Chapter 1
My name is Kail, and I am a human in a world overrun by monsters. For months, I've been on the run. Revenants seek to quench their thirst of blood, while the lost attack anything that moves.
I don't know how much time has passed since the disaster began or how long I've been surviving on the remnants of civilization, which are becoming increasingly rare. Navigating through empty streets lined with crumbling buildings and rusting vehicles, remnants of a bygone era devastated by the Great Collapse, I move constantly, masking my scent to avoid detection by the monsters that hunt me.
Exhausted, I hide in an abandoned building and check the remaining supplies: a half-empty bottle of water and two bars found in an abandoned shop. Heading to another store, a chill runs down my spine as if someone or something is following me. With that feeling, I quicken my pace and, upon reaching the store, start searching for provisions. In my haste, I don't notice a lost about two meters to my left, staring at me with a thirst that can be felt from miles away.
I pull the knife from my pocket and let my reflexes guide my defensive actions as the lost lunges at me. I cut the air between us to create some distance and, seeing its preparation to jump and pin me down, I evade. Spotting an opening to escape, I run towards the door, but a noise coming from the store's exit stops me. Another lost has appeared in front of me. Realizing I have no escape, I run to my right, reaching a wall. With nowhere left to run, I start shouting for help.
At the last second, a halberd slices through the air, cleaving the two lost. A girl in a white uniform, black military boots, and a white hood with red stripes stands before me. Her golden eyes scrutinize me through a red mask. She is a revenant. Before I can speak, she asks:
"A human? What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for supplies and..."
A distant howl cuts me off. She quickly throws me a mask identical to hers.
"Here, put this on. Don't say a word, and follow my lead."
My hands tremble as I fasten the mask and scramble to my feet. As I do, I hear a voice echo through the building:
"Brother, fresh blood is something else. Just the scent is maddening."
A group of three revenants enters the building. The revenant who saved me steps between me and them.
"What do you want here?" she demands, her voice cold and firm.
The largest revenant, a brute with a sadistic grin, steps forward.
"We smelled fresh blood. There's a human here, isn't there? Watch your tone, girl. Where's the human?"
He shifts his gaze to me.
"Is this your friend? If so, you're both coming with us."
She moves to block his view, her eyes narrowing.
"There's no human here. The blood you smell is from the Lost I just killed. Leave now if you value your lives."
The brute laughs, but his companions exchange uneasy glances.
"You think I'm stupid? I know the scent of a human. Who do you think you are?" he snarls.
Without a word, she steps forward, her halberd ready. Adrenaline surges through me.
"Let's back off, Gareth. It's not worth the risk," says one of the other revenants.
After a few moments of hesitation, Gareth shakes his head and retreats, taking his men with him. Once they are out of sight, I turn to my savior, still trembling.
"Thank you... I don't know what I would have done without you."
She looks at me, surprised.
"Are you not scared of me? That's new. What is your name, human?"
"I'm Kail. Thank you for saving me."
"You can call me Lyria. What are you going to do from this point onward?"
"I don't know."
She nods and looks around.
"We can't stay here. They'll come back with reinforcements. Come on, I know a safe place."
I follow Lyria through the empty streets, my heart pounding wildly, wondering if I made the right decision to follow one of the predators that hunted me for days on end.
The journey through the desolate streets is silent. I stick close to Lyria, my eyes darting around for any signs of movement. Every shadow, every flicker of light, feels like a potential threat. The mask she gave me is uncomfortable, but I dare not remove it. Her pace is swift, as if she knows these streets well.
After what feels like hours, we reach the remnants of a subway entrance, half-buried in rubble. Lyria glances back at me.
"This way. Stay close and quiet."
We descend into the darkness. The air grows cooler, and the sounds of the surface fade away, replaced by the distant dripping of water and the occasional scurry of rats. The tunnels are a maze, but Lyria navigates them with ease. Eventually, we reach a heavy steel door. She opens it and tells me to follow her inside.
Once I step in, I see a makeshift bunker. The interior is surprisingly well-lit and organized with food, water, and a place to sleep. After closing the door, Lyria removes her mask.
"It's one of the few safe places left. You'll be safe here, at least for now."
I remove my mask as well, taking a deep breath. The air is stale but not unpleasant.
"Lyria, why did you save me?"
She looks at me, surprised by the question.
"I don't know what to tell you, Kail. I just heard someone screaming for help and I was in a position to help. You can stay here until you decide what to do next.'
"Thank you for everything."
"Don't thank me. I was at the right place at the right time."
"I still thank you for the fact that you helped me."
Lyria nods in agreement.
"I'm going to get some blood beads. See you later. If something happens, call me and I'll come as fast as possible to help you."
