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I woke up. I felt a dull pain throbbing in my head. As I opened my eyes, I noticed there was a lot of darkness around me. I could hear the rain, but I was not getting wet. I figured I must be inside some kind of building or something covering me from the rain. I tried to look around me as my mind tried to remember where I was. What had happened?

My body felt heavy, as if I was carrying twice my weight. A few meters in front of me, I could see some light. Apparently, I was not inside any building. I was next to a wall of the camp, and what covered me from the rain was a big piece of wall that had fallen on the wall of the camp. That's why it was so dark; the fallen piece of wall blocked the light from the sky.

The air smelled musty, a smell that turned my stomach for some strange reason. I think my body was a little sensitive. I tried to get up, but a twinge of pain in my head made me give up.

Apparently, I can't get up right now.

I slowly crawled towards the wall to try to lean against it. I wanted to get a better view of where I was with the help of the wall.

It was too hard to move my arms and legs. After a considerable effort and after enduring the intense pain I felt when I moved every part of my body, I managed to lean against the wall. I tried to look towards the light, but out of nowhere, I felt nauseous and vomited to one side...

Ah... My headache had gotten worse...

I tried to look again, but I could see blurry in the distance. I couldn't see anything clearly. I thought I could make out two silhouettes, but I wasn't sure.

I touched my neck for a moment to check my temperature as I felt a bit strange. Wow... I have a fever. That's why my head hurts so much.

It was unbelievable how dying I felt.

I saw a figure approaching. It was a boy... Ah, I remember, it's the boy. Slowly, I began to remember what had happened. I fainted when I was trying to check the knight's condition.

The boy approached, looked at me somewhat happily, and began to try to help me up.

Robert: B-Bo...y...

I couldn't speak well; my tongue was heavy.

The boy started making strange noises and pointing his finger out at me while pulling me. I didn't quite understand what he meant. I pointed to my legs and told him as best I could that I couldn't move very well because of the pain.

Apparently, he understood me and walked over to me. He pulled my arm hard to pull me away from the wall, then put both his hands under my arms behind my back and started dragging me out.

Funny, right now I look like dead weight. After the boy dragged me to where I had seen the light at first, he helped me back to lean against the wall again.

I looked around a bit and more or less understood the situation. It was still raining outside, and we were inside the destroyed camp. To be more specific, we were next to the main entrance, or what is left of the main entrance since everything is in ruins now.

It means it wasn't long ago that I fainted. I noticed that the boy was a little agitated. Maybe it wasn't long ago that he dragged me and the gentleman here. The boy pointed to the gentleman who was lying next to me like a dead man.

I nodded and moved a little closer to the knight.

I took his pulse. He was incredibly weak, but still alive; that was good news. I removed his hood and noticed he had some.... ears on his head? I took a better look and he had a girlish face. Apparently, it was a woman. It's funny how many female warriors or mages are dead on this battlefield. At least here, in my world, it was rare to see a woman fighting. I guess now that we are in these disastrous times, it's not so strange anymore. I would say it's normal. Anyone who has two working arms and two legs is already a soldier. It would be a waste of manpower to go back to discriminating that only men can fight.

The people living in the gap are quite strange. Some have animal parts in their bodies. I thought they were things that only existed in fantasies.

While I was thinking that, I noticed that the girl opened her eyes a little.

I motioned for the boy to bring me my backpack.

After a moment, she handed me my backpack. I went through our things and gave some water to the girl, then to the boy and, in the end, I drank too. I started to bandage some of the girl's wounds with some bandages I had found in the tunnel of the burned village.

Although it was very uncomfortable to do it from my position, I had to ask the boy for help.

We had to carefully remove his armor and part of his clothing. The most serious wounds were on his back and shoulder.

Thanks to the boy, we were able to bandage the wound on her back and shoulder. The boy was a little curious to see the girl's body without clothes, but I insisted that he focus on the wound. If we were in another life, maybe I would have taken the time to fantasize about this girl too, but now it would be a waste of time and ideas. Though hey, I understand the guy; despite having strange features, this girl is still a woman. The girl was somewhat conscious, but it didn't matter; she had no strength at the moment. With any luck, maybe she would forget this whole moment. Personally, I wanted to end all this fast; I was afraid she would fall unconscious again since I wouldn't be able to feed her if she passed out for who knows how long.

After we finished the impromptu treatment, I made her a little comfortable. If she manages to survive, maybe she can give me some useful information about what happened here.

The girl hadn't closed her eyes yet.

