I undid my safety harness.

We were upside down and I fell on my shoulders and had to roll around to be able to move.

As soon as my feet were under me, I scrambled over to Gesai and felt for a pulse. There was a faint one, but that was all she needed. She had the Regeneration passive, so as long as she had a pulse, her body would heal itself.

I undid her harness and that was when I saw that a spear that was in the back of the Chaser had been rammed through her and the seat and was pinning her in place. I had to find a way to get the weapon out of her, so I could get her out of the seat. She wouldn’t be able to fully heal with that shaft inside her.

As I went around the other side of the Chaser, I realized a big problem. The Royal Frogian was on that side. I started running, but the pointed tongue skewered the grass in front of me. A Chaser was coming my way, but when I tried to run the other way, the Royal Frogian was able to cut off my path again.

“You are fortunate that Sipher wants you alive.”

I saw Glima on top of the boss monster's back. I swallowed as two Bandits jumped out of the Chaser and jogged over to me. I still had my sword, but something told me that these weren’t Mundane.

The one on the left peeled off, while the one to my right went to check on Gesai.

“Don’t touch her!” I started to pull out my sword, but stopped when a blade was pressed against my neck.

“I wouldn’t.” The Bandit was covered from head to toe in tan leather armor, He had goggles and when he spoke, his voice was rough, like it had sand in it. He motioned with his hand. "Hand it over.”

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I thought about fighting, but Glima had said they wanted me alive. I had no chance against these three. Maybe if Rix showed up, I looked over in the direction that she’d been last. There were nothing but bodies and broken vehicles. Whatever manpower Sipher had brought with him, Glima was the only one left. But we were a good ways away from the fight that had the other Chasers, giving them plenty of room. I had a feeling that there wasn’t going to be a dramatic rescue by Rix this time.

I slowly took off the sword and handed it over. The Bandit deposited it in his crystal band, which I noticed was blue. He turned to the other Bandit.

“This one didn’t make it.” He slapped the bottom of the vehicle. "Chaser is busted too.”

My mind started reeling. I knew that I had felt a pulse. She hadn’t been hurt any more, so her regeneration should have saved her. Maybe her injuries were just too extensive. I found myself hating that she’d prioritized healing me over herself.

“ATLAS!” Glima slapped me.

I hadn’t realized that I had been moved on top of the frog with her or that the frog had wrapped its tongue around me and was holding me tightly.

“Glima…” I realized my heart was speeding up. "Sorry about before.”

“Is Sylph in there?” Glima pointed at the RV.

“She’s safe.” I swallowed as I saw the fight unfolding between Trent and Hye versus Sipher, Whisper, and what looked like six other Bandits.

“Not for long unless your father can win.” She shook her head. "Sorry about Gesai, I was not trying to kill her.”

I wanted to scream at her, but it didn’t feel like the smartest thing to do, considering the tightness in and around my chest.

I tried to steady my breathing. "I know you don’t want to do this, but, can’t you stop this?”

Glima let out a short laugh. "This may seem impressive." She motioned at the monster we were riding on. "But I can not touch any of them.” She waved towards the others. “And Sipher is about to win.” She shook her head. "You should not have left your safety.”

I found myself starting to agree with her.