After Finan told me about the caravan, I put the mask back on and began following him. The path wasn't free of danger, although it was nothing I couldn't handle. However, the fact that I had to worry about Finan made everything more complicated and slowed me down.
At one point, another vandal appeared suddenly, but I managed to take him down with ease. Once everything was calm, I turned to Finan, who was trembling behind me.
—Let's go, Finan. I can't be protecting you all the time. Grab the vandal's weapon.
Finan looked at me with frightened eyes, but obeyed. He bent down and picked up the improvised weapon the vandal had dropped. When he held it, his fingers trembled, and his eyes widened, as if the weight of the weapon was something more than just physical.
—I've never... never used a sword. I don't know how to defend myself.
I sighed, crossing my arms as I watched him.
—I hadn't fought with a sword before today, Finan. But if you want to survive, if you want to protect yourself or anyone else, you need to become strong.
Finan lowered his gaze, pressing his lips together. The sword seemed like a foreign and awkward object in his hands, but eventually, he nodded slowly.
—I don't want to die —he murmured, more to himself than to me.
—Then learn quickly —I responded harshly—. In this world, you either defend yourself or you end up as just another victim. There's no other option.
After a few seconds, Finan looked up at me with a determined expression I hadn't seen before.
—I'll do what I can —he said, although his voice was still shaky.
I nodded and began walking again.
—That's all that's needed now, Finan. Let's move on.
As we continued, although the path was still dangerous, I noticed that Finan began moving with more confidence. He was still far from being useful in a fight, but at least he wasn't dead weight anymore.
Time passed slowly, but every step brought us closer to the caravan.
—You said Miss Elena had a caravan. Who is she? —I asked, keeping pace while watching the surroundings.
—Yes, Miss Elena. She's the eldest daughter of the Lord of Columba —Finan answered with a tone of respect and nervousness.
I stopped for a moment, watching him with curiosity.
—Wow, she must be someone important—. I gave him an inquisitive look. —How do you know someone like that?
Finan swallowed hard, and for a moment, he seemed to hesitate. Then he sighed deeply, as if he had just decided to reveal something important.
—I'm... the son of the Lord of Esperion—. He said softly, avoiding my gaze. —I met her when she came to represent her father to discuss some business with mine.
My steps came to a sudden halt. Hearing that he was the son of the Lord of Esperion hit me like a storm: everything I had suffered, the chaos, the destruction... and how that man, the supposed leader, never did anything to stop it. But I looked at Finan, and his expression wasn't that of someone arrogant or indifferent. I couldn't blame him for what his father did or didn't do.
—Wait, what? You're the son of a Lord?—. I looked him up and down, incredulous. —A noble hiding in this disaster?
He nodded slowly, his expression a mix of shame and resignation.
—My family was attacked when the chaos started. They all died... I was able to escape because my mother protected me—. His voice cracked a little when he said this, and I noticed how he clenched his fists, trying to maintain composure.
I watched him silently for a few seconds, processing what he had just said.
—So... you lost everything too—. I said, finally lowering my guard a little.
—Yes—. Finan murmured, his gaze fixed on the ground. —That's why I know what it feels like to be alone. That's why I don't want to be alone again.
I felt a small knot in my chest. Maybe we weren't so different after all.
—Alright, Finan. I won't leave you behind. But if you want to stay with me, you'll have to be strong. We can't afford to be weak out here.
He lifted his gaze, a spark of determination beginning to form in his eyes.
—I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to survive.
—Good—. I patted him on the shoulder. —Now, tell me more about Miss Elena's caravan. If it's our best chance to get out of here, we need a plan.
We kept running, each step bringing us closer to where Finan said the caravan might be. The adrenaline still coursed through my veins, and every dark corner or moving shadow kept me alert.
—Miss Elena left the mansion a little before everything started—. Finan said while trying not to fall behind. —She left with her guards. So if they were attacked, they must be regrouping and could leave at any moment.
—And how are you so sure they'll still be here?—. I asked, scanning the streets with my eyes, looking for any signs of danger or movement.
—Because the safest route to Columba passes through here—. He answered without hesitation. —And, although it doesn't seem like it, her guards are very capable. If there's anyone who could protect her in this chaos, it's them.
I nodded, though somewhat skeptical. "Very capable guards" didn't mean much when the whole world seemed to have gone mad. But it was our best lead, and we couldn't waste it.
Finally, we reached a more open area, near what seemed to be a main street. There, the silence was overwhelming. There were no screams, no footsteps, not even the sound of the wind between the ruins.
—I don't like this—. I murmured, adjusting my mask and gripping my sword more firmly.
Finan looked at me nervously, but before he could respond, a faint noise caught our attention. It came from a corner a few meters away from us, behind a series of overturned carts and the remains of what had once been a market.
We approached cautiously, and then I saw it: a group of people, at least twenty, with light armor and weapons in hand. Their gazes were alert, some checking their gear while others kept watch over the surroundings. In the center, a young woman with light brown hair, dressed in elegant but practical clothing, seemed to be giving orders.
—That's her—. Finan whispered, pointing her out with his eyes. —That's Miss Elena.
She wasn't hard to spot. Her posture was different, confident but not arrogant. She didn't seem any older than me; I guessed she was around nineteen or twenty. Despite her youth, it was clear she was used to leading. Her firm posture and the way the guards looked at her made it obvious she was the center of that group, their guide in the middle of chaos.
Before we could get any closer, one of the guards saw us and raised his weapon.