I did everything in my power to help her. I started to look for the food in the backpack. When I found the food, I noticed that she had fainted again... What bad luck.

After that, I took a big breath of air and relaxed my whole body to rest for a moment.

Strange, I had not heard Artemis yet. But before contacting her, I decided to check that the boy was not hurt. I made a signal for him to come. After a while, I finished checking him. The boy had nothing, although he was quite tired because he carried me and the girl along with our things all the way here.

I stroked her hair to convey that she had done everything very well; the boy smiled happily amidst his tiredness.

After that, the boy went in a little further and lay down to sleep; I guess he still doesn't want dinner.

Some time passed when the girl began to shiver; I approached a little closer to see her, and she had already regained consciousness again. Well, it was time to give her food now.

I decided to light a small fire for the cold; I managed to light a small improvised fire with a piece of wood I found within this ruin where we were resting. I took out a cooked fish that I saved from our last night in the forest; I had wrapped it in leaves to preserve it, but since I didn't have salt, it wouldn't last more than 3 days, so I prayed it wasn't spoiled. I looked at it and smelled it; I didn't detect any bad odor. It didn't look too bad... I think. The fish was cold, but apparently still edible. I decided to give the girl half of the fish little by little; I adjusted her head so she could eat.

I removed the fishbones and slowly fed her small enough pieces for her to swallow; everything went well, she managed to eat it.

Then I gave her some water.

After a moment, she closed her eyes again; who knows how many days she had gone without eating and enduring thirst. I checked her pulse, also listened to her breathing and the beats of her heart to make sure she wouldn't die in my hands or something like that.

Robert: Don't worry... You'll get better soon...

I could speak more freely now, but I still found it a bit difficult to talk.

After feeding her, I carefully held her in my arms and sat with her even closer to the fire so she could warm up. She still felt very cold; I didn't want her to die from the cold. I realized how difficult it is to move with someone injured while I couldn't move very well myself.

Well, the conclusion after taking care of this girl is that she was very badly beaten; needless to say, she was too lucky to survive.

The wound on her back was the most serious; she must remain still for several days and avoid making sudden movements to improve. Honestly, I have no idea if she will survive... I just hope everything turns out well.

I'm starting to believe I should have become a doctor instead of being a civil engineer and soldier... Certainly, in the army, they teach basic medicine, but now I see how useful it is in this situation.

After pondering trivialities, I fell asleep too.

I woke up again; I could see the light at the end of the tunnel... I say... I could see how the sun was shining a little outside where we were. It seems that after 2 or 3 consecutive days of rain, it finally stopped.

I decided to go out, I left the girl carefully, I got up with the help of the wall. I didn't have much headache anymore, but I didn't have good balance in my body, so I had to hold onto the wall. It was still somewhat cloudy outside, but it had stopped raining. The little sunlight allowed me to clearly see all the destruction in this camp.

Well, now I have to assess my current situation. We had quite an interesting situation; we found a survivor, which is good, but Artemis isn't communicating with me and doesn't respond when I speak. I'm a little worried about that.

Our next step should be to stay here or continue our journey.

However, we have someone injured, so leaving is not very profitable, but we can't stay here. Clearly, the smell of blood and death will attract some thirsty beast now that it has stopped raining. We can't stay here.

The boy and I decided to have breakfast and then leave here. The boy was incredibly hungry; all the food we had was gone. Now we also have to worry about food.

The boy took the white sword and kept it; apparently, he liked it.

I also took a sword. I have no idea how to use it, but it will serve for something; it must be similar to using a machete.

After breakfast, we gathered our things and got ready. As I walked through the camp with the help of a spear as support, I found some useful things: some backpacks in good condition, so I took one for myself and another for the boy.

We used to keep our things in my old backpack, but it was already very damaged.

I also found better bandages for the girl. Unfortunately, almost everything that seemed like medicine was destroyed; It is a shame that no medicine has been saved.

As I walked, I decided to take out some sort of grenades that I saw on some bodies. I saw a tunic somewhat different from the others; seeing it reminded me of something.

Samantha had told me that tunics adapt to the user who possesses mana.

At the moment, I didn't have any tunic on, so I decided to wear it for a moment.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

When I put it on, it tried to adapt to me, but at the same time, it stopped... Does that mean it can use magic? I don't think so... I don't remember it very well; I think Samantha had said something about that, but I forgot. Maybe that reaction has something to do with Artemis's power.

I decided to go back.

It had already been half a day while I plundered this camp in ruins; I felt somewhat better physically.

