Zāgh started analyzing, mind racing:
The princess moves slow, but strikes fast. First he plays, then he pounces. Like a snake.
He even looks like one. That face, those refined gestures—especially when he crosses his arms, like he’s daring me to challenge him. And when he gets excited? That look in his eyes? Means he’s entertained.
But if I bring up his name or his family background… well, then we’ve got a fight on our hands.
I can’t kill him. He’s the boss’s favorite. If he dies, I’m screwed.
But if I die? He’ll just go cry a little, pout for a bit, and get away with it.
Yeah… in the end, I’m the one who loses.
No, for now, I better play along—dance to his tune, until I can escape.
By now, someone’s probably figured out the train isn’t moving anymore.
If we head northwest, we might reach a place with working communications.
Whoever planned this hit knew there’d be no signal or radar out here. That’s why they struck.
I need to move northwest. But I can’t let him walk behind me.
If he attacks from the back, he could grab my gun and shoot my leg.
If I’m down on one knee, it’s game over.
And I can’t just threaten him with my gun—I’ve only got two bullets left.
Damn it! When was the last time I had to think this hard just to stay alive? Years?
Seriously, Karma’s kicking me right in the spine.
Alright, gotta say something. Buy myself time. Convince him somehow.
Zāgh, still calm but with a quieter voice, said:
— “I know you don’t trust me. But I did save you.
My goal’s to get us both out of here—alive. We’re teammates, after all. And well, it’s obvious that you…”
(He paused briefly, then spoke more bluntly:)
— “Let me be real. If something happens to you, I’m screwed.
It’s pretty damn clear you’re close to the boss. And honestly? I’ve caused enough chaos already.
I don’t have room for another disaster.
So please—work with me. Let’s just make it off this mountain, yeah?”
(He gave a quick smile, eyeing the “princess” carefully.)
— “Judging by your face, I’m guessing you’ve never dealt with this mountain before.
But me? I’ve been through hell up here—more than once.”
The princess crossed his arms, quietly watching Zāgh. He wasn’t smiling, but his eyes burned with excitement.
Zāgh noticed—he was starting to get through to him.
Just a little more… and I’ll have him.
— “Truth be told, before I saw that build of yours, I didn’t think much of you.
But now, standing there like that?
Yeah, I can’t let you walk behind me.
So if it’s alright with you, walk next to me.”
Zāgh waited for a reaction.
The princess slowly dropped his arms, stepped closer, and came to stand beside him.
Zāgh still felt the threat hanging in the air… but he smiled anyway.
— “Thanks.”
The “princess” only looked at him.
But that look… that look said he was waiting—waiting for something thrilling.
In his head, Zāgh thought:
Princess, God may have blessed you… but you’re standing next to someone even God can’t predict.
He gave a thoughtful smile, eyes locked on the “princess” with a look that might’ve seemed seductive to him.
But the “princess” simply turned and kept walking.
…
He was moving ahead now, putting more distance between them.
Zāgh, watching him, thought: Huh. Looks like he knows the way.
— “I said don’t walk behind me—not take the lead!”
He sped up and caught up with him, teasing:
— “Princess, you sure you know where you’re going, strutting off like that?”
The “princess” stopped and gave Zāgh that same unreadable stare.
Zāgh grinned.
— “Keep going like this, without asking a single question, and you just might get yourself lost.”
That look…
Zāgh recognized it.
It was the same expression the “princess” had right before he leapt off the train and ruined Zāgh’s whole plan.
Zāgh clocked the pattern fast and mentally updated his list of the guy’s behaviors:
“That weird smile = something devious is brewing.”
Without another word, Zāgh stepped around him and moved ahead.
And right then—he felt it.
The presence of three others…
Trailing them.
Inside Zāgh’s mind:
Three of them. I’ve got two bullets.
If I take out two, one will still be left.
He glanced at the “princess.”
Standing with arms crossed, watching him.
I hope to hell this helps—because I’m running out of options!
He readied his gun. Just then, one of the pursuers fired.
Zāgh dodged quickly, fired back—and the shooter dropped dead.
He ducked behind a rock for cover.
The second and third started shooting.
Zāgh waited until the second’s magazine ran dry.
As soon as it emptied, Zāgh took him down too.
The third, stunned and panicked, tried to fire—but Zāgh hurled his gun at him!
The weapon struck the man’s head hard, and he instantly lost consciousness.
Zāgh rushed over, grabbed the fallen man’s gun and magazines, and emptied a bullet into his head.
All the while, the “princess” stood arms crossed, just watching.
Zāgh ignored him and reloaded his gun.
But then something in the air shifted.
He sensed a fourth presence.
This one moved calmly and silently, heading straight for the “princess.”
Zāgh grabbed the barrel of his gun, ready to shoot—
Without warning, the “princess” grabbed the fourth man’s throat with one hand and lifted him up.
The man’s feet didn’t even touch the ground anymore.
In an instant, the “princess” tightened his grip, the sickening sound of bones breaking echoed, and blood poured from the man’s neck.
Without a single change in expression, the “princess” dropped the corpse to the ground.
At that moment, Zāgh instinctively reached for his own neck.
He gave a faint, twisted smile and thought:
Yeah… I really shouldn’t underestimate this one…
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