The next day quickly arrived. Everyone got up early, ready for their biggest battle yet. Jim was just eating breakfast when Charlotte came over and asked, “Can we talk for a moment, privately?”
“Sure,” responded Jim mildly confused, and followed her to a secluded corner. “What do you want to talk about? Did something happen?”
“No, the thing is,” taking a deep breath to steel her resolve she responded, “I can’t go with you. I was never meant to be a fighter and don’t plan on being one. I just have so much to live for and such a big fear of dying. It wasn’t so bad when I was forced to fight, as the fear of living without my family was bigger than the fear of dying. At that time I couldn’t lose more than my life, but now… now it's different.”
Understanding what Charlotte meant, Jim smiled. “Charlotte no one is going to force you. I know full well what risks this attack holds. Heck, I don’t even know if I could go on this venture if I knew my family was here.”
“Really?” Charlotte asked bewildered.
“Really,” confirmed Jim. “We can’t expect you to risk your life just because we want to. Stay by your family, protect them and everyone else here while we will get the head of this raven.”
With a tear in the corner of her eye, she embraced Jim and said, “Thank you for everything. Even if we didn’t talk much in the past I’m thankful for everything you did for me, no, for all of us. Without you we wouldn’t have survived until this point,” She broke the embrace and smiled.
“It is unfortunate that I only realized over the past week that you aren’t that bad.”
“Thank you?” Jim asked while scratching his head.
“Yes, thank you. I will return the favor someday.”
Hearing this Jim remembered something and asked, “By the way, did you talk with Emma? I’m not sure if she really wants to fight, because of her… you know shyness.”
“Don’t underestimate her. I know a lot of people who regretted this.” Responded Charlotte with a wink.
Jim waved his hands in defense. “I know her skills aren’t any worse than yours but I don’t know if she wants to fight with her life on the line, just because we fought for a few days.”
Charlotte shook her head, “You don’t know Emma yet. She is a very quiet person but she is the strongest one I know. No one has the stubbornness, willpower, and good-heartedness she has.
She is like an unmovable mountain if she sets her mind on something. She wants to help people and she thinks that she can do this in your group the best. She made her decision and no one can change that.”
“Well then everything is good,“ replied Jim with a dry smile. “I also want to thank you for everything you did for us until now. You were a huge help even if the circumstance forced you, like all of us.”
“No problem,” replied Charlotte with a satisfied nod.
After finishing their conversation they returned to the rest and explained the situation. Thankfully no one was mad and understood her motive and supported her decision.
Checking a last time over his equipment Jim looked up at the rest of the people in the room and asked, “Are you ready?”
The group nodded their heads in agreement and made their way to Dave and his team. It was composed of five men and the one leading was Dave, a man in his late thirties, with short brown hair, a stubble beard, and a very serious aura, which made him look, with his striking yellow eyes, like a predator. Jim looked at him and asked, “Are you sure that you want to take us with you?”
“It's definitely not the proudest of my decisions, but one I made nonetheless,” responded the man with a deep voice. “You were able to survive in this hellscape for a full week, so I trust your skills. In addition, you have the trust of Solaire, and if he trusts you so will I.”
“Good,” nodded Jim with a stern face. “Anything else we should be careful about?”
“I’m sure Solaire already told you, but we will always stay in a group with my man surrounding you. I trust your skills but I refuse to let you go on the front.” Thinking for a moment Dave reminded them, “No matter what happens, never break the formation and keep alert, this raven is beyond fast.”
Taking the warning to heart the group consisting of Jim, Clay, Chirs, Emma, Lukas, Dave, and his five men began their journey. After some consideration, Jim was able to persuade Jake to stay behind.
He told him that his skills can’t be used in a situation where they can’t prepare for the enemy. His real reason was to keep him out of danger, but he didn’t need to know that. Jake was never the best fighter and this didn’t change after his transformation.
Waiting at the iron gate was Solaire. “I hope you can finally kill this monster and avenge the countless lives it has taken. I will pray for your success, may the sun be with you.”
He performed one last prayer with his necklace before heading back inside preparing for the next attack of beasts.
