Accepting the end, a light caught his eye from the rooftop of a nearby shop. It was crimson before it turned into a light blue and shot off like an arrow, the mark of an archer. As soon as the spell made impact, it burst out into a cluster of ice shards, easily taking out the two Shade while leaving the siblings untouched.
“A Slayer?” Daniel thought to himself. “Hey! We need help, please!”
He could just barely make out a silhouette against the dark sky. They shifted, but made no sign of moving to their aid.
“Daniel!” A very familiar voice called out from below.
Daniel looked to its source and immediately recognized them, “Dad? What are you doing here?”
Charles ignored his eldest son and knelt down next to the pair, his eyes fixed on Damien. “What happened?” He asked, reaching into his lab coat.
“I, w-we were attacked and… Dad, how did you know to come look for us?” Daniel struggled to find words.
“I know my children, I had a feeling you would sneak out. I just didn’t think this would happen so soon.” Charles spoke calmly as he pulled out a syringe and vial, “Don’t worry, I’m here to make sure you two live, especially Damien.”
Daniel frowned, “Isn’t that Damien’s medication? How’s that going to help?”
Charles looked his son in the eye sternly, “I know you’re worried, but if you want Damien to live, please trust me.” He didn’t wait for a response as he rolled up Damien’s sleeve and made the insertion.
Daniel didn’t stop him, but doubts lingered in his mind. Something wasn’t making sense. Damien’s medication was to manage an illness, there was no way it could miraculously heal such wounds. Damien reacted to the injection as his father administered it, cringing and tensing as if in pain, though remained unconscious.
“They’ve never reacted like that, it’s hurting them! Tell me what’s going on, now! What did you give them?”
Charles sighed, saddened as he put the equipment away, “I know you’re upset, and you have every right to be, but I haven't lied. They’re reacting to the larger dose. I didn’t want to do this, but Damien will die if I don’t. I cannot allow years of research and my child’s life to be for nothing.” Charles spoke with genuine concern as he looked at Damien. He rested a loving hand on their cheek as they continued to tense with pain.
Daniel’s fists clenched, his emotions stirring and uncertain, “Research… Dad, please, what are you talking about…”
The echoes of combat grew into a cacophony as they spoke. Red light and embers lit the evening skies as more Shade attacked. Daniel had been too distracted to notice the growing destruction within the city as people ran by with flames beginning to engulf the buildings.
Charles had looked up to the chaos, “Things are escalating quickly. I thought we could stop the Shade from escaping the lab, but they seem to have all gotten loose and are attracting more from the wild.” He stood up and looked down on Daniel, his voice firm as his eyes locked with his son’s, “You need to take Damien and escape. Get to Merianca and go to the abandoned church to the west. I’ll explain everything when you get there.”
Daniel shook his head in anger, “No! Tell me now!”
“Your emotions will attract too many Shade. Go now, my subordinate will protect you. Go!” Charles shouted back as he ran off.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to gather my research while I can!”
Daniel wanted to follow, but with Damien injured, he could only watch as his father disappeared into the chaos. He couldn’t risk putting them in unnecessary danger, and he didn’t want to follow his father’s orders, but there was nothing else he could do. Making sure to secure his book and Damien’s stone in his coat pocket, he carefully propped Damien onto his back. His legs shook as he rose to his feet, his lack of strength and his own injuries showing. There was no time to worry about something like that. Daniel moved slowly at first before building momentum, breaking into a slow run. Adrenaline would have to carry them both.
As he ran, the destruction became more apparent. Debris was scattered everywhere as fire roared within the broken buildings. The people fought desperately against the creatures, but without a stone their weapons hardly did anything against them. Daniel wanted to stop and help, but the warm feeling of blood soaking his back pushed him onward. The Slayer fighting from the roofs pursued him, staving off any Shade that tried to attack, and the closer to the outer gates he got, the less Shade he saw.
Daniel reached the exit to the city, unsurprised at the lack of guards. They had abandoned their posts. It would be a terrible mistake, leaving the outer wall unprotected, but Tairan was not experienced in Shade attacks. They were too used to peace.
His chest burned as he ran through the gate, not daring to stop in case he couldn’t start again. He was well past his physical limit, but that couldn’t be what would stop him. He loved Damien too much to allow that. He was half hoping the Slayer covering him would appear and help, but they hadn’t shown themself.
He ran down the path out of the city, his surroundings growing quiet and dark, save for the faint echoes of screams and fire in the distance. Finally Daniel had to stop, but not just out of fatigue. He could see the glinting eyes of even more Shade watching him. Approaching. He backed up a few steps, his knees nearly buckling as he did.
“What are you doing, keep going!” A woman’s voice called from the trees. It must have been that Slayer.
Daniel was too out of breath to speak. There were numerous Shade ahead, far too many to count. It was impossible for her to get rid of them all, so why was she insisting he continue onward? Perhaps she meant them harm, either under Charles’ orders, or her own volition. He had heard the voice off to the left and began staggering to the right. The Shade started closing in faster, forcing the Slayer into attacking. Daniel had been right as an ice arrow flew out from his left, creating a wall of ice. He took advantage of her focusing on attacking forward and bolted out of her sight.
“Don’t!” She called out, but Daniel ignored her pleas. He knew it was likely a bad choice, as more Shade would be waiting in the forest, but at least there he could hide and try to wait it out. If Charles did as he promised, Damien could hold out. Daniel wanted answers, but it would have to be on his terms.
He had underestimated how tired he was. Time seemed to drag on before he was snapped to his senses, tripping on a root and sent spiraling into the dirt. His body was numb as he laid motionless on the ground. Damien wasn’t near him, but even in his panic to find them he couldn't move.
“Augh, Damien… where… are you…” His voice was raspy and breathless, desperation clinging to every word. He shifted his limbs in an attempt to lift himself up, but couldn’t muster the strength. Growing closer he could hear rustling within the bushes, likely Shade coming to finish them off. His poor decisions and stubbornness was going to be their demise.
“Hey, look! There’s people!” A voice… female...
“Are they alive?” Another.
“Uh, yeah I think, lemme check.”
Daniel could hear someone approaching, but in the pitch darkness he couldn't see anything. Was his vision fading?
"Hey, are ya alive?"
He couldn't make more than a grunt in response.
"Yeah, we got a live one!"
"This one is too, though he's badly injured. You and another can take them back to the village."
"Awe man, why I gotta carry the heavy one?" A pause, "Fine fine. C'mere you."
Daniel could feel his body shifting, the girl grabbing him roughly and putting him on her back. With the last of his strength he mumbled under his breath, "Please… protect... Damien…" before finally losing consciousness.
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