Like Lucas said, we could hear grievers Howls behind us. I turn back to see two savageous Grievers chasing at tremendous speed.

"They aren't stopping!", Ashley shouts hastily.

Jovi shouts back, "I can take care of them!"

"But their level is too high! You can't do this alone", Lucas cries out loud.

"Then I'll go with him", Amber shouts.

"No Amber, You can't!" Shu shouts back.

"But I still haven't proven myself worthy to be a black Knight!", Amber replies.

We look at Amber. Yup, she was pretty serious this time.

"Fine! But promise me both of you would come back safe", I say. Everyone stare at me. Wait? Did I say something wrong?

"We promise!", Amber says with a warm smile on her face.

"Then, time to kick some Grievers butts!" Jovi says grinning.

"Whoa, Language!" Shu shouts. Everyone laugh.

Jovi and Amber stop on their tracks, now facing towards the Grievers charging towards them. The last thing I could see before I turn back was Jovi pulling the trigger, and Amber charging forward.

The group silences as we keep running forward. According to Lucas, there was one more griever remaining. Neither we could see it, nor we could we could hear anything. Right now, all we could do was believe on Lucas' instincts.

Lucas shouts, "It's closing in!"

"I guess my turn has finally come!", Ashley says as she grips her sword firmly.

Suddenly Lucas gasps as he shouts, "Sonic has spotted two more grievers up ahead!"

Anderson shouts, "Ashley, take down the ones in the front and I'll guard the back!"

Anderson stops as he creates a wall of fire, obstructing the grievers' path. Ashley dashes forward going face to face with one of the grievers.

She pushes the other griever out of our way as she fights. "Go go go!", She shouts.

I grit my teeth as we cross her. Even though she isn't a part of us, why has she decided to risk her life for us?

Noone speaks a word while we run. Sarah breaks the silence as she speaks to Lucas in low voice, "Thank you, Lucas."

"Well, you don't really have to thank us. That's how our team is. Save those in need, even if it costs your life. Also, I trust my team would come back safe, and I believe in them", Lucas replies in a grim voice.

"Yup, I'm sure they'll be back", Sarah says as she gives a faint smile.

Then, something triggers my mind.

"Lucas, may I know where's the rest of your team?", I ask.

"Oh, That's another story!" Lucas replies.

"What do you mean?" Shu glares at Lucas as he asks.

Lucas answers, "Fine! I'll say it. Before the quest began, we decided to split our team into two and regroup once we get closer to the boss."

"Whoa! How strong is your team?!" Matthew says, astonished.

"Stronger than you think!", Lucas smiles as he replies.

"So, do you know your team back in the real world?" Carl asks.

"Well, no. But, we've been playing together since years. There isn't a game, where we weren't together to support each other", Lucas replies.

"Hmm, that's nice", Sarah smiles as she says.

Suddenly, a griever pounces on us from the bushes. We immediately jump back, avoiding it's blow.

Sarah draws out her sword, preparing to attack. Lucas catches her hand as he shouts, "No! We need to keep moving!"

We get back to our positions and start to sprint as fast as we could. The griever starts to chase us.

But, the griever was way faster than us. It slowly increased its pace and started to close in. Oh no! I need to think of something, now!

Then, I decide to take a diversion from the group, making sure the griever only chases me.

I slow down my pace, trying not to draw the attention of the team. Once the distance between me and the griever was just a few metres away, I immediately charge in another direction. The griever starts to chase me. But, now what?!

All I could see was the dense forest before me. Not a single opening! Right now, I was much more closer to death than I could ever be! The gap started to decrease, quicker.

If I don't think of something, this can as well be the end of me. No, I can't die so fast! My mind starts to get clouded with negative thoughts.

I trip and fall onto the ground. The griever stops, as it starts to circle around me, with its mouth watering. Okay, this time I'm done for sure. There's no way a prey can escape once it's captured!

No, Not yet. I've been sent here to be a hero, not to to die like this. If I'm gonna die now, I'll take the griever down with me!

I get back onto my feet, and equip my dagger. "Come on, you can do this Nuke", I say, charging forward.

Suddenly, I hear the sound of a sniper rifle being fired. the griever drops on the ground, dead. I swing my dagger in thin air before I could even realize it was gone! Wait? What just happened?! I look around, to find nothing except for the trees and bushes. I scratch my head, confused.

Whatever just happened, whoever just fired that bullet, they just saved my life, and I wish I could meet them again, so that I can thank them. Anyways, right now, I have to get back to my team as soon as possible. I get back on my track once more.

I keep sprinting as fast as I can. The beight sunlight dances on the leaves of bushes and trees, as it hits noon. Cool breeze brushed past me from far far away. After some time, I stop when I start to hear people's voices. I could hear a group walking towards where I am. Who could it be?

I run forward, towards the voices that I could hear. Then, I finally founf them! A group of four players, with a monkey in the lead. I run towards them, waving my hands with the tears of joy. They look at me, with a sign of relief showing on their faces.

First thing I receives as we meet again, was a straight head on punch from Shu, throwing me off the ground.

"Why did you do that?!" Shu shouts.

"Umm", I divert my eyes. I really didn't know what to say. Then, Sarah and Shu hug me tightly, weeping.

"Sorry..", I apologize as I hug them back.

"Just... Just don't ever do that again, ok?" Sarah cries out loud.

Matthew looks at me and smiles as he says, "Well that's a really very brave thing you've done Nuke, but I wish that would never happened again."

Lucas turns back as he says, "Good thing you're unhurt. I guess it's about time we get back onto our path now."

"Yeah, let's go", I say as I gently push away Shu and Sarah who were completely on me.

Once again, we start to sprint towards the safe zone. On the way Shu asks, "Nuke, how did you even take down that griever?"

"I don't know either", I shrug as I reply.

"Why do you mean you don't know?!" Shu shouts, stunned.

"Well, it was shot down my someone else, who hid themselves really well that even I couldn't see!", I answer. Lucas laughs.

"What are you laughing at?" Sarah glares at Lucas.

"Nothing!" Lucas replies, still laughing.

"Really?" Sarah asks again, looking at him, more suspicious than ever.

"Yes, really" , Lucas smiles as he replies.

Carl interrupts the conversation. "I think we've reached!" He shouts as he points forward.

Few metres away, past the trees I could see a huge open space. And before it, was huge bluish transparent screen. We pass through it.

Suddenly, everything turns darker and I could feel a dark aura surrounding us.

Wait a minute... Shouldnt this be a safe zone?

"Guys, I think we've just fallen into the boss's trap!", Shu points forward, shocked.

I look forward, as a huge mammoth sized griever glares at us with its firery eyes. With it's claws digging in the ground, its howl vibrates through the air, blowing my hair off.

"Run!" Everyone shout as we sprint back to the other side of the barrier.

Gasping, i look back at the mirage we just went through. Right now, the world seems to be more twisted than it is. Even a single flaw in the plan we make could kill us all.

"Guys, we need to strategize", I say as I look back at the team.