Each step sent Erend's mind reeling. His body had long since reached its limit.

Throughout the trek, he'd found himself questioning why they didn't teach students about the consequences of overusing Source in class, but he already knew the answer. After all, what reason would there be in teaching such things to students who would likely never achieve the ability of casting anyway?

Complaining about the lack of teaching did help alleviate his anxiety though, so he kept at it. However, despite his best efforts to forget about it, the fear of what might have happened to his friends and family slowly ate away at his resolve.

The woods swept past him in a blur. Each stride sent a sharp twang of pain running through his body. Yet he didn't stop the frenzied rush until he felt the soft sand below his feet.

The beach looked much better than the camp had, but signs of battle were still obvious. Arrows stuck out of the ground, orc bodies lay smoldering. The ship was still hidden behind the rock formation. He could see how the anchor's chain rattled against the hull.

"Hello?!" he shouted and swept the beach with his gaze. Completely disregarding any notion of self-preservation.

The smoldering of bodies and the ocean tide smashing against the bay were the only answers he received.

Erend strode up to the body closest to him and took a knee. The orc had multiple wounds. Mostly sear marks and arrow wounds.

Charles and Cordelia...

He pulled his sword out of its scabbard and used it to support his weight. The gaping darkness of the woods called to him. If they were alive, they were inside there, somewhere.

How would Johann do this?

The edge of the woods was barren but he didn't give up. There had to be some sign to point him in the direction they'd gone. With his sword as a crutch, he forced himself to move again.

For now, let's follow the bodies.

By all accounts, the woods should have made for easier tracking, yet he found himself scratching his chin at every turn. The things Johann had taught him didn't work when tracking a group that fought as they ran. At least the part about fighting while fleeing was clear. The bushes were trampled, arrows stuck out of tree trunks along with the familiar sear marks from Cordelia's casting. Blood was scattered in all directions.

Every hundred or so meters, Erend would come across a body. Each time he spotted their dark silhouette he could feel his heart in his throat. For now, none of them had been human.

The tracking continued for several more minutes. He hadn't seen a body for a long time now, which made him question whether or not he was on the right path. But he pressed on. There wasn't enough energy in him to go back and start over again and he didn't want to risk resting if it could mean the survivors getting caught.

His solitary figure kept limping through the dimly lit forest until finally, he could hear something. Hushed voices.

He listened closely, trying to discern if he could recognize them.

"... have... help... go!"

"Guys?" Erend tried to shout. He was surprised by the raspy sound of his voice.

A loud metallic clamor broke out in response to his call.

"Woah! Calm down! It's me!" he tried again.

"Erend?"

The sound of Charles's voice had never sounded so sweet.

"Charles?! Oh gods, I'm so glad you're here that I could kiss you!"

Charles emerged from the foliage with a warm smile, "Likewise, but let's not. Where have you been? Where are the others?" he asked as Peter trailed behind him, two-handing a frying pan with a nervous look, he didn't offer much in the form of conversation.

"Me and Albert were seen and then chased down, didn't he tell you?"

"He did, and he brought the others to get you."

"What others?"

"Thomas, Jack, and Johann."

A sharp pain cut through Erend like cold steel, "They never found me... I barely got out alive..."

Charles put a hand on his shoulder, "Tell me about it... but not here, come with me."

Erend shook his head in protest, "No, we need to go get them!" he started to turn.

"Erend, you're in no state to go fight. You probably haven't seen yourself in a while, but let me assure you; you look worse than you could possibly feel. Besides, it would do the others good to see you."

Peter finally piped up, "Kid. At least get something to eat with us. You must be starving."

His growling stomach didn't do much to help his case, "Just for a bit," he conceded.

The father and son duo led him through the woods with Charles making sure they didn't leave any noticeable tracks. After a few minutes of walking, they reached a clearing. Inside, the rest of the group was gathered. Mary argued with Bernard over something like usual. Cordelia tried to appease them.

Johann's wife was also there, she sat huddled with the kids, Elle included. The second she saw Erend approaching, she rushed at him with teary eyes.

"Erend!" she exclaimed and leaped into his embrace. "Where have you been?!"

"Sorry, I got a bit held up..."

"Is Dad coming back soon?"

Erend clenched his jaw and stroked her hair, "I hope so..." he squeezed out.

"You don't know?"

"Not yet. But I will... soon."

