There was a little problem happening with the man coming from Hori village as they got closer and started smelling the blood.
We had the privilege of watching what had happened to us not long ago in real-time .. those poor man interest in the body of their long time foe turned .. into an almost scary obsession from the outside, looking in under less than a minute.
As if we watched someone starving for weeks before they finally found something not only edible.. but the greatest cuisine in the entire world.
They were willing to kill for it.
Unlike us, they didn't listen to Zephyr's words of caution. Nor they did headed his last warning.
They attacked him.
Carlos immediately stopped Lucian and Manata stepping closer to help him.
" Carlos, what the hell are you doing!? " Lucian eyes got quickly filled with hostility towards a close friend.
" Trust me .. if you go closer now .. you be Zeph's target as well. " he nodded towards the battle.
" That blood .. it d-does something to the mind. "
Lucian shook his head, looking lost as ever.
" What are you talking a..
Eli took his arm and turned him towards the still silent and scared looking Alexander peaking out from Demelza's arms with a guilty expression.
" He drank.. some of Hori's blood. " she said, looking apologetically to Dem. " We don't know if he is poisoned or .. contagious, maybe. "
Lucian eyes along with Manata, got wide as coins but couldn't do much other than asking themselves the same question we did .. how did this happen?
Not long after when our own soliders started joining the madness and started attacking their own leader in hopes of getting a sip of that blood.
Unfortunately, no one paid much attention to them, and eventually, the smell got to them as well as they moved closer to the combat. They might have good intentions, but now they turned into an enemy.
Zephyr must've had enough at this point and stopped holding back.
The sounds of breaking bones were coming every second now as he mercilessly dealt with everyone stepping into his reach.
" Brutal .. " Manata echoed my own thoughts.
The man who landed on the dirt did not get up easy .. they couldn't even crawl away easily.
Some thought it would be more effective if they attacked together. It wasn't.
Zephyr disappeared for a second, only to reappear in front of them, clapping his hand together.
( BOOM! )
Some unnatural force propelled half a dozen men 20 even 30 feet away from the body of Hori and his blood they so desperately wanted.
Some poor devil got slammed with his back squarely across a tree and landed with a loud thud.. he didn't get up, and I knew from the way his arms and legs were standing awkwardly .. he was dead on impact.
Not even the death of a comrade slowed down the crazed soldiers, and 5 minutes later, the forest was silent once again. Unless one counted the quiet whimpering of those laying all over the forest floor.
Zephyr had blood stains all over him and an expression I never saw before as he looked at his hands.
Sorrow.
It was understandable .. some of that blood came from people he called his own.
Only one person didn't join the fight even though he was close enough to the tantalising smell of that purple blood.
Draykos stood firm while all his men started running wild. Whether it was out of fear, being smarter than them, or was it something else?
I didn't know.
I wanted to walk closer to Zephyr .. to check on him, but I felt strong hands stopping me.
" I don't think ..it's the time yet. Besides, we don't know if .. the smell can affect you .. again. " Carlos shook his head, looking at the carnage around us.
Zephyr sat down on the body of Hori and scanned the remaining people on their feet. Either his family or some other poor devils wincing and writhing in pain, trying their best to still get further away from him.
His eyes stopped on Draykos.
" Come here .. "
I could swear he whispered it, but somehow I knew everyone heard him loud and clear.
Draykos moved, reluctantly speeding up along the way.
After arriving, he even knelt in front of him.
" Did you bring the wagons? " he asked, still looking at us.
" Y-yes Lord Zephyr. " he nodded quietly.
" Take my people back to your village.. let them have some space .. then you will come back alone. Manata, Lucian .. stay there!! "
He stood up when those called started moving forward without thinking.
" Yes, brother .. I'm here. " Lucian nodded.
" Hmm .. master. "
" Take Alexander and put him inside one of the wagons.. keep an eye on him. Demelza! Away from him until we know.. we'll see by tonight. "
Demelza was ready to fight him on that, especially since Alexander uncharacteristically started whimpering once he heard what's coming.
Unfortunately.. it wasn't a request.
Carlos took position and nodded firmly towards Zephyr's location, but he kept his eyes on the ground.. probably out of shame.
" Come, Demelza .. "
She was still unwilling until she looked at Zephyr, who managed an encouraging nod.
Her trust in him won out, and she walked away as Lucian and Manata stepped beside their brother.
" Easy Alex .. since you done stupid things .. you won stupid prizes. " Lucian offered his hand.
Alexander took one more look at the beast direction before nodding defeated and walked away with them.
Zephyr tapped Draykos shoulder, whispered something in his ear, and turned his back on us while picking up the rapier left by Alexander.
Draykos returned with the previous fears gone from his face .. his eyes were filled with .. purpose.
" Leader Zephyr's orders .. let us all head back. "
I had a small problem looking at the incapacitated crawling and crying all around us.
" And what about ..
" Lylly! .. Do as I told you. "
Zephyr voice was low. He didn't even look back, and I knew .. whatever happened here will probably haunt us for a while.
---
Turned out Draykos was already told how to deal with the injured.
As soon as we walked under Hori village stables, he took .. probably the last remaining men and told them strict rules how to handle the situation once arrived.
We were greeted by almost everyone who attended last night. The whole village was ready to celebrate. To be fair, they were just informed that their yearly tribute to the beast now ended.
Not a word was spoken on our way back while Alexander was rattling inside a wagon .. Lucian and Manata stood outside guarding it and occasionally calmed the man down who was still on edge.
Viela came out as well but was very confused seeing our state. I guess they all expected a triumphant return and happy smiling faces all around.
Draykos left without a word to Amarah, who had many questions.. unfortunately, it was our duty now to tell her exactly what had happened.
Thankfully, Nifa and Cintia volunteered once it was clear the rest of us were still reeling from what happened.
" Just go ahead and .. try and rest. " Cintia nodded towards the Inn. " We join you once .. you know. It's done. "
I shot her a grateful smile and left them with a distasteful task of telling the story about our shame.