Things had gotten chaotic, with more beasts joining the fray. Abby, already exhausted from the countless clash, pushed herself to the limit, saving as many as she could. The hard ground was already dyed red from the blood of the fallen.
This was a stark reminder of what the world had changed. The peaceful life they had in the city was just a mirage. With the way things were going, it won't be long before the middle zone also got attacked and destroyed just like the outer zone.
These were just tier 2 beasts, and the new recruits were finding it hard to defeat, each falling to the claws of the beast. Screams everywhere, blood splashing over the area, weapons and magical spells clashing onto the hideous beasts.
They held on, fighting, holding onto their already damaged mental health. All for the sake for survival.
"Reinforcements have arrived! We are saved," one shouted, hearing the galloping horse from afar.
Darius and his men broke through the beasts, killing them easily. Within minutes, the battle had ceased with the dead bodies of beasts, and humans littered across the ground.
"Take only the survivors and head back to the gate!" He ordered. "I'll contine onwards," With that, he kicked his horse heading across the plain.
The wounded were getting patched up and placed on the horses left. "Alright! We head back to the border," one of the soldiers shouted.
"Alex! Where's Alex?! We can't leave Alex!" Zoe shouted, struggling to get off the horse, Abby held onto her, "I'm sorry, but we have to go." She said and, with a kick of her horse, followed after the departing soldiers.
"I guess this is for the best," Abby thought, sending a wave of mana towards her, knocking her out.
~~~~
Back at the academy, the battle was finally coming to an end. The old man at the gate walked back to the city, helping those in need.
The battle was won with losses on their side, and the staff and the guards had put in their best protecting the academy from damage.
At another area, a fierce clash was still going on. Chaotic lightning and wind surged round, destroying buildings across the area.
"Ha! I told you! You are no match for me!" Fen voice echoed over the area. Before him, Behar, with his magic dying down, finally fell on his knees. His body was covered in bruises with his right hand missing.
Fen wasn't unscathed, though. He had a large searing gash at the side of his face running down to his neck. He also broke some ribs with his robe soaked in blood.
Behar spat out blood and looked at Fen with devious eyes."You can kill me, but the Crimson Fang will continue to g-"
A wind blade had passed through his neck effortlessly, causing a thin line of blood to form before the head slowly dropped to the ground.
"That does it," Fen said, walking towards him. Searching his robe and body, he found a sealed scroll, his storage ring, and other items that he collected.
"Seems you picked a tough one, huh?" Garvin said, coming from the side of a building. His armour was covered in blood with a deep cut on his arm.
Fen released a weak smile and then patted his shoulders before walking away.
"Hold on! Where are you headed?" Garvin asked, walking towards him.
"To the border, I heard some of them are back," he said, letting out a tired sigh and, with a shrug of his shoulders, continued forward.
"Alright, I'm going to get myself patched up," Garvin said, earning a thumbs up from Fen.
Sigh.
~~~
In a grand hall with a large throne, a report was being made. "The four elders were able to protect the academy from the Crimson Fang with little losses."
The same young man with dark red hair and red eyes sat on the throne with his legs crossed. At his right side stood a young guy with dark brown hair and emerald eyes.
"Hmmm, quite expected of them," the guy said after the report had been read out. "Is there any news about the students?" He asked, tapping his manicured fingers on the side of his throne.
"The students, we haven't gotten reports about the students, but Elder Darius took some high-ranking staff to the border."
"You can leave now," he said, lifting his leg off the other before standing up. He walked towards the door situated behind the throne, his robe with shimmering crystals reflecting beams of light across the room.
"C'mon, Zain, what are you waiting for. I think it's time I see the king," he said, walking out of the room and into a large narrow hall.
~~~~
At the border, Darius had successfully gone through the five centre carrying more survivors along with him. Currently, they were at a large building filled with the remaining students.
"Out of the five hundred students, two hundred have been deemed dead, leaving only three hundred survivors." Abby stated, standing before Darius.
"Two hundred casualties? That was quite high," he thought with a sigh. "I told them this was a bad idea, but they didn't listen."
"Transport the rest back to the academy. The survivors from the centres will be provided a place to stay," he said before leaving.
Abby wasted no time in preparing the appropriate means in transporting the students back. Those wounded were placed in a large cargo to be transported back. "I think everything is set now," she thought, and with that, they set out on their journey back to the academy. The students, all with a gloomy expression, still recuperating from the hellish experience.
Within the centre plain, a figure stood holding his stomach with his head on the ground.
"It's good you didn't follow them. It would have led to more deaths. Now, listen to me, those who died here. it's all on you. You are the cause of their deaths!"
Sam struggled to breathe, feeling pains in his throat. His eyes were getting watery, with his heart beating fast.
"The rules were stated clearly before joining with their specific punishment. Also, you were well aware that once you join, you can't leave until death."
"Yet, you... you broke not only the rule but also stole from us, now how do I punish you for that." A man with dark spiky hair wearing a dark robe said with a devilish smirk etched on his face.
"Your punishment will serve as an example to the rest not to mess with the Crimson Fang!"