Then the time came to leave; I took the girl and carried her on my back. Previously, in the forest, we had stolen some tunics from some dead people, so I decided we would use them. I also put a tunic on the girl, and we started our journey.

We arrived at the starting point where we first saw the camp, and I took one last look around.

This scene was truly amazing, whether by night or by day, It's something shocking

After that, we left.

I tried to communicate with Artemis, but I wasn't successful. That worried me; I didn't know what to do to listen to Artemis again. I'll try to talk to her tonight.

We walked for a while until someone started whispering in my ear... Artemis?... No... It was the girl who had woken up. I could barely hear her voice; it was a whisper like Artemis'. She was still exhausted, but I could hear her because I was carrying her on my back.

Unknown: (Whisper) Who are you...?

Robert: I'm Robert, pleased to meet you. And who are you?

She remained silent for a long time, then responded.

Unknown: (Whisper) I'm... Alba...

Robert: Alba? What a strange name. By the way, I know it might be rude to ask so directly, but what happened at your camp?

Alba remained silent again, then spoke after a while.

Alba: (Whispering) The Hell... Fell upon us...

Hell? I don't know if she's speaking figuratively or literally.

Alba: (Whispering) Where is my friend...?

Friend?

Robert: ...You're the only one who was alive at the camp, Alba.

Alba: (Whispering) What...?

I began to feel some dampness on my neck... Were those tears? She seemed to be crying.

We remained silent for a while until afternoon arrived, so we decided to rest. I needed to check the map.

I carefully lowered Alba and seated her on a broken log.

Now I could see her better.

Her gaze seemed somewhat lifeless. I'm not saying she should be happy, but I feel like she doesn't want to keep on living. I suppose she hasn't yet fully processed that her friend and her camp are dead.

Robert: Hey...

Her gaze was fixed into emptiness. I gently grasped her face to make her look at me.

Our eyes met.

Robert: I know it's hard to take in, but everyone in your camp is dead. We found you under a large piece of debris next to the body of a dark-haired girl... I checked her vital signs, but she was already dead.

Tears began to fill her eyes again. I decided to give her space to vent.

Her crying became very loud... She must have been someone very important...

Samantha... I hope you managed to survive...

After a while, Alba stopped crying. I decided it was time to eat, or rather, to look for something to eat.

I told her that we needed to eat something to keep going.

Alba: (Whispering) I want to go back...

What?

Robert: Go back? But why?

Alba: (Whispering) I need to see her with my own eyes...

I had to be a little firm with her.

Robert: Look, Alba... I understand how you feel. If you want to go, I won't stop you, but you'll arrive there at night, and most likely you'll find beasts feasting on the bodies of everyone at that camp. You could die. I don't know if your friend would have wanted you to risk your life just to see her body.

Really, the only thing I cared about her at this moment was the information she had; later, she can do whatever she wants.

Alba looked at the ground, seeming like a scolded cat... Literally, she even has a tail and everything.

Alba: (Whispering) Where will I go now?

Robert: You can come with us. We were looking for someone in your camp, but I didn't expect it to be destroyed. Now we're heading to a place I need to get to.

I wanted to interrogate Alba about what happened at the camp, but she was still a bit traumatized. I'll wait a little longer.

Alba: (Whispering) Okay...

She seemed very resigned, as if her fighting spirit was dead.

I spent some time with the kid gathering materials, some food, and other things to have everything ready to eat.

We managed to get everything without much trouble.

While we were sitting, preparing some things for the meal, Alba began to speak.

Alba: (Whispering) ...While we were fighting at the camp...

(Alba's flashback)

I had no strength left to drag Sam... That demon was about to grab me, but a hand stopped it... Samantha? What an incredible power. Her magic was starting to increase too much... Was it really Samantha? I don't remember ever seeing that sinister power before. Her blue eyes began to change to a reddish hue... she looked very different...

The demon tore off its own arm and began to fly at an impressive speed due to a strange fear that overcame it.

In just a couple of seconds, the demon was at an incredibly far distance. Samantha, with all the patience in the world, stood up. Then she threw the demon's ripped arm aside and with her hand began to prepare a spell. After a few seconds, she cast a spell so large and powerful that it disintegrated the demon in the air in less than a few seconds despite the distance... It was impossible... To have that precision, that power and the ability to cast such a large spell at that speed.

