It was the same old printing in the woods, that he had done so many times already. By now, carefully navigating while moving fast was relatively easy. Zyro run, at the same time, watching out for wandering beast by attentively observing his surroundings for rustles and howls.
Luckily, none of them appeared nearby. But he soon changed his mind, after catching a horrid beast also distancing itself in a glance.
It seemed, the creature was afraid of something.
What was there to be afraid of? That said, why is he running again?
'No wonder they are so respected.'
The Gricks influence are not dreaded by people alone. In the past, when Foggy are still populated by various monstrosities. The Gricks muster their strength to cleanse them all, they slaughter every beastial creature that reign supreme among beasts. Eventually, winning them the rights to rule Foggy Ring. Even now, they occasionally do some cleansing of aspiring abominations in the wilderness to avoid future troubles. Gradually instilling everyone to fear their race, even the lesser beast that witness how they mercilessly slay the most harrowing monsters learned to avoid them. Hearing their wings flapping above announced their arrival. The beasts instinctively run away, or hide somewhere to avoid their sight.
On the other hand, the real target was unperturbed. Zyro maintained his average speed to make his pursuers think of him as a normal person. All the while slowly reaching the old mage obscuring seal. Having run earlier before they came gave him an advantageous head start. However, flying and traveling on uneven ground had huge difference in speed. Still, Zyro think he will make it.
Or so, he thought.
***
Flying above the forest, a winged warrior concentrated at the forest. His vertical pupil constricted, as his keen eyesight pierced astonishing distance to observe a fleeing figure of a slave. Grick comrades were doing the same near him, gliding calmly at the wind.
All of a sudden, someone swiftly joined their flight. Everyone briefly stopped their observation to show sign of respect, before returning to their work.
Astron's green hair was fluttering in the wind when he said in a loud voice.
Talking at this speed was difficult, requiring them to raise their voice for the others to hear.
"Good work in finding the fleeing brat, what gave him the courage to disobey us, Gricks. Any sings of abnormalities?"
The subordinate respond sternly.
"We noticed no abnormalities, captain! It appears his only a normal person" he hesitated, then suggested. "Should we sound the horn?!"
According to the higher commands, the horns are to be sounded whenever an investigating unit encounters suspicious individuals near where the Fallen Knight are last sighted. Doing so will call the entire army, if it turns out to be a wasted call. Then, the personnel involved are in for severe punishment.
Astron scolded.
"No need, his not an Argon anyway. It's impossible for him to be the Fallen Knight or pose us any threat. Now, charge fort! Kill him immediately upon contact."
As soon as he said that, Astron began vigorously flying upwards, followed by others. When he reached a certain height, his wings exploded with power as it flapped diagonally downwards. Supported by gravity and monstrous strength of a Delta, he cut through the wind like a descending falcon. His sharp eyes emit tranquil malice, aimed at the pitiful prey on the ground. With Astron on the lead cutting the air ahead, the rest of the unit followed him in a straight line. Their strength is inferior to their captain, but without air resistance restraining their flight. Descending to their target became much easier and faster.
***
For him, this crusade were just a brief chase. Because he simply has to bore them in pursuing him, until they eventually give up, sparing his life. Which will end this entire issue brought by slaying the assassins, letting him continue journeying back to escort Princess Scarlet to her castle.
That's why he deemed others' involvement unnecessary.
As Zyro draws closer to Depter obscuring seal, that lessens existence of those who entered. He heard a sharp hissed behind, as if the wind was suddenly ripped for a moment. Then, a figure landed in front of him from above with astonishing speed. Causing Zyro to halt abruptly. The figure looked like an angel, clad in light, leather armor. The force he brings upon landing was so great, he had to strike his spear into the ground to act as anchor. Even then, his feet and spear drawn a relatively long trench on the soil before coming to a stop. Astron wings that were spread widely, gently closed as he stood
'This will be troublesome.'
Indeed, Zyro's cybernetic armor was drained in his battle against the assassins. Robbing him out of its augmentation. Without Its exoskeleton empowerment to carry its own weight, Shroud of Night is more of an iron burden than a supportive suit. Weighing his movements down if a battle transpired. Furthermore, wearing the Fallen Knight skin is beneath his garments is too risky. If ever his clothes were ripped, then this identity of his can no longer keep him safe.
His facing airborne warriors with keen sights, after all.
Of course, Zyro didn't mean to fight in the first place. However, having his path blocked by enemies, his left with no choice.