The group started to head north to where the nest of the raven lay. In the beginning, it was calm and they gradually left the church behind. They were tense and didn’t dare to speak for fear of missing a possible ambush.
They were already a good distance away when Dave signaled them to stand still. He was intensely hearing around him, like a started deer, and surveyed the sky.
Jim could see how he was squirting his eyes in the direction of the rising sun and was confused by his behavior. Something was clearly wrong and there was this tingly sensation on his right sid-
*RIP*
Before anyone could react a black object dived from the cover of the sun. Jim felt something off and was already looking in that direction only to see how a huge curved talon ripped across the face of one of the men in Dave's group, who was protecting their right flank.
Lukas who was standing just beside the ripped-apart man was quick on the uptake and threw his body to the ground - just a moment too late, as the three talons carved into his stomach and ripped a wound up to his chest
If time was standing still Jim saw how Lukas hit the ground with three bloody gashes along his torso. After the impact, a mouthful of blood splattered from his mouth. Under complete shock, he put his hands on his chest to stop the bleeding gashes.
Not even being able to cover them he desperately slid around his wound not knowing where to stop his profusely bleeding wounds first. His hands turned scarlet red and he slowly realized what had just happened.
“Hel-”
*Splurt*
Desperately looking at Jim from below Lukas wanted to voice a pleading before another spurt of blood stopped his voice.
Comprehending what he just saw, Jim felt his body heat up, like never before. His pupils contracted to tiny dots, as his blood rapidly went from his chest all around his body, while his heart beat ever faster.
By now the others realized what had happened and rushed to Lukas. With eyes of pure hatred and rage, he looked at the shadow in the sky who was flying away.
With a rage not comparable to the ape accident Jim bent his knees.
*THUI*
Like an arrow that was released from its string, Jim shot off, grabbing in the process the spear Emma was holding, following the shadow of the raven who was already flying off into the sky.
Finally, when he thought he found another person he could count on his few friends he witnessed firsthand how he was taken from him.
Jim felt like he was finally making some progress with understanding and speaking to the people around him. This showed him how much he really cared for them and realized that he had the urge to help and protect them.
After Jim talked with Solaire he began to question his existence. His meaning, purpose in life, and what he wanted to do. How he should reach a life that was worth living.
Just the night before he seemed to come close to this answer, because of this striking smile of gratitude and recognition. Before he could even befriend or learn more about this person… gone.
Hushed out like the weak flame of a candle in a raging storm. Even with rage boiling from inside, on the outside Jim only grew calmer. Looking like he was devoid of any emotion. At the moment he only had one goal and nothing would stop him from achieving that. He didn’t think about what would happen afterward, not about his family, friends, or own body.
He didn’t care. With this, his blood rushed ever faster through his veins, while the sounds around him faded away. His eyes were fixed on the raven above and he could almost see a sort of foggy light surrounding it.
By Now Jim was long after the raven and was traversing the streets with a speed he never even could imagine was humanly possible, while his eyes were only focused on the raven, similar to a predator locking his eyes on his prey.
The raven flew over one of the houses. Without hesitation or thinking of what he was doing Jim started to climb the building. In seconds he was on top of the roof, continuing his relentless chase on the top of the roofs Churchville's.
While running he could see the talons rip through Lukas again, again and again, like a video he couldn’t stop. Every time he felt the rage in him boil, like a raging storm, which could swallow everyone and everything. He felt how he got stronger and faster by the second.
The raven knew it was being followed, and realized that it had to escape this particular human at all costs and decided to rise in altitude. It was clear that the human couldn’t do this for long as his veins started to bulge and throb in rhythm with his heart. All the while his bloodshot eyes never let the raven get out of his view.
*GRUAH*
With a shriek, the raven called its servants to stall for time. Not even a minute passed, while Jim jumped from rooftop to rooftop, when he noticed the rising attitude of the raven and didn't waste any time.
Exhaling, steamy hot air, escaped Jim's mouth as he gathered a new big mouthful of fresh air. With his gaze still focused on the raven Jim pulled his right leg back as he got in a sprinting position.
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Closing his eyes for a moment, losing for the first time the sight of his target Jim concentrated. For a moment everything faded away and he was alone with his thoughts.