After she leaves, I collapse onto the makeshift bed, my mind racing. I've been surviving on my own for so long, but this is different. Now, I'm in the lair of my enemies, despite their offer of protection. How long can this sanctuary last? And can I truly trust the revenants, especially Lyria?
When I wake up, I am greeted by Lyria, who is polishing her halberd in the corner of the room. When I try to get up, I am stopped by her red eyes following my every move. When she notices I am freezing in fear, she looks at the floor and asks:
"What do you want to do next?"
Still terrified by the look of bloodlust, I answer:
"I don't know. I'm thinking of going to get supplies and trying to find a settlement that can welcome me."
"Sorry, but at this moment, leaving is a death sentence. You will be dead in less than a minute."
"Then what do you want me to do? Keep me here so you can feed on my blood?"
Her expression changes to a demoralizing one as she throws me a bag full of blood beads.
"It will be enough for 2 mounts, so you can stay as long as you feel safe. The door is that way. You choose what to do next."
After that, she leaves the room and never comes back that day.
From that moment, I start to explore the room and find a sword—clean, poised, and in perfect condition. I start to feel bad and wonder how I can repay her.
The sword looks nice and I wonder if she prepared it for me. My thoughts are interrupted by a distant echo of footsteps approaching the entrance to the makeshift bunker. I quickly hide the sword under the makeshift bed and sit back down, trying to appear calm. Lyria reenters the room, her expression softened from earlier.
"Sorry for what I said before. It's just that I can't shake off the feeling that every second I'm about to be killed, and the fact that every time you look at me, your eyes are turning red. I'm sorry for that. Can you help me find a settlement of humans?"
"Of course." Her face changes with a smile.
"Aren't you mad at me for insulting your goodwill?"
"I can understand what it's like for you and how you see us revenants. You don't have to worry about me going on a rampage. I promise."
After some time talking, her attention is drawn by a sound coming from outside. Picking up her halberd and preparing to leave, she says before closing the door:
"Don't leave. There's a sword under your bed. Use it if needed. If I don't come back in 20 minutes, use the escape tunnel hidden in that locker."
She leaves, and after some time, I hear someone knocking at the door. Preparing to run, I hear a tired and bloody voice.
"It's me. Don't worry, it's safe."
When I open the door, I see a wounded revenant. Without warning, Lyria collapses into the room, mumbling that she needs blood. Running to the bag she tossed at me earlier, I give it to her. In an instant, she grabs the blood beads and starts consuming them, her eyes slowly returning to their normal color. Her missing hand begins to regenerate, slowly but surely.
"Thanks, I need to rest for a bit" she says before collapsing on the spot.
Waiting for her to wake up, I take the mask she gave me and go to see what happened. Outside, there are seven revenants on the ground, starting to transform into mist. Seeing her halberd, I go and try to pick it up. The weight of it almost throws me to the ground.
"That monster, this is all your fault, HUMAN! Hehe" a wounded revenant laughs.
"Your group attacked first."
"Your friend will not protect you next time. Do you think you can go toe to toe with a revenant?"
"I don't know."
Taking the heavy halberd, I look at him and say:
"Don't come back if you know what is safe for you."
The revenant glares at me but says nothing more. He collapses into mist, leaving me standing there, clutching the halberd. I know that the challenges ahead are only going to get tougher, but with Lyria by my side, I feel a renewed sense of purpose.
** (Chapter 2 - Perspective: Lyria) **
With heavy eyes, I wake up and look at the ceiling, trying to remember what happened while I was out. As I try to stand, I lose my balance and fall back. Looking at my hand, I remember what happened.
"I let my guard down," I mutter to myself. Looking around, I notice Kail sleeping on a chair with my halberd resting on the floor next to him. At least he is safe. When I get up, I start filling a bag with food and water, placing blood beans in another bag. I look at the four blood beans that remained after the attack. "These will only last for one month."
"This is not good." Kail says, waking up. He looks at me with relief.
"It's good that you woke up. Here, I have the supplies ready. We're leaving. We've stayed too long in one place."
"Are you sure you can navigate the ruins in the state you're in?"
"It's not a problem. It will grow back in two days."
"Can you give me lessons in stealth and fighting? I want to help you and not be a burden."
"You're not a burden, Kail. Do you think it's wise to put you at risk? Compared to me, you can't regenerate your body if you're injured. Let's go. We don't have time to sit still. That group will haunt us, and we have a three-day advantage over them."
** (perspective: Kail) **
After leaving the shelter, Lyria began to explain how to navigate and hide. We arrived at an abandoned apartment at the base of a block.
"Can you teach me how to use this sword?"
Lyria looked at me thoughtfully and then said,
"I will teach you to block and parry."
She got up and scanned the room for a suitable training tool. Spotting a broken pipe jutting out from a destroyed wall, she yanked it free and tested its weight in her hands. Satisfied, she walked back towards me and assumed a defensive stance.
