I stand amidst the remnants of what was once a cobblestoned walkway in the Northern part of village. The once sturdy bricks, intricately laid and forming beautiful patterns, now lie shattered and scattered on both sides of an enormous crack in the earth.

The crack stretches far into the Northern sector, dividing the area in two. It seems as though something immense was dragged across the land, leaving destruction in its wake.

Dusk settles, casting a dimness upon the scene. Despite the fading light, the sounds of shouting and fighting only grow louder as I press forward. The unstable ground beneath my feet resembles the rough terrain of the forest. Dust clouds and smoke from the chaos impair my vision, making it even more challenging to navigate.

Many shops that used to line the streets now lie in ruins. Those still standing are missing walls, and red ink stains mark the surfaces, evidence of fallen monsters. Thankfully, there are no signs of human casualties yet. Some of the monster corpses have already decayed, turning to ash and leaving behind sparkling shards. Others are in the process of rotting, their skin taking on a greyish black hue.

Though the empty and lifeless husks of suck killer beasts are things I should be used to, I still find it hard to look at so many scattered about and turn my head away from the macabre scene around me. The once beautiful Northern sector now resembles a slum that has been bombarded repeatedly. The corpses and bodies strewn about bear witness to the fierce battle that has taken place and is still raging.

I continue to follow the footsteps of my sisters and Richard, who ran in this direction. The cacophony of shouts and screams clashes with the thunderous roars and screeches of the monsters, blending with the clash of weapons in a symphony of chaos.

As I slow my pace, cautious of the unstable ground beneath me, a sudden threat confronts me.

"RAAUUGHH!!"

"AH!"

I leap aside, narrowly avoiding the swing of a club from a small, ugly green creature with yellow-stained tusks jutting from its lower jaw—a goblin.

While goblins are low-ranked monsters that I can handle individually, they become troublesome in large numbers, similar to killer ants.

I swiftly rise, grabbing a nearby rock, and roll out of harm's way as the goblin readies another attack. I whistle to catch its attention and hurl the rock at it. The impact is light, merely grazing the creature's head, but it seems confused by the unexpected action.

"RAU?!"

Taking advantage of its confusion, I charge at the goblin and plunge my dagger deep into its chest before it can react. A tiny crack escapes the creature's chest, and its eyes widen in disbelief. It's a lucky critical hit—I struck exactly where its energy shard had luckily shifted to. The goblin drops its weapon, collapsing to the ground, its green skin turning a greyish black.

I resume following the tracks left by my companions, but a sudden movement catches my attention. Something large whizzes past my face with a shrill screech, too fast for my eyes to track. A thunderous crash follows, as if something had shattered through a thick wall. A familiar, unpleasant buzzing and electrifying sound emanate from the source of the projectile. Slowly, I turn my head to steal a glimpse.

It's another one. To my dismay, it's not just one—they are a group of soldiers, clad in blue and white hardened uniforms, their faces hidden behind helmets. How did I fail to sense their presence? They wield similar weapons to the first soldier I encountered, but their weapons have a different design and grip.

These soldiers wield a menacing black rod, its one end adorned with a bulky head resembling a pernach. As they brandish the weapon, vibrant sparks of purple and black cascade from the head, while the other end boasts jet-black blades, razor-sharp and lethal

The clash of silver and obsidian blades filled the air, accompanied by brilliant flashes of purple and black. The soldiers, highly trained and of superior rank, engaged in a fierce combat with the village fighters who had bravely chosen to stand their ground and assist Lio and the others in their escape. The battle was relentless, each combatant fighting with unwavering determination amidst the chaos unfolding around them.

It was clear from a distance that the village fighters were outnumbered and outmatched. The soldiers boasted higher ranks, honed through rigorous training, while the majority of village fighters were of rank 1 and 2. Ryoko, Azune, and the scout team, who potentially surpassed this threshold, were nowhere to be seen despite the distress call sent earlier. The odds seemed stacked against the village fighters, their hopes dwindling with each fallen comrade.