Gathering more strength than he ever had, Jim abruptly opened his eyes and stared hatefully at the raven in the distance. He tightened his muscles to the maximum, feeling them rip and tear as his vines seemed to almost burst from the high blood pressure.
He grabbed the spear from Emma in reverse grip and started to sprint. A few powerful steps later, which only worsened his deteriorating body, he suddenly stopped and flung his right arm into the air where he held the spear. In this one throw, Jim put all the force he could muster.
*THUD*
Like a missile being launched, the spear flew directly to the raven hitting it right between his wing and body, drilling through it like butter. With a shriek of excruciating pain, the raven sailed to the ground, as it swayed left and right.
It could somehow get its balance and reduce the impact of the fall, saving its life barely. At the same time, Jim’s body was hurling in the air doing a flip.
While the world was spinning around him he still fixed his gaze on the raven to look where it crashed. After seeing the rough location Jim hit the rooftop on the other side and thanks to the momentum skillfully rolled forwards without hurting his body further.
Without even stopping Jim’s roll slowly turned into a walk before turning into a full-on sprint. By now Jim couldn’t hear anymore and his vision slowly started to blur. He knew that the moment he lost his vision, would be his permanent end which resulted in him just gaining more determination.
Soon, Jim saw the raven crawling on the streets before him. Without even thinking further he dashed over, tripping in the process. After carefully standing up the birds the raven previously called finally arrived.
Looking up Jim saw a swarm of two dozen birds in the sky diving down. Not caring the least he grabbed his machete from his hip and slashed the first bird who reached him in half.
One after the other the birds threw their lives at him, while he skillfully dispatched them with one precise slash each. Slowly he walked forward killing every bird that dared to come too close.
Jim could see the fear in the eye of the raven and started to smile widely. Some birds wouldn’t stop him from reaching his goal.
Behind him, Jim left a trail of blood, carcasses, and feathers. Step after step Jim inched closer to his destination, while the raven desperately tried to crawl away from his inevitable doom but it didn’t have any power left.
Jim’s body was showered from top to bottom in blood. His normally short brown hair was smeared with blood that stuck to his wide smiling face. With ice-cold eyes, he looked at the raven below him.
It was still struggling and Jim cleanly cut the one healthy wing off. Hearing the painful squeal of the raven Jim reveled in its agony. Sadly he could feel how the last bit of strength was leaving his broken body and he had to end it.
The moment his boiling blood and pumping heart calmed down he would probably die. Not that it mattered the raven was going with him. Taking a last glance with his hazy dark blue eyes Jim saw almost nothing and was near blindness, which just resulted in his gaze looking even colder.
With a slight smile on his lips, Jim slowly pressed his hand to the area where the heart of the raven was supposed to be. He slowly started to dig his hand into the chest.
With a painful wail, the raven tried with his last effort to get Jim off. Biting, slashing, wiggling its whole body, nothing worked as Jim’s hand got deeper and deeper into his chest searching for his prize.
Finally, he found what he was looking for and slowly wrapped his hand around the object, before firmly grabbing it in his hands, which resulted in an even more painful and miserable shriek from the raven.
*GRAAAA*
With this one last painful shriek, the raven looked one last time at the sky it conquered and died. Taking one last push, Jim ripped the heart out, holding it in his hand Jim broke to his knees.
*Pff*
A mocking sound escaped his lips before his smile turned wider and broke soon into a burst of crazy laughter.
“HAHAHAHAHA”
While laughing like a madman Jim grabbed his blood-smeared face as his laughter slowly turned into a hearth-tearing cry.
This didn’t last for long as Jim felt how his consciousness was slowly slipping away. Taking the whole sky in Jim was for a short moment at peace. He couldn’t hear, smell, or taste anything. It was like he was sleeping, cuddled into a cozy blanket made of the best silk.
He was so incredibly tired. For the first time in a whole week full of misery, death, and stress Jim heard nothing… just silence.
His vision darkened and his consciousness slipped away unsure of what would happen.
***
Rewinding time to Jim's departure Dave and two of his men sprinted after him but lost him after he climbed the building. They had to make severe, giving Jim and the raven enough time to get a heads up.