"Watch closely" she said, demonstrating the first blocking position. Her movements were fluid and precise, a testament to her training and experience.
I mimicked her stance, holding my weapon tightly. Lyria corrected my grip and adjusted my posture, ensuring I was balanced and ready.
"Now, this is how you parry" she continued, showing a swift motion to deflect an imagined strike. "You need to anticipate the direction of the attack and use the force of the blow to guide it away from you."
I began to practice, repeating the blocking and parrying motions over and over. At first, my movements were awkward and slow, but Lyria's patient corrections and encouragement pushed me to improve.
"Faster, faster, you are too slow" she urged her voice firm yet supportive.
I quickened my pace, trying to match her speed and precision. The sword felt heavy in my hands, and sweat dripped down my face as I focused on each movement.
In the next second, Lyria launched a sudden, forceful strike. Instinctively, I raised my sword to deflect the blow. The impact resonated through my arms, but I managed to divert her attack. However, the force of it was too much, and I was thrown to the floor, landing with a grunt.
Lyria extended a hand to help me up. Her expression was stern but not unkind.
"Leave the fighting to me. You need to focus on navigating and staying out of sight. Rest now. We leave tomorrow at 1:00 a.m. We need to stay ahead of that group."
I nodded, catching my breath as I got back on my feet. Despite the fall, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Lyria's lessons were hard, but they were essential for our survival. As I lay down to rest, I replayed the training in my mind, determined to improve and not be a burden.
**(perspective: Lyria)**
That night, i headed to a market to gather resources and make repairs. The market was a blend of revenants and remnants of the old world. I went to a room where Talon, a weapon merchant, was waiting. He was polishing a bayonet, preparing it for sale.
"I haven't seen you in a while, Lyria. What adventures have you been on?" Talon asked with a smirk.
"I'm not here to chat, Talon. I need repairs for my halberd, some material removed from a sword, and information" I replied curtly.
"Let's see what you've got."
I placed the weapons on the table, and Talon examined them closely.
"You almost broke it this time. What maniac forced you to fight so aggressively?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That's not important. Can you repair it within an hour?" I pressed.
"Yes, and how light do you want the sword to be?"
"2 kg should be fine" I specified.
"It'll cost you. There's a lot of material to remove. Payment upfront, now."
"How much?"
"Three pints of blood or two blood beans."
"Okay."
He brought three empty pints for me to fill them with my blood while Talon continued inspecting my weapons.
"Only fill one and a half. You'll need the rest to maintain control." he advised.
"Thank you." I said, grateful for his consideration.
"You're welcome. The place you're looking for is 200 km east. You'll know it when you see it. How did you find him?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"He was surrounded by the Lost and nearly dead. He cried out for help, and I reacted without thinking." I explained.
"And now you're being hunted by a group of about 11 revenants." he noted.
"How do you know that?" I asked, surprised.
"The last time you fought three revenants, you didn't have a scratch. Now you've lost an arm, which will finish regenerating in three hours. That means you fought a group of at least six revenants. There are rumors that a group was seen preparing for a hunting expedition. Be careful how you tread; there are ears hungry for wealth everywhere. I don't want one of my favorite customers to lose hope." he warned.
"Thank you for everything, Talon. I promise I'll be back." I assured him.
"Try to return sooner this time."
"I will."
After finishing my business with Talon, I stopped by another stand, buying four blood beans in exchange for some old-world books. As I was leaving the market, a revenant intercepted me, brandishing a knife.
"Hey, give me everything you have." he demanded.
I looked at my halberd and then back at him. "Are you sure what you're doing is worth the risk?" I asked calmly.
"It's not like I have any other choice. I've got nothing left to lose at this point." he replied, desperation in his eyes.
In the next second, his eyes turned red, and he started losing control. "No, not now. Why now? Why are you doing this to me?" he muttered to himself, struggling against the madness.
Seeing his plight, I threw him a blood bean. He caught it, consumed it quickly, and regained control.
"Thank you." he said, his voice now steady.
"Just don't get in my way from now on." I replied, continuing on my way.
Unbeknownst to me, a group of revenants was watching the events unfold from a distance. One of them turned to his companions and whispered, "Are you sure the intel is correct?"
"Yeah, a cloaked figure with black bandages on her hands and a halberd, with a personality to help everyone she can."
"Yup, that matches the description. How are we going to intercept them?"
"We won't, at least not for now."
"So, the plan is just to observe and see what happens?"
"Yeah."
"I don't like this."
"Neither do I, but it's too dangerous to reveal ourselves."
"I hope you're right."