—Stop! Who are you and what do you want?—. He shouted, pointing his sword at us.
I halted immediately, raising my hands slowly to show I had no hostile intentions.
—I'm Finan, the son of the Lord of Esperion!—. He shouted, stepping forward. —We need help.
The mention of his name caused an immediate stir among the guards. Several of them exchanged glances, and one quickly approached Elena, whispering something in her ear. She looked up, watching us with interest before stepping forward.
—Finan, the son of the Lord of Esperion, huh?—. Elena said, her tone calm but with a hint of skepticism as she studied me. —And who is your companion? He looks a bit suspicious with that mask.
—He's Orión. He saved me when I was about to die—. Finan responded quickly, stepping forward to defend me.
Without hesitation, I removed my mask, revealing my face in an attempt to dissipate any distrust.
—As Finan said, I'm Orión—. I responded, keeping my tone neutral but direct. —We're here to help, and because I want to go to Columba. A friend is waiting for me there.
Elena watched me carefully, assessing me with a gaze that seemed to pierce through me. Her guards, still alert, kept their hands on their weapons, but didn't make any hostile movements.
—It's curious that someone would decide to "help" in times like this—. She commented, her tone laden with a mix of doubt and curiosity. —But we're not in a position to turn away help, as long as you're not a problem.
—I won't be—. I replied quickly, without hesitation. —Whatever it takes to get out of here alive.
Elena nodded slightly, though the caution didn't leave her eyes. She then turned to her guards and gave a firm order.
—Let them pass. I'll keep an eye on them.
—Thank you. How can we help?—. I asked, wanting to show that we weren't dead weight.
Elena looked at me for a moment before responding.
—You could help lift some of the carts, the ones that are still useful.
Finan and I nodded in unison and got to work. For about thirty minutes, we worked alongside the guards and other caravan members, straightening wheels, repairing broken axles, and securing supplies. Though the atmosphere was tense, there was a brief sense of relief seeing the group getting organized and the journey finally being able to continue.
When everything was ready, we set off. During the first few hours, progress was relatively smooth, although there were constant attacks from small groups of vandals. Elena's guards responded effectively, keeping the threats at bay before they could become a real problem.
However, halfway through the journey, the situation changed drastically. A much larger group ambushed us in a narrow pass between the hills. Arrows flew from both sides, while vandals emerged from the brush like an unstoppable wave.
Elena's guards formed a defensive wall around the carts, fighting with all their might. But it was clear they were being overwhelmed.
—We can't hold much longer!— shouted one of the guards as he blocked a blow with his shield.
Elena remained firm, giving orders, but even she seemed to hesitate.
Finan, trembling behind one of the carts, looked at me desperately.
—Orión! Do something!—. He shouted, his voice full of fear.
I put on my mask, feeling my eyes glow intensely as it activated. Energy surged through my body like a torrent.
—Stay behind, Finan—. I ordered as I unsheathed my sword and advanced toward the attackers.
I continued fighting with precision and speed, my movements relentless, driven by the energy of the mask. Every enemy that fell was one step closer to victory, but the vandals kept emerging from the shadows. The battle dragged on, but Elena's forces, though diminished, were starting to gain ground.
—Hold the formation!—I shouted, making sure the chaos didn't overtake our new fighters. Despite their inexperience, they fought with more determination thanks to the guidance I was giving them.
Elena's guards, though exhausted, kept fighting fiercely. However, it wasn't all on them. More and more people, even those who initially seemed clueless about how to fight, were rising up, fighting to survive. Finan, his eyes still filled with fear but with a newfound determination, fought by my side, every blow he struck was one step closer to accepting his new role in this brutal world.
The young woman who had been the leader of this group, Elena, wasn't falling behind. She was soaked in sweat, but her face remained firm, giving orders to her men, maintaining calm in the midst of the storm. She didn't look like a typical noble; she was more of a warrior, determined to protect her people to her last breath.
Finally, the number of attackers began to decrease. The weakest retreated, and those left became much more cautious. The last wave of vandals fought fiercely, but without the surprise or momentum they had at the start.
After a few minutes, the battle cries started to fade. The survivors from our group gathered, breathing heavily, their weapons covered in blood and sweat.
I looked around. The carts were well defended, the caravan was safe… for now.
—Is everyone alright?—I asked, looking at Elena's guards and the new fighters we had recruited along the way. They all nodded, though some were still gasping for breath.
Finan approached me, stumbling a bit but with a relieved expression on his face.
—We did it…—he said, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.
—It's not over, but we've won a battle— I replied, wiping the sweat from my forehead. —We have to keep moving, we can't stay here much longer.
Elena, who was approaching after making sure her men were alright, looked at me with a mix of respect and exhaustion.
—I didn't expect a stranger to organize my people so quickly—she said, her tone serious but without the initial distrust. —I still wonder who you really are, Orion, but I can't deny that you were crucial to our survival. I appreciate your help.
The battle was over, but the journey to Columba was still uncertain. What we had lived through was barely a glimpse of the dangers that awaited us.
—Don't expect thanks— I replied, keeping my tone firm, though a small smile appeared on my lips—We're still alive, that's what matters. Now, what do we do?
Elena looked at me for a moment before giving an order to her guards.
—We'll keep moving forward, but with caution. We don't know if there are more of those villains around. Let's regroup and continue the journey, while we can.
With that new goal in mind, we resumed the journey, aware that every step brought us closer to safety, but also to more challenges. The mask continued to glow on my face, and with every step I took, I wondered how far I could go, and what price survival would ultimately have.