While everyone was distracted by the attack of the raven and was looking at its shadow Clay was dazed by Jim or more specifically the aura he just radiated. The others didn’t feel anything, but he was sure that Jim did something.
Realizing this he noticed that this must be what Jim previously mentioned happened with the apes and was somehow able to replicate it. Clay already talked with Solaire and had some more gains and insight about this new topic.
All his life Clay was curious about anything and everything and was obsessed with learning everything there was in the world.
The problem was that not a single topic could interest him really long enough to really go in-depth, which resulted in him knowing everything and at the same time nothing. He could talk about almost every topic but when you go in-depth with the topic at some point he couldn’t follow.
But these new energy, transformations, and powers were different. They were something entirely new, something where he just couldn’t read the answer on the internet. No one knew the limits of this new energy or how it worked and Clay felt… thrilled. It was a challenge, something he had to find himself, a riddle that screamed to be solved.
He wanted to know everything and asked everyone and anyone who could give him just some hints and clues. Anything was enough to keep him pondering what really happened and caused all of this mess.
Lost in his thoughts Clay didn’t realize that his best friend Chris was saying something, “Clay! Get out of it!”
By now the group had already split up. Dave and two of his men followed after Jim. Chris, Clay, Emman, and the other two men from Dave stayed behind. The last one was long dead by now and couldn't be saved.
Torn out of his thoughts Clay rushed to the side of Lukas and looked at his dying body. The wounds were too deep and big to stop bleeding, without a miracle he would surely die. He could almost feel the life force around Lukas dwindling by the second.
Compared to Jim's strong and durable aura, Lukas’ aura seemed like a weak candle flickering in a storm. It was so feeble that a toddler could snuff it out.
Emma was in a haste able to bandage the wounds to a degree, but they refused to stop bleeding and he would no doubt die soon. Going down to his knees Clay tried to put up a brave face as he got closer and said grimly, “Do you have any last wishes?”
Opening, then closing his mouth Lukas was taken aback as he realized that he was done for. He knew Clay quite well and his attitude showed him that he wasn’t really doing well. Thinking that he quickly came to terms with his impending doom. Smiling, he had to think about the past. “You know I appreciated the small rivalry we had.”
Everyone in Jim's class agreed Charlotte, Clay, and Lukas were by far the smartest people if you only considered their grades. The thing was that Clay and Lukas were always a bit ahead of Charlotte so a small rivalry started over who was truly the best in class.
It was a silly question but at the end of the day, they were just teenagers. So at the beginning of the new year, they started to rival each other, and thanks to their competition their already good grades got even better.
At the end of last year, Lukas got an average percentage of 97% while Clay only reached 96%. It was close but in the end, he still lost. Probably only Chris really realized how important Lukas was for Clay.
A fact that Clay was not too proud of was his laziness, which was also the reason for him being slightly overweight. He didn’t have to put much work in to get good grades so he never felt real stress or competition.
Lukas changed that completely as Clay for the first time in his life had to work hard to reach a goal. A goal he never had before in his life. In the end, he lost. It was his fault because he couldn’t change his old habits fast enough.
Losing ignited something in Clay that he didn’t feel for a long time. A goal, you could even say purpose. Next year he would win against Lukas for sure. But before the year could even really start, Clay had to watch Lukas die. Looking at the gashes along Lukas's torso Clay couldn’t help himself as tears started to gather in his eyes.
“Fuck. After so long I finally had a goal, a motivation to improve myself and now you just leave? Dying directly before my eyes? I haven’t beaten you yet! You can’t just leave, you are way too young to go!”
Not only did Clay realize too late how important Lukas was to him, but he also had to watch him slowly die, No! He couldn’t accept this! He had to do something, anything!
Thinking as hard as he could, Clay had a wisp of inspiration that gave him some ideas. Never before in his life was he so focused and determined as in this situation. He played dozens of scenarios and ideas in his head.
After rapidly thinking he finally had an idea. Putting his hands on Lukas's chest he started to focus on himself or more specifically on his heart where the energy was at its richest. Focusing he slowly felt this new energy rushing around his heart.