Eventually, I found Kail sleeping without a care, a sight that brought a smile to my face. I looked at the watch on my wrist and saw that we had three hours left. Leaning against the wall, I looked out the window, keeping watch and reflecting on how we had ended up in this situation.
The night wore on, and I stayed alert, my mind wandering over the events that had led us here. The moon cast a pale glow over the ruins outside, and the occasional distant howl of a revenant echoed through the streets. Kail slept soundly, unaware of the danger that constantly surrounded us.
As the hours passed, I felt the tingling sensation in my arm indicating that it was almost fully regenerated. I flexed my fingers, testing the new tissue, and nodded in satisfaction. We couldn't afford to stay in one place for too long; the group hunting us would close the gap quickly if we did.
At precisely 1:00 a.m., I gently woke Kail. "It's time to move." I whispered.
He rubbed his eyes and nodded, quickly gathering his things. We slipped out of the building and into the shadows of the deserted streets, making our way east toward the location Talon had mentioned.
** (perspective: Kail) **
Following Lyria, her movements silent and purposeful trying to emulate her stealth. The ruins were eerie at night, and every sound seemed amplified. My heart raced with each step, but I focused on the lessons Lyria had drilled into me about navigation and staying hidden.
"Stay close and keep quiet." she instructed her voice barely audible.
We moved through the city, avoiding open spaces and sticking to the shadows. After several hours, we reached the outskirts and began to traverse the wilderness. The terrain was rough, but Lyria's guidance kept us on track.
As dawn approached, we found a small, secluded area to rest. I set up a makeshift camp, and we took turns keeping watch. It was during my shift that I noticed movement in the distance. I tensed, my hand instinctively reaching for my sword.
"Lyria" I whispered urgently "there's something out there."
She was instantly alert, her eyes scanning the horizon.
"Stay low and don't make a sound" she ordered.
We watched as a group of figures emerged from the trees. They moved with the same predatory grace as Lyria, and I knew immediately that they were revenants. I counted at least six of them, but there could be more hidden from view.
"Mercenaries" Lyria murmured "More likely they are here for either your head or mine. Either way, stay hidden."
** (Perspective: Lyria) **
My mind raced as I considered our options. We were outnumbered and outmatched, but running would only delay the inevitable. We had to stand our ground and fight.
"Kail, listen carefully. Stay get out of here. I will take their attention and buy as much time I can. Go east, and I will find you after I manage them" I instructed, my voice calm despite the adrenaline surging through my veins.
He nodded, gripping his sword tightly. I drew my halberd, its weight reassuring in my hands. The revenants advanced, their eyes glowing with a predatory hunger.
Stepping out of cover and into the middle of the street, I prepared myself in a guarding position, waiting for their next move. The first one lunged at me, and I met him head-on, deflecting his attack with a swift motion of my halberd. The fight was intense, each revenant attacking with relentless aggression. But all I needed to do was buy time, holding them in one place, parrying their strikes and attacking the opening made. Kail managed to flee and escape from the hideout. I hoped he would be okay. I needed to finish this quickly.
As the last revenant fell, I stood panting, the exhaustion evident. I grabbed my halberd and took a break. Then, out of nowhere, a bullet hit the ground at my feet.
"Don't move" a girl's voice called from the distance. "Tell me, why do you protect that human?"
** (Perspective: Kail) **
I ran east as Lyria had instructed, my heart pounding in my chest. The sounds of battle faded behind me. After some time running, I managed to find a safe place to hide. While waiting for Lyria, I heard footsteps approaching. Feeling no dangerous intentions, I believed it was Lyria and stepped out, only to find myself face to face with a revenant.
"What are you doing here on your own, human? And why is that revenant protecting you?" the revenant demanded.
Gripping my sword and backing away, I found myself cornered against a building.
"You'll never beat a revenant in combat, human. Just answer my questions."
"I don't think I will" I replied defiantly.
"Okay, we are doing your way then." the revenant said.
At that moment, a spike shot out from the ground under the revenant, narrowly missing him. He immediately went on guard as Lyria positioned herself between us.
"Sorry, Louis, she's faster than I expected" another voice said.
"It's no problem. Can you lower your gun, Mia?" Louis responded.
"Are you sure we can take that risk?" Mia asked, her voice cautious.
"It's not like they'll listen to us if we don't" Louis replied.
Another revenant, Yakumo, appeared, stepping out of the shadows.
"Yah, yah" he said nonchalantly, then turned to us. "Hey there, are you willing to answer some questions?"
"Maybe" Lyria said, relaxing her stance slightly.
"That's more reassuring. Why are you protecting that human? Is he your slave or blood snack?" Yakumo asked.
Lyria shifted into a more relaxed position. "He was in need of help, and I was in a position to help. Just that."
"Just that?" Yakumo echoed, skeptically.
"Yeah" Lyria confirmed.