She snuggled up in his chest, "Please don't leave me..."

Erend felt the guilt gnawing at him, he tried to speak but no words came out.

"Come on Elle. Your brother is tired, let him rest for a bit. I'll keep you company," Cordelia spoke softly and offered her hand.

Elle dried a runny nose with her sleeve and nodded solemnly. As they walked away Cordelia threw a glance over her shoulder and smiled warmly at Erend.

"What a welcome," Charles mused behind him.

"Yeah..."

"Here," he said and offered a plate of food.

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"What happened to you guys?"

"After Albert led the others to get you we were attacked by a small group of orcs," Charles poked at the food on his plate with distaste. "If it wasn't for Carl staying behind we'd all be in trouble by now."

"Oh... Yeah, I saw him. He sent me to the beach," Erend said and stuffed his mouth full.

Charles's brows shot up in surprise, "He's alright?"

Erend swallowed the food audibly, "No, sorry. That was badly worded."

Charles sighed, "Yeah... I figured as much... it was brave of him to stay behind."

"It was..."

"Did he suffer?"

Erend gazed at the ground, scouring his mind for the right words.

Charles eyed him patiently while waiting for the answer. The sudden apprehension in Erend's demeanor made his lips tremble, "Actually... it's alright. I don't want to know."

In an attempt to change the subject, Erend started, "You did good. You and Cordelia I mean. You got everyone out despite being the only two capable of fighting."

"Thanks, we just did what we could. It's what comes after now that worries me though..."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't draw any conclusions."

"I won't."

"Johann would be able to track us down without difficulty. The fact that they've been gone for hours is more than worrying."

"Yeah..." the empty plate in his hands stared back at him with a complete disregard for his emotions and hunger. "I'll head out soon and look for them. You should all stay here."

"What? No! You can't go back out. Do you realize the state you're in?"

"I'm just a little tired is all. I'll survive."

Charles scoffed at him, "Tired? Yeah right. You'll rest here for the night. End of discussion."

"But the others..."

"I said end of discussion. Don't make me choke you out. We both know you won't be able to beat me as you are now."

Erend groaned, "Fine. But I leave at first light," he scratched at his arm. "Is it safe for you guys to stay here?"

"No."

Erend wrinkled his brows, "Then you best find somewhere safe."

"I know. We'll head to the ship tomorrow. I'd much rather shoot at swimming orcs than madly charging ones."

Erend couldn't argue with his logic. After helping Charles finish his food, Erend flattened the ground and laid down on the dirt. It wasn't the most comfortable, but he wasn't one to complain, not when he was as tired as this.

His eyes shot open at first light as promised. He hurriedly tried to get up but felt his movements hampered by a blanket. With fingers dulled by sleep, he removed it and threw a watchful gaze over the impromptu campsite. Charles stood guard, the others slept soundly. Elle whimpered something at his side, she had snuggled up with him sometime during the night. Cordelia had done her part in watching her like she promised, she slept while sitting up just a pace away from them.

Erend carefully tucked Elle under the blanket and moved to stand.

Ever so lightly he rocked Cordelia awake, "Thanks. Lay down and sleep, get warm. This is not the time to get sick."

She drowsily rubbed her eyes and nodded at him with a yawn. While he stretched his body she snuck under the cover with Elle. Normally, Erend would have a violent reaction to someone snuggling up with his little sister, but Cordelia felt fine. And the situation was far from normal.

His body had mostly recovered from the day before, the muscles in his legs still ached from the terrible exertion of his run, but his head felt clear again.

"Morning," he greeted Charles.

"So you're leaving then?"

"Yeah."

"No chance I could get you to wait with us for a day?"

"Sorry, no."

"Got it. Be careful. We'll be at the boat if anything comes up."

Erend nodded and gave Charles a solid pat on his back, "Everything's going to be okay. Apologize to Elle for me."

"Yeah. I'm more worried about Cordelia, to be honest. I've seen what she can do when she's angry."

"I'm sure you'll manage," Erend smiled. "Alright. I'm off!"

"Yeah, see you later," Charles waved him off.

The brisk morning air of the forest filled his lungs and sent vitality blasting through his body. He set off at a light jog, making sure to not leave any obvious tracks behind. The forest was deathly silent. Only the whistling winds and rustling leaves accompanied him on the short journey.

