While sitting across from me, Emeris pulls off his helmet and massages his face.

“Did anyone even know why Cartridge suddenly went all doomsday? Last I checked, they kept to themselves, then these little freaks appear and everyone gets free swordhugs. I mean do we even know if it was Cartridge? Are they even still around?”

I nod slowly then crank my neck from side to side.

“Latest report said that letters were sent out from Cartridge to their biggest enemies. The details were vaguely like “It’s been fun. Enjoy the show.”. So we at least know Cartridge was anticipating it, but whether they were responsible, is still unknown.”

After sitting silently for a bit, we do our best to follow the random paths that were clear of debris, but eventually we hit a snag. In front of us was an old house. The roof had completely caved in and the outside wood was scorched black. I tap the back of my head, letting Emeris know to watch our backs.

I lay down and peer through the rubble. We couldn’t turn around now, the nearest other path we had seen was ten minutes worth of sneaking behind us. As I narrow my eyes in concentration, I see light on the other side of the house reflecting off a shield. The way through wasn’t even remotely enough for us.

I drum my fingers lightly on the ground. We couldn’t really go back and going through was risky at best. There might be a small chance we could climb over the roof, but everything was a gamble at this point. The rocks that appear to be my best foot holds, grumble a bit as I set one cautious foot after another on them. With no scouts nearby to warn us, I'd have to keep my head as low as I could. Og Nag may have terrible aim, but minimizing risk was our only option. Ahead of me is an exact copy of where we came from: endless destroyed houses and bodies.

Six figures stand up and continue to look through an old home. My stomach muscles tense as I lower myself as quietly as possible. Every crumbling rock and footstep makes my ears twitch. I attentively raise my head an inch at a time until I can just barely see all five figures again. The Og Nag continued to move rocks and wooden beams, attempting to gain entry into the house. I raise an eyebrow and see a painted sign on the ground to the right of the house. The print was illegible, but there was no mistaking the painting of a pie on the left side of it. It was a bakery, which meant it had a basement for storage. Was there someone holding out inside?

In the low light, my eyes catch a different sign. There was a horizontal wooden plank, with two equal sized rocks on each end. To the casual onlooker, it was just rubble. To a Taraskan, it was a secret sign of refuge. I climb down as quietly as possible and motion for Emeris to come over. He takes one last look around before hustling to me. Gesturing behind me with my thumb, I keep my voice as low as possible.

“There’s survivors in there and it’s a good place to rest. Got any ideas?” Emeris looks at the same puzzle I was: how do we get over the house without being seen? Emeris stops and stares at the debris to our left where a slab sticks out, acting as a ledge. I look down at my metal gauntlets and boots, wondering how we were going to sneak over without making a load of noise.

Emeris slips off his boots, but keeps the leather lining on around his feet. I motion for him to turn around and undo the ties for his chest piece as he works on his hands. When he’s done, he does the same for me. I tighten my belt that kept my scabbard to my side. The ledge sits a good foot out of reach. Despite being exhausted, I massage my arms before crouching down. Emeris gets in front of me and cups his hands. A small leap up and my hands clench onto the edge. A few agonizing seconds and I can tell the ledge is sturdy. He gets behind me a few feet then does a small hop into the air.

His hands clamped onto my shoulders. He pulls up his lower body and wraps his legs around my midsection. He then reaches up further with his hands onto the ledge, then uses my shoulders as holsters for his feet. He looks to the left and right before slithering on top of the stone. He turns around and grabs both my wrists. He gives me a single nod. I let go as he leans back, pulling me up with him. This was extremely inefficient, but it kept us as low as we could get.

Climbing up a mountain of debris wasn't as difficult as climbing back down. My arms had to take the majority of my weight. Progress is aggravatingly slow, as every rock and foot placement is double checked for stability. One of us would move forward, find a decent stopping point, then kept watch as the other moved down.

The Og Nag have their backs to us, as Emeris makes his way to street level. He turns around and motions to where he climbed down so I can follow. I trade between glancing where my hands and feet are going, and the Og Nag just ten feet away. They had simple leather straps that they tied scrap pieces of armor to. I stare at the nearest one and can't help but see the tiniest odd feature, something you would easily miss. The armor was attached by pieces of thin rope, tied together in a simple knot. Who tied it? Can Og Nag even do that? They grab, they hiss, they swing their weapons, they charge and run away. There were never any reports of them doing anything that required attention.

Emeris crouches behind the creature and I quietly walk up to his side, just barely out of eyesight. His nearest ally was another five feet away. My dagger comes out smoothly and quietly, ready to be tossed in my free hand. In case I have to use it, my sword rests on my left shoulder, ready to swing. Emeris gives me a small nod and I step in front of the creature and jam my knife into his forehead. The moment it’s done, I rush forward and jam my sword into his ally’s face, hearing it pierce out the back of his skull with a sickening plop, just as he turns around. Emeris meticulously lowers the first Og Nag to the ground so it doesn't make any noise. I grab onto my victim’s leather chest harness, and use it to keep his body quiet as we sink down. My sword has to be twisted a few times to break free of the suction so we can continue.

We creep to the left and see two more Og Nag try to clear out a small window that leads into the basement. Emeris and I skulk behind them, staying in the darkness. We angle ourselves directly behind them and give the scene one last look. I give a short three-count with my fingers and we dart forward, slamming our weapons into the back of their skulls. I hear the curious squeal of an Og Nag to my left who stares at me with his arms full of wood. His yellow eyes watch me, illuminated by a small fire still burning to his right side. He opens his mouth to shriek, but gets interrupted with a knife into his head. He stands momentarily before falling backwards.

I look at Emeris who stays locked in his throwing position, with a second knife ready in his other hand. His face was cloaked in shadow, but I know he’s grinning. We both wince as the Og Nag’s load of wood makes a racket that echoes everywhere. We crouch by the window.

“Hey!” I whisper, still trying to make sure only they hear me.

A pair of green eyes meets me at the windows. He gives me a grateful wave, before disappearing. He returns with a small, blonde daughter and lifts her up to the window. I wave my hands frantically.

“No, stay there, it’s not safe out here! We’ll come back for you soon, just say quite alright?” He sets down his daughter, who smiles at me from ear to ear. She must have been barely six, probably too young to grasp just how much danger she was in. The man and his wife both stand at the window and whisper terrified gratitude to us. I nod and start walking back to our armor. Emeris runs up and clamps a hand on my shoulder right as I start climbing the debris.

“Captain! Why aren’t we taking them with us to the castle?! This is against protocol!” I turn around and stare at him silently. He drops his hand and his eyes grow wide.

“Oh...the...bomb…” He mumbles. I glance back at the building.

“If they come with us, there’s a chance none of us will make it on the way there. At least they’ll be safe enough for now. Let them stay a family until the end.”

The climb up is silent.