"Okay, that's something. Why are you being hunted down?" Yamato continued, showing a poster with Lyria's face and the message: "Alive or Dead, 25 Blood Beans."
"A group of them were trying to take him. I beat them back and..." Lyria began.
"And now you have a bounty on your head. Do you want help? I don't think you're able to fight at this moment after that encounter" Mia said, noticing Lyria's heavy breathing and weakened stance.
Lyria's grip on her halberd loosened as she struggled to stay upright. Then, she collapsed from exhaustion.
" Yakumo, carry her. I don't know if she can walk, and there are still more hunters in the area. Hey, what's your name?" Louis asked.
"Kail. And my friend here is Lyria" I answered.
"I'm Louis, that's Yakumo, and there's Mia. Okay, people, let's move before we get surrounded" Louis instructed.
Yakumo carefully lifted Lyria onto his back, and we quickly moved out, hoping to find safety before more hunters closed in.
We moved swiftly and quietly the tension palpable. Yakumo carried Lyria on his back, and I followed closely, trying to keep up with the revenants. Louis led the way, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger, while Mia brought up the rear, her gun ready.
As we moved through the dark, narrow alleyways, Louis started asking questions. "So, Kail, what exactly happened that led you to this point?"
I hesitated but then decided it was best to be honest. "Lyria saved me. I was in a tight spot, and she stepped in. Since then, she's been looking out for me."
"And you're not her blood snack or slave?" Mia asked, her tone skeptical.
"No" I replied firmly. "We're just trying to survive."
"Interesting" Louis said. "Not many revenants would go out of their way to help a human."
We continued in silence for a while, the only sounds being our footsteps and the distant echoes of the city. Eventually, we reached a more secluded part of town, where Louis signaled us to stop.
"Let's rest here for a bit" he said. "We should be safe for now."
Yakumo gently set Lyria down against a wall. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up. I sat beside her, keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings.
"So, what's your plan?" Louis asked, sitting down across from me.
"Honestly, we didn't have much of a plan beyond surviving day to day" I admitted. "But now with the bounty on Lyria's head, things have become more complicated."
"We can help you" Louis offered. "But we'll need something in return."
"Like what?" I asked warily.
"Information, mostly" Louis replied. "We're part of a group trying to understand the current state of the world and find a cure for the bloodlust. If you can share what you know, we can offer protection and resources."
I looked at Lyria, still unconscious but breathing steadily. I knew we couldn't survive alone, not with the bounty and the constant threats.
"Alright" I agreed. "We'll share what we know."
"Good" Louis said, nodding. "Let's start with why there's a bounty on Lyria's head."
I explained the events that led to our current situation, how Lyria had fought off the group that tried to take me, and how that must have put us on someone's radar. Louis listened intently, occasionally asking questions for clarification.
By the time I finished, Lyria began to stir. She opened her eyes, looking around groggily before focusing on me.
"Kail" she said weakly. "Where are we?"
"Somewhere safe, for now" I replied. "These people, Louis, Yakumo, and Mia, have offered to help us."
She looked at them, her expression guarded. "Why?"
"We're interested in information" Louis said. "And in return, we can offer protection and resources."
Lyria seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright. But if you try to betray us..."
"We won't" Louis assured her. "We have our own reasons for wanting to understand the bigger picture. Besides, it's clear you're not like the others."
Lyria relaxed slightly, though her wariness didn't completely fade. "Fine. We'll work with you, for now."
"Good" Louis said, standing up. "We should move again soon. We don't want to stay in one place for too long."
** (Chapter 3 - Perspective: Lyria) **
I woke to the muted sounds of conversation and the faint glow of a dimly lit room. As my eyes adjusted, I found myself surrounded by unfamiliar faces—Louis, Yakumo, Mia—and Kail, the human I had unexpectedly chosen to protect. The events of the day before came rushing back: the ambush, the bounty hunters, and the desperate escape through the city streets.
Pushing myself into a sitting position, I felt a pang of weakness, a reminder of how close we had come to being overwhelmed. Kail noticed my movement and immediately shifted closer, concern etched on his face.
"How are you feeling?" Kail asked quietly, concern etched on his face.
"Better now" I managed a weak smile.
Louis, who had been speaking with Mia in hushed tones, approached us. "Glad to see you're awake, Lyria. We need to discuss our next move."
I nodded, fighting the weariness threatening to pull me back into unconsciousness. "What's the plan?"
"We can't stay here" Louis said seriously. "The hunters will regroup. We'll be in even more danger if they find us. We need a safe place to lay low and plan our next steps."
"We should head to the old factory on the outskirts" Yakumo suggested, his tone practical. "It's abandoned and heavily fortified. We can hold up there until things cool down."
Louis considered this for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Good idea. It's not far from here, and it should provide us with some security."
