Caldrin slammed his fist down in the air, hitting it like it was a solid table. The air shattered, forming a small void that wove itself back together within Vera’s realm.

“This creature should not be in a newly integrated tutorial! What is the system thinking?!” he bellowed.

“It does seem a little unfair, even with all of Leo’s advantages,” Vera agreed as she also watched the one-sided spectacle unfold.

The Fate-bound Seamstress was sitting within her web of threads, hanging there without as much as an emotion.

Caldrin had no idea why she was still here, and it was irritating him. “Why are you even still here?” he asked before he’d realised it.

“As I said. I was fated to be here, perhaps to console you at the loss of this young one and his dragon,” she said, voice steady.

“What use is your consolation when we lose our only lead to Iskarion in countless eras!” Caldrin’s emotions surged, causing the nature around them to shake in protest of his power.

“I see Leo’s fate. As much as I see my blessed. As much as I see all of them. She survives this. He does not.”

“I can intervene. I have the power to cha—” Caldrin began, but was interrupted by an overwhelming surge of power.

“Fate. Is. Absolute.”

Vera placed a hand on the shoulder of Caldrin, rubbing small circles into it as she calmed him. “I know you have waited a long time for this reappearance. I have too.” She spoke softly. “But if his fate is to die here, then it is his fate. Whether or not we are able to speak to him about his power and the dragon is no matter now.” She gave him a sad smile.

“We are all but certain that Iskarion is alive.” Caldrin flinched at her words. Unsure about believing them.

“What other god could gift such a thing as a dragon.” She giggled lightly. “He is out there somewhere, Cal. All we need to do is find him.”

We’re so close.

Caldrin exhaled swiftly, calming in an instant. “My apologies for that outburst.”

“Not required,” she said softly. “Now. Let us be witness to this young man’s final struggle. And mourn the passing of his knowledge.”

Caldrin nodded, reopening the viewing window as the last vestiges of his hope vanished within him.

~

Silence had descended after Serrix asked the question. Most of them were confused, looking around those who were still standing. Only Leo, Cain, and Cecelia didn’t move their gaze from the creature.

“Your man took the orb? Did he not?” Bjorn asked in a pained voice.

“Nope. Believe me, I would have known,” Serrix said, sure of himself. Then his face lit up.

“Oh my, now this is a treat. One of you took the orb in secret, hiding it from your allies. Oh that is devilish. I’m almost proud.”

He looked towards Cecelia. “Is this what you meant by “ruling together.”” His smirk was vile as it landed on Cecelia. It made Leo twitch.

Not yet. Keep recovering, Leo told himself.

His Lightning Drive had faded when he’d lost focus on it, so he needed as much time as he could get so that using it wouldn’t completely drain him.

His fists came together slowly as his stamina shot up a chunk from Second Wind, breaths coming a little easier.

Ellie was beside him, worriedly looking up at him. He patted her on the head affectionately.

Serrix continued. “Well?” He stepped right up to Cecelia, who was bruised, but not too wounded.

“I—” She hesitated, looking around the people she called friends and allies. Then hung her head.

“I have it.”

“You greedy—” Ashley spat in outrage, her anger flaring in her luminous aura.

“Now, now, ladies,” Serrix said, amusement plastered on his face. “Your squabbles can wait. Hand over the orb.” He held out his hand in wait.

Cecelia bit her lip. She remained unmoving.

Come on Cece, just give him the damn orb, Leo pleaded in his mind. It’s not worth it.

Serrix’s amused smile dropped like it had never been there. “It was fun for a while. Now I’m getting bored.”

All four arms came together in front of him, white light building into a pulsing orb. “Never mind. You’ll drop it when you die.”

Fuck. Here we go again.

Leo pulled his hands up in front of him, aura spiking suddenly. So much so that Serrix was distracted, drawing his attention. “What are you—” His eyes widened.

“Fuck you.”

Cecelia jumped back, pulling those around her back too.

Call of the Storm tapped into a swelling maelstrom of power that was rampaging inside of him. Power lanced down his arms, bursting parts of his skin from the inside as Leo struggled to contain it all. Every fibre of his body was straining. Pulling him apart.

Serrix coated himself in light, becoming serious for the first time. But before he could move, Leo roared.

His Stormforged Presence crashed down on the incoming foe like an anvil. It rooted him in place with the sheer force of his aura. Blood dripped from Leo’s eyes and nose. But he kept pushing.

