Four, stopped few seconds after they were ordered to run forward. Seeing the [Thugs] charge at the lone [Servant], Four took the opportunity to scan his surroundings. Look for a place where he could go, a door that would lead them to outside. Or something, that would lead to him escaping.

As he was doing so, Four saw Five, close by. He ran, in the direction of Five, not wanting to yell or attract more attention. He grabbed Fives shoulder. He could feel, Five shudder. Before he could strike or do something Four spoke.

“We have to get out, this is the only opportunity… while they are fighting.”

Still, somewhat agitated Five snapped his head. Looking at the guy that he made the agreement with. To work together. He couldn’t help but frown… seeing the way that the [Thugs] were fighting, their speed. He either agreed now… or regretted it later. So Five spoke, keeping his voice somewhat low.

“Most of the doors, if we follow the pattern. Are probably locked, so we need a weapon or something to open them. If we want to escape this place. Or we can try, and look for [Servants]. Or just stick with the [Thugs].

Fixing Five with his eyes, Four snapped.

“Didn’t you see, how they used us? To test the situation, before following from behind? If there were traps, or more [Servants] ready… we would have been dead now. To put our lives in their hands again? No way!”

Five grimaced… recalling the way that they were ordered. Even the way that the [Thugs] treated them. Five nodded, looking back at the door from where they came.

“We should take… at least two swords. If we want this to work.”

As they turned, towards the door. There was a loud sound. Snapping their heads back. They saw the [Servant] fly off, hitting the wall back first. Seeing how ragged the [Servant] looked after just a few moments of fighting. And the madness in his eyes, Four hit Five in the shoulder. Snapping him out of it.

“We have to move!”

As they were closing in on the door. They saw one of the [Slaves] face bloody, teeth missing. With two swords, creeping towards the guards. They ignored him, making sure they weren’t in his line of sight. They didn’t want… an argument now. They continued towards the door. Where the weapons lay.

_______

As they got in… seeing all the weapons. Their morale skyrocketed. Their chances of getting out… grew. Crouching down, picking the sword, Four debated taking two. But it would slow him down, seeing Five do the same Four nodded in approval.

“Did you see, a door that looked like the exit? Or something, a path that we can take. To escape the madness?”

Rising his head to meet Fours eyes, Five considered. But with all the racket, the commotion, [Slaves] running, people screaming… he wasn’t certain.

“There were three doors, two behind the [Servant], and one on the opposite end of the hall. Getting to the doors, behind that guy… that won’t happen.”

Four, thought about it… comparing the statement with what he saw. He nodded.

“It matches… with what I concluded. Maybe if we carry more… of these weapons, and try to get more [Slaves] to follow?”

Five shook his head, instantly.

“We can throw them out of the door, but getting them to follow. Or organize in the short time that we have… we are better off just going alone.”

With that, they ended up throwing three or four swords out… maybe they would save someone’s life.

Hoping the sound of the swords hitting the ground hasn’t attracted attention. They walked towards the door.

The picture that they saw… The leading [Thug], maniacally laughing. The other two [Thugs]? Weren’t there three… and where was the [Servant].

Four was shocked… how much changed in that short period of time. He saw a head… of a [Slave]. Separated from his body… close to one of the weapons that they threw. If he had thrown it a bit higher… it would have landed on the decapitated head.

Four gagged, the floor was read. The clean carpet… looked sticky. Seeing the [Slaves] running, trying to avoid the two [Thugs] chasing them, swinging their weapons. Four saw, one of the [Thugs] stab one of the [Slaves]. The sword going through his belly, the [Thug] didn’t even blink, as he pulled the sword upwards, cutting the [Slave] in half.

Four vomited, seeing the intestines splatter to the ground… the smell. He collapsed to his knees, vomiting. The worst part… he saw that the [Thug] didn’t even pause… as he killed the first slave. Instead, the [Thug] picked his next target… and chased the [Slave] down.

Four somehow forced himself to stop… vomiting. Or was his stomach just empty now. He didn’t know, he turned his head… towards Five, he was white as the carpet previously… he didn’t vomit. But to Four he seemed like he was going to faint any moment now. He had to get up,

Four walked next to Five, grabbing his arm. Dragging him towards the door, that they decided on. Hoping that the [Thugs] didn’t pick them… as their next target.

___________

Claud scanned his surroundings, making sure that they wouldn’t get ambushed again. The thought of his brother… brought another tear from his eyes. But the grief… when he looked at Ron. Turned to anger… something even worse.

Claud stared Ron down, his muscles flexing. Ready to jump, to pounce on the slightest mistake. The smallest opening. They were so close… if Gerald didn’t.

He stopped himself, Claud had to focus. Seeing no reaction from them, when he mentioned Snot Guild. He didn’t know what next step to take. Does he let them open, start the attack. Or do they just rush it? Before he could decide, Claud heard Ron speak. His voice seemed off to Claud. But he listened, still scanning the [Servants]. Trying to see what their reaction would be.

“If it isn’t our failure of the [Thugs].” Coughing, Ron tried to adjust his voice. “I see that you somehow managed to crawl out, from that hole.”

