The surviving Defected were back on their feet now like nothing had happened. They were throwing themselves at the Vile, but it was like he was seeing it in frames. Some were swatted away, others dodged and kept within range.

Alicia was gone in a puff of smoke. Appearing around the Vile from all sides again. His eyes could hardly keep up.

Rowan was left alone with something he couldn't look away from.

"Kane." Through the tears, his eyes left the sight and found the spears buried in the ground beside him. Rowan was walking over to them. Then he was pulling one from the ground.

He swore off the sounds and smells as he raised a spear high. He pointed his arms as best he could. Then threw.

It hit the Devoured in its front leg. Luckily, it was an even more enormous target now, bigger than the Brute had ever been. Rowan's power was nothing like Kanes, not quite superhuman. The blow drew only a glance and a grunt from the Vile. But it was enough for a spear and veil of smoke to strike the Vile's back.

He went to pull another from the ground, only to find it stuck. His vision was wet and hazy as he pulled harder. "Ghh" Rowan felt a hand on his shoulder.

It was Hector. His face, blotted with fleshy pink patches, made him slow to recognise him. He pulled the spear from the ground for him and handed it. Rowan watched him. There was still skin and ink on his face amidst the wounds. Despite the pain, Hector pulled another spear from the ground. Took aim and threw.

The force thrust the creature back. As Defected fell upon it. There were three spears embedded in the Vile now and far more wounds. It was panting and lashing out wildly.

But then, it reared its head up with a cry.

"MMAAAAAGGGGGRRRRR."

Rowan's head was rattled. Everything was black. And yet the blackness was shaking. Only the blaring awful cry in his ear was there.

"MMAAAAAGGGGGR-"

There was a squelch. A horrific sound of flesh. Then there was silence.

Slowly, the darkness faded. Orange sky welcomed Rowan. Almost nobody was standing, not even the Vile.

It was on the floor now. Crumpled. Even crushed by something as its back and spine seemed to be snapped. Everyone's eyes were on it now. They were all darting around, seeking answers.

But Rowan thought he saw him first.

"What a tough bastard." Nero jumped from the Vile's corpse and staggered a little when he fell. Everyone was watching him. But he paid them no mind as he approached Rowan.

"You crazy bastard, you survived? I told you not to get involved in their stuff. But nobody listens to Nero, do they?" Nero grinned.

Hector yelled. "Nero, what did you? What did you do?

Nero turned to him as if noticing him for the first time. "Oh, sir? What the hell happened to your face. I always wondered what condition could be keeping you from using your Defect. No wonder."

Hector was on his feet. A fierce growl in his throat as he grabbed Nero's shirt. Nero flinched as spittle sprayed on his face.

"You killed it. The Vile... on your own? Explain yourself. Dammit"

Nero sighed. "Do you mind? I didn't do it on my own anyway. You guys wore it down. How do you think I got these?"

Nero raised his arm. Horrific scars ran along his wrist and forearm. But they were not wounds, nor was there even a touch of blood.

"I had a tussle with it before you guys did, and it didn't go so great. So thanks for the help."

Hector's eyes flickered between his arm and smiling face. There were other Defected now standing to their feet, glancing around confused. Almost as many bodies littered the grassy floor.

"What are you, Nero? HOW MUCH HA-"

Nero pushed, and Hector gasped. The tall Defected fell back, clutching his stomach.

"Watch where you're spitting already. Being so melodramatic really doesn't suit you, Sir."

Rowan's mouth was still agape as Nero turned to him. "What? Rowan, are you confused, too? I finished off the Vile for you, I thought it was obvious, but whatever."

Rowan could see the bent, bloodied corpse behind for himself. But it wasn't obvious. Nothing was. "But how did you do it?"

Nero shrugged. "Hard work? I thought it was more fun for you to figure it out yourself. But anyway, the rewards this time are really gonna be something."

He laughed, and Rowan couldn't help but stare at the remains around them. And one in particular. Hector was still on the floor, his mouth agape.

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Rowan murmured. "Why not help. Help us right from the beginning?"

