PH1RE'S P.O.V
The sound of wind swept past my ears as I felt myself being held in someone's arms. I slowly opened my eyes, groaning due to the dull ache in my head. I felt more exhausted than before, but my attention was quickly diverted by the fact that I was being carried by the headmistress, who was currently sprinting atop the trees.
"Um... Headmistress?" I called out, my voice barely audible over the rushing wind.
She glanced down at me, her expression a mix of relief and urgency. "Oh! You're finally awake," she said softly, before unceremoniously tossing me to a nearby tree branch.
I grabbed onto the branch for dear life, my heart racing from the sudden drop. Before I could gather my thoughts, several pointed metal rods descended towards our location. The headmistress extended her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, sparks flew. The sparks formed into a whip that she swung around herself, the crackling energy cutting the rods into pieces with ease.
"Loid!" she shouted as I clung to the tree, trying to process what was happening.
"Yes, ma'am?" I responded automatically, my voice shaky.
"You were given a sedative. Luckily, I was able to charge your nerves to wake you up, but it won't last forever. Run! They probably still think I have to carry you, so get away while you can," she commanded, not giving me a moment to argue. She leapt into the air, darting off in the opposite direction, drawing the attackers away from me.
I hesitated for a split second before instinct kicked in, and I scrambled down the tree, running as fast as my legs would carry me. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, trying to piece together what was going on. Why was the orphanage under attack? And who would want to kidnap me?
As I broke through the edge of the forest, I came to an abrupt stop. The orphanage was in flames in the distance, a massive plume of smoke rising into the night sky. My heart sank as I realized the full extent of the chaos. But what shocked me even more was the sight of the Sisters engaged in combat against beastkin. And they were winning.
The Sisters, who always seemed to be unable to harm a fly, were now engaged in mortal conflict, slinging spells around. While a few appeared to be sprawled on the ground the number of enemy forces that littered the ground surpassed the Sisters' casualties by a significant margin.
I made my way to exit the forest but then heard a loud roar coming from within, followed by the shaking of the earth. The ground trembled violently, making it hard to stand, and then, it stopped.
!BOOM!
Immediately after, the forest became ground zero for an explosion or eruption. Trees behind me were sent flying in my direction, and it was a genuine surprise that I didn't get flattened. Taking advantage of the chaos, I sprinted toward the orphanage. As I ran, I glanced back and saw a massive, clawed hand—gray and red—emerge from the earth.
The sounds of shifting earth didn't stop as the hand gripped the ground, using it as leverage to pull the rest of its body out. I watched in horror as its head finally broke through the surface. It looked hideous, with multiple eyes scattered across its face, its body a grotesque amalgamation of earth and flesh, with wings that were as tattered as they were massive.
I immediately realized it was a gargoyle, but the requirements to create one are too harsh, which would mean those who did it had a lot of resources.
[ALERT!] [ALERT!]
—00:10:00—
As if the current situation wasn't bad enough, my eyes were assaulted by warnings about the timer. I was snapped out of my stupor when I heard a crash like the sound of thunder, and suddenly, the headmistress appeared in front of me, breathing heavily.
"Headmistress, are you all right?" asked one of the Sisters running to her aid.
"I'm fine," she responded, gritting her teeth as she pulled an arrowhead from her shoulder. It didn't take long for the wound to heal.
"Loid! Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes scanning me for injuries. I nodded, still in shock.
Our attention was drawn to the former forest, where not only the twenty-meter gargoyle was advancing but also over fifty men were marching in formation.
"Things look dire," she said, walking toward the approaching enemy.
It didn't take long for what appeared to be their leader to reach the front. He had brown hair from which curved horns sprouted, and yellow eyes that scanned the area until they finally landed on me. He spent a considerable amount of time gazing at me, then looked away with a sigh.
"Is there anything I can help you with? I told you I don't feel like fighting" asked the headmistress the sound of the gargoyle's footsteps in the distance drowning out her voice.
"The boy you took from me. I would like him back. As long as we have him, we'll leave you all alone," answered the man nonchalantly.
My mind raced. Why would they want to kidnap me? What could they possibly want?
"If I can recall said 'boy' was under my care until you and your men kidnapped him. I'd say we're even" she replied with killing intent masked with a smile.
