. . . the last chapter is finally here! Yes, it's a TAD longer than the other one. . . so, prepare yourself! It's gonna be a hell of a ride👀

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With little encouragement Philip could forget the pain in his numb leg and the fact that Issac was so close to him. Too close.

Even with the possibility of death looming over him like never before, the fact that he could feel the captain's heartbeats through the ultra-thin uniform he wore was the only thing at the forefront of his mind.

It seemed ridiculous at first; when they started moving towards the house and Issac wrapped one arm around Philip and let him use his body as a crutch.

But now Philip needed to keep his mind focused so he didn't unconsciously take in too much of the captain's scent. So he didn't lapse into old memories and trip-maybe break another leg.

Of course he didn't want to die-Issac had promised him too good a life after this-but for some reason his mind was empty of everything important.

What was the plan again? Was there a plan 'B'? What if the capital had long fallen. . . What would they do then?

What if Corey Roya was dead?

For some other reason though, Philip couldn't bring himself to care. His eyes were fixed on the small figure in front of him, darting steadily forward, resolute on leaving this town behind even if the future was uncertain.

Sometimes it was hard to believe that two children had been stuck in this hellhole for months. He and Issac had only been here for how long? Was it a day? Was it two? Three?

The hours seemed to blend together.

How many times have we almost died?

Behind Philip, the unique sound of a body being dragged through the mud echoed. The snapping of branches and the heaviness of Issac's footsteps suddenly sounded like thunder in the messenger's ears.

For some moments his heart pounded wildly in his chest as his eyes flicked to the monster on the far right. In the next seconds, he cursed the fear that sprung up in his heart. Since when had he become so afraid?

He wasn't even the one in real danger.

The path they were taking to the house was on the far left and in a very circumventing semicircle. In front of the beast, Edythe stood, just a bit farther than the range of it's paw. She was waiting for the moment they reached the midway point of their route, their farthest distance from the beast.

Esau had earlier pointed out, his tone sarcastic, that it was a diameter.

Edythe had rolled her eyes, patted him on the shoulder and told him to get going before she shot him.

Somehow, Philip knew that the siblings were somehow comforting each other by not stating the obvious. Edythe would probably not make it and after the beast got bored with her he'd come straight for them.

Now it seemed stupid of him to have concerns about whether the beast heard them or not. In reality, it didn't matter in the end.

"Philip," Issac's voice snapped the messenger back into reality.

The eighteen year old turned his head to the captain just as a familiar bang sounded to their right. With his arm still slung about Issac's shoulders, Philip shifted his gaze to the monster.

Esau had called it a dog but Philip thought it was more wolf than domesticated canine.

"Yes," he answered shakily, his eyes following Edythe's figure as she dashed back in the direction of the forest. The laser had just grazed the beast's muzzle but it looked furious. It's fur stood on ends as it slowly got up, it's massive maw cracking open.

The roar that followed seemed to shatter the air around the beast's mouth as the visible sound waves rushed at Edythe. Philip felt pain in his eardrums at the intensity of the sound but he didn't move to shield his ears. Instead he kept his gaze trained on Edythe as she disappeared from sight like a phantom.

Has she. . .?

The beast's attack seemed to phase right through her and even Issac couldn't hide a flinch as it slammed into the trees where Edythe had once stood.

For a moment there was silence before more destruction was wrought on the forest, transforming the uprooted trees into something resembling sawdust as the beast continued roaring.

Philip saw Esau turn to the flattened portion of the forest and felt his own heart deflate. Don't tell me she. . .

Before he could complete the thought, a red laser soared out of the depths of the forest and struck the beast in the left eye. It roared again, but this time it wasn't an attack. The roar was mournful and the cry shook the earth.

The skies seemed to tremble.

Philip stumbled into Issac, not having anything else to help keep his body steady. He watched, stunned, as a volley of lasers flew out of the forest at different angles.

Some hit the chest of the beast, others it's limbs, making the horrid creature screech in agony as it slammed it's paws furiously into the ground, raising soil and ash.

Then one of the high temperature beams hit it's other eye.

The monster trembled, a low but ear piercing sound escaping it's mouth. For a brief moment it didn't move, it's massive body still as a statue.

Both soldiers stopped, eyeing the treeline of the forest warily. At this point there were various growls now echoing from within the fallen trees.

Suddenly, Philip wished he hadn't lost his rifle, a sickening feeling now rising up in his gut. "Where is she?"

