Raven was at the front, while the others followed behind him, walking up the stairs.
Raven approached the door, turned back, and placed his index finger on his lips as a sign to remain silent. The others said not a word, but nodded in silence.
Raven slowly opened the door, peeking out to see what lay beyond. As expected, the sky was still alive with swarms of demonic monsters. Across the ground, you would see nothing but the shadows clinging to it.
Raven surveyed the scene before giving the signal to move. He realized that most of the creatures were flying in the sky, and there was currently no danger on the ground. He bet on that, sprinted forward with the others, then they fanned out around the walls of the ruined school. Raven led this vanguard.
Each of them glanced right and left, then behind, and began signaling that the area was safe. Thus they reunited and scattered again. Let's just say they were aimless—they did not know their destination; rather, they walked and hid in hopes of finding a lone or injured creature to launch their futile human attacks upon.
Corpses were scattered everywhere; they had already begun to rot, and bleached white skeletons were showing beneath the decomposing flesh and skin. A foul stench permeated the area. The farther they advanced, the stronger the odor grew and the more corpses appeared. But it seemed that the existence of survivors was utterly impossible.
Sword of the Sky spoke in a low voice—they were gathered now—"We have to do something about these corpses; things cannot remain like this. At this rate, this land will become corrupt and putrid, and their presence only attracts more monsters."
Raven replied, "You're right, but we have no time now to deal with that. We must focus on our objective." And so they continued on behind Raven in silence.
Until they saw one of the creatures gnawing on the corpse of a decaying old man. It was a truly revolting sight, and disgust showed on their faces. They slowed their pace, walked cautiously, and crept forward so that the demon would not notice them. This creature was the same strange lion that Zain had seen the first time.
They approached very slowly, their swords drawn, ready to fan out and attack. But at that moment, one of them stepped on a branch that snapped in two, producing a loud creak. Everyone froze instantly and turned back to see Zain standing motionless, his features betraying that it had been unintentional. But this mistake cost them dearly.
The strange lion wheeled around immediately and unleashed its tremendous roar. Everyone froze for an instant until Raven shouted, "Our cover is blown—retreat now!" But it was too late. They all ran with every ounce of strength they had. No one recognized another; each cried, "Myself! Myself!" They scattered instantly, desperately seeking a place to hide.
The first to vanish from the beast's sight was the vanguard's leader, Raven, followed by both Sword of the Sky and Yolan, who hid beneath the partially collapsed roof of a ruined house. It seemed that Dustin and Colten also disappeared from view.
Sword of the Sky peered outside and saw everyone hiding, then began sending signals with his fingers. Hearts calmed, and the situation quieted. But as soon as he turned his gaze back to the strange lion, his face went completely pale and gray.
At that moment, the scream of a boy running for his life from the strange lion echoed through the air. The others immediately turned to see whose cry it was. Terror seized them at once—it was Zain, the only one whom the strange lion had not lost sight of.
Sword of the Sky sat down near Nolan, then bowed his head and looked at the ground. His silver hair covered both of his eyes. He breathed steadily and said coldly, "Nolan, I order you now: distract that lion from Zain. Zain must not die, ever."
Nolan was taken aback by these words, for this was not at all like Sword of the Sky. Nolan said, "But I'm not ready…" Before he could finish, Sword of the Sky cut him off: "Did you not hear what I said?" Then he raised his head and fixed Nolan with a hard stare; his silver eyes radiated an intent to kill. "This is an order!" Nolan did not utter another word—in fact, he was too afraid even to defend himself or offer excuses. He bowed his head, and before departing he said, "Take care of yourselves."
But behind that dividing wall stood an unknown person who had heard every word Sword of the Sky spoke. In that moment, this mysterious observer was stunned.
Sword of the Sky spoke again: "Colten, join me and distract it from Zain. This is an order!" Colten emerged and approached Sword of the Sky, who was still bowing his head. Colten said, "Is this really you? You've changed so much." Sword of the Sky replied, "You're just wasting time; Zain may die. Move quickly—I order you."
Colten said nothing more and left quietly without looking back. Sword of the Sky then lifted his head to the ceiling, gazing upward with regret and sorrow: "I'm sorry. I wasn't myself, but the situation forced me to make these decisions."
Sword of the Sky rose and looked outside. Zain was still running at his human limits, and behind him the strange lion beat its wings in pursuit, drawing ever closer.
But at that moment, Zain tripped over a rock and fell to the ground, sprawling out. Panic seized Raven and Sword of the Sky; they were about to intervene—when Colten and Yolan stepped in, picking up gravel and hurling it at the strange lion in an attempt to distract it. And that is exactly what happened.
The lion leapt at them instantly without warning. Everyone was astonished to see the lion now standing close to Yolan. It took no more than an instant—its rage was unmistakable.
Yolan knelt motionless, unable to move an inch. The lion circled him, sniffing, and Yolan, resigned, had already accepted his fate. He lifted his head and saw the fangs approaching. He had wanted to see something else, but the strange lion bit into Yolan's head, and a fountain of blood erupted from his neck. The blood splattered like raindrops falling from the sky.
Yolan's body remained upright—it did not fall at all. Zain witnessed this spectacle and was on the verge of vomiting. But at that moment Colten cried out, "Run! You must survive no matter what. Avenge us—forge that weapon and destroy these creatures!"
Those words engraved themselves deep into Zain's memory, yet he could neither flee nor stop himself from retching. He vomited, his eyes fixed on the strange lion. The lion had bitten off Yolan's head and now focused its gaze on the still-bleeding corpse.
It seemed to bristle with anger and the desire to pounce; it tore the corpse in two and began devouring it with its claws and fangs. There was no body left to bury Yolan—he was consumed entirely.
Zain vomited so violently that he began to cough up blood, and if things continued, he feared he might even expel his intestines.
Colten decided to intervene and ran toward Zain, but the strange lion caught sight of him and turned on him immediately. This time it did not hesitate. It sprang at him with its sharp, sword-like fangs. Colten's corpse hung between the lion's jaws—he died with his eyes wide open, still fixed on Zain. His entrails dripped from the lion's mouth onto the ground.
This time Zain ran with everything he had, the image of Colten's
dead body with those wide-open eyes seared into his mind.