Why? Maybe all of them would die in just a few moments, but there was still the chance to live. Why did she throw away her life like that just for him to survive for a little longer? He knew she liked him, but that couldn't be all, could it? Was it the same reason he stepped in front of Mitre? He wouldn't ever get the chance to find out.

He opened his eyes. Around him, time appeared frozen. The Thall stood with flesh stuck in its mouth. Mitre right behind him, terrified. How would he end up in the future after witnessing such a scene? If he lived, that is.

So this is what dying feels like? The last few moments lasting for an eternity? Soaking in how helpless he was.

“You’re going to give up, just like that?” a mysterious voice asked.

Aleister looked around, but he didn't know where it came from. “It's not giving up, it's giving in. Death is all but certain."

The black raven flew in front of Aleister. "But, what if you had the power to fight back?"

"Who are you?" He knew certain people could communicate with animals, through their connection with nature or through a certain spell.

“Wow, you don’t remember me? Truly, I am insulted!” the raven said, folding its wing so the tip of the feathers pressed against its chest.

"I wouldn't ask who you were if I didn't, now would I?"

"I've been monitoring you for a couple of weeks now."

"Yes, that I have noticed."

"Then are you interested in my contract?"

"What does it entail for me?"

"Power."

"What kind of power?"

"The power to fight. The power to live."

"What's the catch?"

"You just have to fulfil the terms, that is all."

"What are the terms?" The power to fight and live was too vague. Aleister asked for the terms, but no matter how unfavourable they were, he wasn't in the situation to say no. There was just too much he didn’t understand. But at this moment, did they matter? All that mattered now was that he had a chance to live.

"If you want to know, you'll have to read the contract."

"Are you a god? Is this some sort of divine intervention?"

The raven didn't answer, but time started to continue.

"Fine." He still had a lot of questions, but he would not get the answers now, it seems. “I, accept!”

The raven transformed into a black light that engulfed the room. Seeing the light, or rather an absence of it, in front of him, the Thall jumped back, no doubt sensing that something was incredibly wrong.

Aleister reached out into the origin of the light. He grabbed it between his hands as the black energy condensed into a vertical line. The light returned to the room.

Mitre’ eyes widened as he didn’t move. It was apparent he struggled to comprehend what was currently happening, just like all the other villagers that seemed to share his state of shock. Aleister wasn’t in a better spot either, he didn’t know what he was doing; he was acting purely on instinct.

The condensed energy in his hands consumed him. Aleister roared with rage and hurled the sharp bolt straight at the Thall. To Aleister, it looked like the black bolt teleported.

The Thall didn’t have a chance to react either, and as the energy struck, it blew it back and vaporized its arm, resulting in a crimson explosion. With bloodshot eyes, the Thall howled in pain and agony.

Aleister collapsed to his knees, coughing, and hacked up blood. His heart pulsated at an incredible pace, as if it were about to implode at any second. His surroundings were nothing more than a blurry mess of red, leaving him unable to distinguish left from right. From the screaming, he could tell that his attack hadn’t killed the Thall, a shame. However, he hoped it would be enough to buy them enough time.

To the best of his ability, he looked up, using his right hand to cover up his right eye. With his left, he squinted. He just barely made out the Thall he attacked. Contrary to his expectations, the Thall along with the surrounding gnolls seemed to run away instead of attacking them in a fit of rage.

The black light flooded his eyes. He could see clearly now.

The Thall had just bit into Delilah. Her body just hit the floor. Everything he just witnessed was nothing more than an illusion. A fantasy created by his mind. What he wished would happen. But reality always begged to differ. As the Thall chewed upon Delilah's flesh, it smashed Aleister's leg with its foot.

Aleister collapsed. Besides the instant jolt of pain, he could no longer feel his leg.

"Fuck off!" Gilmore rushed into the room and struck the Thall square in its chest. The two of them engaged in a fierce battle.

Mitre bent over next to him and with a quivering voice, asked, “A—are you, okay?”

Aleister coughed up some more blood. Everyone around him was silent. He only heard the crackling of burning embers as his heartbeat drowned out all other noise. “Couldn’t be better.” He gazed upon Delilah’s corpse and fell unconscious.