The lights in the sky seemed to grow brighter as Issac continued his shuffle forward, dragging the limp Philip along with him. "This is the perfect chance to enter the house."

"But-"

"Esau hasn't stopped moving, why should we?"

Those words shut the younger man up as he clenched his jaw and directed this gaze to the figure far ahead of them.

"Let's hurry," as Issac spoke he hefted the hostage he had been dragging onto his shoulder, "I'm giving you the last of my painkillers."

Philip glanced down at the faint glow on his wrist and gulped. Back when he took that arrow for the captain, the medication in both their chips had be nearly exhausted just to keep him alive.

If Esau and Edythe hadn't helped then. . .

"Thanks-"

"Are you guys ready?"

Philip didn't know when but Esau had come back to their side. He looked tired and at the same time he seemed completely different.

Instead of asking the boy how he was doing, the messenger nodded.

"Okay," Esau let out a relieved breath then looked at the wolfish beast behind them, it looked prepared to get up, "the basement should be right in front of us. If Edythe can distract the beast before it reaches us then we'll have no problems."

"Where is she?" Philip asked, looking for the girl who had not come out of the forest.

Esau looked up, seemingly shocked by the question as he lifted his hand and pointed at the house. "She's using the distraction to get there."

Unbeknownst to Philip and Issac, the moment the beast had been blinded, Edythe had reappeared. Under the cover of the dust kicked up by the beast, she had taken off running towards the house from the other side.

Issac narrowed his eyes in the direction Esau pointed to, scanning for the familiar lithe figure.

When Issac saw her, he had to do a double take. He glanced at Esau's expressionless face then back to Edythe.

Her clothes had been torn in several places. Even from this distance, Issac could see that she was staggering. Blood dripped down her palms constantly, staining the floor with her scent as she held on tightly to the rifle. But she didn't slow down, even as she the beast turned in her direction. Instead, she turned back to face it and raised the gun again.

When the beast set it's reddened gaze on the girl, Philip looked away.

"Let's go." Esau prompted, taking Isaac's hand in his and pulling both men along. "We're almost there."

And it was true. In just a few more metres they would have entered the house. They would be free.

But. . . Philip bit his tongue. Somehow it didn't feel right, depending on a little girl for their survival.

Esau seemed to read his thoughts and smiled up at him. "Don't worry. She'll be fine."

But just as the words left his mouth, a muffled scream reached his ears. The boy looked back just in time to see his sister slammed away by the massive paw of the beast.

The scene from all those months before replayed in his mind and Esau stiffened. "Eddy!"

He saw her broken body, the red seeping into her scarf, dripping down her hair, staining the workshop floor. . . burning his hands.

"Esau, we have to go."

"Go without me." The boy wasn't sure who had been speaking, but he didn't care. He let go of Issac's hand. "I can't leave her."

Philip watched Esau rush towards the spot Edythe had been thrown to then turned to Issac. "What will we do now?"

The captain shook his head then straightened up. "Walk faster." He said, his voice low and defeated.

"We can't just-"

"I'm not."

Without the beast's attention on them, it wasn't long before the two men got to the charred remains of the house.

"What now?" Philip asked as Issac dumped the hostage on the creaky and unstable floor.

"Stay here," Issac lowered the messenger to the ash covered ground and offered him a smile, "I'll go get them."

Philip returned the strained smile and nodded, the unease in his heart growing. "Come back," he couldn't help bit blurt out.

"Come back to me." He muttered, his head low as heat rushed to his face. "Don't. . . die."

The eighteen year old squeezed his eyes shut and looked away.

He felt a hand lightly grasp his chin and he slowly open his eyes to see Issac looking at him intently.

"I won't." The captain said curtly before straightening up and dashing in Esau's direction.

"I wish things were that simple." An amused voice commented.

Philip stiffened then tipped his gaze to the person lying down on the scorched floor. "You're awake."

"En." The hostage agreed and sat up. His hands somehow unbound, he ran them through his muddied hair before stretching one out for a handshake. "Somehow I am still alive. . . My name is Alistair, pleasure to meet you."

Philip stared at the man warily, his heart doing jumps in his chest. "Aren't you going to escape?"

Alistair stared back at the soldier. "Aren't I your hostage?"

"Obviously I can't keep you here." Philip spat and turned away, suddenly feeling bitter. He's probably going to kill me.

