Leah walked up to Justina and went on her knees before wrapping her arms around the latter.It was a touching scene… it was also a very painful one.I’d have never thought I’d hate myself as much as I did at this point.But I felt that way and it was all because of my stupidity.I led these guys into this place and caused the death of several.I can’t take that back and no matter what I say now, it’s pointless.I made the mistake and now I have to pay for it.That’s how it’s meant to be.Taking a deep breath, I made my decision and without hesitation, gazed at the crowd.From 120, we had reduced to a little over 90+. It was crazy.Absolutely crazy.From… wait, how many first year cadets went on the excursion?I glanced at Richard. “Hey.”“Is there a problem?” Richard still seemed shook at how Justina had shot him down.I guess he wasn’t used to such things happening.Oh please, suck it up!No need to be such a drama queen.Hmmph… oh yeah, I wanted to ask something just now.What was i
“Jerry, watch out!” Lincoln’s voice broke me out of my sensitive state as I quickly turned back tofind a tar monster rapidly approaching.Before it could strike at me however, a blue haired figure rushed past me and struck away the tar monster’s attack before slashing at its arms, effectively detaching it from the rest of it’s body.As the hands fell to the ground, they turned into ashes and quickly dusted away.The other tar monsters let out low growls, seemingly annoyed by the fact that they had lost their prey.At this point, Not only Isabella, even Reginald, and Leah as well as the other Council members had stepped forward.It seemed most of them opted for far range artilleries instead of close range, most likely because they were too terrified to face the monsters in close combat.Understandable however, it’s bit my place to judge them.The only reason I didn’t conjure up a gun as well was because I was more familiar with the sword and I hadn’t really trained up my gun wielding s
(Trina’s POV )When I saw them, I could clearly tell that the situation was tense.Judging by the reduced number, I could only guess that they had suffered a setback in trying to conquer this place behind the wall of fog.It was to be expected but right now, I saw them as my last hope at survival.This here were the best of the best when taking into consideration the first year cadets.So if they couldn’t protect me, then who could in this godforsaken nightmare?So I gulped hard to try and call out to them and at that moment was when I sensed something.I turned to find that the tar monsters had also followed me across.I thought if I came across I’d be safe but I guess that was my mistake.A terrible mistake if I must describe it.Yes, that was when I blacked out.Of course, it took my brain a bit longer to process me fainting but all in all, I didn’t die.I still recall being saved so why couldn’t I wake up?Or was it because I was scared to wake up?No, I can’t be scared now.Even
(Trina’s POV)Was he always this kind?“Are you feeling okay?” Jeremy Walker asked as he knelt before me, using his right hand to hold mine.I instinctively gulped at the sudden skin contact between us.For a moment, I wasn’t sure of how to respond but I knew that I had to so mustering the little courage within me, I nodded before answering. “Mn, I’m alright. Thank you.”He quickly heaved a sigh of relief after hearing my reply.This… was he really that worried about me?It seemed like a heavy burden was lifted off his shoulder due to my response.It made me feel bad.This guy was just another cadet.Sure he was one of the better performers but at the end of the day, he was just another cadet like me and every other person here.But because of fate or destiny, he finds himself carrying the hopes and expectations of every single one of us.I’m sure it must be terribly stressful.It’s a miracle he hasn’t caved under the pressure yet.How does he do it?“Can you stand?” just then, he ask
( Jeremy Walker POV )Six days had passed since we returned from the maze, passing through the wall of fog.Six days since the group was disbanded and every cadet went their own way to look out for themselves.Six days since I turned into a recluse, picking a certain spot to brood over my sins.Obviously no-one dared to return to the valley and so we were forced to hide in the surrounding woods.Unfortunately, it wasn’t good enough to hide us from the terrors.Every two night, three cadets would lose their lives.How did I know this?Well it was easy for sound to travel through the forest area.I can still recall the screams that echoed in my ears at some point in the night.So far, six cadets had died to the Dreamer.I actually thought I could save anyone.Unfortunately, I gave them false hope.I’m a terrible person.I shouldn’t be allowed to leave but regardless I stayed alive.As I hung down from a tree branch from a tree that was quite tall, I overlooked the area below.During the
I glared at the monstrosity standing in my way.Even though I couldn’t defeat it in a tussle with pure strength, I still didn’t want to back down just like that so I stubbornly held in without letting go.A low growl escaped its throat, if it had anything like that, before it swung it’s other arm at me, catching me off guard.I was sent flying like I had no weight to speak of.Gritting my teeth, I struggled back to my feet but it was hard.But regardless, I couldn’t stay down, especially when the reason all this had happened was right in front of me.“Do you really have to struggle so much?” Dr. Philip asked.I glared at him but didn’t bother with a response.I only wanted to have him release us from this Nightmare and even kill him if I had the chance.“You are o so talkative, you know that?” Dr. Philip remarked. “No matter how much you wish to kill me, it won’t happen. The Dreamer only let you guys walk all over it because it was sealed. Now that it’s free, do you really think you s
( Leah’s POV )It hurt me when I saw him that way that day.He looked completely defeated with not even an ounce of strength left in him.It was the first time I saw him like that.Actually, it was the first time such a thing had happened.Mom always told me to believe that humans had good in them.She was right in the case of Jerry, Reginald and Lincoln.Apart from them however, the others were more like he stated them to he.“Humans are more monstrous than the monsters in the Fog. They would do anything and everything to save themselves and If you really think they could change, then you are dreaming.”I didn’t want to believe after all, he was a crazy man that did bad things.I hated him and so didn’t want to listen to anything he said but at that moment, I realized that maybe he was right.Actually, it was even before now.Looking down at the Stigma on my hand, I could still recall how it came about.But this case was much worse.At least back then, we had no choice but to leave s
(Leah’s POV)“If he knew we were watching, what was his end goal?” Richard muttered thoughtfully.“Is it just right to stand here though?... We can’t continue thinking. Jerry could need our help.” I was forced to speak up.I understood why they needed to think so much but honestly, I didn’t want to waste too much time.Every second wasted diminished our strength by a great margin.It would soon reach a point where fighting back would become too hard so while we still have the strength, let’s run it.“I agree with Leah. Standing here and doing nothing is pointless. We need to get moving.” Isabella agreed with me readily.Well I expected that since… ugh, stop thinking about that.It might not even be how you think it to be.Come on, Leah, get your head in the game!“Forgive my language but we can’t do that.” Lincoln spoke up. “I want to save Brother Jerry too but we can’t rush in. I can still remember the pain in his eyes when he left us. I don’t want to feel that helpless any longer so