I turn around, senses straining as the dust slowly settled…
Footsteps crunch closer. My heart skipped. When I looked back…
It was Loras, battered and barely clinging to life.
"Yo," he said, a crooked grin cutting across his bloodied face.
I smirked at him.
"You're alive, I see… How's the others?"
"Alive," he rasped, eyes heavy. "I told them to evacuate… along with the villagers."
I slowly approached, letting my hand glow with Ken. Gently, I placed it on his shoulder, letting the warmth seep in, knitting his bruises and torn flesh back together.
"Thanks," he muttered, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
"Don't mention it," I replied, a faint smirk tugging at my lips. "Let's head to the others."
I offered him a steadying hand, and together we moved forward, the echoes of battle fading behind us.
But I couldn't take my eyes off the corpses we left behind… Something about it felt off.
— After that —
As I gathered wood in the forest, two shadows flickered between the trees.
As they drew closer, the shapes became clear—Loras and Gabriel.
"Mister!" I shouted, relief breaking through the unease.
I quickly rushed toward them, my eyes locking on Sir Loras, seeing the exhaustion etched deep into his features. Every step felt urgent, a mix of relief and worry tightening in my chest.
"Thanks, kid. Where's the Chief?" Gabriel asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
I smiled, trying to keep the mood light.
"He's resting inside, along with the villagers," I replied.
"I see," he said quietly, his gaze distant. But something felt… off. A subtle tension I couldn't quite grasp lingered in the air, gnawing at the edges of my mind.
As we slowly approached the cave, I noticed Mr. Gabriel scanning the surroundings with relentless vigilance.
"Is there a problem, Sir?" I asked, my tone laced with concern.
He turned to me, a flicker of surprise crossing his features as if he hadn't expected the question.
"No, kid… just admiring the view," he said, his voice calm but a little too steady.
Slowly, we entered the cave. The villagers, busy with their own tasks, began to notice us. Some offered cautious waves, while others shot wary glares, their eyes full of questions and unspoken doubts.
On the other hand, Mr. Gabriel stared straight ahead, his posture tense, as if he were expecting something—or someone—to appear at any moment.
Then, suddenly, he spoke.
"Jean… take Loras and everyone outside," Gabriel said, his tone sharp and serious, leaving no room for argument.
I didn't understand what was happening, but instinct took over. I glanced back for a fleeting second before dragging Loras with all my strength, shouting for the others to leave the cave.
The Chief hurried forward, eyes sharp, concern written across his face.
"What's happening?" he asked cautiously.
"Gabriel said we need to leave the cave…" I said quickly, urgency in my voice.
"Why? Did he say anything else?" the Chief pressed, eyes narrowing.
"No… he just said we should," I replied, my stomach twisting with unease.
"All right, all right."
The Chief took Loras from my arms, his voice booming as he shouted with all his strength:
"Everyone! Leave the cave immediately!"
The echo of his command bounced off the walls, stirring a sudden flurry of movement as villagers scrambled to gather their things, their earlier calm replaced by urgent panic.
"Jean, let's go," the Chief murmured.
I nodded, but before following, my eyes flicked back toward the direction where Mr. Gabriel had gone. Something about the way he moved…
deliberate..
unyielding…
set my nerves on edge.
To be continued.