I looked at the former humans– now creatures of beyond, their sanity taken, forms deformed and left nothing as their former selves.


    They didn''t wait, a monster who had retained his human characteristics came forward his arms twisted backward, body covered in grotesque fur that stuck to his skin and a head that belonged once to a human.


    Truly a bizarre and chilling site to behold.


    Asher didn''t have much origin left and even if had, fighting this many monsters alone would be nothing but plain stupidity.


    Yet he was not afraid. This was due to a simple reason– He still had a trump card, even though it was only a fifty percent gamble he still hoped it would work.


    The monsters didn''t wait for Asher to complete his prayers as they jumped toward him, wishing to tear his already ruptured flesh, eating him alive.


    I tried not to take a step back, I felt if I showed even a hint of fear my death would be certain.


    Looking at the monster that just jumped toward me, my eyes widen. Then at that moment, a flash of light filled the chamber, blinding me for a moment.


    Opening my eyes after they got adjusted to the sudden brightness I saw it– A sword made of pure light, glowing in the color of twilight had pierced the monster making it fall.


    "She.. came" I muttered under my breath.


    The sound of new steps echoed through the chamber, turning my head I saw Morgana walking down the same stairs Greth had come from.


    Looking at Asher, Morgana sighed. She had expected this to happen so she had been waiting for the right moment to arrive.


    "Sorry." This was the only words I could muster.


    It may feel like I had won but it was not– With her coming to save me the war against Red Hand was certain.


    And the odds were still not in our favor– My favor to be exact.


    "You were reckless." Morgana didn''t say any word of condolences, if not for following orders she would have never let such action ever happen.


    Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of the slain monster and the ones still advancing, driven by a mindless hunger for flesh.


    With a flick of her hand ten swords formed in the air made of light, they all glowed in the color of dawn and filled the room with a comforting warmth.


    Seeing the swords moving mid-air all the creatures retreated in fear, but she wouldn''t let them escape. She stepped forward, her hand moving swiftly, the swords followed her command, slashing and cutting through the air.


    One by one, all the monsters were pierced, stabbed, and cut down by the glowing swords of light. Each strike resonated with a sound like thunder, and the room was filled with an eerie silence as the light swords did their work. Their furious shrieks and pain-filled roars echoed through the chamber, creating a macabre symphony of fear and anger.


    Ignoring the monster''s wrath, Morgana walked toward Asher and said in a composed manner.


    "How are you going to take responsibility?"


    Her voice was calm but firm. The light swords hovered around her, the glow dimming slightly as if reflecting her mood.


    That moment another monster hidden in the depth of darkness lunged toward her, its claw right near her neck.


    Without even giving it a single glance, she moved her left arm toward it, her hand now covered in the same light as her swords pierced through its body. The monster''s body fell with a thud and turned into dust.


    My eyes widened in shock, my voice not leaving my mouth.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    I knew she was strong– but not this strong.


    Seeing me speechless Morgana tilted her head and asked again. "So, what are you going to do?"


    Her question brought me back to reality, I took a deep breath and said, "I will do what I have to."


    "Again something reckless and senseless I presume."


    Even though she was talking with me, the glowing swords didn''t stop their movements. They continued to slaughter the monsters without slowing down or any hesitation.


    Giving the monster a final glance I continued.


    "Yes,.... but by now you should know where my confidence comes from."


    Asher replied, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. He looked at her with a serious expression, his eyes reflecting the determination burning within him.


    "I saw your fight... The power you wield is useful but even a single variable leaves you helpless."


    I bit my lips at her words, she was right. The monsters were a variable I never accounted for nor could I have ever guessed.


    ''No, I did guess but I didn''t want to accept such an outcome.'' I thought to myself.


    "It''s true.... like you said, my plan was reckless and made up of impulsive emotions but right now I think I have a way to give us the chance we need right now."


    I said sincerely, my eyes looking right at her.