Nero frowned. "No one asked me for help? Besides, I only jumped in because it was so weak. I wouldn't agree to fight something like that at full strength. It's just stupid, is all. You only get one life." He laughed.

"But, Kane, Kane, he's..."

Nero stared at Rowan. Then sighed. "Am I supposed to remember who that is?"

There was silence. Then, a whisp of smoke appeared between them. Rowan rose to his feet, and soon, a crowd surrounded Nero.

"Nero" Alicia glanced behind him. "You didn't just kill it. You snapped it in half. I saw it all."

Nero looked around and then rolled his eyes. But there wasn't anywhere to go in the open grassy plain. He looked frustrated till his eyes found Rowan again.

"Yeah, I'm much stronger than I look, ok? Can we move on already?"

Rowan heard whispers escape the Defected all around. Hector finally pulled himself up. With heavy breaths, he surveyed the surroundings, scowling.

"Nero. Did you know already? Where the boundary was, too?"

"Sure. I knew. How do you think I got the jump on it?" Nero shrugged. "If you lot weren't so fixed in hiding in one place, you would have found it, too."

The Defected got louder. There were only ten of them now. Their numbers had been culled by almost half, but their voices were no less quiet. Nero listened to them as the grin on his face vanished.

Before Nero could make the situation worse, Rowan jumped in, his voice hoarse.

"Then, just for now. Come back with us, Nero. We can sort this out later. Help us get home."

Nero's hazel eyes blinked as he turned to watch the Defected's reactions. Their figures were stiff as they clutched their spears tightly. Hector, too, was poised. A furious expression on his molten face.

Alicia walked to Nero's side, towering an inch over him. Rowan watched her lip tremble.

"I, I know how you all feel. But Rowan's right. We can solve this later. We'll give a proper funeral to everyone and-"

"A FUNERAL FOR WHO?" It was the scraggy, slim member of Kane's trio. "Ask him for the names. He..." The skinny Defected cackled. "I'll bet he doesn't know any of them."

He was the last survivor of the trio who had stopped Rowan on the stairs that day. Something on the sole of his feet allowed him to burst forward with speed. But Rowan had never seen what it was.

The blonde youth was seething red-faced as his Defected red leg looked ready to blast him towards Nero.

"I'm just not good with names. Don't take it personally, man-"

Alicia put a fist in his gut. Nero hunched over and laughed. None of the Defected said another word. Even Hector looked ready to leap. Rowan approached Nero and Alicia. Putting himself between them and the crowd.

"Don't you see how hard you're making this on her, Nero? Me too. Please, just say you're sorry, won't you?"

Nero recovered from Alicia's blow and crossed his arms. He closed his eyes as the empty orange sky spared them all its final minutes. But Hector couldn't stand the wait.

"You eat in our camp. With our campmates, AND YET YOU-"

"Thanks, you two. But I think I'll pass apologising to these idiots, you know?" Nero laughed and turned away. "While you guys have been sitting stagnant in your little safe area with the Boss. I've been waiting to do this for a while."

Nero threw his arms up behind his head. Rowan raised his gaze and realised where he was heading.

"I've been planning to leave for a little while now. I thought I'd stay and see if Rowan would come. But maybe there's still time for that. As for the rest of you."

Nero turned back. "I have a feeling you're all already screwed. So watch out. How long do you expect everything to stay the same?"

Soon, he was gone. Literally. The boundary. Only a short walk away swallowed him and left them alone in the grass.

################################################################################

"Do you think Alicia is coming back?"

"I don't know, Rowan."

Hector looked dazed as he leaned against the nearest tree. Rowan felt the rough bark against his back and let his gaze wander up. The dark, empty night sky remained above, watching and waiting.

Tucked into the forest, they watched the grassy plain together. There were earthy mounds marking the field now.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made you bury them alone."

"Let it go, Rowan. You already did your part by bringing us here. Besides. I have experience with this stuff."

He heard the crackle of fire behind, but neither the smell of meat nor warmth enticed Rowan.

"Hector, was it worth it in the end? Me getting the Boss to use her visions like this?"

Hector turned to him. A smile planted on his fleshy, pink face.

"As long as we make it back."

