He could only guess the worst after hearing the different sound of footsteps. It was heavier, amidst being quiet on stepping. It was an uncanny description. However, when Caelus heard their footsteps, heavy was the first description he thought.
It's like every step they did put weight over the wind…
If they really are Dragon Riders, then it's the worst case scenario. Haah… It's still fine… they don't have their Dragons right now. Most probably, they're just trying to catch up to some human strugglers. Caelus tried to calm himself.
From Sanctuary's information, humans had almost lost between the war of Dragon Riders and Humans. It wasn't even a war.
It was a one-sided massacre.
From their area alone, more than half of the population was lost. He didn't know about the country, continent or the whole world, but knowing that they greatly lost means that Dragon Riders are too strong for them. Not to add the fact that they were too unprepared.
Dragons versus Humans without any of their guns? It was funny to think that there's hope of winning.
"P-please… save me!"
"Let me go! Please!"
"Just kill me!"
"Don't you know who I am?!"
Those words echoed in the desolate place.
Caelus' breathing came to a halt while he was coming up to a conclusion. He didn't want to think of it, but the relentless screams of agony, pain and anger didn't let him rest.
"Please, just my children, have pity on them! They're only four and two years old!"
"M-mama…"
Crying children and infants could also be heard.
"This kid is not mine, but please, let her go!"
Caelus closed his eyes as his lips formed a thin line.
He was aware of what was happening. After winning and trumpling over the human race, the Dragon Riders decided to rule over them.
They didn't need humans because they are a weak race. But they have use of their own.
They captured those that they could and would turn them into a work force when they reached their camps. Outside Shelters, which were the camps across the unstable world, or even inside shelters, which was also known as Shelter Zones.
For Dragon Riders who were a race of tamers, there was a use for humans.
It was to slave them away. Just like how they slaved Dragons.
Any human captured would be submitted to Mana Transfer as long as they live or build things that could aid the Dragon Riders.
And those who defied would be ruthlessly killed.
They didn't care about ages, as they would even capture kids. They would extract Mana until humans became useless.
*Cruel…*
It was the world that could describe the Dragon Riders. They were called that because of their cruelty towards the Dragons. Even the Dragons feared Dragon Riders, thus, letting the latter ride the former.
He couldn't really put all the blame on the race as he has little details regarding them.
However, what he knew was they were born together with Dragons. And thinking about it, if Humans and Dragons were together… he didn't doubt that the Human race would try their best to top the Dragons.
It was a simple instinct.
And according to what he heard from Sanctuary, it seemed normal for the Dragon Riders to slave anything they see.
They probably didn't expect humans to be too fragile. With the breath of Dragons, they would just die.
For Caelus, they were the scariest type of enemy. Those who think what they do is just a normal thing.
If he would be honest, he wanted to communicate with Dragon Riders.
But if he wanted to communicate with them, he needed strength.
They don't even listen to Dragons because they are too strong, what more for him who had no strength.
It wouldn't be weird if they decided to kill him instead of listening to his "diplomatic" talks.
The screams continued waking him up from his thoughts.
Caelus couldn't keep himself distracted anymore.
He slowly and carefully followed the voice while carefully hiding in the ruins.
Soon enough, he saw the group of Dragon Riders with dozens of humans with them. There were no shackles that he expected Dragon Riders would put on people they would enslave. It was as if they were confident that even if one tried to run away, they would still catch or kill that person. It felt they were taunting them to run away so they would make an example of them.
Twenty-one. He felt pain when he counted the captured humans. Most of them were female, elderly and children. All of their faces showed fear, distress and helplessness. Even their clothes were ragged. It looked like they had not changed clothes for a long time. However, each and everyone of the twenty-one still had a strong will to survive.
He could only guess what happened to them. They were separated from the groups because they were holding off something.
Just like what his previous group did.
This group encountered misfortune.
He quickly eyed everyone, trying to see if he knew anyone. Half-wishing they were from his previous group. Of course, he knew no one of them.
*Too many kids… I have no chance of rescuing them…*
"Rescue only if you know you can do it. Heroism with the intention to die is nothing but stupidity. It's not even being brave. You should know when to save someone or let them go. It's not your fault if you can't save them. You can't save everyone." As if to guide him, he heard Alpha's voice with his last word of advice.
He stopped. His eyes on the group that was walking away from him. Their cries, begging and hatred was submitted to him. But Alpha's voice kept on nagging to him.
He was stuck in place, not sure what he should do.
He badly wanted to try and save them. But he knew that failure would result in his death. And that's not the end of it. If he tried to rescue them and was able to do so, he would face the wrath and assault of strong Dragon Riders. He is far too weak to fight them off. He wouldn't even be surprised if he was killed in one-hit.
He turned around, facing away the group of scared humans.
He accepted that he was far too weak. He knew he couldn't save them.
This is the point that he has to accept that he needs to give up some to save more.
With bitterness in him, he walked away from them.