“Don’t stop-” Waynev hacked up a mix of blood and saliva wiping her mouth on the moving carriage.

“Until my body’s dry, keep going. I’m not gone yet.” But even as the words left her mouth, she could feel her body shaking.

Shutting down.

She was running out of time, and Shadow-

Shadow was gone.

“Way-Wayne-” Blake cried next to the carriage side as the few slaves that didn’t run the second they were freed were still nearby.

Two of them, one brown skinned with his tunic largely destroyed and the other a young birdfolk woman who found the carriage in the first place.

It was a rescue mission apparently that had succeeded in rescuing but not keeping the person alive.

‘Neither white nor black. They succeeded but ultimately failed, would the same happen to us?’ Waynev parroted what she thought Shadow would’ve said.

Turning away from the slaves, still watching over the two protectively, Waynev gripped the bloody catalyst… the reason she guessed why she wasn’t already dead.

Hooves and feet rumbled along with the occasional scream in the distance as the familiar blue screen opened, although slower than usual.

Current Status: ([Hollowed] Rank 1)

Agility:

(+1.3)10.33AH→(+1.3)6.71

Strength:

(+1.3)10.08AH→(+1.3)7.70

Vitality:

(+1.3)10.20AH→(+1.3)5.95

Wisdom:

(+1.3)6.20AH→(+1.3)3.05

Mana:

(Locked)

‘Shit’

Unable to even mumble the words, her head sunk back into the carriage as a small barrage of voices came her way.

The demons weren’t focusing on them-thankfully.

Turning her head she saw the city’s barrier flickering in the far distance, red and black figures surrounded the city with some streaming in from a broken part of the wall.

Putting her hand on top of Blakes, the red rags kept bringing the same question to her head.

Was it worth it?

…

Shoved forward, her arm was stretched as her body was pulled before her legs began working again.

Running over the countless bodies Kresley’s ears rang but the demons on the other side of the gate were blown away.

A small shock to both sides observers seeing a small group escape through the gap before it was quickly closed with more people escaping and guards trying to close the expanding chink in the gate.

Finally catching a second in one of the holes left by a particularly large blast of magic Kresley could see people running ahead of her.

Feeling a brisk arm on her shoulder Kresley nearly stabbed the man’s arm off until she heard his voice.

“Follow Vaud. I’ll watch behind us for any fliers or flocks.” Pill pulled away, the last whispers almost muted by the sound and scent of battle.

Trying to find Vaud’s back she saw him next to the large demon’s corpse, cutting off it’s head just in case it was playing dead, a common tactic demon’s enjoyed using.

“KRESLEY-” The head popped off as Vaud signaled for them to start running to the dungeon, just left of the forest most citizens of scaly skin were running to.

“Co-COMING,” Making sure she was heard Kresley scuttled to Vaud, checking behind her to see Pill following a meter or two away.

Lunging out of the pit, Vaud led the way through the bombarded battlefield.

Rushing forward he stopped only when an array of fire hit his shield.

Blocking so that not even a spark could land on Kresley, the group slowly beelined towards another pit.

But just as they were about to hide inside to recover some stamina another group barged into Kresley.

Knocking her to the ground, she was face to face with a desperate huffing dragonkin which quickly bounded off her unfortunately-

“KRESLEY, ROLL TO THE PIT!” Pill’s voice left no gap for hesitation, her body spinning into a downwards fall with wind hitting her face taking her sight.

Bumping and falling Kresley could hear Vaud’s footsteps run across before a large gong like noise was beat into her ears.

Finally wiping the dirt from one of her eyes, she could see Pill and Vaud barely holding off one of the demon brutes-

Like the one the bounty hunter hunted in the dungeon, it’s coarse white skin contrasted heavily against any scares or in this case crossbow bolts and small slashes Vaud was trying to unleash on it's tendons.

Dragging herself to her feat Kresley through two Knives swiftly as she jumped out of the hole.

But the small knives barely left a mark on the demon instead it seemed to add more obstacles for Vaud to avoid in his forward thrusts-

“Kresley-Go to the dungeon!” Pill shouted, pulling out another two bolts before Kresley could interrupt.

“We’ll meet you there, just find Waynev Kres,” Shouting over the sound of the demon now growling at Vaud, Pill gave one final look before aiming his crossbow.

Blinking Kresley could feel her stomach compelling her to stay in the safety of her friends but-

She wasn’t doing this to be safe.

“Find me at the dungeon!” Kresley shouted throwing another knife at the towering beast before flashes of red filled her vision.

Dodging to the right, Kresley saw two flying imps targeting her.

Unable to have a last look back Kresley sprinted towards the familiar entrance with what looked like broken teeth.