It didn't take long for him to reach the beach again now that he was back in good condition. The bodies were still there. He took that as a good sign and went about dragging them into the ocean after relieving them of what useful tools they had. A couple of daggers and swords, a bow, and some sort of tool he could remember reading about in class. It was a rough piece of rope with two round weights tied to each end, a bola if he remembered it correctly. He threw everything inside his Pocket as he watched the bodies wash away with the morning tide.

It was he who had started this whole thing. If he didn't kill those orcs when he went through the tunnels they might not have cared about them living in the goblin camp. He was certain that it was he who had forced their hand and he was already resolved to right his wrong. Whatever it may take.

He stayed vigilant on the walk from the beach to the old goblin camp. No orcs stood in his way.

The outer gate was easily pushed open. Inside, the campfire that seemed to normally burn near endlessly had been smothered. Carl still sat inside the cave, his skin had turned into a pale white and his lips looked like cracked marble.

I can't just leave him there.

In a fight against his gag reflex, he pulled the corpse of his former comrade outside. The entrails that Carl had so desperately tried to push into his body yesterday followed them like the train on a wedding dress. The scarlet path trailed all the way to the campfire.

He gently put Carl's body on the bed of coals and built a pyre. It didn't take long for the fire to consume the man. Erend couldn't help but feel bad about being the only one attending his funeral. But he couldn't have just left the man there. The place would reek and attract all manner of things.

A feeling of emptiness seemed to constantly keep him company these days. So many things had gone wrong as of late. He felt the responsibility weigh heavy on his shoulders, but more than that; he felt an anger hotter than anything he'd ever felt rage inside of him.

He would avenge everyone he lost... one day,

"I'm sorry... I'll make them pay for this Carl," he announced through gritted teeth.

Once he was sure the body would burn to cinders he left the camp behind and took the same path that Albert had led him down the day before.

Before long, he could hear the rumbling voices of orcs.

"Great timing," he whispered and pulled out his sword.

With soft steps, he crept through the woods like a beast stalking its prey. The prey in question turned out to be a group of three orcs, fighting over something. They pushed and snarled at each other.

Erend didn't waste much time thinking about what they were doing. He pulled out a dagger from his Pocket, tied it to his belt, and activated Stone Shot for the first time in a while. The stone hurtled through the air like a bird of prey diving toward a critter. It shattered as it impacted the back of the orc's skull, sending the remaining pebbles flying at the other two. The orc fell to its knees, but Erend didn't think that was enough to kill it.

He darted out of the woodwork at the remaining two. His blade slashed out as if it was the grim reaper himself, slitting the throat of the first conscious one and then moving on to the other.

The orc managed to collect itself just in time to block the strike with the cheek of his axe. It flashed a wicked grin at him then swung the large axe with enough force to fell a tree in one swing.

Erend wasn't foolish enough to try and block the savage attack and nimbly stepped backward, dodging by a wide margin. The orc didn't let up and stepped in for another attack. Erend saw his opportunity and met the orc with a low lunge, dodging below the follow-up swing.

The orc's momentum was powerful enough for Erend's lackluster stab to impale its abdomen, all the way down to his hilt. Erend had to let go of his sword and retreat to not be hugged to death.

The orc snarled at him, with the blade piercing clean through its abdomen.

"Resilient bastard," Erend muttered and pulled out his dagger. "Come on then," he said and beckoned the axe-warrior forward.

With a guttural roar the orc charged. The blood pouring out of the wound colored its stomach a dark red that shimmered in the daylight. If it lacked technique before, it was even worse now that it was badly hurt. Erend easily avoided the rabid charge with a side-step.

He decided not to face the orc head-on, and dodged another of the reckless charges, then flung his dagger toward it and Forced it into the back of its skull. The orc fell down limp, face down on top of his sword.

Erend groaned audibly and moved to the last remaining orc. After confirming that it had in fact survived the Stone Shot – albeit being rendered unconscious – he considered keeping it alive for questioning. After some thought, he decided against it based on the fact that it was doubtful at best if it would help him in any way. With a sigh, he retrieved his dagger and slit the orc's throat. Then he went about turning the orc with his sword stuck in him. He was heavy as an ox, but it was doable. After some effort, he retrieved his sword and went to see what the three had been fighting over.

His eyes glazed over. A bloodied leather apron lay on the dusty ground; one that a blacksmith would wear.

I'll kill each and every one of the fuckers!