Rowan let a rough, dry laugh escape him. He pushed back against the tree into a stand and turned to Hector.

"So we came all this way to check the cold zone. Should we?"

Hector stood and shook his head. "I can check the boundary in the morning when it's lighter. Right now, we need to eat." Hector paused. "Don't worry about her. I do think she'll be back. Once she realises she's not wanted."

He nodded and walked beside the tall Defected. There wasn't anything else to say. It seemed two was an awkward number.

The Defected were gathered around the fire on cleanly severed stumps. Leaning into the heat, only a few heads turned to nod at them before returning to the flames.

"We'll be taking shifts starting now. You three. Go rest your wounds."

At that, three Defected left the circle and marched to the nearest tree. All three rested their backs beside each other.

'Impressive. I suppose I won't get any good sleep regardless of whether we make it back.'

Rowan smirked and found his hands pushing them towards the fire. He recognised the Defected to his left. With his curious red leg, his eyes were downcast.

"Kent, isn't it?

"It's Kenny."

Rowan blinked. "Sorry."

The corner of Kenny's mouth pulled up faintly. But his eyes remained drawn to the ground stiffly. He was the only one. The only one who had not dropped his spear. Even now, it was clutched to him tightly.

Rowan bit his lip. "What are you thinking about?"

"Him." Kenny grinned. What was that supposed to be? Acting all cool for her right till the end." He laughed. "But I guess she wasn't even here for his burial in the end."

Rowan shuffled on his stump. "I, I'm sorry. Sorry for your loss."

"Why? He was your friend, too, I saw." Kenny lifted his head up. "You forgave him for being an idiot on the stairs. Thanks for that, really."

Rowan blinked. Kenny finally put his spear down and rested an elbow on his lap. Cupping his head and pointing it at Rowan.

"Jet was the same as me. We both followed that idiot around and helped him cultivate his Defect first. Before she did. The only ones dumb enough to buy into his coolness."

Rowan chuckled. But the laugh didn't last. The sight was burned into his head, and the flames couldn't compare to that searing image.

Silence descended upon the group sitting around the fire. They watched the meat slowly grill on a long, grey spear. Until there was a rustle behind.

She strutted forward and stole the stump opposite Rowan. Nobody spared her another glance. Only Rowan could see how stiff she was as she pulled her legs and tucked them to her chest.

He was about to speak, but Hector jumped in. Some life finally in his large figure.

"Are you happy with your perfect result, Alicia? I guess enough to skip the funeral."

Alicia didn't make a sound. Only tucked her legs closer towards her.

Rowan cursed. "Just leave it be, Hector. Besides, the answer is yes. This fight. It's what we all agreed on, isn't it?"

Rowan turned his head round. There were seven awake Defected. So he was pleased to receive at least a couple begrudged nods. Even Hector nodded and glanced away from his hazel eyes.

"Then, no more blaming." Rowan peeked his head over the flames. "Is he really gone, Alicia?"

She nodded. Kenny was the first to turn to her, scowling.

"Good riddance."

She had nothing to say to that. Neither did Rowan.

##################################

It was evening when they made it back. Aside from a couple extra scuffles, the way had been lethargic and monotonous. Rowan had hoped to finish off those Devoured himself. But Alicia had ruthlessly cut through them without a word or hand.

Rowan expected to be swarmed as they entered camp. But few keen faces awaited them. At least there was one.

"I was worried when I learnt you were gone. I'm glad you made it back. Rowan."

Garuda smiled weakly as Rowan headed the group. He couldn't quite bring himself to return the gesture. Hector walked past him, towering over her as her face paled.

"We lost half our number. Not bad."

"Half... Your face? Did you really need to go that far?"

Her blue eyes seemed to swell.

"Yes. I." Hector winced. "There's someone I want to go see. Can I?"

Garuda paused. "Of course. We'll take things from here. Go and take a rest."

Rowan watched him plod away with his eyebrow raised. The elite Defected followed his lead, nodding at the Boss as they went. Alicia had already vanished somewhere. Only the two of them were left.

Rowan tilted his head. "I guess I'm doing the report?"

Garuda smiled thinly. "Please."