The first rays of the rising sun spilled across the battlefield, the golden light staining the tall grass with streaks of fiery yellow. 

For a moment—

It seemed as if hope had arrived—

But the grotesque nightmare before them was unyielding.

Evelori's twisted, animalistic form bubbled and shifted. 

From the holes riddling her mutated body, green toxins hissed out in thick clouds, staining the air with noxious fumes. Black ichor dripped from her limbs, eating away at the soil and grass beneath her.

"Don't breathe it!" Qarek shouted, his voice hoarse. 

"It'll kill you from the inside—coughing blood until you drop!"

The others reacted instantly. 

Leeani, Yzavynne, Nert, Jiighual, and Gargeal all sucked in deep breaths, holding the precious air within their lungs as the green cloud rolled over them. 

The stench burned their eyes, and the eerie hiss of toxins seeping into the earth was all they could hear.

Evelori's shriek split the air. 

She roared, her voice warped and echoing.

"BE SCARED! FEAR ME!" 

The monstrous witch slammed her grotesque body onto the ground, sending shockwaves through the soil. She slid across the field with horrifying speed, leaving behind a trail of dead earth and twisted vegetation. 

Her green toxins followed in her wake, spilling into the path she carved, all heading directly toward the village where the rescued villagers had gone.

"No!" Jiighual roared, breaking into a desperate sprint with Nert close behind. 

"We won't let her reach them!"

Nert and Jiighual lunged forward, Jiighual's massive pavise shield raised high, but Evelori's grotesque form was slippery and fluid, like an oil-slicked nightmare. Their hands grasped at her, but she twisted away with sickening elasticity.

Gargeal's voice cut through the chaos. 

"Qarek!"

The old warrior threw the enchanted knife with precision, and Qarek snatched it mid-air. 

Without a moment's hesitation, Gargeal bent to retrieve his greatsword, his sharp eyes catching movement behind them.

What he saw made him freeze.

The black forest behind them—

The very heart of Evelori's domain—

Was shifting. 

The dead ground began to pulse outward, its corrupted soil creeping like a living thing toward the village. From the forest's twisted trees, roots broke free and stood upright, contorting into humanoid shapes. One by one, these creatures emerged, their faces twisted into puppet-like grins with wide, unblinking eyes.

The eerie sight chilled the group to the core.

And then—

They moved.

The creatures sprinted across the field with unnatural speed, their wide mouths gaping open in silent screams.

Leeani's voice trembled. 

"What... what in the hell are those?"

Yzavynne gritted her teeth, her hands clutching her daggers. 

"They're like the ones from the village that master mentioned... but worse."

Nert's face was pale, his weaponless hands curling into fists. 

Jiighual stood firm beside him, his pavise shield now visibly dented from Evelori's earlier attack.

Through it all, Gargeal remained calm. 

His weathered face betrayed no fear, only grim determination. He stepped forward, placing himself between the oncoming horrors and his band.

He said, his voice steady as steel.

"We hold this ground."

He turned to his comrades, barking orders like the leader they all knew him to be. 

"Yzavynne! Leeani! Activate your tattoos! We'll need every ounce of strength you have. Qarek!"

Qarek's voice was tight with anticipation.

"Yes, master?" 

"Go to Lyra. Get the enchanted sword she crafted. It's our only chance to survive—our only chance to protect!"

Qarek hesitated for the briefest moment, his eyes flickering to his comrades. 

"Be careful! Master, Leeani, Yzavynne, Nert, Jiighual!"

Without waiting for a response, Qarek turned and sprinted toward the village, his legs pumping with desperation.

Leeani shouted, panic creeping into her voice.

"Master, I'm out of arrows!" 

Qarek threw the enchanted knife, his aim perfect. 

"Here!" 

Leeani caught it mid-air, gripping it tightly in her trembling hands.

Qarek yelled before disappearing into the tall grass.

"Stay strong!"

The air thickened with tension as the black forest's creatures drew closer, their grotesque forms loping unnaturally over the field.

Yzavynne and Leeani activated their tattoos, enchancing their five senses, the marks on their skin glowing brightly. 

Yzavynne growled, stepping into formation beside Gargeal.

"We won't let them through." 

Leeani nodded, holding the enchanted knife in a reverse grip. 

"As if we have a choice."

Her hands shook, but her resolve was firm.

Jiighual slammed his shield into the ground, creating a barricade between the group and the advancing creatures. 

Nert stood behind him, his fists raised despite being unarmed.