Out of nowhere, Samantha rose into the air and began to recite a large spell with an incredible amount of magical power, the power was so great that it was even altering the enchantments on his own armor, warping it into a strange shape... Is that even possible?

image [https://img.wattpad.com/4ed28115124b627fb0612df1171d6f3e98873364/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f45696945385756717179776951673d3d2d313434393531393433352e313764343238353534323861653266613530333932363738373531392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

After a moment, she attacked our camp with it. This time the spell was moving slowly toward the camp. Everyone on the battlefield watched it, and the sound of battle disappeared for a few seconds as everyone stared at that gigantic mass of power heading towards the camp. Despite its size, it made no noise, but as soon as it touched the camp, it made such a loud noise that it almost deafened me. Her magical power was so strong that it released a shockwave. It reached me and threw me very far with great force. But Saga appeared and stopped my fall while I was descending. We landed on a small slope. Saga stood up, and I was still somewhat dazed. I noticed some shadows above us. I looked back and saw some monsters at the top of the slope. They were about to kill us, but an even larger shadow covered us. I looked up, and a piece of the camp wall was flying toward us at full speed.

Before it could crush us, Saga stood in front of me and activated her ability. The piece of wall fell on us, crushing the beasts completely. Saga was abruptly pushed toward me while holding the wall to prevent it from crushing us.

We were trapped. I couldn't move because Saga was on top of me and the wall was on top of her... We hadn't died thanks to her ability and because the bodies of the beasts helped support part of the wall. If it weren't for all those small details, the wall would have completely crushed us.

As I tried to move, I felt something beginning to fall onto me... It was blood...

Alba: ¡Saga!

Saga: Don't worry... This is nothing...

As she said that, I could feel her blood dripping onto me... I hadn't realized that Saga had lost one of her ears, damn it... We need to get out of here. I need to think of something. I looked around but didn't see anything or anyone.

Outside, I only heard screams of pain and chaos.

Suddenly, there was a strong tremor... What the hell was happening outside?...

After that tremor, the noise of all the chaos began to diminish little by little... The screams of agony and pain started to decrease... Time passed...

I could barely hear anything now. From the dim light, I noticed that night was beginning to fall... I couldn't find out the situation outside, but most likely, we lost the battle...

Saga continued to hold the wall... She had been holding that damn wall all this time... I didn't know how much time had passed, maybe a few hours...

Alba: Saga...

Saga: This is nothing... Don't worry, Alba...

Saga hadn't stopped bleeding... Damn it! Was there nothing I could do!?

I couldn't move to help her. I can't push her, it scares me. I had no strength, and one of my arms was injured due to a deep wound in the shoulder.

Before I knew it, it was already night, and I couldn't hear anything outside.

I tried to look around us, but there was only the head of a comrade next to me... He still had his helmet on.

I was tired... I couldn't think clearly. We needed to get out of here. Saga won't last much longer... I don't know what to do...

Maybe if I used that head to...

Suddenly, something creaked, and the wall crushed us even more...

Now we were completely still... I could barely move a hand... Saga had stopped holding the wall, so it crushed us more.

I think that... Saga's arms broke... That's what I heard creak...

Alba: Saga... I'll get you out of here... Don't close your eyes for anything in the world...

Saga: (Whispering) Don't worry, I won't close my eyes for anything in the world.

Her voice spoke with difficulty, and I felt her blood dripping on me even more.

I started to stress out too much... I didn't want to accept this situation... I knew what would happen if we continued like this...

Alba: Is anyone out there!?

I started to scream.

I didn't hear anything, just saw the darkness of the night.

And so a day passed, night fell again. I was very sleepy but refused to fall asleep. I stayed awake so Saga wouldn't close her eyes. I wouldn't let her close her eyes...

Another night fell, but this time it had started to rain heavily, and distant thunder could be heard.

It took a while before Saga spoke.

Saga: (Weak whisper) Alba... I think I'll take a little rest...

With the little strength I had left, I yelled at her.

Alba: NO! If you close your eyes, I swear I'll kill you... You must stay awake. Someone will come to rescue us soon... Just don't close your eyes.

Saga: (Weak whisper)... You're scary when you're angry... (Light laughter) Don't worry... I promise I won't close my eyes for anything in the world...

That was the last time I heard Saga's voice.

I tried calling her many times after that, but she didn't respond.

Alba: Saga wakes up...!

Tears began to fall on their own, I kept calling her for what I thought were hours until I lost my voice.

Another night passed, and the rain didn't stop.

Saga was very cold... I had almost no strength left...

Alba: (Whispering) The best thing that ever happened to me in my life was meeting you...

I only received silence as a response.

I began to feel a lump in my throat, I felt regret and many doubts... I couldn't think clearly... I couldn't remember if I ever told her how much she meant to me.