Mia chimed in, her gaze steady. "We should also scout the area for any signs of surveillance or traps. We can't afford any surprises."
I glanced at Kail, wondering how he was processing all of this. He looked tense but determined, his eyes scanning the room as if assessing our chances of survival.
"I'm with you" Kail said finally, his voice steady despite the uncertainty. "Whatever you decide, I'm ready."
With our plan set, we gathered our belongings. Kail helped me to my feet, offering support as we cautiously made our way through the deserted streets. The city felt like a graveyard, its once-bustling life replaced by an eerie silence, broken only by occasional distant cries or the shuffle of the lost.
As we approached the outskirts, the old factory loomed into view—a stark silhouette against the dimming sky. Its rusted gates and crumbling walls offered a bleak yet promising sanctuary amidst the chaos. Yakumo led the way, checking for signs of intrusion as we cautiously entered the building. The air inside was thick with dust and decay, but it offered cover and protection—a temporary haven in our fight for survival.
Yakumo led the way, checking for any signs of intrusion as we cautiously entered the building. Inside, the air was thick with dust and decay, but it offered cover and protection—a temporary haven in our fight for survival.
We settled into the factory's interior, securing the entrances and setting up a rudimentary watch schedule. Kail found a quiet corner and sat down, lost in his own thoughts. I joined him, grateful for a moment of respite.
"Thank you" Kail said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"For what?" I asked, looking at him.
"For saving me back there" he replied sincerely. "I know I'm just a human, but you risked everything to help me."
I sighed softly, feeling the weight of our precarious situation. "Survival isn't just about strength or bloodlust. Sometimes, it's about choices—choosing to help others, even when it puts you at risk."
Kail nodded thoughtfully, his gaze meeting mine. "I'll do whatever it takes to repay that debt, Lyria. I won't let you down."
I smiled faintly, touched by his determination. "We're in this together now, Kail. Let's focus on staying alive—for now."
As night fell outside the factory walls, we settled into an uneasy rest, our minds racing with thoughts of what tomorrow might bring. The journey ahead would be perilous, but with newfound allies and a shared purpose, perhaps we stood a chance against the darkness closing in around us.
That night, I couldn't close an eye. Sitting at the window and watching the city, I thought about what I should do next.
"Can't sleep?" Louis asked, coming up beside me.
"Yeah, you too?"
"Yes. The last days were very tiring and it doesn't show any signs of stopping. And we haven't made any progress in our search for a permanent cure."
"Do you want to make a cure?"
"Yes, but there's almost no progress, and I don't know where to go next."
"Seriously? You sure look like you were in control of what to do."
"Serious. Maybe because I don't want to demoralize my friends."
"Yeah."
After a while, I turned to Louis. "Hey Louis, can you take Kail and guard him until I come back? If I don't return, guide him to a safe place for humans."
"Are you going to challenge the hunters?"
"No, I'm going after the contractor to clear my name."
"When will you leave?"
"This morning. I will be back in a day or two."
"It will be done."
"Thanks"
** (Chapter 4 - Perspective: Lyria) **
That morning, before everyone woke up, I left the factory and headed to the merchant center. When I got there, I immediately became the center of attention with everyone's eyes on me. Walking to the hunters' base, a revenant tried to stop me, but he was ash the next moment. Once inside, I went to the reception and asked, "Where is your boss?"
"Right here," a familiar face greeted me with a fake smile.
"You come back to cry this time, Lyria. What brings you here?" he asked with a fake smile.
"Stop the act. You know your tricks don't work on me," I replied.
"Are you sure?" he said, ordering two of his members to attack me.
"Right, boss," one of the revenants said just before a bullet hit him, turning him into mist.
"I had a feeling you would be here," Yakumo said, appearing from the shadows.
"Yeah, Yakumo, you've been following me for two hours. You're not good at stealth, at all," I said, holding back a smile.
He smiled and turned to the leader. "Sorry, Louis sent me. So, who is your friend?"
"An old acquaintance who should have stayed dead after that disaster" I answered.
"Is this a new companion of yours?" Claud asked.
"Claud, this is between us, not everyone else. Why did you put a bounty on my head?" I demanded.
"As you know, I want that human. If his blood is mine, I will never be threatened by thirst again. You are just a way to my target, not to mention my men are tracking your friend right now. They should be less than 100 meters away," Claud explained.
"How much will it cost to let him alone?" I asked.
"A negotiator, are you? You need to bring me a rare item located in the heart of the city. Do that, and I will leave him alone," Claud offered.
"Why didn't you send one of your men to get it?" I inquired.
"I did. They never came back. The horrors there were able to bring them down, and out of 20 revenants, only one got out, but he was useless after that," Claud admitted.