"Nert, she's not even getting pulled by us! We have to pull harder!!" Jiighual said, his voice a low rumble. 

"If they get past us, the village... the village will...!"

Nert nodded, his jaw clenched.

"Arghhhh!"

The first creature lunged, its hollow eyes locking onto Gargeal. 

He swung his greatsword with precision, cleaving through its torso. 

The creature split apart, its body dissolving into black sludge that hissed and bubbled on the ground.

Another charged, but Yzavynne intercepted it, her whip blade slicing through its legs. The puppet-like creature crumpled, writhing as its unnatural life faded.

Leeani screamed as a third creature lunged at her. 

"They're endless!" 

She dodged, the enchanted knife glowing as she plunged it into the creature's chest. 

The black ichor splattered across her armor, burning through the leather like acid.

Gargeal's eyes flicked toward the horizon, where Evelori's grotesque form was still sliding toward the village as Nert and Jiighual tries to pull her away.

His heart pounded, but his face remained impassive.

"Hold the line!" he shouted. 

"Buy Qarek the time he needs!"

As the creatures swarmed around them, the Renaissance Band fought with everything they had. Blades clashed, ichor sprayed, and the earth trembled beneath their feet.

But they would not yield—

Not now—

Not ever.

△▼△▼△▼△

The golden hues of dawn cast long shadows over the swaying tall grass as Qarek sprinted, his breaths shallow and rapid. 

His muscles burned with each step, but he didn't slow down. 

The weight of the moment bore down on him like a storm, the distant sounds of battle ringing in his ears as he pushed toward the village.

The sight of their cabin came into view. 

Its modest structure stood resilient amidst the chaos, smoke curling lazily from its chimney. 

He slowed for a moment, glancing toward the windows, where shadows of villagers moved inside.

Captain and Ruby are in there.

Qarek thought, his jaw tightening. 

They're being taken care of... 

They don't need me right now.

Without pausing, he veered away, his boots crunching against the dirt path. 

The village hall loomed ahead, its doors open as a crowd of frightened villagers huddled inside. 

Their whispers and muffled cries filled the air, but Qarek's gaze didn't linger. 

He kept running, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene for one thing.

"Dammit!" Qarek growled, frustration boiling over. 

"Where's the blacksmith?! I thought this place would be peaceful... But it isn't! GOD DAMMIT!"

The words barely left his lips when movement caught his eye. 

A shadow darted between the houses, then another. 

Qarek skidded to a halt, his sharp instincts kicking in. 

Emerging from the edge of the village, two grotesque creatures bolted toward the town hall, their puppet-like faces twisted into horrifying grins, their wide mouths agape.

Qarek snarled, abandoning his search.

"No, you don't!" 

He pivoted, muscles coiling, and charged toward the creatures. 

With a roar, he tackled the two abominations to the ground, his body slamming into theirs with bone-rattling force.

"Not while I'm here!"

They clawed and squirmed beneath him, their black ichor staining the ground, but Qarek didn't stop. 

His fists pummeled the creatures relentlessly, each punch cracking bone and splattering dark ooze. One twisted its head unnaturally, snapping its jaws at him, but he grabbed its neck and twisted until it went limp.

The villagers peered out cautiously from the hall, their terrified eyes locked on the scene.

"What are those things?!" one of them gasped.

From the crowd, a young boy stepped forward, his voice trembling but resolute. 

"Those are the creatures Mister Gargeal killed! He saved us from those hideous monsters!"

The boy's words spilled out in a hurried stream, recounting how Gargeal had fought off similar horrors the night before, protecting them from Evelori's vile machinations. 

The villagers exchanged fearful glances, their murmurs growing louder.

Then came the sound of more—

Many more.

Qarek turned sharply, his blood running cold. 

Ten of the creatures surged out of the shadows, their movements frenzied and chaotic as they charged straight for the town hall.

The villagers screamed, scrambling to retreat inside.

Qarek roared, his voice a guttural command. 

"NO!" 

He didn't hesitate, throwing himself into the fray.

The creatures swarmed him like a tide of nightmares, their malformed bodies writhing as they clawed and bit. 

Qarek's fists and legs were a flurry of movement, landing blows with savage precision. 

He broke arms, snapped necks, and sent several flying into the dirt.

But the sheer number overwhelmed him.

One creature latched onto his arm, its jagged teeth sinking deep into his flesh. 

Qarek howled in pain, shaking it off, only for another to bite into his leg. 

Blood poured from the wounds, staining the dirt beneath him. 