"I won't escape, and I won't kill you." Alistair stared, his eyes growing wide as his voice hardened. "It isn't honorable."

"You attacked two children and now you talk of honor? That is. . . quite the nonsense."

"I had my orders," Alistair crossed his legs and turned his gaze to the monster, "and now I don't."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Philip asked, slowly calming down. Something about the man made his uneasiness disappear. It didn't make any sense but it was true.

"Among my people it is a rule that after a warrior is captured they belong to the enemy. I will not resist you."

Your people?

"Are you from East?"

Alistair shook his head lightly, dirty strands of hair falling over his eyes as he stood up.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Philip gritted his teeth. If he didn't get this hostage to the capital then. . . I shouldn't have lost my rifle.

"You can't kill me." Alistair laughed and offered the soldier a hand. "We have to move. If that Colossi notices me then we'll really be in trouble."

Colossi? Philip paused at the strange term but took the man's hand and got on his good leg. "For someone who just said he was lucky to be alive, you sound pretty confident."

Alistair settled his ruby eyes on Philip. "Do I look human to you?"

No, you're too good looking to be human. Philip almost rolled his eyes but a rumbling sound caught his attention. He turned back to the towering beast in time to see a pillar of blue light fall from the sky and crash into it.

Issac had not gotten to Esau and the boy had not even reached his sister before everything was blown away.

Alistair stepped behind Philip to shield him from the aftershock of the attack but the shockwave still knocked both men off their feet.

The air crackled with electricity and the sky turned dim for a second before lighting up again, brighter this time.

The beast-the Colossi-roared into the heavens as though it could blast back the beam. Half it's fur was dyed red with it's blood and one of it's hind legs was missing, but it remained standing.

Philip stared at the scene in horror. It was . . . impossible. They never could have beaten it.

"Esau! Edythe! Issac!" He screamed, wishing he could have rushed to the epicenter of the light beam and save his friends.

Alistair held him back even though he wouldn't have gone far with his broken leg. "Wait," the man said, "they are still alive."

Another massive light beam appeared, like an upsidedown volcanic eruption as it enveloped the entirety of the beast and the surrounding area. The brightness blinded Philip, white creeping into the edges of his vision as he looked away, pain burning in his heart.

Somehow, he knew there would be nothing remaining. The unstoppable pillar of light would have destroyed everything in it's path.

He didn't want to open his eyes but Alistair's voice prompted him to.

"Look," he said.

Philip pried open his tightly shut eyelids and set his gaze on the carnage in front of him. In place of the the beast was a massive hole. It looked like a drill had fallen from space and burrowed into Earth. There was no hint of the monster remaining.

There was not even ash.

The sight made Philip sick. It's over.

"Not there," Alistair said impatiently and turned Philip's head to the right, "here."

On the far right of the massive crater was a dome of light and under the fading orange shield, Philip could just see three figures crouched side by side.

"Issac?" Philip asked no one in particular, his voice cracking.

"Don't worry," Alistair said, his eyes lighting up for a brief moment and turning gold. "I'll take you there."

If Philip had no doubts about Alistair's humanity before, then he did now, because before he could even reply he found himself crouched in front of the shield.

"Iza," he didn't bother thinking about how impossible it was for him to be here, he only reached out to touch to shield, his fingers trembling.

"Phil," the captain slowlt turned to him, his eyes widening.

The shield shattered and Issac fell into the messenger's arms, his shoulders shaking.

"I told you to stay at the house." Issac whispered tiredly.

"I know," Philip answered then shifted his gaze to Esau and Edythe. "Are you two okay?"

The siblings shared a look before nodding.

"Issac saved us." Esau said simply. "But. . . what happened?"

"This should be your King's work." Alistair answered helpfully from behind Philip. He pointed to the forest as several smaller light beams crashed into it.

Deafening roars echoed out of the bushes as the rest of the beasts were terminated.

Edythe stared at Alistair, seeming to just notice him now that he spoke. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you, right now?"

Her tone was cold enough to make him shiver and take a step back. "This. . ."

"Wait, Edythe." Philip cut in, seeing the girl reach for the rifle. "He helped me get here."

"Doesn't change the fact that he probably murdered all the soldiers in your squad." Esau said.

Philip looked down at Issac for help, but the captain seemed content with just lying down in his arms and didn't say a word.

