The dragon began preparing for its next attack, but this time something was different. The flame in its mouth was black instead of being fiery red.  It then launched its attack. Althea, using this moment, sprang on its back.

Kent had underestimated the power of the dragon. He failed to block the attack, Kent's shield shredded to pieces, his armor broke. He was in immeasurable pain.

"Arg!... Althea... stab it... quickly." Kent cried.

Without thinking much, Althea stabbed through the blue flame into its nape. The dragon let out a loud growl. It tried to wiggle Althea off, but she held on tight.

It struggled for a while. Then fell to the ground, turning to a pile of dust, leaving behind the beast orb.

"Its... It's finally... dead." Reyes sighed with relief.

"Wait, Kent!" Mack realized.

They rushed towards Kent.

"So we killed that bastard, huh?" Kent said, trying to keep a smile.

"Wait, I will heal you right away." Reyes said, panicking.

"It's fine. I will die anyway. That reptile's last move has hurt me pretty bad. My body can't go on anymore like this. It was an honor being a part of the Soul Claw." Kent said as he took his last breath.

"No... no, this cant be. He cant die" June was shocked.

"He gave his life just to create an opening for me. Why would he do that!?" Althea said with tears in her eyes.

They all sat there mourning their dear companion's death. Mack then got up, took a knife, and started carving something on the cave wall.

"Kent Walters, the best tank in the kingdom, met his end in this cave in the noblest way. He protected his companions till the end." 

The whole squad was feeling remorse. They were still unable to accept Kent's death. Reyes went through Mack's backpack to get the mana stone so he could replenish his mana and heal Althea but found a note hidden in there.

"Althea, Mack, Reyes, and June, this may be my last scout as my body has been affected by the aura of sanctuaries. If I do die in this scout, I want you to bury me in this sanctuary. Don't bring my body back. I don't want you to regret anything, all I did was my decision, and I am proud of it. I have never been good at writing, so all I wanna say is, get over me and live your lives how you want." The note read.

"So he knew this would have been his last scout." June said.

Althea then moved towards where the beast orb was and said

"All of this happened because of it. If only we hadn't entered this sanctuary, Kent could have survi- argh."

Althea was stabbed in the chest with a dagger. She turned back and saw Klaus. She also noticed the Insignia that he was wearing.

"That... That emblem! You were from a royal family?" Althea asked, coughing up blood.