The camp was in chaos, everyone rushing around, trying to get ready for the incoming wave of Skrucks. Many of them haven't even seen one before, only hearing stories from those who did, Memor on the other hand knew them quite well, unlike the others, he did his research on them once he heard the story from Alara of how her father learning to turn his hand into a Skruck's claw.
They were large beasts standing at a minimum of 3 meters in height, with dark fur and a thick hide, which no mortal man could cut through. On top of its build, it had a wolf-like head and blacked out eyes. Usually they travel around the edge of the grassland and forests to catch Randerkse, as they have more stamina than them, so it was unnatural to find people being chased by them, especially not for long distances.
Memor sprinted to his tent grabbing his shield before running back to the frontlines around 100 meters away from camp where the Elena's army will eventually meet the pack of Skrucks, he knew he couldn't do much in the upcoming battle alone, but if he acted as a shield of sorts, his companions might have an easier time fighting them.
Soon Memor found himself jammed between Luni and Demi, staring at the approaching wave. Nerves were high in the troops that were waiting for the horde, Memor looked around at the trembling people watching the horde advance towards them, some having teary eyes as they knew a lot of them were not making it out alive. Luni was calmer than expected, it might have been his unsatisfactory performance in the initial assault of the Aplaire forest or his will to prove himself, regardless he stood straight and fearless. Demi held a straight face watching the darkness closing in behind the tops of people, her nervousness only betrayed by the slight shiver in her hands.
At the forefront, Elena, Jacob, Costa, and the remainder of the merchant party's soldiers gazed forward, all anxious of what's to come. Memor could hear Elena's voice carrying out an exhortation speech to the fearful army.
As the horde of Skrucks came closer, the army visibly let out sighs of relief, the pack wasn't as large as they had expected, but they still shivered as the ground started to shake.
Elena with her two subordinates and the leader of the merchant group rushed forward, leaving the army of Learners behind to make first contact with the Skrucks.
Elena rammed into the pack of Skrucks, getting clawed, bit, and bashed, but none of it did any damage to her, she lashed out with her sword, taking on life after another, showering herself in blood. Jacob teleported into the pack, piercing holes into the skulls of Skrucks then teleporting to another. As Costa ran he reached out a hand where a black rift appeared materializing its leaking black smoke into a longsword, he held it in both hands and in the next moment, its edge rippled. He met the pack of Skrucks, slashing through them with great ease.
Seeing the blood shed caused by the few Mind Shifters, the army let out a war cry, charging into battle themselves. Memor followed the crowd of soldiers, struggling to keep up with their speed, until Luni grabbed his arm and pulled him along with him, he looked at Memor smiling, and Memor reciprocated.
Soon the army met the Skrucks, they assaulted them with all their might pushing the pack back, but were still too weak as many had been swatted away into the ranks of the army.
Having his shield out and sword sheathed, Memor finally met the Skrucks after the groups of people in front of him. Gaining the attention of a Skruck he slammed his shield into it to get its attention, in which he was pounded with a wide swing from the Skruck, pushing him down to his knees, he let out a grunt, but his defence was the perfect distraction, as Luni and Demi, each slashed at the Skruck's neck, decapitating it.
Afterwards, Luni helped Memor back up as they picked their next target.
***
Elena was being pummeled by the pack, but none had any effect on her, she stood like a statue, unmoving from the weather. She pierced the heart of another Skruck, getting smacked in the face as retaliation, the battle went on for long, Elena stood her ground, surrounded. Soon after killing another Skruck, a trickle of blood flowed down her nose, she was overusing her Unique Fragment Ability, she couldn't stay in the pack forever, as her mind was starting to bleed from the strain put on it.
What is that! In the next moment, her intuition screamed of danger, it was unprecedented as Elena was still using her Unique Fragment Ability. Behind her, a tall old man appeared, he wore black robes and a pine green glove on his left hand, he grabbed her shoulder with incredible speed, before rippling and teleporting out of there in an instant.
Elena didn't know what happened, in one moment she was fighting in the middle of a pack of Skrucks, in the next, she was in a grassy field of lush green; and yellow flowers, watching the battle between her army and the horde from afar. A bit to her right, Uncle Ceres sat on a boulder looking in the direction of the fight as well, his face emotionless.
So it happened in the in…By looking through her memories, she slowly realized what had happened, turning to her right, Elena spotted the unbothered Ceres sitting on a boulder, not acknowledging her existence.
Suddenly he spoke in his deep, even tone,"In your group, the Salvos, you are the only one with a Unique Fragment Ability I couldn't figure out. Of course, it is kept under wraps by the council members. People have taken guesses, the most common is that you can keep your body in an unchanging state, but that is not true is it?"
Elena turned back to the battlefield, her eyes distant, as she was lost in thought.
"I believe Memor has already apologized on my behalf."He stood up and walked towards Elena, just before grabbing her, she spoke.
"Give me a minute." Her voice was shaky, as if she was about to cry.
In her mind, memories of the past floated to her consciousness, she watched Natalie grow up from a tot to a young woman, her brown hair just like hers fluttering as she jumped in happiness finally skipping a stone five times on the lake. Elena watched as Natalie learned to knit her first cloth. She saw times where she had to go out for work, where Natalie wouldn't stop pouting about how dangerous her job was. And right before she left for this expedition, how Natalie made her promise to come back as she had a surprise for her.
Tears fell off her face as her lips started to tremble with a smile on her face, the warm memories of her little sister seem to make the prospect of death less daunting.
She looked at Ceres, tears still dripping from her eyes."Promise me you will protect Natalie."
Ceres, still in his unbothered demeanor nodded, then sighed,"don't worry, your sacrifice won't be in vain."
I'm sorry Natalie, it seems your sister won't be seeing your surprise. She closed her eyes, letting the silence take her.