The power built, begging to be unleashed.

“Get back!” Cecelia roared. People fled.

Call of the Storm hit dead on the frozen creature. A cacophony of wind and lightning tore into the armoured monster, trapping him in place while it cut and burned. Leo could barely make him out in the chaos, staggering and spasming inside the attack.

Leo collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily as the storm continued to wreak havoc inside him. He’d basically broken the valve in order to let this attack out. Iskarion’s skill was barely doing a thing to suppress it.

Crashing sparks and booming winds continued to echo out in the broken courtyard. The ground ripped up in chunks. Dust swirled and pounded. Random shrieks of screaming wind blades would sound out for brief moments.

By the time the storm faded, Leo was barely conscious. Ellie was holding him up on her back, unbothered by his weight. She mewled in concern.

He couldn’t even reassure her he would be okay. He felt like his life was ending rapidly.

The storm cleared like it had never been, leaving a bloody and battered Serrix, kneeling. His chest rose and fell quickly as he took breaths in.

“You,” he spat a mouthful of blood.

“Kill him, quickly!” Cecelia bellowed. All the fighters pounced while the enemy was vulnerable.

Leo looked on in utter shock and horror. His attack, while looking effective, hadn’t been nearly enough.

He couldn’t croak out a warning in time.

Attacks hit Serrix from all sides, people charging in alongside them in a reckless attempt to slay this monster.

The moment Cain got into range, Serrix moved.

He started tearing limbs and crunching torso’s as he flew through the assaulting fighters. He wasn’t killing them, just brutally maiming them so they wouldn’t—couldn’t—move.

Leo looked on in utter horror, unable to help as he watched Ron get his arm torn off. Tears mixed with blood streamed down his face as his friends were brutally attacked.

It was over so quickly.

Serrix stood in the middle again, throwing Bjorn against a wall near his wife where he landed in a crunch, his stone form fading.

“Stop!” Leo croaked out in a hoarse voice.

“Stop?” Serrix roared. “I offered you all a chance at survival. A chance at serving under my greatness.”

“And this is how you repay me?”

His aura surged, forcing some of the consciousness out of the few who remained awake.

“You’re lucky I didn’t kill you all,” he said angrily. “Now, at least, you understand the gap.”

“But you, Leo… I take back what I said about experiments. You’re too volatile.”

Serrix strode towards Leo, his feet crunching into the broken stone coated in blood.

Ellie dashed in front of him, growling.

“Ellie, run!” Leo squeaked out the words. Panic rose in his chest.

He wouldn’t dare hurt Ellie. No… he couldn't stand it.

She pounced and his heart sank. Serrix swatted her out of the air like a fly, and she hit the ground hard, skidding along it. Then she stood up, unharmed.

Leo looked past him. Ashley was clutching her ribs, mouth dripping blood. But her hand was up.

Serrix inhaled deeply, staring into the sky. “You are almost as much trouble as he is.”

“Don’t touch my Ellie,” Ashley spat, then she fainted.

Serrix laughed loudly. “You humans are all so entertaining! I’ll definitely keep her around.”

A blade of light manifested above Serrix’s shoulder and Leo pushed his body to stand.

“Don’t hurt them! Just take me.”

“You know what. Out of respect for your courage and power, I’ll grant you that. Maybe once they see you die then they will understand the situation better.” The sword turned from Ellie to aim straight towards him.

“Don’t move Ellie. That’s an order,” Leo said sternly, voice soft.

She wailed out in desperate horror, but Ron suddenly held her tight against him. He only had one arm, but it was enough to hold her back.

“Wait!” Cecelia called from her prone position. She was holding a crystal in her hand, causing her wounds to close on her leg and arm. She was missing both.

“Gods. What is it now?!” Serrix demanded.

An orb appeared in front of Cecelia, landing on the ground. It was the Territory Orb.

“Take this and spare him, please. We will serve under your rule and do as you command.”

“Finally we’re getting somewhere!” Serrix walked over and scooped up the orb, rolling it around in his hand. Then he dropped it at his feet.

“Hold this for me while I kill him.”

Cecelia’s eyes widened as her eyes followed the orb. “But…” she stammered, unable to comprehend.

“It’s okay Cece,” Leo said, barely standing. “If this keeps you from all dying then it’s worth it.”

