"Let him go!" Elliot shouted, voice hoarse but resolute, as he swung the club at one of the men. Elliot charged into the fray, exhaustion gnawing at his muscles, but adrenaline surged through him, fueling his desperate need to protect Billy. The dim moonlight illuminated the scene, casting eerie shadows on the ground as he faced the four men surrounding his friend. Their laughter echoed in the night, cruel and mocking, driving him forward with renewed rage.
"Get away from him!" Elliot shouted, gripping the wooden club tightly, its rough surface biting into his palm. He swung wildly at the nearest attacker, landing a solid blow against the man's ribs. The impact sent him staggering backward, gasping for breath.
But there was no time to celebrate; the other three men turned their attention to Elliot, their expressions shifting from amusement to hostility. One of them lunged at him, fists raised, but Elliot ducked just in time, the man's punch whistling past his ear. Elliot retaliated with a swift jab to the stomach, sending the attacker sprawling to the ground.
"Come on! Fight like men!" Elliot screamed, heart racing, blood pounding in his ears. He felt a swell of confidence, fueled by the need to protect Billy at all costs. But the remaining enemies were quick to regroup, circling him like sharks sensing blood.
He could hear Billy's muffled cries, his voice tinged with fear, and it ignited something fierce within Elliot. The thought of losing him—his friend, his brother—was unbearable. The remaining two men advanced, fists raised. Elliot faced them, determination burning in his chest.
With a sudden surge of energy, he swung the club at the first attacker, the wooden stick connecting with a satisfying crack against the man's jaw. He fell to the ground, groaning in pain. But the second man was on him, charging like a bull. Elliot sidestepped just in time, bringing the club down hard against the man's shoulder. He heard a satisfying crunch as the bone cracked under the force, and the man screamed, collapsing in agony.
"Billy!" Elliot shouted, scanning the scene for his friend. But he was still outnumbered, the leader and another thug still standing between him and Billy. Their mocking laughter filled the air, trying to weaken his resolve.
In that moment of doubt, he glanced over at Billy, who was being roughly handled, his eyes wide with fear. Elliot's heart ached at the sight. "Stay strong, Billy!" he yelled, desperation lacing his words. "I'm coming for you!"
Suddenly, Billy's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. He spotted a pile of muck nearby, a remnant of some recent construction work. With a sudden burst of courage, he grabbed a handful of the disgusting substance and called out to the leader, his voice taunting. "Hey, you! Bhenga!"
The leader turned, confusion written across his face. "What did you call me?"
Billy threw the muck with all his might, landing it squarely on the leader's face. "Looks like you need a wash, you cross-eyed freak!"
The men roared with anger, but Elliot seized this opportunity. As the leader stumbled back, wiping the muck from his eyes, Elliot dashed behind him, adrenaline flooding his veins. He swung the club with all his might, aiming for the back of the leader's head.
The wooden stick connected with a loud crack, and the leader dropped like a stone, crashing to the ground. Elliot picks up his club once more and hits the fallen leader again and again and again until his arms start to bleed. A hush fell over the remaining thug, shock evident in his eyes.
"Let him go!" Elliot shouted, standing tall, breathing heavily, the club raised threateningly. The enemy felt a mix of triumph and fear, knowing the battle was far from over. "You want him then fight. You'll have to go through me first!"
Elliot glanced at Billy, who was struggling against the last thug, and a wave of emotional turmoil washed over him. 'I won't let you down again,' Elliot thought, channeling every ounce of strength into the fight.
Elliot turned his attention to the last remaining thug, who stood frozen in shock, clearly weighing his options. The man's eyes darted between Elliot and the fallen leader, a mix of fear and anger etched on his face.
"Let him go!" Elliot shouted, his voice steady despite the exhaustion threatening to overwhelm him. "You're outnumbered!"
The thug hesitated for a heartbeat before letting out a roar of fury, charging at Elliot. With a surge of adrenaline, Elliot braced himself. He sidestepped the attacker's wild swing, grabbing the man's arm and twisting it behind his back. The thug let out a cry of pain, and Elliot used his momentum to throw him to the ground, the club swinging down hard against the man's shoulder.
"You don't get to hurt anyone anymore," Elliot growled, striking again. The final enemy groaned, struggling to rise but unable to muster the strength to fight back. With one final blow, Elliot knocked him out cold.
