Craving Scarecrow

Liam watches as someone else sacrifices themselves to save him, and the weight of his helplessness snaps him out of despair. He feels a heavy sense of responsibility.

Viktor closes in and lands an accurate hit on the Gravash, killing it.

"Saul, I am sorry. Please forgive me," Liam begs.

Saul slaps him hard. "You idiot! This is a battlefield. If you lose focus for even an instant, it will cost you your life. Crying won't help. Why do you think Leo saved you? Forget asking for forgiveness—fight! I can be healed once we make it out of here alive. Just fight!"

Sebastian picks Saul up onto his back. "Hey, you guys protect me. We're going to leave Saul in a safe place."

Both Viktor and Liam ready their lances.

"Sorry, Leo. I can't be forgiven for what I did today. But you were there to protect me, and I won't let your sacrifice be in vain. I'll kill all those bastards!" Liam channels his Pbv through his entire body.

"Hey, Liam, pick up Leo and take him to safety too. I'll cover you both!" Viktor shouts.

Liam cries even harder. "Thank you. I'll never forget what you've done."

Liam carries the remains of his brother. Both Sebastian and Liam use ninety percent of their Pbv in their legs, reserving the remaining ten percent for their bodies. Viktor does the same.

As Sebastian carried Saul and ran ahead, Liam's legs felt heavier than the weight of his brother's lifeless body on his back.

Why do I keep running? Liam thought, clenching his teeth. Am I just going to keep leaving people behind? First Leo, now Saul? If I run again, I might never face myself again.

"Liam, move!" Sebastian yelled, glancing over his shoulder.

Liam's heart screamed to fight, to turn back. But he kept running. Each step forward felt like betrayal, each tear a silent apology.

"I'm sorry, Leo," Liam whispered. "I'm sorry, Saul. I'll make this right—I swear I'll make this right."

From afar, Tomasz, Alaric, and Ethan observe the struggle with their Pbv-enhanced vision.

"Hey, before you leave, give me your lance," Viktor asks Liam.

Liam hands it over, and they run toward the forest. The Velocirians notice their escape and pursue them in groups.

As the Velocirians close in, Viktor turns around and fires a highly concentrated beam from both lances. The Velocirians use their shields to block it.

Liam, Sebastian, and Saul turn their heads, but Viktor shouts, "Don't stop! Keep going!"

Grinding their teeth and with faces covered in tears, Liam and Sebastian push forward. They near the forest, but something approaches them from the direction they're heading. They can't yet see what it is, But it is marked by Saul.

In another part of the battlefield, William and Marcel stood back to back, fending off Gravash and Velocirians.

"This is nothing like clearing dungeons," William grunted, thrusting his lance into a Gravash's chest. "In the dungeon, at least you know the enemy's patterns. Out here, it's chaos."

Marcel nodded, sweat dripping from his brow. "You're right. Those dungeon days feel so far away now."

"You remember that time you almost died in the Goblin King's dungeon?" William smirked despite the chaos. "You got surrounded, and I pulled you out. Took out half the goblins while carrying your sorry ass."

Marcel's jaw tightened. "Yeah, I remember."

"I'm just saying," William continued, his voice lighter despite the bloodshed. "We've been through worse together. Stick close to me. We'll survive this too."

Marcel forced a laugh. "Sure, William. Like always." But inside, his thoughts churned.

Always the hero, aren't you, William? Always saving me, always looking down on me like I'm weak. I'm not weak.

When the monsters closed in, Marcel hesitated. His mind flashed back to William's smirk, his words of encouragement. His jealousy flared like a fire.

As the Gravash closed in, Marcel grabbed William and threw him forward, using him as a shield.

"Marcel—!" William's scream was cut off as the Gravashs tore into him.

Marcel backed away, his face a mask of cold determination. As the creatures feasted, Marcel struck, killing them one by one. Blood soaked the ground, and he stood over William's remains.

"I'll never forget your sacrifice, my dear friend," Marcel said softly, though his voice was devoid of emotion.

He turned toward the battlefield, ready to spin a tale of revenge and heroism.

Back to Liam, Sebastian, and Saul

"Hey, leave me behind! I'm just a burden now," Saul says weakly.

"Don't you dare move, you bastard!" Sebastian shouts. "I can't watch another person die. This is hell, and I'm not leaving you, even if it costs my life!"

"You're putting Viktor in danger," Saul mutters, noticing movement in the trees ahead.

Before they can react, a deafening roar stuns them. Saul, using Pbv-enhanced hearing, is the only one unaffected. Viktor is out of range, fighting the Velocirians alone.

A Gravash lunges to bite both Sebastian and Saul. Liam, paralyzed by the roar, is unable to act.

At the last moment, Saul jumps off Sebastian's back, pushing him out of harm's way and saving his life. Blood splatters in the air. When Sebastian regains his senses, it's over—Saul is in the Gravash's jaws.

Both Liam and Sebastian lose themselves in rage and grief. Viktor catches up as the Velocirians close in, rushing toward them at full speed.

Sebastian and Liam roar like mindless beasts, channeling all their strength to kill the Gravash.

With Liam carrying his brother's body on his back, the three turn to face the approaching Velocirians.

Nitin, Oliver, Luka, Matteo, Nicolas, and Mr. Mogambo fight in another part of the battlefield. A mountain of Gravash and Velocirian corpses surrounds them.

Exhausted, they deactivate their Pbv.

"I can't keep going," Matteo pants, hands on his knees.

"You're right. I hope the others are holding out," Oliver says, scanning the area.

"Believe in them. We all trained together," Nitin says, eyes filled with sorrow. "Travis, I'm so sorry."

"The king and generals are still watching from somewhere....Those bastards. They must've lied to weed out the weak," Matteo spits in frustration.

"That's only part of it," Oliver sighs, sitting on the ground.

"What do you mean?" Luka asks.

Mr. Mogambo, the only one still using his Pbv, stands ready for battle.

"They're not attacking because they don't understand the enemy's abilities. Why would anyone charge blindly without information?" Oliver explains.

"So we're pawns for their analysis? They've likely already figured out the elves' abilities. They're just waiting for a dramatic entrance," Nicolas says bitterly, scanning the battlefield.

"Let it be quick. We can't hold out much longer," Nitin whispers, breathing heavily.

Suddenly, Mr. Mogambo senses an overwhelming presence. Before he can pinpoint it, Gravash drop from above like tadpoles.

Four land directly in front of him. In that moment, he recalls his daughter's smiling face as she calls him "Dad."

"I'm sorry, darling," Mr. Mogambo murmurs, concentrating all his Pbv into his right palm. He releases a wave of energy, pushing his friends aside and saving them from the onslaught.

When they look back, they see why—Mr. Mogambo's headless body stands amidst the chaos, his blood painting the air.

The Elf watches the carnage with satisfaction.

"In war, everyone fights for their survival. You came to take everything from me, and it's only natural that I defend my people. In war, there is no right or wrong. The victors write the truth, and the defeated fade into oblivion," the Elf murmurs to himself.

The Gravash charge at Nitin and the others, who, consumed by revenge, fight with no regard for strategy or survival.

Similar scenes play out across the battlefield as chaos reigns supreme.