When the battle was over, bodies of guards were all over the place. Zane's group had suffered significant losses; the Blood Warriors, despite their efforts to shield themselves from the barrage of arrows, had fallen in considerable numbers.
Zane was beyond exhausted, he was standing in the dead bodies of soldiers on the ground. He was covered with blood and sweat.
To replenish his energy, Zane retrieved two stamina potions from his storage and quickly consumed them. He then tossed two more to Cecilia, aware of her need for revitalization as well.
Looking back at his storage, he felt a sting of pain. The fierce battle had consumed the majority of his reserves. He had only a meager collection of health and stamina potions left.
'It appears that we won't be able to engage in any more heavy battles like this one anytime soon,' he contemplated.
'Another battle of this magnitude would be suicidal.'
Suddenly, Cecilia approached him with a stern expression. "Zane, I have some bad news."
Zane looked up to her eyes, "I would guess it is something related to that shitty wall?"
"Yes. The Swordsman I fought revealed that Ascendant Ezio is back. Or perhaps, he never left the castle. He's guarding the runes."
Cecilia continued, "Gerax group must have been annihilated. Otherwise, the Runes should have been removed long time ago."
Cecilia's words cast a heavy shadow over the group, causing the atmosphere to darken. Even the high-ranking Blood Warriors couldn't conceal their anxiety, their faces paling. Panic seemed to spread like wildfire, fueled by the dire implications of Cecilia's revelation.
Cecilia never broke her stare with Zane. Meanwhile, when Zane heard it, he can't help but be dispirited.
'Any Ascendant would easily crush thousands of Blood Warriors with their eyes closed. The rebellion would just end right there and then.'
Yet, in the midst of this disheartening realization, an idea sparked in Zane's mind.
"That is right, if an Ascendant is back this rebellion is pretty much over. We don't stand a chance."
His words resonated through the group, causing weapons to drop and a sense of desolation to pervade. Some pondered giving up, while others contemplated the possibility of ending their lives, seeing no future beyond a failed rebellion.
Zane looked at everyone and raised his voice, "What I am saying is that, if Ascendant Ezio is really back. Then, we have been crushed long time ago. None of us would be standing here."
He continued, "So look at the skies, the flame is still raging and you can still hear the commotion from the city. It means that there is still havoc going around the city."
Soon, Cecilia picked up what Zane was saying. She said, "You are saying that although he is back, he can't come out of his castle?"
Zane looked at her, "Yes, I believe that he might be stuck for a reason."
"OR, he is wounded," he stared deeply at Cecilia.
Goz, one of the high level Blood Warriors understood the situation.
"So, you're suggesting that you want us to engage an Ascendant? You know, that even if that is the case, even if he lost his arms and legs, he is still an Ascendant. We'd be sacrificing ourselves in vain!"
Barret the Spearman, asked "Do you have a plan?"
When others heard their conversation, they came to listen.
Zane seeing that everyone is getting their hopes us had no choice but share his thoughts, "Yes, I plan to bring a group to the Castle and deal with him. Most of us will distract him, while, one will go find the rune and destroy it."
Sadly, people doubted his plan. It doesn't matter if it is a group or an army. They will decimated.
Barret looked at Zane, "So you mean us high level Blood Warriors right?"
"Yes." Zane replied sternly.
Some protested, "ARE YOU CRAZY! It will be suicide! How many of us can survive this?"
Zane did not hesitate with his response,"I believe many of us will die. You might not be able to come back alive."
Others got rilled up with Zanes remarks.
Goz who was listening, raised his voice and slammed his new found axe on the ground "LISTEN EVERYONE! I believe everyone here doesn't want to die. However, this is the only choice that we have!"
"You can stay here and be like a coward. But if those group who faces Ascendant Ezio are annihilated, then, it doesn't matter what you do because I guarantee you that YOU will die one way or another."
"When you fight, your life is in your hands. Staying here, you are waiting for destiny to come claim you. But don't forget that destiny has been already a real shit to us."
Goz's words ignited a fiery determination within the Blood Warriors, riling them with a sense of purpose.
Meanwhile, Zane, on the other hand, was not paying attention to what Goz was proclaiming. Instead, he was focused on his inventory. His main plan was for him and Cecilia to sneak into the castle.
However, if there are others joining them, it would make finding a way to distract the Ascendant much easier. His overall chance of surviving would be significantly higher.
...
Zane shared the remaining items he didn't need with the group and explained the final battle plan. Soon, without any delay, the high-level members of the group started moving towards the Northern Central area where the Castle was located.
...