    Morgana raised an eyebrow, "And what is this ''chance'' you speak of?"


    A pool cold of blood suddenly touched my feet, I looked at the once pitch darkness now illuminated by the glow dawn colored swords.


    All the monsters have been slaughtered.


    A cold sweat ran down my neck at this, even though I have also participated in this slaughter, seeing this still made my stomach churn.


    Taking a deep breath I continued. "Our only issue is the number of awakened they have on their side right?"


    Morgana nodded, her gaze unwavering.


    "Correct, but it seems like we can add these monsters into the equation now as well," she said with a frown.


    I hesitated for a moment then said in an unsure tone. "So what if... one night those awakened suddenly died of an unnatural death instead."


    Morgana''s eyes narrowed as she studied me, trying to understand the plot twist I was hinting at.


    "You can''t be serious," she finally said, her voice a mix of shock and intrigue. "But if what you''re suggesting is true..."


    Her words trailed off as the implications sank in. Asher''s plan was bold and dangerous, but it had the potential to shift the balance of power in their favor. It was a gamble, one that could either end the war swiftly or cost them everything.


    "So what do you say? How much time do you think we have." I asked with a grin.


    Morgana didn''t immediately respond, she was deep in thought. Her eyes flickered over the dead bodies of the monsters, her mind racing.


    Finally, she licked her lips and said, "If we are lucky, we could have four days. But if we wish to strike first and catch them off guard, we should plan for no more than three days."


    I smiled at her answer, and seeing my face she again frowned. "More than enough time... *ahem* do you think you could appoint me a good healer by today."


    I asked a bit shamelessly, if we wanted to strike first I needed to be at my best.


    Morgana''s frown grew deeper, she knew what I was hinting at. The battle had taken its toll on me and if we were to continue, I needed to heal. She nodded and said, "I''ll arrange for the best healer we have. But you must promise me, no more reckless actions."


    "Sure."


    I nodded, the gravity of the situation was not lost on me. This time I won''t make such mistakes, I will count for every variable that can ever happen.


    Morgana''s steps echoed through the chamber as she approached the caged captives; they somehow had still been asleep during all these events.


    "Go back and rest... by tomorrow I will prepare everything you will need."


    Morgana''s words were a command, not a suggestion. She knew that Asher''s condition was critical and that he needed to recover before they could proceed with the plan.


    I didn''t say anything and nodded, without her noticing I first took the boxes Greth had told me about and used the stairs to go above.


    Morgana watched him leave with a look of concern. She knew that he was hiding something from her, but all she could do was trust.


    ******


    Asher continued to climb the stairs, the narrow passage made of cobblestones, the stairs were clean as if they had been used countless times.


    I have been putting on a brave front all this time, stopping in the middle of my climb, I punched the wall with all my strength and a little crack appeared upon it on impact.


    I wanted to cry... My insides seem to have been twisted not from pain but from the betrayal I felt just now.


    Greth and I were just acquaintances to each other, but the small talks I had with him reminded me of Grandpa. They were so different yet so similar.


    This fact was disgusting.


    I want to cry but I don''t have any tears to waste upon a being like him.


    So I won''t cry, I will never cry for the death of someone like him.


    Coming out of the stairs I soon reached a room, it was a storage room to be exact with how many things were collecting dust inside.


    Opening the wooden door I left the room, a small hallway present outside with doors on both sides of the wall. At the end of the hallway, another exit was present.


    Walking slowly with tired steps and exited the hallway.


    "Pfft- Obviously I would come here."


    The site outside the door made me laugh, it was a familiar place after all.


    It was the dinner of Cozy Inn, the place I had been staying at all this time.


    I walked toward Greth''s rocking chair beside the window on another side of the counter.


    Removing my bloody shoes I gently sat in it, listening to its creaking sound and leaned back.


    Turning my head toward the window I looked outside. It was still the middle of the night, but the sky was clear– the rain had stopped.


    Tonight''s nightmare was finally over.