To make matters worse, the battle took place in the now unfamiliar Northern sector of the village, leaving the villagesfolk at a strategic disadvantage. They navigated the unfamiliar decimated terrain, lacking the advantage of intimate knowledge of their surroundings. The village fighters found themselves rapidly overwhelmed, the soldiers gaining the upper hand. It appeared as though the battle would reach a grim conclusion if it were not for a sudden interruption.

A bone-chilling screech pierced the air, momentarily drowning out the clash of weapons. A colossal beast, with a jagged beak and razor-sharp claws, descended upon the soldiers, tearing them away from the beleaguered villagesfolk. A horde of additional monstrous adversaries followed suit, drawn by the surging energy emanating from the downed ship. Akokↄ's, killer ants, goblins, chargers, bullheads, and more joined the chaotic fray, their eyes ablaze with bloodlust.

The monsters, driven by curiosity and instinctual hostility towards the large amount of energy, engaged in battle against both the hunters and the soldiers. This unexpected turn of events forced the soldiers to divert their attention and resources toward the new adversaries, providing temporary relief for the hunters. However, the monsters did not discriminate between friend or foe. They saw both the village's defenders and the soldiers as threats that needed to be eliminated.

Amidst the pandemonium, Edowado surveyed the scene, beads of sweat cascading down his neck and saturating his garments. He couldn't forget the airborne objects that abruptly halted his advance, compelling him to investigate their origin. With trepidation, he turned his gaze toward a massive fracture in a crumbling wall, a testament to the ferocity of the battle.

Resting atop the mound of shattered concrete and mortar, he saw the lifeless body of a monstrous creature, larger than a goblin and approaching the size of a lynx. It was an okusie, an oversized rodent-like monster renowned for its relentless pursuit of prey. This creature had been flung with incredible force against the wall, a sight that surpassed any encounter Edowado had experienced within the safety of the village. The display of monstrous strength served as a chilling reminder of the formidable power hidden within these soldiers clad in blue and white.

(They did that to an okusie?!)

As Edowado processed the grotesque scene, a blazing hot burning sensation seared the side of his head, drawing his attention to the threat that loomed behind him. Instinctively, his survival instincts kicked in, urging him to flee the imminent danger. He turned, fully prepared to heed the warning and make his escape, but his gaze was arrested by something orange held in the grasp of a soldier.

Clutched tightly within the soldier's grasp, with unmistakable orange hair, was Richard, unconscious and battered. Richard, usually confined to the safety of his laboratory, had put up a valiant fight against the soldiers but stood no chance against their combat expertise. Bruised and swollen, his features bore the unmistakable signs of a merciless beating. His once pristine white overcoat now bore stains of blood and dirt. The sight of his friend's desperate state ignited a fierce rage within Edowado, but it quickly gave way to an overwhelming sense of fear.

A paralyzing realization took hold of Edowado—there was nothing he could do to save Richard. The soldiers were far too powerful for him to confront. The voices of doubt echoed in his mind, urging him to flee while he still had a chance. Tears welled in his eyes, his heart torn between leaving a friend in need and his own self-preservation. Deep down, he knew he was terrified, and the thought of confronting the soldiers sent shivers down his spine.

There's no way you can face them. Their too strong. Run while you still can.

These were the voices that whispered in the boy's ears, a chorus of doubt and self-preservation that rang through his head and shook him to his core. Deep down inside, Edowado knew that everything these voices said was true.

The weight of Richard's desperate gaze bore into him, as if pleading for him to escape the clutches of impending doom. With all his strength, Richard mustered a final act of defiance, his heavy eyelids lifting just enough to meet Edowado's gaze, and in a raspy, feeble voice, he screamed a single word before slipping back into unconsciousness.

"RUN!!"

The word echoed in the depths of Edowado's soul, resonating with the profound understanding that it was meant for him and him alone. The urgency and intensity of Richard's plea were undeniable, slicing through the chaos of battle like a siren of survival.

A torrent of emotions surged within Edowado, threatening to consume him entirely. The gravity of the situation bore down on him, threatening to suffocate his every breath. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision, as he grappled with the unbearable weight of leaving a friend behind in his darkest hour. It felt like a betrayal of their unwavering bond, an unforgivable abandonment.

