As the battle raged on at the plains and now at the village which currently has became a battleground between the villagers and the bandits with it's infrastructures and houses plundered, destroyed and are now in flames

At the center of it all, you can see the villagers fought desperately, their numbers few

There Andrith can be seen among them who fought side by side with the village elder, despite his looks he was also a former knight like the rest

But as Andrith let his gaurd down as he was about to be struck from behind by a bandit

The elder shoved him away, now receiving the blow saving Andrith from the strike

Andrith in shock still manage to snap out of it and stabbed the bandit

The elder now his collapsed body on the ground, covered his hand with the stab wound

Andrith rushed towards him now lifting his head up in his arms

"I-I'm sorry, I c-couldn't keep my promises.." the villager elder said with his voice trembling and struggling to get it out

Andrith his expression saddened at the sight of it, "I'm sorry, Hyrus.. if only I saw it, then.."

"It's alright, you did.. your best" As Hyrus the villager elder said his final worlds, his eyes now empty, showing no signs of life

Andrith is in despair carrying the lifeless body of Hyrus. The one whom he looked up to as his father, who took care of him since he was little is now dead in his arms, he then turned to look at the chaos in front of him

"If only they weren't here.." he said with his voice trembling in rage

As a bandit was about to take this opportunity to strike him, he was stabbed in his crotch and got his head severed the moment he crouched in pain

Seeing more of these bandits in front of him, he is filled with rage as he yelled and gave it his all.

Baldwin saw heard his screams looked back and saw the elder lying on the ground dead

"Where are you looking!?"

As Brooke about to strike him, Baldwin instantly came behind him as he swiftly struck his knee

Only leaving a slight wound

Brooke continued to fight despite that as Baldwin fought giving it his all

With each swing of the bandit leader's hammer, Baldwin was forced to retreat, his own attacks barely dealing any major damage in the bandit's defenses. Sweat dripped down his brow as he struggled to keep pace with the relentless assault, his muscles aching with the effort.

He kept dodging his attacks but for how long?

As Baldwin tried attemptimg to target his eyes the only part where he can inflict damage

Attempted to throw a pouch towards him

The bandit swinged it with his hammer but smoke blew and covered his vision

Baldwin then used this opportunity and enhanced his sword with buffs as he attempted to pierce his word through his eye

But the bandit leader blindly swinged his hammer as if he knew and expected it the moment he has been flashed with that smoke screen and delivered a devastating blow that sent the Baldwin crashing to the ground, his weapon falling from his grasp coughed up blood.

As the bandit slowly approaches him, a triumphant sneer on his face as he raised his hammer and charged at him

But the Baldwin refused to give up. With a defiant roar, he surged to his feet, his eyes blazing with determination. Channeling all his remaining strength in this fight and continued giving his all

Meanwhile at the forest that is bathed in an eerie twilight, the trees looming like skeletal fingers as the villagers fled for their lives, and consist mostly of women, children and elderly who are suppose to be escaping by now, but is currently being pursued. Behind them, the relentless bandits pursued with a chilling silence, their dark silhouettes closing in like specters.

"How did this happen?" a young girl shrieked, her voice trembling with fear.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this!" another girl cried, her eyes wide with horror. "How are there bandits in the forest?"

"They're not the same ones who attacked us," someone shouted back. "Look at their crest!"

As if on cue, the bandits' leader raised his head, his gaze locking onto the fleeing villagers with a calculating intensity. The girls gasped as one, their eyes fixed on the sinister symbol emblazoned on the bandits' banners.

"You mean they've been waiting for us all along?" someone whispered, her voice trembling.

Just then, an arrow whistled through the air, striking down a villager who had fallen behind. The woman's anguished cry echoed through the forest as she clutched her wounded leg.

The rest of the villagers redoubled their pace without hesitation, not even the thought of helping her came to mind. They have to put their family and themselves first in this desperate situation, their ragged breathing and pounding hearts echoing through the silence. They glanced back to see the same woman being subdued by the bandits as the rest are now gaining on them, their faces twisted into cruel grins.

The villagers' desperation grew as they urged each other on, their eyes locked on some unseen goal. As they fled, the figure of the one left behind dwindled into a tiny dot on the horizon, swallowed up by the darkness.

As all of this took place, subduing the villagers trying to thin their numbers. The same could be said for the rest of the men at the plains, that are now few in numbers and are currently huddled together in a circle facing towards the bandits sorrounding them as they raised their swords and still persevering despite the exhaustion of their battle as they were now sorrounded and outnumbered "Looks like this is it boys.. we're not soldiers but we did well holding on, it was nice fighting with you" Daren said with acknowledgement

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"Now.. SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT YOU CUNTS!!" He yelled his voice resonating with the village men encouraging them to give it their all

As the bandits now charged in as the villagers also scream in vigor showing their desperate struggle to survive

"HOOOO!"

