It began in silence, the only sound was that of shuffling footsteps followed by muffled screams and slit veins. The smell of blood slowly soaking into the dirt and the gasps of fading life were only detectable to her as the night was peaceful to the drunken and the slumbering, but when the cold edge of a blade pressed against their neck awoke them from their rest, they had one moment of clarity. It was but an instant, but the short of time before the raiders entered eternal rest, they knew that their captives have risen and their camp was soaked in the blood of their comrades.

It all started when Jessica took care of secluded groups of raiders resting far away from others. There would be loners, people who did not want to be associated with their comrades, people who were guilty of what they were doing but too weak to do anything about it. They wanted to be left alone, to be as far away as those who reminded them of their own darkness. They were those that wanted out, that were wracked by guilt and wanted nothing more than to atone if the future permitted it. However, no matter their wishes, they were raiders and they were guilty. Unfortunately, it were those who wanted the least of this lifestyle that were the easiest to kill.

Jessica followed Rana’s instruction and took care of these groups. The rogue-class went in an order according to Rana’s suggestion. She was given permission to do as she saw fit, but the permission was not really needed. When on the battlefield, unforeseen circumstances would make even the most well-prepared plan unprepared for what could happen. The ones who knew the best were the ones with the most information, and more often than not they were the ones who were enacting the plan. In this case, however, the permission to do so was lip service, a final precaution, as Rana knew nothing would go wrong.

The rogue-class went from group to group, easily dispatching the ones sleeping in their restless nightmares, plagued by guilt and regret. The order was not haphazardly determined. These groups were the ones occupying the corners of the camp that were secluded, and the order in which they were terminated not only allowed Jessica an easier time to avoid detection, it also was more efficient and made for a path for the prisoners.

What Rana needed Jessica to do was simple in outline but difficult in execution, and the rogue-class marked one accomplished the tasks admirably. She managed to kill the raider groups to open a path and collected broken wards she then scattered in the precise location Rana needed them to be. When the rogue-class returned with the news of the completion of her assignment, the two of them then freed the men and had them collect the weapons scattered on the trail of dead raiders.

After the released prisoners picked up the weapons, it was time for slaughter. They moved forward quietly but also with urgency and determination. The prisoners were initially weak and scared, the long night of terror drained what was left of the fight they once had. However, there was no stronger motivator than a weapon in hand and anger. The spark in their eyes returned when their hands held onto the weapons that allowed them to enact their revenge, and their hatred burned when the blood of their enemies began to spill.

However, emotion could only carry a person for so long, and passion could only be restrained for an even shorter amount of time. When the prisoners reached where the third group was captive and the terrible sight before them was burned into their memories, the feeble lock that kept their humanity in check broke, and whatever anger they kept bottled up inside was unleashed and the victims of their unbridled hate were their captors. Humans were capable of unspeakable savage acts, and it did not take much for them to let their baser instincts take over.

The prisoners raged and their violent rampage tore through the raiders. There was no rhyme or reason for their action, no plan to be followed. The only thing that mattered was that every raider in their sights would feel their rage through the cold steel that hacked at the bodies of the raiders. It was mayhem and it started too soon.

Rana clicked her tongue. It was an expected risk, but that did not mean she hadn't wanted a slightly different outcome. Whatever the case, she had to delay the enemy from fully regrouping for as long as possible. She motioned her head to Jessica and the rogue-class nodded in return, fully understanding what needed to be done. The two marked one began to act as they had before, but in quicker succession and without restraining their mana anymore.

Jessica weaved around the battlefield, picking out the raiders who were more alert while rushing towards the enemy marked one squad leader. The captives were still weakened from their long march to the raider camp, and their line of skirmish would quickly fall to an enemy who recovered from their drunken stupor. Rana did the same, but instead of using her observational skills she simply smelled who were the most dangerous. The two of them went on the offensive and aided the captives. However, there was one critical difference between Jessica and Rana, and that was what made the situation turned to the worst possible outcome. Rana expected it, but she would’ve preferred if it didn’t happen.

The plan was when the melee inevitably happens, when the captives could no longer hold in their rage, Rana and Jessica would make haste to the enemy squad leader marked ones. Without the support of their two marked one allies, the captives would fight at a disadvantage and many of them would be killed. However, that was a necessary sacrifice if the captives were to be saved. If an enemy marked one were to arrive at the scene, or if an enemy marked one could not be instantly killed, the escape for the captives just became much more difficult.

Rana went straight for the marked one squad leader. She only allowed herself to help the captives if an enemy was already in her path. If any action were to slow her down, the captives would have to fend for themselves instead. That was why she saw some of the captives killed, but when she raised her crescent staff and slammed it onto the enemy marked one, the squad leader was too late to react and his skull was split. The same could not be said for Jessica. She cared. She cared too much. She went out of her way to help the captives. She defended those being pushed back, she pulled up those on the ground, and she broke the wall of enemies blocking those being surrounded. The girl saved many people, and it would eventually cost her the life of everyone.

Jessica reached the marked one squad leader of the raiders. He was still not fully awake, but no doubt the adrenaline would eventually kick in and fully revitalize his body. Jessica did not allow the chance to escape her. She was weakened by the fight the night before and the beating she withstood, the one that almost killed her, still pained and restrained her. However, this was the best chance she had. The enemy was not fully aware, he was just beginning to ready his mana. Jessica yelled at the man before her and unleashed her mana. The air was filled with youthful energy and her body soared as if it was gliding. She was fast. Her body broke the air and her arms were even faster. She slammed the knife across and sliced the man open.

It was not enough. The man was although still not fully awake, he had some awareness of what was going on. He knew there was an enemy, he knew hostile mana was invoked, and his instincts knew of what to do. The man stepped back with haste, and although the blade reached him the wound was shallow. That was the power of the mark. Jessica’s dagger would’ve cut open any mortal man and leave a lethal wound. However, to a marked one, the wound was nothing more than a dent to their health points. Now, with the enemy marked one fully engaged in combat and a second squad leader no doubt also closing in, the captives had to hurry or else the remaining three marked one raiders would arrive as reinforcements along with their captain and guards.

“Jessica! We’ve done all we can. The enemy marked ones are closing in so follow the plan. It is time to free the second group of captives,” Rana said. She saw the hesitation on Jessica’s face, but she knew the younger girl would realize that there was no point in continuing the pointless battle. “Just remember what I told you. Quickly.”

Jessica grit her teeth and then commanded the captives to follow her. The raiders would no doubt give chase, but Rana hoped that the damage the captives already inflicted and Jessica’s presence would give them a fighting chance. Still, there was no point in worrying about them. Rana did what she could do for them and did her best in following Jessica’s request. It was now time for her to move towards her own goal.

Rana leaped in front of the marked one Jessica was engaged in battle with and stopped him from giving chase. This was the least she could do and she preferred if the attention of the raiders was gathered onto her. It would do her no good if the raiders were to escape.

“Unfortunately,” Rana said as the enemy before her began to ready his weapon. “You would all die here tonight.”

Rana raised her staff and the crescent edge burned brightly. She turned the blade towards the ground and slammed it into the dirt, burying it within. She then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, her eyes snapped open and the air began to surge with crimson lightning.

“Alright, who wants to die first?”