Yet, buried deep within the turmoil of his conflicted heart, Edowado recognized a raw, unspoken truth. Somewhere inside him, a kernel of fear resided, silently whispering its poisonous doubt. It was easier to turn away, to hide behind the façade of self-preservation, than to face the daunting task of standing against overwhelming odds.

With clenched teeth and a heavy heart, Edowado turned away from Richard's motionless form and fled as fast as his legs could carry him. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, and a solitary jet-black blade attached to a rod stood erect in the ground where Edowado just stood, a sombre testament to the choice he had made.

His eyes burned with unshed tears, and his hands gripped his dagger, still activated, with an intensity born of desperation. The word "run" echoed in his mind, drowning out all other thoughts as he recklessly navigated through the chaos of the battlefield. He leaped over fallen goblins, dodged slashing blades that seemed to blur before his eyes, and evaded hurtling bodies with nimble twists and turns.

In his desperate flight, however, he stumbled and fell with a resounding thud. His foot had caught on an obstacle, causing him to lose his balance and crash to the ground. The impact sent him skidding across the rough earth, coming to a stop against an unexpected obstruction. Slowly, he raised himself, rubbing his head, which had borne the brunt of the fall.

Pain and disarray marked his appearance. His ruffled hair was drenched in sweat, and blood trickled down his cheeks from the cuts and scrapes on his arms and face. Reaching out to determine the cause of his fall, he froze when his hand made contact with something unexpectedly soft yet firm. His heart raced, and he gingerly pressed his hand against the object, hoping against hope that it wasn't what he feared.

He gulped down hard and slowly pressed what was in his arms one final time.

"AAAAAAAAAH!!"

In a sudden burst of horror, Edowado jerked his head up, letting out a blood-curdling scream that reverberated through the chaos. The colour of his face changed, his light skin turning a lighter shade of pink but his face looked mortified.

Before him lay the lifeless body of a young female hunter, her face bloodied and her leather armour battered. A single obsidian blade protruded from her belly. Overwhelmed by terror, Edowado recoiled, pushing himself away from the gruesome sight. In his panicked state, he tripped over another object, further intensifying his distress.

Scrambling to his feet, Edowado turned to see what had caused his stumble, only to wish he hadn't. Another lifeless adventurer lay before him, a male figure clad in tattered remnants of a simple shirt and trousers. Deep claw marks marred his chest and arms, the wounds still oozing crimson trails. The terror etched on Edowado's face deepened, his hands pressed against his mouth in a desperate attempt to stifle his mounting nausea.

"Why? Why is this all happening?!" he screamed internally, his voice drowned out by the cacophony of battle.

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Frozen in horror, Edowado sat motionless amidst the chaos, his eyes wide with disbelief. His haggard appearance mirrored the torment raging within him. His trembling breaths echoed like a raspy dirge in his throat, his sweat-soaked brow betraying his mounting desperation. In this relentless nightmare, time seemed to distort, stretching each agonizing second into an eternity of despair.

Unbeknownst to him, a looming figure emerged from the shadows, stealthily approaching with nefarious intent. Cloaked in darkness, the figure raised a black obsidian blade high above their head, the glimmer of malevolence dancing upon its razor-sharp edge as the battlefield raged on, every combatant remained entranced by the immediate threats before them, oblivious to the impending danger that closed in on Edowado except one man trapped in a fierce duel.

Pushed against a corner, he strained against the weight of a soldier, their blades locked in a deadly struggle. In a brief moment of respite, the man glanced at his surroundings and noticed the impending danger looming over the motionless boy.

Though torn by his own predicament, he slanted his sword, causing the soldier to momentarily lose balance. Seizing this fleeting opportunity, he shouted with all his might, a desperate warning to the frozen figure on the ground.

"Get out of the way, kid!"

But the cry fell on deaf ears, swallowed by the chaos and drowned out by the clash of steel.

Edowado remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the ground. However, his attention was abruptly drawn upward as a black shadow loomed above him. Twisting his body, he caught a glimpse of his impending doom, his heart sinking with dread. It was too late to react, too late to escape

(So this is how the monsters feel when you land a final blow?)