Ron scanned over them, he felt relieved seeing the [Slave] rings around their necks. His posture changed, he became more confidant.

“But seeing how you still have the collars on your necks, is it better to call you [Slaves] now?”

His voice was mocking, Ron wanted to humiliate them… for causing all this ruckus. As he looked further from the three [Thugs]. Ron grimaced, seeing now armless Jerry was laying there on the ground trying to stop the bleeding somehow, and the [Slaves] a lot of them dead. The state of their bodies, the way that they were killed… Ron shivered.

“You now even kill the kids, good job. You should be proud!”

Hearing, Ron mention [Slaves], recalling how his… brother died in the hands of one. His face turned red, he fixed Ron with his eyes, unblinking. Claud almost moved, attacked right there and then. But he held back, he spoke through gritted teeth.

“I will. Take your life today.”

The voice, the certainty in it… made Ron shiver. He reflexively activated their collars, with one of his rings. He expected for them to collapse, beg for mercy.

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But nothing happened? He did it again, and again. To no avail. Ron looked up, glaring at the [Thug]. His voice broke as he spoke.

“What did you do?”

Seeing the reaction of the [Servants], to the change in Rons voice, and the panic in it. Claud moved, he sprinted forwards. Motioning with his free hand for Angus and Charles to flank them.

As Claud ran, charging. He was delighted with their changing expressions. Some of the [Servants] panicked, almost turning to run. But they stayed… to the annoyance of Claud.

Under the rising pressure, Rons mind raced. As he saw Claud charge, it clicked. Ron forgot to… activate the enhancements on the collars. He started to sweat, not knowing if it was from that potion that he drank. Or if it was from the nerves. He yelled.

“Take positions, don’t hesitate to kill. They are only three. Don’t forget that Shadow is coming!”

With the last sentence, Ron saw the spirit of the [Servants] rise. They stood just a bit straighter, somewhat more sure of themselves, as they prepared. And so he took out a spell scroll, and the sword from his waist.

Ron was no [Tactician], but he could follow them, their movements. Even with him getting worse with each minute that he stood there. He watched, as Claud and Clark fought. The clash of their swords, the other two [Thugs] moving, trying to find an opening. As their leader fought.

Ron wouldn’t allow that, he wasn’t skilled in killing. But stabbing someone in the back? He could do that, so he watched. Moving closer to the [Servants]. Trying to get into the perfect position.

As he watched, Claud and Clark fight. It was obvious to Ron… that they were losing. The [Thugs] strikes were faster, heavier. With the ease with which he fought, Ron could tell that the experience was on the [Thugs] side. But they had numbers… Ron couldn’t despair now. He glanced at the frozen [Servants] watching the two fight and yelled.

“What are you watching, move. Attack! Help Clark out!”

Ron couldn’t tell if it was the right decision, the right call to make. As he was now left open… and the other two [Thugs] were coming. He had to move, follow the [Servants]. And so he did.

Clenching the hand with the scroll, he focused. Trying to see from where the [Thugs] would attack, as they flanked their group. Ron was sweating. His leg faltered. Falling forward, he grabbed onto the shoulder of one of the [Servants], startling him. Almost dropping the scroll in the process. Ron cursed, as he saw the [Servant] spin around, sword in hand.

“It’s me. Stop!”

Luckily, the [Servant] did so. And Ron didn’t have to activate their collars to save his own skin. Before Ron could relax. He turned, seeing a sword. Stabbing forward, he let go of the [Servants] shoulder, clutching the scroll. Ron stumbled again, looking at the [Servant] he saw a sword pierce his chest.

Ron whirled, adrenaline rushing through his veins, the potion that he drank doing work. He stabbed, with the sword. At the [Thug] that was centimeters from him, seeing the fear on the [Thugs] face. Ron smiled, his gaunt face making a creepy smile. As he felt the sword, pierce the [Thugs] skin.

The [Thug] whirled, taking the sword out from the [Servant] followed by the spray of blood. He swung at Ron, not minding the weapon stuck in his chest.

Ron tried to take his sword out, but he was too slow. Releasing the grip, he blocked with his bare hand.

He watched, as the sword cut through his arm. Just below the elbow. It didn’t register at first, as Ron watched the sword, in slow motion. Slice through his skin, muscle, and bone. As he stared at now missing hand. Ron screamed, as his hand fell to the ground. Pointing what was left of his arm, he tried to blind the [Thug] with now spraying blood. Hoping to buy himself some time.

He didn’t want to use the scroll yet, he didn’t do enough. Ron didn’t want to lose everything that he worked so hard for. His estate, his [Servants]. His money. Ron screamed as he watched his blood spray all over the [Thugs] face.

“Shadow, where the fuck are you now. When you are actually needed.”

As Ron watched, the [Thug] swing his weapon again… he faltered. The blood didn’t help as much as he hoped that it would. He tried to dodge, but he was slow. His movements were sluggish. He felt sick, and now on top of all of that… he was losing blood.

