Serif's gaze trailed the cyborg as it tore through the sky like a missile, it's target the transport tower.

His breath stilled, stuck in his chest, fingers digging into his palms.

Color drained from his face as the creature slammed the tower. Its figure passing through it like a line drawn through a map, indifferent to what lay beneath the ink.

For a second nothing happened, then a shockwave spread from the point of impact.

The shockwave hit them, then…

Boom!!

The sound arrived a second later, the tower as if finally realizing what happened came down.

The cyborg cycled back and slammed into the already crumbling tower.

Serif looked on, with eyes wide, his heart rate increasing with each second, his spine stiffened, the chains wrapping tighter around his wrist.

Jake sprawled on the floor, breathing hard, he pulled his knees closer, curling himself, tears strumming down his face, mumbling something incoherent.

Serif looked on with a grim expression, he couldn't bear to turn around and face them, not even he knew how to deal with this, the consequence of what just happened sinking in.

A hand gripped the fabric of his combat pants, trembling, he looked down, Tavena.

Her lips quivering, mumbling something to herself, "it's not true right? the tower is still there right? We're going to leave right? I'm dreaming right? Yes, I must be dreaming."

Her face lit up as she looked up at him, "Serif, I'm dreaming right."

But Serif looked away, focused on the collapsing tower, his fist tightening.

Not getting an answer, She turned to face Zhadra, who just stood still, staring at the tower.

"It's not true right, Zhadra, I'm dreaming right."

"Enough," Orivin's boisterous voice rang out, "You're not dreaming," he muttered, his voice grim, expression darkened.

Tavena knelt on the ground, tears strumming down her face.

Serif took a deep breath, his face turning blank again. There was no choice now, they had to survive, try to find another way or worst case die trying.

He looked on as the cyborg lifted up into the air, gliding over the tower with massive wings, as if admiring its handiwork.

He turned towards Zhadra, "we need to find somewhere to lay low."

But Zhadra didn't move, just staring at the tower, posture the same, like a statue.

"Zhadra," Serif's eyes narrowed.

"Zhadra," he repeated, yet no response.

Even her huh, but who was he to talk, if not that he couldn't afford it…

Tapping her shoulder, Zhadra gasped, almost falling if not for Serif holding her in place.

The next second his eyes went round as she wrapped her hands around him, gripping his clothes tightly.

For a second, he just stood still, unable to process what was happening.

"You're okay," he finally moved, patting her head.

Zhadra slapped his hand away and coughed awkwardly, "I'm fine," she looked away.

"Sure," he answered.

"I said we need to find somewhere out of sight," he looked towards the tower, the cyborg still cycling over it.

"We don't know what triggered it, but it's best to stay out of sight."

"Right," she nodded her head, lifting her hammer.

Serif turned around, surprised to see Orivin already hoisting unconscious Jake and Tavena on his shoulder.

"I think it will be best for us to enter the forest," Serif turned towards the dark forest, then towards the others.

"I doubt it'll follow us here."

Zhadra avoided his gaze, simply nodding.

"Just to be safe, can we not go in too deep," Orivin said, his tone serious.

"Although I laughed earlier, I agree with the kid, something is off about this forest."

Serif nodded in agreement, wondering why Orivin wasn't as shaken up as the others, was he hiding it, or was it because he was older.

"Alright, I'll be in front, since we have lost our scouts," Serif glanced at the cyborg one last time, as the dark forest swallowed them.

"For now, we find a cave or shelter, that's our objective, till these two recover."

As Serif stepped into the forest, he felt a chill travel up his spine, not just from the sudden drop in temperature, but from something he couldn't explain.

His eyes darted around, scanning for anything but there was nothing…or perhaps it was the forest itself.

As the group trudged through the forest, the trees creaked, the branches slanting, leaning towards them as it trying to satiate its curiosity.

Serif glanced over his shoulder, Orivin behind, looking around uncomfortably, Zhadra lagging behind, her hammer in hand, the faint light outside the forest getting smaller.

He looked forward, a clear path leading deeper into the forest, as if inviting them.

That was not something his instincts agreed with, he closed his eyes, listening for anything.

The sound of wood creaking, all around, but within that sound, the faint croaking sound of a frog being drowned out by the forest reached his ear.

He turned left, eyes open, "this way," he muttered, heading away from the convenient path.

"Thank the gods," Orivin's voice came from behind him, "mindlessly following this road was killing me."

"We can't go in too deep," Serif said, the chain around his right hand floating in the air, marking trees as he passed.

In a fortunate turn of events, they came across a shallow cave, roots grown over it, intertwining at its entrance.

"Let's stay here for now," Serif muttered entering the cave, he removed a tarp from Orivin's bag and placed it on the ground.

"How are they doing," he asked as Orivin placed the two on the tarp.

"They're fine, just shaken up." He said, dropping his heavy shield.

Serif nodded and turned to Zhadra, "you okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me." She answered, focused on arranging her arrows.

Serif looked on quietly, then he turned away, "I'll scout around, just in case," he muttered, leaving the cave.

Silence hung thickly in the air after Serif left, Orivin looking up at the ceiling of the cave.

He glanced at Zhadra, still arranging her arrows, "I must say, I'm disappointed." His voice rang out.

"You know, with your reputation and all," he continued.

"What a story it would be, Zhadra the fiery, breaking down," he grinned, "and worst of all, hugging someone, I'll get a lot of free drinks at the bar with a story like this."

Zhadra looked up, her gaze locked on him, as if daring him to try it.

A faint smile appeared on his lips, "assuming I live of course," he burst into laughter.

"You're quite an optimistic old man. Is it because you're almost at the end of the line," her voice rang out in the cave.

Orivin stopped laughing, he looked up once more and took a deep breath.

"Maybe," he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"But mostly because, what's the use of worrying about things I can't control, if I shouted, cried, broken down, it wouldn't have brought back the tower or stopped that monster will it," he pursed his lips.

"Interesting way of looking at things," her gaze moved to the two on the tarp, "but you can only say that because it's you, I doubt those two will agree."

"Yeah, that's true," he chuckled, "but well, that's why we're humans, and don't make it sound like my life is already over, there are things I'm looking forward to as well."

"Like what," she tilted her head.

Orivin looked up, a smile appearing on his face, "like meeting my granddaughter." He muttered, his tone meeker, but a lot more serious.

"But hey," he turned to Zhadra, "are you okay?"

Zhadra stayed quiet for a bit, then she looked away, "I'm fine."

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