When the group finally reaches the forest is also when the long night is finally over. In the horizon, the sun rises, showering the world with a warmth almost forgotten. The Knights gaze up in amazement while the two Blind hunters among them remain focused.

“Keep your eyes on the prize”

A patrol missing near a woodland settlement, the Knights were sent out to investigate. Along the way, they ran into a young man called Tyler at death’s door. He came from their destination and was attacked by monster, but with the healer’s magic, the brave soul was saved. He spoke of a raider group that was besieging his settlement and that monsters were appearing.

Hearing of that news, the Knights took Tyler to a Blind barrack and recruited the two hunters available. Even though he had just been through hell and back, Tyler volunteered to return. His father and everyone were waiting for him.

They are finally here, at the forest after marching through what seemed like an endless night.

“What if we are too late” A young recruited said worryingly and looked at the Blind hunters, they insisted the group moved at a snail pace.

“Then that’s that” A hunter replied coldly.

“How could you say that!” The recruited snapped back. Is the rumour perhaps true? That the steel implant on their head drained the Blind of human emotions. She is stopped by the Knight Captain.

“We wouldn’t be able to help if we are all wiped out by monsters”

He understands her frustration, working with the cryptic hunters can be infuriating. But the man was also experienced enough to know that their normal swords are useless against monsters.

“We are nearly the…” Tyler said but he was cut off by a terrible sight.

Monsters of the unknown surround the woodland settlement. The Knights immediately move into a protective formation with shields out. Tyler is dragged back to be protected. A Blind hunter immediately readies her blade, the other prepares to bolt out of here. Fighting back against these many monsters are impossible, everyone here would die so he could send the message back to the barrack.

But nothing happens. “They are all dead” A hunter said in amazement “But how!”

“This is all too strange” Her friend chimed in.

There are all sorts of mutations here, many of them with black stones, other marred with spiral and more. Normally only a certain kind of mutation would appear in one area. There have been cases of mixing but to this degree is unheard of.

“Maybe it’s her, that Diver, who did this” Tyler chimed in, thinking about crimson hair woman..

“No, it’s must be the old master” The other hunter concluded. They heard he was passing by this area to teach a nearby Blind encampment. But can one man does all this, even someone as renowned as him.

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“Let’s move in” The Knight Captain ordered “But be on your guard and protect the civilian at all cost!” He personally looks after Tyler himself.

As they move in, the group encounter even more dead monsters. Their corpses so numerous it is impossible to continue. A few Knights are on cleaning duty, moving the dead bodies to the side. Next to them, the Blind hunters have their steel blades ready. They soon uncover a normal human, dead with a sword through his own chest, it’s the mayor.

“No, father!” Tyler rushes forward but is held back by the Knight Captain.

Then comes the corpses of the people from the settlement, all turned into monsters. The young man could barely recognise them, his neighbours his people. Nevertheless, he holds back his tears, trying not to cause trouble for the Knights.

‘This kid!’ The Knight Captain can’t help but be amazed.

Next to him, a Scribe is noting down all those who die, Tyler helps out in pain.

They then encounter a clearing with two bodies holding each other hands.

“It’s Mordia and Claudia Castellanos” Tyler told the Scribe. The young man is glad that there are others who get to die human. As least these two are together in the end.

Next to the clearing are an incredible number of dead monsters. The mounds are so packed with corpses that it is next to impossible for the Knights to clear. ‘Who could have done this?’ The hunters wondered in amazement, the rumour of them having no emotion is of course, blatantly false.

Their question is soon answer as soon as the group breaks through.

The house of the Castellanos remains, clear of monsters. In front of it is one lone man still stands with a steel knife in hand, unmoving.

“A Diver?” The Scribe asked, such mutations could only belong to one of them.

The door suddenly swings opened. The Knights immediately have their shields up, the Blind hunters steel blades gleaming. But from the building, only two ordinary children come out.

“Tyler?” They saw their neighbour.

“Alessia, Alessio!” The young man ran at them. The three holds onto each other, crying. They have lost too much. After another sweep, it is concluded that the two siblings are the only survivors. All three of them will be relocated to another place. They will be taken care of well, the Knight Captain will make sure of that himself. ‘These kids deserve something to live a good life’ He told himself.

“Who is he?” The hunter asked, they wanted to know who this man was that stood against the horde all by himself. There is no answer, however, as the twin has no idea.

Suddenly, the group is startled by a cracking sound.

The sunlight is burning away the corpses, they soon turn into ashes then dusts. The settlement is cleansed and it is so empty. With most of the inhabitants already gone, this hollow place will be abandoned. Maybe one day a caravan will settle here but that is unlikely. History will steer them away.

Everything turns to dust, except for one man.

Bruno opens his eyes slowly, trying to adopt to sunlight once again. He is still… alive. After all that had happened, he had survived the end of the world.

But why? Why him? There are so many more deserving souls that should live. After all of their sacrifice, after he himself decided to sacrifice his life. He is still alive. Around him are Knights but they aren’t hostile.

Oh right, the Fisherman decorations on his hair are gone as his skin was stripped out. His spear is also gone, the man now looks like a Diver. And the twin? They also live. The man feels like he has finally done something good, having achieved his final goal.

The group is leaving the settlement and Bruno is of course, brought along. Then he will have a chance at a new life, to begin again. It all seems like just a dream.

The man then notices a piece of bard wire stuck on his pants. Just tiny bit but is enough to inflict pain. If this is all just a dream, then to wake up, all he needs to do is to hold onto this tightly. Bruno looks at the twin, still grieving but alive.

The man takes the piece into his hand and tightens his grip.