Rescue Pursuit

chapter 5

Ree, not really far away, saw a wave of electricity coming in the middle of trying to the fog away with his power and quickly climbed on a nearby tree to not get caught in it.

"What the hell?" Ree said since he had no idea where it coming from but was also awestruck by the powerful-looking, possibly deadly swimming bolts. The electric waves surged through the fog, illuminating the area and temporarily dissipating the thick mist.

Ree then just realizes he hears screaming from where the electricity coming from. It took a while for the wave to stop including the scream before Ree could get off the tree.

Ree quickly climbed down from the tree, his heart pounding with urgency. He raced towards the source of the electric waves, the last remnants of the fog dissipating around him. As he got closer, he saw charred bodies scattered around him.

He walked to one of them and shortly recognized the clothing. His eyes widened when he realized it was the clothing from the village earlier.

Ree stumbled backwards, falling onto the dirt with a thud. His heart raced as he took in the scene before him, his mind reeling with shock and horror. The charred bodies, the remnants of the village clothing - it was all too much. His breathing became shallow, and his face grew paler with each passing second.

"No... no, this can't be happening," Ree muttered, his voice trembling. He tried to steady himself, but the trauma of what he was witnessing made it difficult to regain composure.

Just then, Grant appeared from the dissipating fog, his greatsword still crackling with residual energy. He noticed Ree on the ground and was about to approach him but then he noticed the bodies and the familiar clothing.

"It was them?" Grant asked out of shock.

Ree snapped out of his mind when he heard the question. "What do you mean by that?"

Grant turned back to Ree in mid-observing the bodies. "I was getting attacked rapidly with arrows nonstop so I had to stop somehow but... I don't know it was by them."

Ree's shock turned to confusion and anger as he struggled to process Grant's words. "You mean you... you killed them?" he stammered, still trying to make sense of the situation.

Grant looked pained, guilt etched on his face. "I didn't know it was them, Ree. I thought we were under attack by some unknown enemies in the fog. I had to defend myself."

Ree's mind raced, trying to reconcile what had happened with the reality before him. "Why they're attacking?"

"I don't know, Ree. Oh, wait. Ree, I know you... traumatized right now but can you still try to blow this fog away?" Grant asked and Ree shakily shook his head as a no.

Grant sighed, nodding understandably. He then kneels in front of Ree with his back facing him, offering Ree a piggyback ride as Ree still trembling.

Ree hesitated for a moment, then climbed onto Grant's back, still trembling. Grant stood up, adjusting his grip to ensure Ree was secure. He started walking through the forest, carefully navigating the uneven terrain.

"We'll figure this out, Ree," Grant said, trying to reassure him. "First, let's get to safety."

As they moved forward, the fog began to thin, allowing them to see further ahead. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to lift slightly, giving them a moment of respite.

Grant continued to carry Ree through the forest, his mind racing with thoughts of the attack and the mysterious behaviour of the villagers. He knew they needed to find answers, but right now, getting Ree to safety was his top priority.