They reached the city of Vale after hours of relentless travel hungry and tired but no time to think of such things they kept on moving with urgency as the morning sun climbed higher into the sky. Despite their weariness, the fear of being overtaken by the chaos that had gripped the world drove them forward to keep moving.
Vale stood as a small city nestled between the bustling market hub of Gale and the grand city of Vaite. Despite its official designation as a city in the country of Vendanra, Vale bore more resemblance to a town. Its modest size and limited infrastructure were apparent from the scanty layout of its buildings and the absence of any large central hub of commerce or enterprise. Most people viewed Vale as a temporary stopover, a place to pause briefly while traveling between more important destinations.
So the city vale looked more like a big hotel for travelers and some of their citizen who lived in it despite its state.
Now, however, Vale's streets were eerily silent. There was no thrumming of market stalls or chatter of townsfolk; the city had become a ghost town over the past few days. Even the wind seemed reluctant to stir, leaving an unsettling stillness in its wake. The desolation hung heavy in the air, amplifying the tension in Viktor and his group as they moved cautiously through the streets.
Their singular and primary focus remained unchanged, reaching Vaite before the city fall or something even worse was to happen. Every minute counted, and though Vale offered a brief reprieve from the open road, none of them dared linger longer than necessary.
Rian was the first to spot a small stall tucked along one of the deserted streets. "There might still be something useful there," he said, gesturing toward it.
The group hesitated briefly before Viktor nodded in agreement. They hadn't eaten properly in days, subsisting only on meager rations from their system inventories. If there were any supplies left behind, they couldn't afford to pass up the opportunity because they know nothing of what awaited them.
The stall yielded a small bounty of dried meats, sealed water bottles, and some fruits preserved in jars. It wasn't much, but it was enough to sustain them for the journey ahead. They gathered what they could and sat down outside the stall to eat quickly.
The sun had risen higher now, marking the passage of time as they devoured their little meal in silence. Despite the quiet, a need for urgency still pulsed through their every movement. Within minutes, they were back on their feet, ready to press on toward Vaite.
Far ahead of Viktor's group, Luca remained stationed near the eastern edge of Vaite. He had established a small camp on higher ground, carefully positioned to avoid detection by the goblin horde that threatened the city's defenses. The monsters poured relentlessly from the gate in the distance, creating a seemingly endless tide of chaos.
Despite the overwhelming numbers, Vaite's defenses had thus far held strong. The player's protective measures kept the goblins at bay for now, but cracks were beginning to show. Luca could see it in the strained expressions of the defenders and hear it in their barked commands.
"I hope that kid made it," he muttered under his breath, thinking briefly of Elina and the group escorting her. The chaos surrounding Vaite made it hard to believe anyone could traverse the distance safely.
But he had faith, or at least a stubborn hope, that they were still out there, moving steadily closer to safety.
Back on the road, Viktor's group pushed forward with renewed determination. They cleared Vale's borders swiftly, moving faster now that they were fueled by a combination of food and fear. Just beyond the city walls, Viktor spotted something unusual, two figures hunched over a truck on the side of the road.
"Hold up," he murmured, raising a hand to signal the group. He carefully set Elina down and gestured for Rian and Lydia to stay back.
The two strangers appeared to be brothers, their coordinated movements giving them away. One was bent under the hood of a truck, while the other kept a vigilant watch over their surroundings.
"Who goes there?" the guard called out sharply. "Human or monster?"
Viktor stepped forward cautiously, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "We mean no harm," he said firmly. "We're just trying to get to Vaite."
With a playful tone alvis the younger one of the brothers shouted "we are heading there too" fenne the elder giving him a strange look.
He kept shut again observing the situation then proceeding to ask Viktor another question "is it just you" with a quick yet calm reply "no, we travelled in a group of three, i with two adult and a child"
Alvis coming out from the side of the truck, "do you mean there is still a child out here in this mess"
With slow movements, the three of them came out from the city walls. Viktor proceeded to asking, still calm, as if everything would go his way. "Can we go with you guys on that truck?"
Fenne with a little exclamation gave out a sign "if only it would stay on".
"Not unless you've got ice skills," Fenne admitted. "The Coolant system's busted, and we can't keep the engine from overheating."
Rian stepped forward confidently. "I can take care of that."
Fenne turned the key, and the truck sputtered weakly. "Get ready," he instructed Rian.
Rian nodded, focusing his mana and preparing the [Ice Ball] spell. As soon as the engine groaned to life, he launched the spell, forming a stable ice barrier that cooled the engine from all sides to prevent the predicted overheating.
The truck roared to life with renewed vigor. "We're good!" Alvis cheered. "Get in!"
With an obvious cheer in all, their faces exhibiting a long smile as they made their way towards the truck.
The group climbed aboard, with Alvis, Fenne, and Rian using his mana keeping the ice ball sturdy up front, and the rest seated in the back. The vehicle rumbled forward, making steady progress toward Vaite.
The truck traveled at a moderate speed, carefully avoiding unnecessary noise that might attract unwanted attention. The plains stretched out before them, vast and quiet, punctuated only by occasional ruins and patches of woodland.
Viktor kept his eyes on the horizon, his grip tightening on the edge of the truck. Every shadow seemed like a threat, every rustle a sign of danger. They couldn't afford any delays.
As they neared Vaite, smoke billowed into the sky, marking the city's embattled state. The monstrous horde had intensified its assault, and even from a distance, they could see the defenders struggling to hold the line.
Luca spotted the approaching truck from his camp point and stood up, his eyes narrowing. Behind him, the city's defenders fought with all they had, desperate to repel and hold the goblin tide as they await the said reinforcement from the capital.
The truck slowed as they reached the outskirts, maneuvering carefully around debris. Guards barked orders, their voices strained from prolonged combat. Despite the chaos, the city still stood, though barely.
"We'll head to the eastern wall, there seemed to be nothing going on in that area." Fenne informed Viktor as they disembarked.
Viktor nodded grimly. "We have to get into the city no matter what."
Luca approached, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Took you long enough."
Elina moved swiftly from behind Viktor, her tiny figure darting into Luca's embrace. His arms opened instinctively, catching her as she threw herself into his chest. Tears glistened in her eyes, but her smile was radiant as relief swept through her entirety.
"I knew you were still alive," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Luca knelt slightly to meet her gaze, brushing a tear from her cheek. His reassuring tone carried both warmth and resolve. "Nothing can happen to me, Elina. Did you forget how strong I am?"
Her smile widened at his words, and the fear that had gripped her heart began to ease. The harshness of their journey seemed to soften in this brief moment of reunion.
Rian and Lydia stood nearby, sharing a glance filled with quiet relief. Lydia's lips curved into a faint smile, while Rian offered a small nod of acknowledgment. Viktor observed silently, his usual hardened face momentarily lightened by the tender scene before him.
As the group reassembled, Luca climbed into the back of the truck along with the others. His presence seemed to bolster their spirits. The vehicle rumbled to life again, and as it slowly moved forward, Luca spoke up.
"So, where are you planning to enter the city?" he asked, his sharp eyes surveying the landscape beyond them.
Fenne, who was at the wheel, responded without hesitation, "We're headed for the eastern gate."
Luca's expression darkened, and his voice rose sharply. "No! The eastern side is where the gate is located."
The urgency in his tone was unmistakable. Everyone's attention snapped toward him almost at once. "The gate is spewing out goblins non-stop. There are so many that the gate itself is completely obscured by the horde. 'll be overrun before you even make it close."