"That is suicide," Yakumo said. "And what makes you keep your part of the deal?"
"Oh, your friend knows that I keep my word" Claud said confidently.
Yamato looked at me and then back at Claud. " Yakumo, go back to Louis and inform him that I won't be coming back."
"But—"
"Just go" I insisted.
After Yamato left, Claud turned to me. "Oh, who do we have here, so caring of her friends?"
"Just tell me what to look for" I demanded.
**(Perspective: Kail) **
That morning, I woke up to Louis's worried face.
"What happened?" I asked.
"The hunters found us, and the situation is more dangerous than it seems," Louis replied.
Then Yakumo walked in. "Louis, I need to talk to you in private."
"Okay. Mia, keep an eye on the hunters," Louis instructed.
After their chat, Louis returned to the room with a more calm but angered expression. "Kail, we will leave in three days. Can you give me your sword for a second?"
I handed him the sword.
"Yes, it has a tracker. We will leave it here when we go," he explained.
"Where is Lyria? I haven't seen her all morning," I asked, concern growing.
The faces of Yakumo and Louis told me more than words could.
"To stop the hunters from continuing to attack us, she took on a mission that annihilated two squads" Yamato said.
"All she demanded was to keep you safe and find a human community where you can remain" Louis continued. "So, we are waiting here for the time being. There is still a chance she will come back. If she doesn't in three days, then we leave that night. Mia, if someone tries to get within a 20-meter perimeter, shoot them."
"Okay," Mia replied.
" Yakumo, stay with Kail. Louis, come up here" She instructed.
After some time in silence, Yakumo tried to break the silence with a game of cards.
"Do you know how to play? If not, I will teach you."
"Yes, I know how to play" I replied.
"Don't worry, your friend will be okay. From the look of it, she is a dangerous beast when it comes to combat."
"You are right. My worries are useless. Is it possible to remove the tracking device from the sword?"
"I think so, but I can't promise anything. Do you want to keep it because it was a gift?"
"Yes," I answered.
After that game of cards, Louis came and told me to prepare for combat training tomorrow. The next day, Louis was training me in sword combat, while Yakumo was trying to remove the tracking device from my sword.
"Your blocking is precise, but it's easy to predict," Louis said, then hit me in the leg. "Did she train you in sword fighting?"
"Yes, but all I learned was parrying and blocking," I replied.
"That's because a revenant is much stronger than any human. Your chances to win against Louis are 5%, against me 2%, and against Mia 0%," Yakumo said as he managed to remove the chip from the sword. "Here, take it and see if you do better with it."
The sword was lighter than the one Louis gave me for training.
"Use your instinct, read the movements, and learn the patterns. Everyone has a pattern of their own, but all can be categorized into three categories," Louis explained.
He hit my sword. "One, passive."
He hit my sword again at an angle that I almost managed to block. "Two, aggressive."
Then he hit the opposite point, and I couldn't block it. "And three, suicidal. Your friend is included in the third pattern, abandoning defense and attacking with all strength. Either the enemy falls first, or you die trying. Don't continue this method if you want to survive. For a revenant, that style is not dangerous, but for a human, it's the entire meaning of that word."
"Don't worry, if your friend fights like that, she will be okay," Yakumo said.
** (Meanwhile, in the heart of the city: Lyria's Perspective) **
"There are still horrors in the city. The air is full of miasma, and I need to look for a stupid tree. How did I get here?" I questioned myself in frustration.
Walking through the dangerous area, a group of creatures that looked like dogs appeared. Preparing my halberd to strike, I sensed something bigger. The dogs were not attacking; they were the prey.
"I hate this" I murmured to myself.
Going to the left of the beast that was charging me and dodging the initial attack, I scraped its armored legs. Without waiting, I aimed my halberd and hit its back, throwing myself into the air. With a decisive hit to the neck, the beast stopped. Piercing it with my veil, I summoned three giant blades from the ground, killing the creature for good.
After watching the surroundings for more creatures but seeing nothing else, I kept walking until I found a white tree full of blood beans. I took them, some samples of the tree, and headed back to the hide out.
** (Perspective: Kail) **
After some time, walking through the old factory, I saw Mia watching outside the window.
"Are you bored?" she asked.
"No, but I don't like the training Louis has put me through," I replied.
"Is it harder than what Lyria was putting you through?" she inquired.
"At least she didn't hit me directly. Don't tell this to Louis," I said.
"Don't worry, I won't. Do you miss her?"
"Yes, it's weird, but I can't not worry about her," I admitted.
"I know how you feel, but at this moment, all you can do is believe in her and keep moving forward."
"Thanks, Mia. I needed that."
"You are now part of our group. We look out for each other."