He concentrated further slowly guiding this energy out of the heart letting it travel along his blood. He imagined a small river flowing along his blood veins from his chest to his shoulder, elbows, waist, hands, and finally to the tip of his fingers. He desperately tried to push this energy out of his fingers into Lukas body.
He tried again and again… but in the end, it was to no avail. He couldn’t push this energy out no matter what he did. Only being able to guide it through his blood veins took him all of his concentration.
Still not giving up he could feel a hand on his fingers. Opening his eyes he could see the despairing face of Lukas as he shook his head. Only now did Clay realize that he was bleeding from his nose. Refusing to believe it, he wanted to say something but Lukas was faster.
“It’s already too late. No human, even one that underwent transformation can survive such a wound and you know that.” Taking a breath to fully comprehend what was happening Lukas spoke, “I’m going to die…”
Finally fully registering this Lukas felt tears welling up. “This is such a shitty world. First I have to lose my father and now I’m leaving my mother behind. I couldn’t even repay anything that they did for me-”
Sobbing miserably, Lukas said, “I don’t even know when I last thanked them for everything that they were doing for me. Oh god, I didn’t reach anything in life. The biggest part of my life was spent in school. I never had a girlfriend or kids or even a normal job, see where humanity goes or grow old…” Holding his hand at his temple Lukas tried his best to calm down.
By now Clay couldn’t hold his tears back as he joined his crying. Slightly laughing at the absurdity of the situation, Lukas could only smile.
“Fuck all this. Fuck humanity, fuck these beasts, fuck everything, I was too naive. This world has gone past salvation. If the raven didn’t kill me, another beast would do it. Even if they failed the next transformation would have finished me for sure. The second one was already my limit, just my shitty luck again.”
Hearing him chuckle out of desperation Clay said, “Your life wasn’t pointless. You had us all laughing more than once and even if you are gone I’m sure to treasure your remembrance. For everything that you have done, I thank you.”
“He is right. This world is cruel, but we have to make the best of it and I will make sure that you are not forgotten,” spoke Emma with resolution.
At the side, Chris agreed but was unsure what to say. “I will make sure to remember you. The few years together we didn’t do much together, but I know how many people appreciated your presence.”
Looking at the people around him Lukas couldn’t help himself but laugh. “Maybe it isn’t too bad to go like this. At least I died while fighting for a better future. My only regret is my mother. I don’t know how she is going to react if she hears that I died after all I-”
*Splurt*
Coughing blood Lukas knew his time was up and looked at the group and whispered, “P-Please protect my mother and everyone else. This world may have mocked me and my story ends here, but please survive. Keep on living and never stop reaching for new heights.”
While crying they nodded their heads in agreement. Never in his life did they feel so powerless. Watching the sun shining on the horizon, Lukas felt a feeling of peace and looked for a final time at the people surrounding him.
“Emma I know how much you want to help people and how hard you work but do me a favor and rest sometimes,“ then turning his head he looked at Chris and said,” Chris I think I know you better than you think. Don’t underestimate yourself and stop comparing yourself to others. Sometimes small matters make a bigger difference than you think.”
Surprised by his comment, Chirs knew what he meant and slowly nodded his head. Then in the last moments of his short life, Lukas spoke, “Clay I know you can achieve something great if you keep going. Stop having so many self-doubts. I know how you are really feeling. You are not lazy, you are just not confident enough to live up to the expectations no one has. Relax sometimes and just keep doing your thing. Don’t let others demotiva- ”
*Cough, Cough, Cough*
Taking a moment to rest Lukas eyes grew determined. “Promise me to keep going no matter the situation you are in. Even if the whole world stands against you, don't stop, you have to preserve.”
“I promise it,” replied Clay with newfound determination.
Nodding his head Lukas laid back watching the sun. “Good… good, I’m sure that you will surprise everyone, just remember one thing…” Coming closer to make sure he heard him Clay came beside his ear, as Lukas took a last breath, smiled, and said,
“That you never beat Lukas Mason.” With that, he collapsed, his eyes rolled back and his heart stopped beating.
On the eighth day since the Cataclysm, Lukas Mason passed away.