(This must be my punishment for abandoning Richard and Akisor and Elaine…)

His gaze locked on the soldier's face, void of emotion, as the blade descended, poised to end his young life. Edowado braced himself for the inevitable, eyes shut, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

The blade cut through the air, slicing through flesh and bone, severing a limb with a sickening thud. The pain coursed through him like a raging fire, eliciting a guttural cry of agony that tore through the chaos.

"RAAAAAA!!"

The sonorous voice of a grown man bellowed in agony just as the blades tore through the flesh but later roared out with rage as a beautiful green light arced through the air, heralding the arrival of a figure with a tanned, boulder-sized arm clutching onto the haft of a glowing double sided battle axe.

"Take that you bastard!!"

With a thunderous swing, the glowing blade of the axe cleaved through the soldier's armour and flesh, leaving a gaping wound in his chest. Collapsing to the ground, the enemy lay defeated. Edowado's blood-soaked face registered shock and recognition.

"Are you alright, kid?!"

"A-Adolfo?"

Standing before him, the bloodied and haggard figure of Adolfo Aboagye the village's esteemed leader, offered a momentary respite from the chaos. Adolfo had taken the hit meant for Edowado, sacrificing his own well-being for a single boy. A mixture of gratitude and concern flooded Edowado's gaze.

(If Adolfo is here then that must mean…)

Before he could finish his thought, more figures emerged from the dust and smoke, clad in armour and armed with determination. The scouting team, comprised of the village's strongest hunters and formidable outsiders, rallied alongside their fellow villagers, united against the relentless onslaught of monsters and soldiers.

Adolfo, his breathing ragged, pressed his remaining arm against the bleeding stump, his eyes ablaze with the weight of their dire situation. His playful demeanour had given way to a steely resolve, his voice carrying an uncommon seriousness.

"Listen, kid. This isn't like the safe hunting zones in the forest. When I give the signal, I want you to get the hell outta here as far and fast as your feet will take you. You got that?!"

"B-Bu—!"

"Don't say anything, kid! I don't want you getting hurt. Just obey. Don't look back, just run."

Edowado looked down, his spirit dampened, but obediently nodded his head. A fleeting smile tugged at Adolfo's face, quickly replaced by a hardened expression.

"Now, GET OUT OF HERE—RAUH!"

Adolfo's roar reverberated through the chaos as he swung his battle axe high above his head with his single arm. Sparks scattered as blades clashed, Adolfo skilfully parrying a sneak attack from a soldier.

Edowado stumbled forward, his feet propelled by fear and adrenaline. Running. That seemed like all he ever did and could ever do. He couldn't help it.

Glancing backward, he witnessed Adolfo battling fiercely against overwhelming odds, his blazing eyes mirroring a determination capable of setting a forest ablaze.

The boy turned his focus forward, navigating through the wreckage until he spotted a dishevelled young boy in a red shirt, sobbing in a corner.

"Ezra! Ezra, is that you?"

"Ed?"

"It is you! Come on, we've gotta run; we can't be here."

Edowado recognized the unmistakable presence of the boy who always wore his favourite red shirt, the one who had always been by the old man's side, his grandfather's only family. Filled with a mixture of relief and urgency, Edowado rushed over and took Ezra by the arm, urging him to move.

Taking hold of Ezra's arm, Edowado pulled him off the floor and urged him to move. But as they sprinted away, he failed to notice the vacant expression on Ezra's face. His eyes, once bright and lively, now bore a dull greyness, and his features appeared empty, devoid of all emotion.

"Grandpa…grandpa…" Ezra muttered, his voice a mere whisper that went unheard by Edowado.

Edowado was truly glad to have met the boy, but deep down somewhere in his chest he knew he relied on Ezra as a crutch, a way to appease his own guilt for abandoning the people he should have protected. Ezra became a symbol of his redemption, a reminder that he wasn't a complete coward.