"Well, then you're leaving me no choice" he sighed.
"Are you sure about this, you're sacrificing the life of all these men. For what"
"Orders are orders"
'Orders, that means he's a soldier? What does the Cerphurian Military want from me"
"So this is a military operation, I still don't get it though, you clearly knew this wasn't a regular orphanage, are you're saying all this is for one child?"
'What does she mean this isn't a regular orphanage?'
"Orders are—"
"Orders. By the gods, you're boring," she exclaimed as she got into a stance.
"WELL! SISTERS, WILL YOU ABANDON A CHILD?"
"NO!" they shouted in unison.
"WILL YOU TURN AWAY FROM INJUSTICE?"
"NO!"
"TO END A LIFE..."
"IS TO SAVE ANOTHER!" they screamed.
The air was thick with tension as the two forces stood ready for battle. The headmistress stepped forward and the others followed.
"Then let's save some lives," she whispered extending her hands forward two whips materializing from sparks of electricity.
"Run, find sister Claire and the others." said one of the sisters before joining the others.
I stood there for a split second then, without fully understanding why, I turned and ran in the opposite direction.
Why are they doing this? Why am I doing this? I'm going to die in a few minutes anyway, their risking their lives for someone whose going to die. So, why? Why am I running away?
—————————————————
I searched through the previously burnt buildings, and after what felt like an eternity, I finally found Sister Claire and the others huddled in a small clearing.
"Loid! You're alive!" cried Elly running to give me a hug.
"Yeah!" I responded before I was enveloped in another hug.
"You don't seem like the hugging type" I remarked.
"Let me have this" Maya said, holding on tightly.
"I thought you were a goner," she admitted.
"Loid!" Sister Claire exclaimed as she walked up to me. "Good, you're here. We need to go, now!" she said as she calmed down.
"This way," she directed, leading us down a set of stairs.
We descended into a cold, dimly lit passageway, the sounds of the battle above fading as we went deeper underground. The air grew colder, the damp stone walls pressing in on us as we hurried forward.
Finally, we reached the bottom of the stairs and found ourselves in a large room with a door.
"Quickly, enter. Wait for me on the other side."
The younger kids were ushered in first, their small figures disappearing into the darkness.
"Elly! Don't you want to follow?" I asked, but she shook her head.
I was about to persuade her when the sound of footsteps and clanking armor reached my ears. I turned just in time to see a group of soldiers reach the bottom of the stairs.
"Would you look at that? Not only did they go through the trouble of gathering our target, but they also brought all these children into one place," said one of the soldiers with a revolting grin.
"You... how did you find this place?" exclaimed Sister Claire.
"We followed him," he said, pointing to me.
'I should've known. It would be stupid to put all their efforts into one place and let the target escape.'
"That's not important anymore, you should be more worried about how yourself" he said throwing a spear in her direction my heart rate going up.
She raised her hands, and a protective barrier shimmered around her. The spear clanged against the barrier, but it held strong. I let out a sigh of relief but then became anxious when I couldn't feel Elly's hand anymore.
Looking to my side, I saw Elly in tears, a soldier holding her with a sword pressed against her neck. The blade pricked her skin, causing a trickle of blood to flow down.
"Elly!" I shouted, but the soldier tightened his grip, warning me to stay back. I looked around the room and saw the same fear reflected in everyone's eyes.
"Here's how this is going to work," said their leader, walking forward and picking up his spear.
"You're going to drop that barrier, and I'm going to run you through with this spear. Or, her blood is going to decorate the floor!" he continued, pointing toward Elly.
—00:1:00—
I clenched my fists in anger, but I forced myself to stay calm.
—00:00:47—
Sister Claire stared at the man with unreadable emotion before letting down the barrier. She opened her arms, ready to accept her fate, causing the man to break out into another revolting grin
'This is my fault'
—00:00:30—
"Nice doing business with you," the soldier sneered, thrusting his spear forward.
[Fireball]
A fireball collided with the soldier and sending him crashing to the ground. My eyes widened in shock as I realized what I had just done, my heart wanted to burst out of my chest and my skin didn't want to be part of my body anymore.