Tears formed in Cecelia’s eyes, streaming down her face as she cursed her own inability.

“Bjorn,” Leo said. The man was already staring at him, one arm missing. His eyes were wide, his wife sat behind him, also injured, but alive. That gave him some relief.

“Please try and find Natalie for me. Keep her safe.”

Bjorn was biting his lip, unable to form words.

Serrix approached slowly, each step deliberate.

Leo was anything but calm thanks to his storm. But right now, he felt almost at peace.

I did all I could. They’re all still alive. Ashley will take care of Ellie. Bjorn will find Nat.

He closed his eyes.

“For what it’s worth,” Serrix began, voice not laced with any tease or taunt. “You have my respect.”

Serrix pulled his arm back, the sword pulsing above his head. Leo’s Nerveflash started sparking over his body, urging him to move. He didn't.

He felt the attack coming through Serrix’s aura.

It was… over.

…

Leo’s eyes suddenly shot open as a defiant roar echoed through the silence.

~
Bjorn watched as the kid fought for them again.

Through the ants. Through Cain. Through the blood and madness of the tutorial. Somehow, time and time again, it had been the young man standing in front of everyone else.

Taking the burden onto his own shoulders.

As soon as they’d first met, Bjorn had seen something in him.

Not strength, although he had plenty of that. Not talent.

Heart.

Too willing to throw himself into danger for people who hadn’t earned it. Too stubborn to back down. Too brave for his own damn good. The kid had a temper. Thought he could save everyone too. But Bjorn had never once doubted the sincerity behind it.

And somewhere along the way, Bjorn had stopped seeing him as just another survivor.

The boy had become family.

With every battle, Bjorn had watched him grow stronger. Not only in power, but in resolve. Because someone had to.

Behind him, his wife trembled. She was often having to console him when his grief dared surfaced. If the kid died here, it would become one more grave weighing on his soul.

Why was it always the children paying the price instead of him?

Some father he was.

Grief twisted in his chest, old wounds tearing open all over again.

His failures.

His regrets.

His children.

Not again.

He could not watch another child die.

Bjorn glanced back at his wife, giving her a smile that he filled with his entire heart.

Her eyes widened the moment she understood.

He mouthed the words instead of speaking them. “I love you.”

She reached out instinctively.

But he spun his head, roaring out with everything he had.

“Guardian!”

~

Bjorn appeared before him the instant the glowing sword descended.

Leo couldn’t even intervene as the sword pierced straight through the man’s chest. A warm splatter hit his face.

His breath caught in his throat as he caught the falling form of Bjorn in his arms.

Serrix groaned. “Are you trying to get me punished? Use a healing potion or something.”

Leo ignored the creature’s words as he fumbled for a potion. Bjorn’s lifeforce was fading, blood spilling out over his hands.

He tried to feed Bjorn the potion, pouring it into his mouth. “Please. Please don’t die.”

The potion entered his mouth, but even after it was done, nothing was healing.

“It’s not working!” Leo shouted. “Someone heal him!”

“It’s alright, kid,” he coughed out.

“Guess this old man’s finally reached the end.” He smiled as his wife cried out from afar. She couldn’t move.

“What do you mean? We’re going to heal you and you’re gonna be okay!” Leo pleaded, eyes filling with tears.

Bjorn shook his head and placed a hand on Leo’s chest. A notification appeared.

Bjorn has used Guardian’s Sacrifice on you.

Your resources have been restored.

Leo took in a sharp breath as all his resources suddenly began filling.

Bjorn’s colour faded. His eyes became glossy and wet. Almost distant.

Bjorn’s hand came up from his chest and caressed Leo’s cheek. “Is that you, John? Look how big you got.”

“John? What are you talking about?” Leo looked up, calling again. “What did you do? What’s this notification?”

“I can finally see you again,” Bjorn said, tears running down his face. “I’m sorry, son.”

“It’s me, Leo,” he said weakly. Trying to smile despite it.

Bjorn didn’t answer.

And never would again.

Leo stared down at Bjorn’s face, a smile plastered on it. He looked so happy. So… peaceful.

Time slowed. His emotions hit a crescendo. His hands shook violently.

His whole body trembled as the storm flooded through him.

It wanted out.

It had wanted out on the first day he came here.

It wanted to unleash hell on the creature that had killed his guardian. His dear friend.

Leo didn’t brace.

He didn’t try to wrest control.

He let it out.