At the moment, the unsettling tension still hung in the air like a heavy fog as the city guards began inspecting on the people at the construction site.
On the other hand, Kroos turned toward Arthur and Eamon, his eyes widening as he spoke in an urgent whisper, "My lord, follow me, dwarf!"
Arthur nodded his head, then he immediately grabbed Eamon's sleeve and lifted him on his shoulder as he ran following Kroos from behind.
~Bang!
"Stop right there!" the senior-looking guard saw their movements and started shooting at them.
`They have guns?` Arthur's eyes widened as he realized that the city guards were armed with weapons that resembled pistols, a technology far more advanced than what he had anticipated.
Firearms were categorized as an Advance-Grade weapon, the power was powerful enough that even the standard Firearms could one-shoot a person with Blue-tier strength in the vital point.
~Bang, Bang, Bang
The sound of bullets whizzing past them. Arthur's mind raced, his every instinct telling him to keep moving.
Fortunately, Kroos quickly found a nearby alley, then with a swift motion, he pivoted on his heel and darted towards the alley. Arthur and Eamon followed suit, their instincts kicking in as they pushed their bodies to their limits.
The city streets blurred as they sprinted, the thud of their footsteps in sync with the frantic rhythm of their hearts. The cobblestone pavement seemed to rush beneath them, and the buildings loomed like fleeting shadows on either side.
~Bang, Bang
The sound of bullets whizzing past them again as one of the guards saw them enter the alley.
"They're here!" one of the guards quickly alerted the other guards to Arthur's location.
The urgency of their escape was punctuated by the sharp cracks of gunfire.
Kroos' familiarity with the city's layout was shown as he expertly maneuvered his way through the labyrinthine streets.
As they turned a corner, the narrow alleyway seemed to stretch out ahead of them. Kroos's guidance was crucial as he led them through a series of zigzags and sudden turns, outwitting their pursuers with every twist and turn.
~Bang, Clang, Clang
~Crash, Crash
The clang of metal echoed as they deftly navigated over crates, barrels, and other debris in their path.
Kroos' familiarity with the city's layout was their guiding light, his instincts leading them through shortcuts and hidden pathways. The adrenaline coursing through their veins only heightened their senses, allowing them to react quickly to any obstacles that crossed their path.
The city guards were relentless, their footsteps echoing ominously behind them. With every step, the distance between pursuers and pursued seemed to shrink, and the trio's breaths became shallower as they pushed their body to keep up.
~Bang, Bang
Their heart raced as they heard the resounding echo of gunshots.
"Agh!"
Eamon's voice rang out as few bullets narrowly missed his shoulder and head. Kroos's voice joined the chorus, guiding them through the alley. "This way! Keep moving!"
~Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap
Their breaths came in ragged gasps, the intensity of the chase demanding every ounce of their energy. With the guards closing in, Kroos made a split-second decision, veering sharply into an alleyway that was narrower than the rest.
The city guards had momentarily lost sight of them, the confusion of the narrow alleys working to their advantage. Arthur's mind raced as he tried to process the events that had just unfolded. The pursuit had been intense, their lives hanging in the balance as they raced through the city's hidden pathways.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trio found themselves in a secluded alley. Their pursuers had fallen silent, their presence fading into the distance. Kroos leaned against a wall, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. Arthur and Eamon exchanged a glance, their expressions a mixture of relief and gratitude.
Kroos straightened, his breathing gradually steadying. "I think we've managed to lose them for now, dwarf."
Arthur's lungs burned as he nodded, grateful for the respite. "Good job, Kroos, you saved us back there."
Eamon who was still in Arthur's shoulder gazed at Kroos, his own breaths still rapid. "Agreed. You just saved our skins."
Kroos grinned, his expression a mix of relief and proud. "I've spent quite a bit of time drawing the infrastructure of this city with my master, dwarf. So I'm familiar with the layout of the city."
As they caught their breath, Arthur's mind drifted back to Thoren and the situation that had led to their flight. Then, he turned to Kroos once more."We need to find Thoren. Take us to his house. I need to know what's happening."
Kroos nodded, his features growing more serious. "Okay. Let's make our way to my master's house. It's not far from here."