A third creature clawed at his chest, tearing through his tunic and sinking its teeth into his ribs.

The villagers could only watch in horror as Qarek was overwhelmed.

"That man... he's... being eaten..." one murmured, their voice breaking.

Aina stood frozen, tears welling in her eyes. Haerak gripped her shoulder tightly, his own expression grim. 

Seraphina, standing nearby, gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

"Qarek..."

Qarek's gaze flickered toward them, catching the despair on their faces. His vision blurred, his strength waning.

Is this it? 

He thought, the weight of failure pressing down on him. 

I promised to protect...

Then, deep within him, a spark ignited—a defiance that burned brighter than the pain.

"No!" Qarek roared, his voice raw and primal. 

"NOT YET! Not until I have proven to myself being the strongest amongst us warrior of sins!"

With a surge of fury, he tore himself free from the creatures' grip, ignoring the searing agony as chunks of his flesh remained in their jaws. 

His movements became a blur of controlled violence, his punches and kicks imbued with desperate strength.

He struck with precision and purpose, dismantling the creatures one by one.

Within moments, the last creature crumpled to the ground, black ichor pooling around it.

Qarek staggered, his body trembling, blood streaming from his wounds. 

His knees buckled, and he collapsed into the dirt.

"Qarek!" Haerak's voice boomed as he and Seraphina rushed to his side.

"Stay here, Aina!"

As they reached him, Seraphina dropped to her knees, her hands trembling as she pulled a roll of bandages from her satchel.

She whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Hold still," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Qarek's breathing was ragged, his head hanging low as Seraphina worked quickly. 

The bandages wrapped tightly around his bleeding arm and chest, staunching the flow of blood.

"You idiot," Seraphina muttered, her voice wavering. 

"You could've died! What were you thinking, taking them on alone?"

Qarek chuckled weakly, wincing as the movement sent fresh pain through his body. 

"Someone had to... They were heading for the hall... I couldn't let them."

Haerak crouched beside him, one hand resting heavily on his shoulder. 

"You've done more than enough, Qarek. Rest now. We'll take care of the rest."

Qarek's gaze flicked upward, meeting Haerak's steady eyes. 

For the first time, he felt a sense of pride—not the arrogant kind he once carried, but the quiet, resolute pride of someone who had given everything for the people who needed him.

Qarek murmured, his voice fading.

"Just... doing my job," 

Seraphina finished tying the last bandage, her hands lingering for a moment. 

"You're not allowed to die, you hear me? Not today."

Qarek gave her a faint smile before his head dipped forward, exhaustion finally taking hold.

"Heh."

The villagers watched in awe as Haerak and Seraphina supported Qarek, lifting him to his feet.

For the first time that morning, amidst the chaos and horror, a flicker of hope stirred within the crowd.

Qarek had shown them what it meant to fight, to protect, and to stand tall in the face of despair.

And though his body was battered—

His spirit shone brighter than ever.

The green toxins hung in the air like an ominous shroud, swirling slowly toward the gathered villagers. 

Evelori's grotesque body slid closer, her twisted form defiling the cobbled path beneath her. 

The ground turned black wherever she passed, the grass wilting into lifeless decay. 

Her eerie laughter echoed through the village like a harbinger of doom.

"Fear me! Fear me! For I am mistress of death, Evelori! HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

The villagers trembled, their faces pale, but their gazes were fixed not on Evelori but on the Renaissance Band—the battered, broken warriors still standing between them and the abyss.

Nert's strained voice cut through the chaos. 

"Arghhh! I can't hold my breath anymore, Jiighual!"

Beside him, Jiighual gritted his teeth, his broad frame shuddering as he tightened his grip on Evelori's writhing form. 

His shattered pavise shield hung from his back, useless now, but his resolve remained unbroken.

"Don't let go!" Jiighual bellowed. 

"No matter what—even if we die saving this village!"

Their defiance ignited something in the villagers. 

Where there had been fear, a glimmer of hope now sparked. 

The Renaissance Band was giving their all—

Broken bodies, gasping breaths, and unyielding strength—

For them.

Qarek stood amidst the chaos, his chest rising and falling with each ragged breath. 

His blood-soaked bandages were a stark reminder of his earlier battle, but his sharp eyes were locked on Nert and Jiighual. 

They were fighting with everything they had, yet Evelori's massive, toxin-leaking form continued its relentless slide toward the villagers.

Qarek shouted, his voice cutting through the din.

"Nert! Jiighual!" 

The two warriors glanced back, their expressions strained and desperate. 