I reeled back, dizziness overtaking me as my vision blurred. I doubled over and vomited, the contents of my stomach splattering onto the ground.
But my sudden action had created the distraction needed. Sister Claire moved quickly, landing a powerful punch squarely on the soldier's jaw, knocking him out cold.
Gideon, seeing the opportunity, grabbed a rock and bashed it against the back of the head of the soldier holding Elly. The man released her, and Gideon quickly took her and ran toward the door.
"Everyone, run!" Sister Claire shouted.
Gideon managed to get Elly through the door, followed closely by the older kids.
—00:00:10—
Wiping my mouth, I scrambled to my feet and ran toward the door.
—00:00:09—
"Don't let them escape!" one of the soldiers bellowed.
—00:00:08—
I sprinted forward, but as I took my first step, I suddenly couldn't move.
—00:00:07—
"LOID!" screamed Maya.
—00:00:06—
I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I looked down to see a spear protruding from my torso, the metal slick with my blood.
—00:00:05—
My vision blurred as I collapsed to the ground, the world around me fading into darkness.
—00:00:04—
It burns, it hurts. It hurts so much, please make it stop.
—00:00:03—
Please!
—00:00:02—
Someone!
—00:00:01—
Anyone!
—00:0—[ERROR!] [ERROR!]
[Daily requirement has been transferred]
""Huh!" I gasped, my previously heavy eyes snapping open.
"Loid!" Sister Claire's voice was distant, almost drowned out by the sound of my own heartbeat. She knelt beside me, her hands glowing with a familiar healing light.
"You almost killed the target, you idiot!" I heard one of the soldiers shout in the background, but that didn't matter.
As soon as I regained enough strength, I clutched my chest, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"Loid, are you okay? Loid!" asked Maya shaking me.
"What did you do?" I whispered, looking at Sister Claire. She didn't answer.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.
Placing a hand on her chest, Sister Claire laughed awkwardly. "So, this is what you were hiding. I'll admit, it's worse than I expected. And here I was thinking I'd be taking only your injuries. Well, it's not like I regret it. I don't think I would have made it out of here either way"
"Why? Why did yo—"
I couldn't finish as she suddenly enveloped me in a tight hug.
"I did it because I wanted to," she said, her voice steady as she tightened the embrace. But even as I held her close, I couldn't feel a heartbeat.
I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. She stroked my head gently, her touch soothing yet heartbreaking. After a moment, Maya decided to give us some space.
"I felt it again, you know," Sister Claire whispered.
"Felt what?" I asked, my voice choked with emotion.
"Your fear, your self-hatred. I know I can't make you keep living, but promise me that you'll find happiness. At least die with a smile on your face. Give me that much."
"...I promise," I whispered back, my voice barely audible.
"Then my work here is done," she replied, her tone light. She stood up, walking toward the soldiers, picking up a sword from the ground.
"Goodbye, Loid," she said, her back to me.
"I wanted to ask, did any of you say goodbye to your loved ones?" she asked the soldiers, her voice calm.
"Huh! You alright in the head, miss? I'll admit you've got a mean right hook, but if you think that's going to help you here, you're delusional," their leader sneered, massaging his chin.
"Well, since you fixed this idiot's mistake, we'll give you a quick death," he said, hitting one of his subordinates on the back of the head.
"But who knows, if you give us the kid, we might just spare you since you helped us and all."
"Is that so?" she replied, raising the sword, making them all tense.
"No, thanks."
[Mutual Bloodshed]
Dragging the blade across her neck, a bright, crimson arc of blood sprayed into the air as her body slumped to the ground.
But as she fell, something extraordinary happened. The soldiers suddenly froze, their eyes widening in shock. Then, as if an invisible blade had sliced through them, their necks were slit in perfect unison, mirroring the wound on Sister Claire's throat.
"Wh-what the hel—" the leader gasped, clutching his throat as blood gushed through his fingers before he collapsed to the ground.
I ran toward Sister Claire, kneeling beside her. For a long moment, I just sat there, holding her hand, feeling the warmth leave her body.
"Loid, we should be going," Maya said softly, her voice filled with sorrow. I nodded slowly, wiping away my tears as I stood.
"Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you for saving me."