Surprisingly, Alistair got to his knees and lowered his head till it reached the ground. "I apologize, but I am in your custody now. To attack members of the royal family is sin but my orders were not to be changed. As your hostage I am now under your command. If you wish to kill me, it is right."

With everyone's gaze on her now, Edythe bit her lip and looked the other way. "Let's just go."

As she stood up, a flash of pain crossed her features. Esau held onto her and frowned.

In the air was a tactic agreement among all five of them. No one wanted to stay in this town any moment longer. They'd settle their differences elsewhere.

Issac helped Philip stand and followed the two children, leaving Alistair in the back with an awkward expression.

They walked slowly, too injured to run, too tired to care. The toll of the night weighed on all off them, burdening them with thoughts of the lights in the sky that could strike down at any moment and the now eerily silent forest.

When they got to the house, Edythe easily pointed out the trap door buried under the rubble and Alistair rushed to unearth it. He was also the one that broke off the lock and pried it open, not minding being used only for menial labor.

"I can't believe it's ending like this." Philip said as Alistair brought him down the wobbly stairs, to the basement. "I thought at least one of us was going to die."

Edythe, Esau and Issac, who had climbed down first, turned to him with expressions that told him to shut up.

Alistair made no comment and stood to the side, still supporting Philip.

Edythe stared at the computer in front of her with a frown. The underground room had been dark and stuffy, but the moment they entered the system had come on and lit up the area with the light from it's blank screen.

It was just their luck that through all the fighting the basement had not collapsed.

To the side, Esau shuffled around and looked for the teleportation pod. After searching for some time, a new-looking tarp in the corner caught his eye.

The basement was not small and there were a lot of things in it, some the size of a cart. But the house had been abandoned for months, so how come the tarp didn't have a hint of dust on it?

He tugged on the material till it fell off and the moment it did the basement exploded into blue light.

"Welcome," the computer said, and Esau gapped at the glittering glass pod in front of him. It was his first time seeing one.

Issac moved next to him and examined the pod. "It's state of the art," he observed, "you don't see models like these anymore."

"Esau?" Edythe called, pointing at the computer screen.

Her brother turned to the screen and frowned. "It's asking for a password?"

He walked to her and examined the words on the screen. "The hint is. . . your name." He read out.

Esau grabbed the keyboard and typed his sister's name. The space for the password could only contain six words maximum so typing 'your name' was already not an option.

"Incorrect password," the system blared, "two tries remaining."

He typed his name next and the same monotone voice repeated the message.

All at once, the room descended into silence.

"I can't believe we are about to be defeated by a password. . . after just escaping by the skin of our teeth. We'll be stuck here." Philip slumped against the wall.

Issac crossed his arms and ignored the eighteen year old. "Is there a chance that both of you would have not made it to the teleportation pod?"

Edythe shook her head. "We'd not go without the other."

"So what sort of parent would give their children the wrong hint?" Issac asked, but he seemed to be talking more to himself.

"That's right," Esau turned back to the screen. "It was Pa that set this, right Eddy?"

"Yes."

"Then there would be only one real answer." Esau said, his tone suddenly confident.

Immediately, Edythe understood and grabbed the keyboard.

E. N. V. Y.

"Password correct. Destination preset to Auro, Capital city."

The pod lit up and Edythe turned to Alistair. "You're their hostage."

The man said nothing, watching silently as Issac and Philip walked over to the pod.

"It only takes two at a time." The captain said before the pair vanished.

Esau turned to Alistair, his expression complicated and mixed with emotion. "What happened to Alun?"

The man shrugged. "New master, new orders."

Then he stepped into the pod and disappeared, probably ending up where the two soldiers had teleported to.

"Eddy. . ." Esau turned to his sister, his smile ten miles wide.

"Hm," she nodded and returned a small smile. "We made it."

They both stepped into the pod hand-in-hand, their injuries and the horrors they faced minutes before forgotten. But just before the machine whisked them away, they heard the computerized voice say, "Compatibility ratio at 95%. Dependence ratio at 100%. Conditions reached. Destination changed. . ."

Then they too were gone, leaving behind a town filled with corpses of both beast and mortal turned to ash, and memories forgotten in the flames.

At that very moment the computer clicked off and the basement collapsed, leaving no visible trace of the two children who had lived through the horrors of Lacau or any clue as to where they had disappeared to.

Just like that, their existence in the once blossoming town had been erased, and the tale of their survival, gone with the wind.

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t.h.e e.n.d