to-hand combat, marksmanship, and escaping a...simple death trap."
Franco (confused):
"Did you say 'simple death trap'? Is that even an official name?"
Luca Ferri (cleaning his gun):
"Yes, because it's simple... it only kills you in eight different ways."
Lucchini (carefully putting his plant aside):
"Don't worry, I'll water mine while you watch you die."
Rocco:
"If you survive today, you're one of us. If you don't... you were a nice guest."
Colombo (pull up his goggles):
"Ready? Let's begin."
---
Scene 1: Hand-to-Hand Combat
Franco stood in front of Savio, who was the size of a Stone Age refrigerator.
Marco:
"Rule number one: Don't expect to win, just try to survive."
Franco (trying to joke):
"And there's health insurance in this gang?"
Savio:
"I'm the insurance... and I'm the disaster."
Savio pounced on him with a speed Franco didn't expect, sending him flying through the air and crashing onto a pile of broken pillows.
Marco:
"Very nice! We'll try again after Franco finds his spine."
---
Scene 2: Shooting
Franco is placed in front of a moving target, holding an old pistol that looks like it's complaining about its age.
Luca Ferri:
"Pull the trigger gently, as if to whisper, 'I love you.'"
Franco (focusing):
"I think I'd better apologize to him first."
Franco fires the bullet... and it ricochets back, almost hitting Luchini.
Luchini (hugging his plant):
"The little one almost got hurt! You're the enemy of agriculture now!"
---
Scene 3: A Simple Death Trap
Franco enters a small room, the door closes behind him.
Colombo (on microphone):
"You have 30 seconds to get out... without touching the ground."
Franco:
"...What?!"
The floor gradually opens, and Franco begins jumping over barrels, pipes, and... Savio, who's sitting down to eat a sandwich?
Franco:
"Are you part of the trap?!"
Savio (with his mouth full):
"I'm the trap itself."
Franco jumps over his head and rushes to the last wall. He hits a random button, a small opening opens, and out comes... Marco, clapping.
Marco:
"It worked. Or at least... it didn't die."
---
End of the Day
Everyone sits by a small fire.
Marco (in a calm voice):
"You have something, Franco... not strength, but will. And that's what we have most to lose on this continent."
Franco (looking at the fire):
"I'll learn. Not because I'm a hero, but because I have nothing else to lose."
Rocco:
"Nice. But next time... try not to shoot your colleagues."
Lucini (singing to his plant):
"We're a crazy family, but we're a family."
---
End of Act Four
In the midst of the destruction, amidst the flames and the frenzied training... a bond began to form. A bond of fighters of a different kind.
With each passing day, Franco got one step closer to revenge... and to uncovering the secrets of Zacrota.