They couldn't stop her. 

Evelori was too massive, her grotesque form dragging them along as though their efforts were nothing more than futile resistance.

"Nert!" Jiighual roared again, his voice trembling with worry as his comrade faltered. 

"We have to hold her! We—"

Qarek's voice rang out, firm and commanding. 

"No!" 

He stepped forward, his presence suddenly larger than life, his shadow falling across the frightened villagers.

"Listen to me!" he shouted, addressing both the Renaissance Band and the villagers behind him. 

"All of you, listen!"

The villagers turned to him, their faces a mix of confusion and fear. 

Even Nert and Jiighual froze for a moment, their labored breathing audible over Evelori's haunting laughter.

"We can't stop her—not like this!" Qarek's voice was raw but unyielding. His words came not from panic but from cold, calculated truth. 

"You've seen what she is—what she can do! She's poison itself, rot incarnate! We can't fight her the way we've fought everything else!"

A murmur rippled through the villagers, their fear mounting.

"But!" Qarek's voice boomed, silencing the murmurs. 

"This is not the end. Not for you—not for this village!"

He turned to face the villagers fully, blood dripping from his bandaged arm as he spread his hands. 

"I know you're scared. I know you want to run, to hide, to believe that this is some nightmare you'll wake up from. But hear me! Your lives matter. Your families, your children, your futures—they all matter! And we will not let Evelori take that away!"

Tears welled in the eyes of some of the villagers, their fear giving way to something deeper—a determination sparked by Qarek's unwavering pride.

"You think we're just warriors?" Qarek continued, his voice cracking with emotion. 

"You think we fight because we want glory? Because we crave battle? No! We fight because of you! Because of what you mean to this world! We're fighting for people like you ever since then. If we die today, we die knowing we stood for something greater than ourselves!"

He turned back to Nert and Jiighual, his voice softening but losing none of its strength. 

"Nert. Jiighual. Let her come."

"What?" Nert gasped, his wide eyes filling with shock. 

"Qarek—"

"Let her come!" Qarek bellowed, his voice shaking the air. 

"Let her see that no matter how much she twists, no matter how much she poisons, she cannot break us!"

Jiighual stared at him, his face contorted with conflict. 

"But—"

"No buts!" Qarek interrupted. 

"We're the Warriors of the Renaissance Band! We've faced death a hundred times over! We've stood against horrors most people couldn't even dream of! And we'll stand again—for them!" 

He gestured to the villagers behind him, their tear-streaked faces now etched with awe.

Qarek turned back to the villagers, his voice softening again. 

"Run. All of you. Head to the forest's edge, to the east of this village, away from the black soil. We'll hold her here. I promise you, we'll hold her."

A woman stepped forward, her voice trembling. 

"But... what about you?"

Qarek smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth tugging upward despite the blood staining his lips. 

"Don't worry about us. We've been through worse. And if this is our last stand..." 

He paused, his voice faltering before strengthening again. 

"Then it's a damn good one."

The villagers hesitated, torn between fleeing and staying to fight.

"Go!" Qarek barked. 

"Don't waste the chance we're giving you! Live—for us. For yourselves. For the future!"

Haerak stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on one villager's shoulder. 

"You heard him. Let's move!"

Aina said.

"But Papa, they'll—!"

Haerak comforts her, his eyes slowly getting watery.

"Aina... let's go..."

Seraphina said to Qarek, as her whole body began to shake from anxiety.

"I'll see you all... later..."

The villagers began to retreat, their steps reluctant but steady as they moved toward safety.

Evelori's laughter echoed louder, her grotesque form sliding ever closer. The green toxins swirled thickly around her, reaching the edges of the cobblestone square.

Jiighual looked at Qarek, his face set with grim determination. 

"We hold here, then?"

Qarek nodded, gripping his side to steady himself. 

"We hold here. No matter what."

Nert, tears streaming down his face, nodded too. 

"I... I'll give everything."

Qarek clapped him on the back, his bloodied hand leaving a mark on Nert's tunic. 

"That's all anyone can ask, Nert."

As Evelori bore down on them, Qarek's voice rang out one last time, fierce and proud.

"For the Renaissance Band! For the village! For everything worth fighting for!"

And with that, they braced themselves for the onslaught, their resolve shining brighter than ever in the encroaching darkness.

He drew in a sharp breath, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade:

"Pride isn't about standing tall when it's easy—it's about staying unbroken when the world bends to its knees."

═════ ◆ TO BE CONTINUED ◆ ═════