They continued their hasty retreat, navigating through rigorous fighting and making quick U-turns to avoid the advancing monsters. Finally, Edowado came to a halt in front of a two-story building, its upper floor reduced to rubble.

"Wait…. I know…this…place"

Breathing heavily, both boys paused to catch their breath. Edowado glanced around, ensuring they were not being pursued by soldiers or monsters. Despite the smoke and dust, he recognized the remains of the building, even with its shattered windows and crumbled staircase. They stood before Panayaado's bar and café or more accurately to say what was left of it.

"Edowado, Ezra?!"

Their momentary respite was shattered as a young girl's voice called out from behind one of the window frames. "Edowado, Ezra?!"

Eyes widening, Edowado turned to see the head of a girl with long black hair and piercing purple eyes peering out from the building. "Miss Amina?!"

Behind her, two more heads appeared, belonging to girls with chestnut and dark brown hair and brown eyes. They wore red and black uniforms under plain white aprons, their appearances worn and exhausted.

"Li and Violet?"

"You two, don't just stand there," Amina urged, her voice filled with urgency.

"Hurry inside before more of them show up!"

"Hurry, quick!"

The three girls opened the door slightly, calling out to the boys who still struggled to catch their breath outside.

"Okay, let's go, Ezra," Edowado said, his grip firm as he pulled the younger boy towards the entrance. They ascended the broken staircase and entered the building, with Violet shutting the door behind them and Li helping to barricade it with a dining table.

"Miss Violet, Li, Amina?"

"Edowado, Ezra, you're both ok!"

Inside, the dimly lit room revealed the aftermath of destruction. Broken glassware and shattered furniture littered the floor, while tables were overturned and scattered. Huddled against the counter and throughout the room were villagers—men, women, and children—seeking refuge from the chaos outside.

Edowado's eyes darted across the scene, taking in the distraught figures seeking shelter. The girls before him, Amina, Violet, and Li, wore tired expressions and their uniforms were torn and stained. Despite their own struggles, they had taken on the role of caretakers in this makeshift sanctuary.

Edowado's gaze shifted from the disarray of the room to the girls standing before him. "Yeah, but what happened to you? What's happening here?"

The girls exchanged a glance, their faces pale and troubled. Violet stepped forward to explain, her voice tinged with weariness. "We were trapped when the upper floor collapsed during the explosions. Some hunters rescued us, but most of the other villagers had already fled. Monsters and soldiers in blue and white surrounded the area."

Li continued; her voice soft but steady. "The hunters told us to hide here while they lure the monsters and soldiers away. That was when Elaine brought the trapped villagers here as well. We're waiting for them to give us the signal to escape and reunite with the others at the border."

Edowado's eyes widened with concern. "Wait, Elaine... my sister. She brought the others here. Where is she now?"

"W-wait, hold on! You said Elaine, my sister, brought the others here. Where is she now?!"

The room fell into a heavy silence, and Edowado's grip tightened on Li's shoulders. The girls exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to deliver the news. Amina crouched down, trying to ease the tension in the air.

"You've got to relax, Edowado. We have to attend to you first. Look at you!"

"What happened to you out there?!"

Her words snapped Edowado out of his daze, and he glanced down at his battered and bloodied appearance. The red smears on his face seemed to match the chaos and destruction outside. The sight of his own reflection jolted him back to reality.

Taking a deep breath, he managed to string together a few words. "I don't know why all this is happening, but out there, in the chaos... I got into multiple troubles. I saw Richard and Adolfo, but I... I couldn't..."

His voice trailed off, a mixture of guilt and anguish in his tone. He clenched his fist tightly, his head lowered in shame. The girls exchanged concerned glances, understanding the weight of his unspoken words.

"It's alright, Edowado. I'm sure Richard and Adolfo will be alright. They're strong, just like you."

Edowado remained silent, his eyes fixed on the floor. The weight of his perceived failure pressed heavily upon him. If only he had been stronger, if only he had been able to protect those he cared about.

Violet, unable to bear the heavy silence, spoke up, her voice filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty. "If Adolfo is back, then that means the scouting team has returned. We have a chance to fight back."

