With the death of Rimson, the dwarfs breathed a sigh of relief. Although no one had died from the attack, some were heavily injured from the skeleton’s barrage of bullets. The medic on hand, Uroa, was working to save the lives of those most injured.

As she and her helpers worked, Mo assisted the over-exhausted Urist over to the mecha wreck.

“Eat up buddy, but leave me the core this time.”

When Urist stabbed his spear into the mecha, the spearhead split apart to form two rows of teeth. The strange spear mouth opened bizarrely wide and started eating from one of the mecha’s legs. Bones broke and metal twisted, the sound causing those nearby to twitch in dread.

As Urist watched his spear feast upon the body, Uria walked up to him, seemingly unaffected by the gruesome sounds.

“We have no deaths, but four are heavily wounded and there are six with light injuries. What do you wish to do?”

Urist replied, his face expressionless. “We are in no condition to hunt another mecha. We’ll retreat after the injured are stabilized. How long does Uroa think she needs?”

“A half hour. Thanks to the formations Bishop made, as long as they don’t exert themselves too much the injured will be able to hold on till we get back to the village.”

“Good, I'll have to treat him and Ubel to a drink later. Now Sage.”

“Yes?”

“Go check on the people we rescued. I need to know their conditions. When you’re done, report back to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

The fox-kin teleported away with barely a nod, heading towards her clansmen, who were being given basic treatment by the warriors who rescued them.

“Master, I’m alright here so could you help check on the injured? I remember you telling me that your father also taught you some medicine.”

Mo looked at him doubtfully, “Are you sure you don’t need me? You're in a pretty weakened state right now, my king.”

“I’ll be fine with Uria looking after me. Please go and help put my mind at ease.”

“As you wish.”

With Mo’s departure, Uria and Urist were left alone as the spear gorged itself on the fallen body.

Uria whispered to Urist, who was leaning on her shoulder, “Don’t beat yourself up. It was a great plan. Although I hate to see you put yourself in danger, you at least minimized the risk this time.”

Urist sighed, “I know Uria. I just… I just want to be even stronger. Every time I fight I have to go all out. I’m afraid one day that it won’t be enough, or that after I kill my opponent someone will kill me in my weakened state. Then I wouldn’t be able to protect you and everyone else who is counting on me.”

Rubbing his head with a smile on her lips Uria rebutted, “Oh you dummy. Take it one step at a time, we’ll get stronger together. You’ve got to stop putting everything on your shoulders and let us help carry the burden. You need to learn to trust, for without trust everything will fall.”

“I get that… it’s just… in the past…”

“The past what?”

“It’s nothing... I’ll try my best to rely on you all when I need it the most.”

…

Inside the castle throne room, high necromancer Malous sat cross-legged on his now floating chair. Thirty-two orbs danced around him in a weird formation, constantly bouncing up and down. Of the thirty-two spheres, some glowed faintly with green energy while fourteen of the orbs were lit ablaze, teeming with lifeforce.

Tears of blue blood fell from Malous' cheeks, Mutu, Raz, Gataui… I’m sorry. As your lord, I have failed you. When I break through I will make sure to get my revenge for you, but for now, I’m sorry. I’ll have to use you. Please forgive me and know that I will make sure to succeed in our dream.

As the man grieved for his fallen comrades another orb burst aflame, causing the other dim balls to lighten up slightly.

No, not you as well Rimson. Why? Why must this happen when we were so close to reaching our dream. Who dares to interfere?

As he felt his heart breaking piece by piece, his closest confident Robert walked in. Much like Malous, he had tears running down his face, but instead of blue, his were black.

“I’ve come to bring bad news, Malous.”

“I know Robert. Rimson has also died to those savages.”

Robert merely shook his head, “That isn’t it. Rimson wasn’t the only one attacked while retreating. It seems that Eoai, Wettar, Mao, Winsta, and Woiko are also being attacked as we speak. It seems… it seems that they won’t be able to escape their battlefields. They’ve requested to go out in a blaze of glory.”

Malous started trembling, “Can no one save them?”

“I’m afraid no one can make it in time…”

Before he could say another word, two previously dim orbs lit up like the sun.

“No… Mao, Woiko… You monsters, you fucking monsters. Why must the gods make us suffer so…

“I kill them, I’ll fucking kill every one of them!

“I’ll slay those monkeys and destroy the heavens!

“Only then… only then will I be able to face my brothers’ and sisters' deaths. Go… tell them to go out in glory. Tell them that those of us left behind will carry on their revenge.”

“And for the rest?” Robert asked.

“We'll reset the circle and make it smaller since we don't need as much lifeforce anymore. Unless something critical happens, please do not come to bother me. I wish to mourn in private.”

“Yes, Malous...” Although he wished to say something more, Robert held his tongue and walked out.

When the doors closed the walls rumbled and creaked as Malous’ cries echoed within the chamber, filled with deep pain.

***

In another place, Ubel and his guards were closing in on the ravaged team that had been led by Agate. They approached only to see the devastation left behind after the battle, with cries of pain echoing all throughout the camp.

When they entered the camp, Elana noticed them immediately. She stopped tending to Tänzer, who lay there with lifeless eyes and shallow breathing and stared at the group in an attempt to find the healer.

Instead, she saw Ubel’s face within the crowd and anger filled her veins. “What are you doing here, demon?”

With impassive eyes, Ubel moved over to her and ordered, “I’ve come with an ultimatum. Listen or die.”