The group moved in silence, their footsteps barely audible against the cracked and broken pavement of the ruined city. The wind had picked up, howling through the skeletal remains of buildings long abandoned, sending faint echoes that played tricks on their ears. Yeon-ah kept her yellow eyes scanning the dark streets ahead, her sword in hand, ready for anything that might lurk in the shadows.
It had been hours since they left the site of the shattered orb, and exhaustion was beginning to wear them down. Juna's steps were heavier than before, her earlier determination waning under the weight of fatigue. Even the woman, always composed and focused, showed signs of wear—her movements were slower, her sharp eyes betraying the weariness beneath.
Calen led the way, his scarred face set in a grim expression. He had remained mostly silent since they had left the safehouse, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. Yeon-ah wondered what he was thinking—whether he was leading them to the scholar out of genuine belief, or if he had his own motivations for heading to the city's core. Trust was a fragile thing in this world, and Yeon-ah couldn't afford to give it easily.
As they passed through the ruins, the city seemed to close in around them, the buildings towering above like silent sentinels, watching their every move. The air was thick with tension, the kind that comes when you know you're being hunted, even if you can't see what's hunting you.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the woman signaled for them to stop. "We need to rest," she said, her voice low but firm. "We've been pushing too hard. The last thing we need is to walk into another fight when we're not at full strength."
Yeon-ah nodded, though her muscles were tense with anticipation. Resting here, in the open, felt dangerous, but the woman was right. They were all running on empty, and if something attacked them now, they wouldn't last long.
The group settled in the shadow of a collapsed building, its walls offering some shelter from the biting wind. Juna immediately sat down, her shoulders slumping as she let out a long, weary breath. Her eyes were red-rimmed from exhaustion, her small frame trembling with the effort of keeping herself upright.
Yeon-ah watched her for a moment, a pang of guilt twisting in her chest. Juna had been through so much in such a short time, and yet, she had proven herself time and time again. But the weight of their journey was clearly wearing on her, and Yeon-ah wasn't sure how much longer the girl could hold on.
She sat down beside her, resting her sword across her lap. "You're doing good, Juna," she said quietly, her voice carrying a rare note of gentleness. "Just a little further. We're almost there."
Juna didn't respond at first, her eyes staring blankly at the ground. Then, slowly, she nodded, though it was clear that the words didn't bring her much comfort. "I'm just… tired," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Yeon-ah nodded in understanding. "We all are. But we'll make it. We have to."
As they sat in silence, the wind howling around them, Calen approached, his expression hard to read. "The scholar's not far now," he said, his voice low. "If we keep moving, we'll reach her before nightfall."
The woman looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And what then?" she asked. "What happens when we find her?"
Calen hesitated, his gaze flicking to the ruined buildings around them as if expecting something to emerge from the shadows. "She'll have answers," he said after a moment. "At least, I hope she will."
Yeon-ah didn't like the uncertainty in his voice. There was too much riding on this—too many unknowns. But what choice did they have? They had to keep moving forward. They had to find out what was behind the voice, the warning, the ancient force that seemed to be orchestrating everything.
As the group sat in silence, a distant noise suddenly broke the stillness—a faint, rhythmic sound, like the pounding of metal against stone. Yeon-ah's muscles tensed, her yellow eyes scanning the horizon.
The woman was already on her feet, her sword drawn, her sharp eyes narrowing as she looked toward the source of the noise. "Something's coming," she said, her voice low and tense. "Get ready."
Yeon-ah stood, her body coiling with readiness as she raised her sword. Juna followed suit, though the fear in her eyes was palpable.
The sound grew louder, more distinct. Footsteps. Heavy ones. The kind that meant trouble.
"Devourers?" Juna whispered, her voice tight with fear.
Yeon-ah shook her head, her heart racing. "No. Something else."
And then they saw it—emerging from the shadows, lumbering through the broken streets. A massive, hulking figure, its body covered in layers of crude armor, metal plates bolted to its flesh. Its face was hidden beneath a grotesque mask, and in its hands, it carried a massive hammer, dragging it along the ground with a sickening scrape.
Calen's face paled. "It's one of them," he whispered, his voice filled with dread.
Yeon-ah's grip tightened on her sword. "One of what?"
"A Juggernaut."
The creature let out a low, rumbling growl, its massive form blocking the street ahead. It moved slowly, methodically, but there was a terrifying power in its every step.
"We can't fight that," the woman said, her voice steady but grim. "Not like this. Not without a plan."
Yeon-ah's mind raced. They were too weak, too tired. The Juggernaut was unlike anything they'd faced before—bigger, stronger, and seemingly unstoppable. But there was no way around it. They had to get past it if they were going to reach the scholar.
"We distract it," Yeon-ah said suddenly, her eyes locking with the woman's. "One of us leads it away while the rest make a run for the scholar."
The woman hesitated, her gaze flicking between the Juggernaut and the rest of the group. "Whoever does that might not make it back."
Yeon-ah nodded. She knew what was at stake. But there was no other option.
Before anyone could argue, Calen stepped forward. "I'll do it," he said, his voice steady. "I know these streets better than any of you. I can lead it away."
Juna's eyes widened. "No! You'll get killed!"
Calen shook his head. "It's the only way."
Yeon-ah's chest tightened, but she knew he was right. They couldn't afford to lose anyone else, but they also couldn't fight the Juggernaut. This was their only chance.
"Go," Calen said, his voice filled with quiet resolve. "Get to the scholar. I'll find you when it's done."
Without waiting for a response, Calen turned and sprinted toward the Juggernaut, his feet pounding against the ground as he shouted to draw its attention. The creature let out a deafening roar, its massive body turning to follow him, its hammer dragging along the ground with a sickening scrape.
Yeon-ah's heart raced as she watched him disappear into the distance. She wanted to believe he'd make it back. But deep down, she knew the truth. There was no guarantee.
"Let's go," the woman said, her voice hard. "Before it comes back."
And with that, they turned and ran, the weight of Calen's sacrifice heavy on their shoulders as they made their way toward the heart of the city.