Amina reached out and placed a hand on Edowado's shoulder, her touch warm and comforting. "Like we said earlier, Elaine brought many of the villagers here. She refused to rest, stitching up their wounds and tending to their needs. She believed there were still people out there who needed her help, including her own parents."

Violet joined in. "We thought maybe she was working with you, not wanting to leave you out there alone. So we prepared some special snacks with the ingredients that were still intact, hoping to give her a boost of energy."

"Elaine is strong and determined, but…"

"But now I wish we had tried a bit more to stop her but I've known her long enough to know she can be tough and look after herself, especially when helping others in need is involved, if need be." Amina interjected, completing Violet's

Amina and Elaine had first met when they were both kids, though Amina was a year or two younger than Elaine. They had grown closer as they grew and though they spent less time together after Elaine started working with Ryoko and Amina at the cafe they were still close and treasured every opportunity they got to interact. They were the best of friends and truly inseparable.

"But if you want, we can go out and look for her. I'm sure we can find her if…"

"No, you don't need to"

Edowado was now looking straight at the girl with his head raised. He scratched his nose, sniffling slightly. The girl had a way with words and she was aware of that. She had a way of saying things in a charming yet reassuring way to soothe others in need of help.

Amidst their conversation, Ezra stood near the door, his small body trembling and his words barely audible as he mumbled to himself. The others were too engrossed in their discussion to notice, except for Li, who had been startled by Edowado's grasp earlier.

From her position behind Amina and Violet, Li glanced at Ezra and sensed something amiss. Despite her lack of confidence in social interactions, she couldn't ignore the boy's unusual behaviour. Slowly, she approached him.

"G-g-grandpa...grandpa..." Ezra's voice quivered as he repeated the words, his hands gripping an object tightly and shaking with unease. Tears streamed down his face, falling onto his tiny clenched fists.

Amina, drawn by the glimmer of a silver object revealed in Ezra's trembling grasp, finally took notice of his distress.

Her thoughts raced, piecing together the puzzle. This was the same boy who always walked hand in hand with his grandfather, the elderly man with the silver cross necklace. Amina's mind filled with concern. Where was his grandfather now?

Summoning her courage, Li knelt in front of Ezra, meeting his teary gaze. She spoke softly, her voice laced with compassion. "Um... Ezra? Where is your grand—?"

"Grandp... GRANDPA!!" The boy's voice cracked with heart-wrenching anguish. His tears flowed uncontrollably, cascading down his flushed cheeks.

"Huh?!" Edowado and the two girls turned their attention to Ezra, their faces etched with shock and sorrow. In the blink of an eye, the young boy's world had shattered. The person he cherished above all, the one who showered him with unconditional love and devoted his time to him, was now lay motionless beneath rubble.

"YOU LIED TO ME! GRANDPA! GRANDPA! WHY?!" Ezra's grief reverberated through the room, his cries echoing the pain that tore at his young heart.

"Ezra?!"

Before anyone could react, the boy darted toward a narrow crack in the wall, desperate to escape the suffocating reality. He sprinted down the stairs, leaving behind the silver object he had clung to so tightly.

Amina, her gaze still fixed on the silver object abandoned on the floor, instinctively reached down and picked it up. The weight of the cross in her palm felt heavier than ever, symbolizing the anguish that now burdened their young friend.

"It's Mr. Amos' cross," Amina whispered, her voice tinged with sorrow. "The one we've seen him wear when he visits the café with Ezra, the boy in the red shirt."

"Darn it! How did I not realize Mr. Amos wasn't with him where he was. I was too focused on running away" Edowado lamented, regret weighing heavily on his voice.

"Well we've gotta go after him!"

"Y-yes, it's very dangerous out there"

The two girls were about to take off after the girl but Amina, realizing the urgency of the situation, swiftly made a decision.

"No, we can't all go and leave the others behind. Violet, Li, please stay here and watch over the villagers in case the hunters return. Edowado and I will go find Ezra."

"I-I can go by myself, Miss Amina. It's my fault this happened and I've got to look for Elaine and—"

Edowado attempted to protest, blaming himself for what had happened, but Amina interrupted him, her voice filled with determination. "That's exactly why I'm coming with you. You need someone by your side. We'll cover more ground together."