Breathing heavily, Elliot stood over the unconscious thug, chest heaving with the weight of what he'd just done. Relief washed over him, quickly replaced by concern for Billy, who was still recovering from the earlier ordeal.
"Billy!" Elliot called out, turning his head frantically trying to look for his friend. "Are you okay?"
Billy nodded, his eyes mixed with fear and tears. "I... I'm okay, Elliot. You really did it! You came for me—you saved me. I didn't think... I didn't think anyone would."
Elliot took a shaky breath, guilt weighing heavy in his chest. "I'm so sorry, Billy. I should have talked to you. I shouldn't have pushed you away. All of this... it's my fault. I am sorry Billy please forgive me."
Billy looked down, his expression a mix of hurt and understanding. "You were just trying to handle everything. I get it... but it hurt when you shut me out. I thought I lost you, Elliot."
Elliot knelt to meet Billy's gaze, wanting him to see the sincerity in his eyes. "No matter what happens, I will always protect you, Billy. Even if I have to fight the devil for it. You're my family now."
Billy's eyes softened filled with tears, the fear melting away but replaced by raw vulnerability. "I believe you, Just... promise that you will never abandon me again. I can't lose you."
Elliot managed a weary smile, but the exhaustion weighed heavily on him. "Let's get out of here. Back to the city."
Billy stepped forward, his hand reaching for Elliot's. "You need to lean on me. I can help you walk." Together, they began the slow journey back, the adrenaline from the fight wearing off, leaving Elliot's muscles aching.
As they crossed a small wooden bridge, the sound of rain began to patter against the wood, creating a soothing rhythm. The air felt heavy, laden with tension as they made their way back.
"You were amazing back there, you know," Billy said, glancing up at Elliot. "I didn't think you could take on all those guys."
Elliot chuckled softly, the sound strained. "I wasn't exactly alone, was I? You did your part too. That was a brilliant distraction."
Billy grinned, the fear slowly fading from his eyes. "I just threw some muck in the guy's face. You're the one who saved me!"
Elliot paused for a moment, allowing himself a brief smile. That should clear the quest, he thought. With a sense of hope blossoming within him, he glanced at the glowing screen, expecting the quest status to change.
But as he checked, his smile faltered. The quest was still there, its objectives unchanged.
Shadows of Betrayal
Objective 1:
Protect Billy: Find Billy before the enemies capture or harm him. Time is critical.
Objective 2:
Escape or Defeat the Enemy: You are surrounded. Either fight your way out or find a way to escape without being caught.
Objective 3:
Make a Deal: The enemy is offering a partnership. Agree to their terms to save yourself or face the consequences.
Reward:
Unknown, but failure could lead to devastating consequences.
Why hasn't it cleared?
Suddenly, a faint noise caught Elliot's attention—a low groan from behind them. The leader, still lying on the ground, began to stir, groggy but regaining consciousness.
"Billy, look out!" Elliot shouted, but it was too late.
The leader rose unsteadily, eyes wild with fury. He spotted them and, with a sudden surge of energy, lunged forward, grabbing a knife from the ground.
Elliot acted instinctively, pushing Billy aside. "Run!" he yelled, but in that split second, the leader charged, driving the blade into Elliot's side. Pain exploded through him, sharp and overwhelming.
"Elliot!" Billy screamed, horror etched across his face as he watched his friend stagger backward. The leader, fueled by rage, stabbed Elliot again, each thrust punctuated by a furious curse. "You think you're a hero? You're nothing!"
Elliot gasped, blood spilling from his mouth, the world spinning around him. The pain was blinding, and he could feel his strength fading.
With a final, desperate effort, the leader threw Elliot beneath the bridge, where the shallow stream rushed below. Elliot hit the water with a splash, the coldness shocking his system but offering little solace. He lay there, struggling to breathe as the rain began to pour, washing over him in heavy sheets.
The last thing he heard was the distant screams of Billy, the sound echoing in his mind as darkness closed in around him. "No… Billy…" he murmured, the words slipping away as he slowly lost consciousness, curses of frustration escaping his lips as the world faded to black.
A hollow screen flickered into view before Elliot, stark and unforgiving:
Quest Failed!