As they left the concealed alleyway, their senses remained heightened, and they tried their hardest not to be discovered by the city guards and walk towards.
However, the trio's steps grew heavier as they neared Thoren's house, a growing unease settling in their chests as they saw the flickering orange glow of flames in the distance.
The acrid scent of smoke stung their nostrils, and the crackling of burning timber echoed in the air. Dread coiled within them, a sinking feeling that something unspeakable had occurred.
Most of the civilians had already been evacuated by the city guards, making the area look abandoned with no one to be seen around..
~Crackk, Crackkk
As they came closer, the scene that unfolded before them was a nightmare. Thoren's house was now a smoldering ruin.
The flames leaped hungrily, consuming what remained of the walls and roof, casting eerie shadows that danced across the devastation.
"What just happened in here?"
Arthur's throat tightened, and he exchanged a heavy glance with Eamon and Kroos. The severity of the situation was palpable, the air heavy with grief and sorrow.
The sight of the burning house was heart-wrenching, but what lay before them as they approached was even more harrowing.
Amidst the charred ruins and fallen beams, the figure of Thoren knelt in solemn mourning. His disheveled appearance and grief-stricken expression told a story of loss and despair. But it was his missing left hand and right foot that brought a sharp pang of empathy to Arthur's chest.
The sight of several city guards' bodies sprawled on the ground near the house sent a shiver down Arthur's spine. A devastating violence had transpired here, the clash between these city guards and Thoren. The conflict had resulted in irreplaceable loss.
"Master!"
As they approached Thoren, the grieving man's mournful cries seemed to pierce the night, echoing the anguish that he felt deep within. The weight of his loss hung heavily in the air, the once lively laughter of his children and the warmth of his wife's embrace now silenced forever.
`Oh lord, what've I done` The sight was heart-wrenching, and Arthur's chest tightened with a mixture of sorrow and guilt.
He couldn't help but remember the smiles on the Thoren children's faces when they spent time with their father in the city park earlier.
He also couldn't help but remember the happiness in Thoren's wife's eyes when she welcomed them as guests into their home.
As Arthur met Thoren's tear-filled eyes, he could feel the wave of emotion surge within him. Though he felt guilty for being the cause of this upheaval, he wanted to make things right. He took a tentative step forward, his voice soft but filled with genuine empathy.
"Mister Thoren... I'm so sorry."
Thoren's gaze shifted from the ashes to Arthur, his eyes a mixture of pain and confusion. "You... Why you came back?"
Arthur nodded, "We came back, to find out what happened here..."
Thoren's grief-stricken expression shifted to one of disbelief, his voice trembled as he spoke, his words punctuated by raw pain.
"It... It was the emissary from Frost Moon City," Thoren began, his voice cracking with grief. "When I leave the Lord Manor... They immediately branded me as a traitor to the city. The guards came... They accused me of treason, set my home ablaze, and... and my family..."
The gravity of Thoren's words weighed heavily on the trio, the silence that followed filled with an unspoken understanding of the brutality that had been wrought upon him.
Thoren's tear-filled eyes spoke of a loss beyond measure, a pain that no words could adequately convey.
As Arthur processed the horrors that had unfolded, a sense of anger but calm surged within him.
Thoren's voice wavered as he continued. "Y... You must leave now. Find the hidden passage beneath the house's basement, it will lead you all the way out of this city. The guards, they're after me... after us. You must leave, quickly."
And as if a bittersweet final farewell, Thoren's gaze turned to Kroos. A fragile smile graced his lips, a semblance of pride and warmth despite the sorrow that shrouded him. "Kroos... You've chosen your path. I'm proud of you, my disciple. Serve your new lord with all your heart."
Kroos's eyes glistened with a mixture of sadness and determination. He nodded, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "I will, Master Thoren. I promise."
Arthur's attention returned to Thoren, his voice tender as he sought to offer comfort in the midst of tragedy. "What about you, Thoren?"
Thoren's smile, though fragile, held a flicker of resilience. His breaths were labored, his strength waning, yet his spirit remained unbroken. "If you can... please avenge my family. Destroy Trosty City... and Moon Frost City."
~ding
[Legendary-Grade Mission has been triggered]