"A-alright, fine."

Edowado kept his hands by his side and silently accepted the girl's decision to come along to search for Ezra. She had guessed he would blame himself and lose concentration if he went out alone and besides two people would make the search faster than with just one individual

"Alright, you can count on Li and me, Amina!"

"W-we'll do our best here but please do be careful, both of you"

As they exited the building, Amina and Edowado took off running, following the path Ezra had taken. They stayed close to the dilapidated buildings, keeping an eye out for any lurking dangers. Edowado led the way but adjusted his pace to match Amina's, ensuring they stayed together.

The sound of battle still echoed in their ears, the clash of weapons and roars of monsters filling the air. They ran, their footsteps echoing in the desolate streets. The ground beneath them was stained with blood, and glowing shards and ashes littered the path, providing an eerie illumination.

Soon, they reached a fork in the road. Two paths lay ahead—a left turn leading to the eastern edge of the village's northern sector, and a right turn leading to the other half, where the hunters had concentrated their attack. Of course neither of them were aware of that.

Edowado paused, considering his options, but quickly dismissed his initial inclination. He reached for Amina's arm, pulling her toward the left path. However, Amina hesitated, halting their progress.

Confusion flickered in Edowado's eyes as he looked at Amina. She took a step back and met his gaze, her voice determined yet caring. "I know what you were thinking, Edowado and I do agree we should split up. It will allow us to cover more ground."

Edowado's brows furrowed in concern, worry etched on his face. "But what if..."

Amina interrupted him, her voice filled with reassurance. "As I said before, if it becomes too dangerous for me, I will retreat and return, leaving it up to you. But if nothing happens to me and he isn't there I'll retrace my steps and come back to take the path you took and meet up with you if I can and likewise you'll do same if you don't find him. You don't need to worry about me. Just focus on finding Ezra."

Edowado hesitated, the weight of his decision apparent in his eyes. Finally, he nodded, silently giving his consent.

Amina smiled at him; her gaze unwavering. "Please be safe, Edowado."

"I will. And you too, Amina," he replied with determination.

They positioned themselves in front of their respective paths, ready to venture into the unknown. Edowado glanced at Amina one last time, his heart heavy with concern. With that, they both dashed down their chosen paths, determined to find Ezra.

As Edowado ran, the sounds of battle grew louder, reverberating through the streets. Blood-soaked the ground, casting a grim backdrop, while glimmers of shattered fragments and ash offered feeble illumination. Edowado recognized the path he was on—it led to the guild office. He pressed on, drawing closer to his destination.

Edowado's footsteps echoed through the desolate streets, mingling with the cacophony of battle. The grim symphony grew louder with each passing moment, a haunting soundtrack to the horrors unfolding. The ground beneath his feet bore the stains of spilled blood, transforming the path into a macabre canvas.

Recognition struck him like a blow to the chest. This path, well-worn and familiar, led to the guild office—the bastion of power and guardianship. It was an institution that maintained peace and order throughout the land, extending its reach even to the remote villages. Edowado held onto a glimmer of hope, hoping against all odds that the guild office would remain untouched, a beacon of salvation in the chaos.

But his hopes were swiftly shattered as he arrived at the scene. The grandeur that once defined the guild office was now a cruel parody of its former self. The once aesthetic structure now lay in ruins.

The walls, once sturdy and impenetrable, bore deep cracks, some sections reduced to rubble. The shattered remnants of the exquisite stained-glass windows now adorned the ground like shards of broken dreams. The two majestic pillars that proudly guarded the entrance had crumbled, leaning against the decimated front wall.

But the true horror lay in the lifeless forms strewn around the building. Among the wreckage, the bodies of monstrous creatures mingled with those of fallen men, their stillness a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded. The guild office, a symbol of security and hope for the village, had become a haunting graveyard.

Edowado's breath caught in his throat, his eyes wide with disbelief and grief. The very foundation of their protection had been torn asunder, leaving him with a harrowing question: What could they do now?