The sound of battle echoes across the burning village. Captain Sidlak Luna, having secured the other villagers with his cavalry team, hears the shrieks and chaos from the central square. Without hesitation, he dashes toward the commotion, his weapon glowing faintly with the energy of his magic.
He arrives just in time to see the monstrous form of Elder Lolong overwhelming the struggling cavalry guard who had stayed behind to protect the children. The creature's grotesque figure, eyes sprouting from its limbs and multiple arms flailing, exudes an oppressive aura far beyond what a D+ ranked monster should radiate.
The captain takes charge immediately, shouting to his remaining soldiers, "Secure the perimeter and protect the survivors! I'll handle this."
The clash between Captain Luna and the monstrous Elder Lolong shakes the remnants of Saliksik. The captain's soldiers focus on protecting the survivors while Luna engages the transformed elder.
Captain Luna's skill and strength as a B-rank warrior shine as he clashes with the monstrous Lolong. His glowing glaive cuts through the air with precision, but Lolong's monstrous form, enhanced by rage and negative energy, proves to be an incredibly difficult opponent. The monster's erratic movements and grotesque limbs force the captain to remain on the defensive at times.
The children watch in horror as the once-respected elder shrieks and lashes out. Despite the captain's efforts, the creature shows no signs of tiring.
Just as Captain Luna begins to gain the upper hand, Lolong releases a deafening roar. A surge of dark energy explodes outward, forcing the captain and his soldiers to shield themselves. The monster then leaps into the air, smashing through the remains of Saliksik's gate and vanishing into the surrounding wilderness.
The captain mutters under his breath, "It's letting the energy guide it… That thing is no longer human."
The captain and his team help the survivors gather their strength. Despite the chaos, the captain's leadership keeps everyone calm. One of the teenagers, tears streaming down their face, asks, "Couldn't you have saved him? Couldn't he have been brought back?"Captain Luna's tone is firm but empathetic. "Once someone succumbs to that much darkness, there's no coming back. The best we can do now is ensure no one else meets the same fate."
The youngsters are left devastated by what they've witnessed. But their grief begins to transform into determination. They quietly vow to learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones, no matter the cost.
As dawn breaks, the remaining cavalry prepares to escort the survivors to Kabunlawan. The village is left in ruins, a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked despair and vulnerability.
As the survivors and cavalry gather their strength, the wreckage of Saliksik grows eerily quiet. The teenagers cling to each other, some shaking with fear, others with sorrow.
Suddenly, a low, guttural growl pierces the silence. One of the cavalry soldiers shouts, "Captain! Movement among the fallen!"
The captain's eyes narrow as he surveys the area. The bodies of the fallen villagers, left in the wake of the monster attack, begin to stir. Dark energy seeps into their corpses, twisting their forms. Slowly but surely, they rise, their once-familiar faces contorted into expressions of rage and anguish.
The cavalry soldiers move swiftly, forming a protective perimeter around the survivors. "These people… they're turning!" one of the guards shouts in disbelief.
Captain Luna raises his glaive. "This is what despair and unguarded land does. We can't save them now, but we can make sure their suffering ends here."
The cavalry engages the newly risen monsters, fending them off with practiced precision.Despite their best efforts, the sheer number of monsters forces the captain to make a tough decision. "Fall back! Protect the survivors!"As the group retreats, the children glance back, tears in their eyes as they see the twisted forms of their former neighbors.
Before they completely leave the area, one of the teenagers recognizes a rising figure among the monsters. It's a friend they grew up with, now transformed beyond recognition. The teenager tries to run toward them, screaming their name, but a cavalry soldier stops them.
"You can't help them," the soldier says firmly, though his own voice trembles with emotion.
The group pushes onward, leaving the ruins of Saliksik behind.
As the survivors and cavalry retreat, the relentless horde of newly transformed monsters closes in. The soldiers fight valiantly, but the growing number threatens to overwhelm them.
Captain Luna assesses the situation and knows they cannot outrun the monsters on foot. He grips his glaive tightly, then closes his eyes for a moment, focusing his energy.
"It seems I have no choice," he mutters.
Raising his glaive high, Captain Luna's aura surges, a blazing golden light engulfing him. The survivors and soldiers gasp as the ground trembles slightly.
"Diwa…!"
From the golden light emerges a majestic, mountable fighting horse, its sleek, radiant form exuding power. The spiritual beast neighs loudly, its presence intimidating even the advancing monsters.
Captain Luna mounts the horse and gives it a clear command. "Replicate!"
The horse neighs again, its body shimmering as four identical copies materialize beside it. The light fades slightly from each copy, their power distributed evenly.
"Everyone, get on!" the captain orders, his voice firm but encouraging.
The survivors and a few soldiers quickly mount the replicated horses, their faces a mix of awe and desperation.
With everyone aboard, Captain Luna shouts to his soldiers, "Form a defensive line and move! The Diwa will carry them to safety!"
The replicated horses charge forward, their powerful strides cutting through the dense terrain. The captain's original mount leads the way, while the remaining soldiers fight to keep the monsters at bay.
As the cavalry and the survivors pressed on through the forest, the cries of battle and the howls of pursuing monsters faded into the distance. Captain Luna's replicated Diwa mounts carried the villagers swiftly, their glowing forms a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.
The youngsters from Saliksik held on tightly, their faces pale but determined. They could see the exhaustion etched on Captain Luna's face as he pushed himself further than anyone else, leading the group through the perilous escape.
The forest seemed endless, every rustling leaf and snapping twig sending waves of tension through the group. Though the replicated Diwa mounts carried them swiftly, the strain on Captain Luna was evident. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, and his once-bright eyes dimmed slightly with each passing moment.
When the gates of Kabunlawan finally came into view, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group. The guards on the walls recognized the cavalry immediately, throwing open the gates to let them in.
As they passed through the threshold of safety, Captain Luna dismounted and dismissed his Diwa. The spiritual beasts shimmered and vanished, leaving the air faintly glowing in their wake.
Captain Luna staggered, his shoulders heaving with exhaustion. One of his soldiers quickly moved to steady him, but the captain raised a hand to wave them off.
"It's fine," he said, though his voice was strained. "Using Diwa for so long… takes its toll."
His armor felt heavier than ever, and his legs threatened to give out beneath him. The prolonged use of his replicated Diwa had drained an enormous amount of his energy, but he had pushed through to ensure everyone's safety.
The youngsters looked at him with awe and guilt, realizing the immense sacrifice he had made. One of them stepped forward hesitantly.
"Thank you, Captain," the boy said, his voice trembling. "If it weren't for you… we wouldn't have made it."
Luna gave a small nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Just stay strong. For your village… and for yourselves."
As the villagers were ushered into Kabunlawan's safe confines, Captain Luna took a moment to sit on a nearby stone bench, his chest rising and falling as he fought to catch his breath. Though the survivors were safe for now, the weight of what they had lost—and what still lay ahead—hung heavily in the air.