He watched the sword come at him, Ron tried desperately to dodge, to move out of the way. To his relief. Before the sword reached him, the stabbed [Servant] decapitated the [Thug]. The blood sprayed, Ron looked up. Seeing the [Servant] smile one last time at him. Before he fell, dead.

He didn’t know what to think, how to feel… the [Servant] saved his life. Ron knew… that he was good to them, but to save him. Ron felt something break within him… before he could see what it was, he saw the other [Thug] move. Striking at him, the eyes with which the [Thug] looked at Ron gave him shivers.

Ron tried to move his hand, out of instinct. Point the sword at the [Thug]. But there was nothing.

But Ron was lucky, the [Servants] heard the commotion. Some separated from the main fight. Going back to help him, deal with the weaker [Thug].

He stumbled, away from the fight. Ron had to take a potion, heal his arm. But he couldn’t see the cut-off part of his arm any longer. He cursed, probably the [Thug] kicked it somewhere, Ron didn’t have time to look for it. But if he healed it now… he couldn’t reattach his arm any longer. But he had to do it… or he would die from blood loss.

Ron gritted his teeth, taking out a potion. Drinking half of it, half he sprayed on the wound. He could visibly see the wound close… Ron cursed the hope of having two hands again. Gone, just like that.

He looked up, trying to see. How the fight was going, if they were winning. Ron muttered.

“Where the hell is Shadow now, they should have arrived by now!”

Ron could see, Clark losing. Even three against one. They were losing. The armor didn’t save them, from the calculated strikes from Claud. Ron was nervous now, he could tell that the two [Servants] were done for, Clark had a bit more in him… but he too. Wouldn’t last much longer.

Thinking about the contents, of his ring. Ron didn’t have anything except that scroll. That could help. And the scroll wasn’t the right decision.

_______

Claud had enough, seeing another of his team members die. He attacked, more recklessly. Not wanting the last of them to die as well. So he moved, pounced. Spotting weakness in the guard of one of the [Servants]. He lunged, dodging the sword that was swiping towards his head. He stabbed the [Servant] through his head. Instantly killing him.

He rolled, jumping forwards leaving his sword embedded in the [Servants] head. Avoiding the two swords that were coming for him. Picking the sword that Ron used. Claud smirked. Looking in the eyes of the two remaining [Servants].

“Can’t you see, even your master is on my side? Look at this pretty blade.”

He grinned, moving. Claud had to deal with them. Before Charles died. Being the sole survivor… couldn’t be counted as a victory.

[Mad Dash] got him in their range, before they could react. Claud swung his sword, at the weaker [Servant]. The [Servant] didn’t dodge in time, the weapon cleaved his torso in half. Claud whistled.

“This sword is even better, than the ones that we had.” Winking at Clark, he charged again.

Claud was relentless, always moving, striking. Trying to get Clark off balance. Get him to make an opening. It was hard, being aggressive without the right defenses. One mistake and he was dead. But he believed in his skills, so Claud risked it. He couldn’t have Ron escape or lose now. It would be better for him to die than get captured after this.

So he pounced, changing up his strike pattern. Trying to get Clark to falter. He didn’t give him the time, to respond. To strike back, as he attacked. Claud laughed, taunting Clark. Trying to get something from him, some reaction. Anything.

But it wasn’t working, Clark was good at blocking. Even with Claud using more skills, speeding up his attacks, even trying to kick Clark multiple times. Claud failed.

Seeing a weapon, to his right. Claud moved, he couldn’t waste more time with this guy. He grabbed it with his free hand, throwing it at Clark. Buying time, as he ran. Sprinting towards the two [Servants] that were fighting Charles.

The shout, came too late. Claud was already upon them. Before Clark shouted, trying to warn his colleagues. As the [Servant] turned his head, in the direction of the voice. Claud stabbed through his eye. Not letting his momentum stop. He [Shoulder Charged] the other [Servant]. Sending him off, towards Charles. At least he was fast enough, raising his sword. Charles managed to impale the second to last [Servant].

Claud laughed, it wasn’t a happy laugh. Not triumphant. He looked at Ron, shaking just a few meters from him. His eyes flashed.

“Now it is your time. To pay for what you did… to my team, my brothers! To me!”

He saw Ron turn white, losing all color from his face. But there was a spark in Rons eyes. As he returned Clauds gaze.

“I will have my revenge.”

As Ron spoke, Claud saw him squeeze his one hand… there was something in it. Claud screamed. [Mad Dash] wasn’t fast enough. He threw his weapon, wanting to stop Ron. To kill him or wound him. Or something… anything.

Claud stood there, frozen. As the sword went through the spot where Ron was standing, just a moment ago. His face twisted with rage. Snapping his head around, to face Clark. The last [Servant]. Claud mocked.

“See who you serve, what kind of man you risked your life to protect. He just left you here. To die.”

Clark too just stood there, frozen. Looking at the place where Ron was. Just a second ago. Now it was just him, against the two [Thugs]. And that one, Claud. Was alone enough to kill him, what could he do with now two [Thugs] against him alone. Clark was already, breathing heavily. He glared at Claud. He spoke through clenched teeth.

“Screw you.”