SOIL "fantasy story to read" ### Chapter 3: The Sharpshooter

With Rika now part of the team, Cesar felt a renewed sense of hope. Their next destination was a remote sky island known for its sharpshooting competitions. Here, they hoped to find Marco, a sharpshooter with unparalleled precision.

The island of Aetheria was a stark contrast to the bustling circuits of Velocity. It was a place of serene beauty, with vast open fields and towering cliffs. The air was crisp and clear, perfect for long-range shooting. Cesar and Rika made their way to the shooting range, where they had heard Marco could be found.

As they approached, they saw a young man standing alone, his focus unwavering as he hit target after target with pinpoint accuracy. Cesar and Rika exchanged a glance, knowing they had found their sharpshooter.

"Marco!" Cesar called out, approaching him.

Marco lowered his rifle, turning to face them. "What do you want?"

"We need your help," Cesar said. "We're on a mission to revive the Earth."

Marco's expression hardened. "Revive the Earth? That's a dangerous mission. Why should I trust you?"

Rika stepped forward. "Because we believe it can be done. And we need people who are willing to fight for a better future."

Marco studied them for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll join you. But I have my own reasons for wanting to revive the Earth."

As they walked away from the shooting range, Marco began to share his story. "My sister and I trained together to become the best sharpshooters. We dreamed of a world where we could use our skills to protect people. But she was killed by a criminal from the Earth's surface. I've been hunting him ever since."

Cesar placed a hand on Marco's shoulder. "We'll help you find justice for your sister, Marco. And together, we'll make the world a better place."

Marco's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but he nodded. "Alright. For my sister, and for a better world."

The next few days were spent training and preparing for their journey. Marco's precision and skill with a rifle were unmatched, and he quickly became an invaluable member of the team. He taught Cesar and Rika how to handle firearms, and they in turn shared their own skills and knowledge with him.

One evening, as they sat around a campfire, Marco opened up about the day his sister was killed. "We were on a mission to capture a dangerous criminal who had escaped to the Earth's surface. We tracked him to an abandoned city, but it was a trap. He ambushed us, and my sister... she didn't make it."

Cesar and Rika listened in silence, their hearts heavy with sorrow. "I'm so sorry, Marco," Rika said softly. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been."

Marco wiped away a tear. "It was the worst day of my life. But I promised myself that I would find him and bring him to justice. And now, with your help, I believe I can."

Cesar nodded. "We'll find him, Marco. And we'll make sure he pays for what he did."

The next morning, they set off to find the next member of their team. As they traveled, they encountered various challenges, from mechanical failures to hostile creatures. But with Marco's sharpshooting skills, Rika's driving expertise, and Cesar's inventions, they overcame each obstacle.

One day, they found themselves in a dense forest on a floating island. The trees were tall and thick, and the air was filled with the sounds of wildlife. As they made their way through the forest, they heard a rustling sound behind them.

"Who's there?" Cesar called out, his hand on his invention.

A figure emerged from the shadows, a young man with a rifle slung over his shoulder. "I'm Marco. What are you doing here?"

Cesar and Rika exchanged a glance. "We're looking for people to join our quest to revive the Earth," Cesar explained. "We could use someone with your skills."

Marco's expression hardened. "Revive the Earth? That's a dangerous mission. Why should I trust you?"

Rika stepped forward. "Because we believe it can be done. And we need people who are willing to fight for a better future."

Marco studied them for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll join you. But I have my own reasons for wanting to revive the Earth."

As they continued their journey, Marco shared his story. "My sister and I trained together to become the best sharpshooters. We dreamed of a world where we could use our skills to protect people. But she was killed by a criminal from the Earth's surface. I've been hunting him ever since."

Cesar placed a hand on Marco's shoulder. "We'll help you find justice for your sister, Marco. And together, we'll make the world a better place."

With Marco now part of the team, they continued their journey, each step bringing them closer to their ultimate goal of reviving the Earth