The war at Busan went on for days upon days with the Royal Army retreating to the woods each night and returning the following morning. By day three, everyone was exhausted both mentally and physically. Nathaniel spent most of his times running up and down the town, trying to motivate his people as well as deliver them food and water so I bet you can imagine the relief on his face when the Daegu, Gyeongju and Pohang Armies came trotting in the town on their horses, all looking proud and more than ready to fight.

"You all have no idea how happy I am to see you," Nathan grinned at the Leaders of Daegu and Gyeongju as they got off their horses and bowed at him.

"The pleasure is all ours. May we lead your town to a great victory," the Leader of Daegu grinned at Nathan. "I must say, this town looks like it has gone through hell and back. Recovery will be long and hard. If you need anything from us, feel free to ask. Let our towns be just much as a home to you as Busan."

"Thank you," the Leader of the Guardians bowed his head. "Your offer is very generous but I believe heading to Masan is what is best for us. Some of our army has already been sent there. Thank for your support."

"In that case, do not let our presence delay you. You must join the rest of your people. We will help lead the Guardians to victory."

"No," Nathan refused. "I can't leave. I have to help my host town whether it kills me or not. I have to."

"You are tired," the Leader of Gyeongju shook his head. "Fighting would be certain death."

"Then I choose death. My people will head to Masan but I will remain."

"Stubborn," the Leader of Daegu laughed. "Like your father. So who are we to stop you if you wish to stay? As long as Busan stands, you will stand."

***

"No," Chan shook his head as he watched Nathaniel circle the Guardians Meeting room, grabbing important documents and whatnot before stuffing them into a bag. "I'm not leaving without you. No way!"

"Come on, Chan," the Leader of the Guardians sighed. "Just go. I'll be fine. I promise."

"How can you possibly promise me that? You are tired, we all are and there's no way I am going to leave you behind if you insist you are staying. We will fight together. Side by side. Just like our first-ever battle as Guardians."

"I can't let you do that."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want you to die."

"But if I go, you will. And you know what, Nath, I don't want you to die either so if you are staying, then so am I."

Nathan sighed, glancing at Hyunjin who stood by the door, watching them, "please talk to him."

"I don't know about that. Technically, if you get to stay in Busan, anyone else who wishes to do so too should have the right. Besides, this is your argument," the boy responded.

Chan grinned, "you want me to leave? Then you come with. You are the Leader of the Guardians. We need you alive."

"You don't understand. I have to do this," Nathaniel argued.

"I do understand. My argument is simple: if you aren't leaving, I'm not either and nothing's going to change that. Remember what I told you when you were first appointed Leader of the Guardians?"

"Leader of the Guardians or not, wherever I am, you'll be too," he quoted the other.

"And I still stand by that. You ain't getting me off your case. I never leave an ally behind, and certainly not a friend, a brother.  And if you don't like that, you shouldn't have befriended me to start with."

"Channie, you need to go and look after Erin. As well as take control of the Guardians and Busan Army."

"I'm not the person Erin needs," he reminded him, taking a seat on the table and eyeing Nathan. "But I am the person you need to survive this catastrophe so that Erin can get the person she needs."

"Erin..." he sighed. "She'll understand if I'm not there."

"Will she? Cut the crap, Nath, and think about her for a moment. You want to be the hero, you want to be seen as legendary as Jackson but through doing so, you've been pushing away the people who care about you the most, pushing away the people who already see you as a hero and just wish you could realise it as well. You want to be seen as legendary? Then drop the act and be there for your people. The other armies will save the town of Busan. And now you have to save the people waiting in Masan for help, for direction. So think carefully for a moment. Who are you staying for? Is it to prove you are worth it to your people? Is it to prove you are worth it to everyone else? The King and all the Guardians that left? Or is it to prove you are worth it to yourself?"