That night, a white figure walked down to the factory. Mia shot a warning shot, but the person kept walking. The next shots were dodged, and then the person walked into the building. Louis and Yakumo scrambled to intercept them, but when they got close, they relaxed their posture and welcomed the person.
Seeing her, I knew why. I threw my weapon down and rushed into a hug.
"I'm here. There's no need to worry about it," Lyria said.
I couldn't say anything, just held her tightly.
(Lyria perspective)
The relief in Kail's embrace was almost overwhelming. After everything we had been through, this brief moment of peace felt surreal. But I knew it wouldn't last. Pulling back slightly, I looked him in the eyes.
"Louis I found something that might interest you. But it needs to wait for now, we need to leave."
**That night, the hunters found the trackers hidden in the weapons, but all they discovered was a single halberd stabbed into the ground with a bag of blood beans next to it. **
** (Chapter 5 - Perspective: Lyria) **
After a long walk, we stopped in an abandoned apartment block. I placed the samples of the tree on a table and explained their significance to Louis.
"Are you sure?" he asked, scrutinizing the samples.
"Yes, there was a tree full of them," I confirmed.
"We need to look into it after this job is over," he replied thoughtfully.
"What do you mean? We did it already," I said, puzzled.
"Not until we get Kail somewhere safe," Louis clarified.
"Let me guess, you've grown attached to him and now you want to protect him too?" I teased.
"No, he just has a hero complex sometimes," Mia interjected, appearing with Yakumo beside her. "So, you found a new tree full of blood beans in a miasma zone with horrors around. That explains why it wasn't harvested. Unlike the ones we find, the revenants like your friend keep a monopoly on them, making others trade for them with things like old books, games, etc. I did that for far too long to think it was a fair deal anymore."
"Yeah, even the government can't control them, so there's no guaranteed supply to revenants. But the humans are welcome and protected by them" Yakumo added.
"So, the next plan is to leave Kail there because it's too dangerous to keep journeying with us" I concluded.
"You took the words out of my mouth" Yakumo said.
Everyone sensed a familiar presence.
"Kail, we all know you're there. Just come out and listen" Louis called.
Kail joined us, looking demoralized.
"It's too dangerous to keep following us. We will leave you at the government safe zone. From the rumors, revenants aren't allowed there and are killed on sight if they do not have a good reason for going," Mia explained.
"So, this is the safest way?" Kail asked, his voice tinged with resignation.
"Yes, we will leave this afternoon. Take a rest until then," Louis said.
** (Perspective: Kail) **
I retreated to a quiet corner, my thoughts racing. The idea of parting ways with the group weighed heavily on me. They had become my friends, my protectors, and leaving them felt like abandoning my new family.
Later that afternoon, we packed our belongings and prepared to move. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken emotions. As we reached the edge of the city, I turned to Lyria.
"Thank you for everything," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"We're not leaving you, Kail. We're ensuring your safety," Lyria replied firmly, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and sorrow.
Mia led the way to the government safe zone, a fortified area with high walls and strict guards. As we approached, the guards eyed us warily.
"State your business," one of them demanded.
"We're here to ensure the safety of this human," Mia explained, gesturing towards me. "He needs protection."
The guards exchanged looks before one of them nodded. "Very well, but the revenants must stay outside."
Lyria turned to me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Stay safe, Kail. We will see each other again sometime"
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "You too."
As the gates closed behind me, I watched my friends disappear into the distance, feeling both relieved and anxious.
** (Perspective: Lyria) **
Leaving Kail behind was harder than I expected, but it was the right decision. After that, I helped Louis's group with their search for a cure. Yakumo helped me get a new weapon, and after some misadventures, we departed, and I was a lone wolf once again.
Years passed, filled with constant battles for survival. One day, during a particularly fierce fight against a group of Lost, I got careless. While trying to block a hit, I was thrown through a wall. With no escape in sight, I plunged my spear into the ground and locked eyes with the Lost, ready for the end.
To my surprise, a sword cleaved through the Lost, revealing an old friend.
"Guys, I found a survivor," said the man.
"A long time no see, Lyria," Mia greeted me with an amused smile.
"As stubborn as ever, I see," Yakumo's voice joined in.
"At some point, you will die if you continue like this," Louis said, concern evident in his eyes.
"So, you guys know her?" asked the revenant standing before me.
"We were part of a team protecting a human from an underground group," Mia explained.
"Sounds fun, I want to hear about it," the revenant said.
"I'll tell you, but first we need to get back to base," Louis replied.
"You're right." Kail turned to me. "Your name is Lyria? I'm Kail. What are you going to do from this point onward? Do you want to come with us?" Kail asked, extending a hand.
I smiled, feeling a sense of belonging I hadn't felt in years. "I can't refuse an offer from my savior, can I?"
Kail laughed, and for the first time in a long while, I felt hope.