Alba: (Whispering) I...

My voice broke, I couldn't say anything... In the midst of all this intense rain, I cried like never before.

After that, I finally passed out.

(End of Alba's flashback)

Alba collapsed in tears after telling us her story; her crying echoed throughout the place.

She cried all afternoon.

Afterward, she calmed down, her eyes were very swollen, and she looked very pitiful.

The kid approached and gave her a hug.

Alba: Um...

It seemed she didn't know what to do, as if she had never dealt with children before.

She clumsily patted his head.

Robert: Alright, let's have our meal now.

I tried to retrieve our food, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Maybe the kid had the food, and I just didn't remember. I asked the kid, but he shook his head... Then the food was lost... What a tragedy.

Robert: I think... we're out of food...

Alba looked at us with some pity, as if wondering how we have survived until now.

Alba: Hmm... I think the best would be to hunt something fresh... Robert, right?

Robert: True...

Alba: If you want, I can tell you how to hunt some animals in this forest... There are still a few hours before it gets completely dark.

Robert: I'd appreciate that... By the way, I know it's unrelated, but why do you have ears and a tail?

Alba: Oh, are you from this world? I'm a Semi-human; I belong to a race of felines. My clan is called MoonCrew.

Robert: Do you have heightened senses or something like that?

Alba: Something like that...

After that, we went hunting in the forest. Alba explained to us, among other things, what kind of animals are in this forest and other details.

As always... The boy hunted better than me.

Alba: That kid is very good at learning. Is he your son?

Robert: No, he's not my son.

Alba looked at me confused.

Alba: Then what are you doing with a kid who isn't your son?

She gave me a suspicious look.

Robert: Some time ago, my group and I found him fighting against a big wolf.

Alba: Fighting, you say...?

Alba looked at the boy with doubt.

Alba: By the way, you say you found him with your group, but I see you alone.

Robert: To sum up the story, the same thing happened to me as to you, our camp was attacked, and we got separated... I think...

Alba: You think so?

Robert: To be honest, I don't know if they're alive. Due to certain circumstances, I had to leave the camp with the boy because it was invaded by aggressive beasts.

Alba: I see.

Alba looked thoughtful.

I decided to leave her alone for a while so she could think better.

After hunting, we made a campfire again and began to prepare what we had caught.

We spent a long time eating until Alba spoke out of nowhere and with a lot of confidence. Apparently, she had finished reflecting alone.

Alba: I'll keep watch tonight.

Hmm, it's not that I don't trust her, but we just met. I don't know how wise it is to trust someone like that out of the blue.

Robert: Are you sure? I can keep watch tonight, you should rest if you want.

I got up to get ready, but Alba stood up before me and sat me back down by holding my shoulders.

Alba: No, you need to rest properly. A person your age needs to sleep well.

I felt my heart break with that phrase... A person your age... I'm not that old... I'm just very mature, it's different...

While I was sinking into depression, Alba went to keep watch.

The boy approached her and gave her something, it seemed to be her armor. Wait a moment, did that boy have her armor in his backpack? Then I looked more closely and saw that he only had parts of her armor in his backpack. Now it all made sense. After that, the boy sat next to me.

Robert: I'm not that old, right?

The boy just tilted his head, a bit confused.

Now that I think about it, the boy doesn't have a name. I always refer to him as "the boy." Maybe I should give him a name.

I held the child for a moment and lifted him up. I looked him in the eyes and spoke to him.

Robert: From now on, you will be called Alex.

The child shouted joyfully and gave me a hug.

It's incredible that someone can understand a language when they can't speak... Certainly, his ability will have tremendous potential if he grows enough.

In the best case scenario, Alex would be invincible.

Alex pointed to the sky. On this night you could see the stars; they looked very beautiful.

(Perspective of Alba)

The light of a new day was beginning to appear... But it no longer had any meaning now. Maybe if we hadn't met you back then... she would still be here... Perhaps if I hadn't spoken to you at that moment, she would still be with me... No matter how hard I try to find a different cause, all the paths lead to you... Samantha... Maybe... if I kill you, I can leave in peace and be by her side for eternity.

I just need to find you... And I promise it will be quick... You will not go through the same suffering that she went through because of you... I still have some mercy left for you, monster...

image [https://img.wattpad.com/fc305d096b18ab5b281aeb1af2cea5e0b59037e6/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4f6768656e53464f7a57695a62413d3d2d313434393531393433352e3137643432383561366263396639343836343239393230303931362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]