Back at the forest, The fleeing villagers' desperate cries echoed through the forest as the bandits closed in, their dark forms blurring together like a malevolent swarm. The lagging villagers, already worn down by the relentless pursuit, were quickly overwhelmed.

One by one, they fell to the ground, their screams muffled by the underbrush as the bandits tore off their clothes, looting them and revealed their terror-stricken faces. The women's anguished cries still rang out, mingling with the mocking laughter of their tormentors.

The few who still fought back did so out of sheer desperation, shielding their children and loved ones from the onslaught. But even their bravery was no match for the bandits' superior numbers and cunning.

As the villagers fled, they scattered in all directions, leaving behind the mangled bodies of their friends and family. The sound of their panicked breathing and pounding hearts was all that remained, mingling with the cruel taunts of the bandits.

Ralf and a handful of survivors pushed themselves to their limits, driven by the fear of being next. They didn't dare look back, fearing what they might see. Instead, they focused on the darkness ahead, their eyes fixed on some unknown destination.

The bandits' jeers still echoed through the forest, but the fleeing villagers didn't need to hear them. They knew what was coming next – capture, torture, and a fate worse than death. And so they ran on, their footsteps pounding out a desperate rhythm in perfect sync with their racing hearts.

Ralf, his family and the remaining villagers stumbled through the underbrush, their exhausted faces twisted in desperation. But Beatrice's eyes lingered on the trail behind, her heart heavy with grief. As she then saw her mother fall, her cries muffled by the bandits' cruel laughter. She then without hesitation ran towards her mother as to help, Ralf then attempted to chase after her, but was then stopped by Cindy

"Go, Mom! Take Ralf, I'll catch up!" Cindy yelled, grabbing Ralf's arm and pulling him away.

"But—"

"We don't have time! Go, I'll catch up!" Cindy insisted, her voice trembling with fear.

As Nora scooped up Ralf and sprinted away, Cindy then turned to look at Beatrice who is now surged with desperation as she ran back to her mother, her ankle suddenly twisted beneath her, sending her tumbling to the ground.

As she struggled to get up, a shadow loomed over her. Beatrice's eyes widened in horror as a bandit's face came into view, his eyes gleaming with cruelty.

But just as the bandit was about to do anything, Cindy ran towards him, grabbing a pitchfork(which the villagers left) along the way. With a fierce cry, she charged forward and struck the bandit. Blood splattered across Beatrice's face as she gazed up at the scene in frozen terror.

The memory of that moment would haunt her forever.

Cindy urged Beatrice to follow, but the girl was numb with shock. Cindy scooped her up and ran on, desperation driving them both forward.

But as they fled, a new danger emerged. A bandit blocked their path, his smile twisting with malevolence as he sheathed his weapon. The others behind him followed suit, their eyes fixed on Cindy's trembling hands and the pitchfork still clutched in them.

In that moment, they saw no threat in the young girl. Only a desperate survivor.

Cindy, fueled by desperation, charged forward, hoping to take down one of the bandits. But her pitchfork was snatched from her grasp by a bandit, who held it tight, his grip like a vice. Cindy struggled to free herself, kicking and punching, but the bandit's superior strength left her no chance.

As she flailed about, the bandits laughed and jeered, their eyes gleaming with cruelty. One of them, his face twisted with lust, sneered at Cindy's struggles.

"Haha, looks like we've hit the jackpot. Let's have some fun with her, boys," he cackled.

Cindy's horror-stricken gaze met the bandit's lecherous stare as she realized what was about to happen. She tried to scramble away, but the bandits pinned her to the ground, holding her in place. One of them grabbed Beatrice, holding the child tight as a ransom.

"You guys finish first," he cackled. "I'll have my turn later."

As Cindy watched in horror, she realized the bandits' sinister intentions and tried to run away with Beatrice. But the bandits subdued her, one of them grasping Beatrice tightly and holding her hostage.

As the other two were about to force their ways on her. Beatrice couldn't do anything but looked in horror, she pleads them to stop but her call only fell on deaf ears, as Cindy was about to be ravaged by these bandits while she screamed and cried for help hoping anyone would come to her aid.

Meanwhile, at the plains, the rest of the men who had fought were now wounded, bruised, and exhausted, their faces twisted in pain.

The bandits taunted them, their mocking laughter echoing through the air. The villagers huddled together, unable to muster any strength to fight back.

Back at the village, Baldwin, his body battered and worn out, struggled to his knees as the bandit leader loomed over him. The leader's triumphant grin grew wider as he prepared to deliver the final blow.

Just as all hope seemed lost, a blinding light enveloped everything, halting all movement. Everyone's attention was focused on the sudden phenomenon.

Baldwin's eyes widened in wonder as he gazed up at the light, his voice barely above a whisper: "I guess my time has come..."