Truth be told, he made a mistake by underestimating the Gricks speed. Leading to this outcome. But that's fine... Zyro defeated far greater foes before this. He can take them on.
Astron wore a calm expression, gazing at the insignificant slave with disdain in his eyes. When he straightened up, he seemed to lack interest in the battle. As if the slave before him were not even fit to face him right now.
"What a waste of time." He grunted as he pulled his spear.
Zyro observed him, analyzing his opponent cautiously and thinking what his relic might be. At the same time, waiting for everyone to enter [Utter Vile] range.
That's when Astron pulled out something from his pocket, and raised it for the slave to see.
Instinctively, Zyro's eyes were drawn to the item. It's oblong in shape with pointy ends instead of round. And silver in color, at its middle, a twisted black line runs on its polished surface horizontally. The item was eerie, looking like a slumbering silver eye.
The moment he stared at it, the crooked line in it's center parted. Revealing an intricate art within, indescribable and abstract. A sight Zyro can't comprehend, or believe.
What was he even looking at? He didn't know, despite witnessing it.
Zyro's instincs urged his to blink, or steep back. However...
'Huh?'
He realized, his unable to move, unable to blink, unable to shift his pupils, or let out a voice. Zyro was suddenly paralyzed, unable to do anything. Utterly motionless without the ability to control his body. Stuck in staring at Astron relic - the silver eye encasing undescribable thing within.
Shivers can't even run down his spine after realizing his extremely vulnerable state. His only saving grace is that, Zyro's mind wasn't frozen unlike his body. His free to think!
He had just come up with a solution, when he saw Astron already throwing his spear towards him with fluid motion. The javelin left Astron grip, letting it fly.
'Duck'
He cursed.
Zyro thought he had grown strong enough to outmatch a Delta. After all, he killed one along the hundred assassins. Sadly, the feats he achieved and inhumane power gained got into his head. He was born human, a weak species that lust for strength that any creatures in Earth. Having surpassed what his kind had accomplished, arrogance bloomed in his human mind.
Ah, the irony. He strives to be powerful enough to survive, but in the end, power was the very thing that caused this hopeless situation.
Recovering from the shocking realization of his sudden inability to move took a second. Thinking for counter measures took a second, too. Yet those seconds were enough for a Delta to unleash an attack aimed at him. To throw a spear like every Gricks had done countless of times.
And now, it's too late... Zyro is gonna die.
[Utter Vile] could have fed their mind with madness, rendering their mentality. Thus, giving him a huge advantage, or out right driving the Gricks mind, mad for life. However, the insidious knowledge cannot affect speeding projectiles in any way. Furthermore, even if he activated [Utter Vile] now, making Astron deranged. A throw powered by a Delta isn't something that can easily dodge with this much delay in Zyro's response.
At last, he met an inescapable predicament.
Zyro gaze remains fixated on the eerie view of the silver eye as the lethal spear traveled like a bullet. Strangely, everything seemed slow. The spear movement, the blowing wind, rustle of leafs and varying sounds of the wilderness.
Perhaps this is how death felt like, adrenaline rush entering extreme level, letting you witness your end in full detail.
As if the world slowed down, regrets began flooding his mind. He should have worn Shroud of Night for protection despite it's weight. He should have not waited for every members of the unit to enter [Utter Vile] range. He should have done better!... That said, there's no such thing as a flawless person on Earth, nor in this world. No matter how much of an exceptional individual he is. Mistakes are unavoidable.
Alongside regrets, were lessons. Zyro had been a loner, embracing the logic of being born alone and dying alone, thus preferred solitude over companionship. Eventually, leading him to this fateful day when he decided to face a battle all by himself. If he didn't feign ignorance, and asked his companions for help in this ordeal, somehow. Maybe the outcome would be sunnier.
The fact remains, he didn't.
'I guess I won't be joining them, anymore.'
It's a shame, Scarlet and Pert had to journey to the castle without him. But his glad, because the young Aster could return home to the Kingdom of Strays with Scarlet help, and hopefully reunite with his family... Without the Fallen Knight accompanying him. While the Princess fights for the throne.
Nevertheless, Zyro had many regrets. But it didn't include dying.
When the spear struck his heart, he will finally be free from this accursed life. He will be able to rest in peace, free from all burden.
Zyro wanted to close his eyes in his final moment, unfortunately, he couldn't.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, something struck him. However, it's somewhere he didn't expect.