He felt like his whole body was drenched in piercingly cold water as the woman’s voice went through his head. This can’t be happening. He froze, staring blankly as his breathing intensifies. Almost eight hundred people. Eight hundred people had died in just mere minutes. What were those things? It just landed on Niko’s mind. Too many events had overwhelmed him that he didn’t have the time to ask ‘what’. Remembering each creature in detail feeds the fear. He then noticed the never ending cries and mourns around him that amplifies the fear more. The fear of death.
If he’s not mistaken, they are headed west towards the city of Lestia. Niko felt slightly relieved to the fact that they are taking refuge on a city with one of the most powerful military bases. He placed his attention to the passengers inside. One…Two…Three… Eight people have made it out. A middle aged woman with 2 of his little children in front of him, weeping. Another middle aged woman at his left. The young soldier who he had met earlier and a girl with blonde hair. She must’ve been the medic. She had the standard issue military coat and a large belt bag. The girl looked back at him, noticing that Niko has been staring at her for a while. Niko noticed her gaze and quickly broke the connection, returning his attention at the back again. He can see the woods but it’s already at an unreachable distance. Definitely not going back their again.
The dim sky never changed its mood. The atmosphere of waiting the rain to drop, but it didn’t. The sun must’ve set minutes ago. Now, the sky is beginning to get darker. The night is young. The outrider lit 2 carriage lamps as the road dives into the darkness. The horses can’t travel this far, we must be near. Niko pondered.
“We’re almost there!”, the outrider cried.
Niko felt the relief despite his wounds. Although still confused as to what kind of creatures are they, Lestia might have the answers.
“OH MY GOD!”
Niko’s hair strands rose up when he heard the outrider’s dreaded cry.
“Lestia!”
His eyes widened in disbelief. The outrider has just reached the top of a tall hill and stopped the carriage. Niko, grasping the bandage on his torso, bailed out from the carriage to see what was happening from the distant. All the passengers got out to witness it too. Niko dropped on his knees. He felt like all the energy was drained from his body as he watched the horrendous sight on the distance. The women and children cried hard with a hint of fear on their tones. Niko bowed down, closed his eyes, and let out a quiet whimper of help and desperation.
Lestia was on fire.
