Ashren’s feet pounded across the burning street as he rushed toward the children.
The flames roared.
The Night Hunters closed in.

His uncle stood between them and the trapped children, eyes sharp with determination.

The first Hunter moved.

With a fierce shout, his uncle ducked under the weapon and drove his shoulder into the Hunter’s chest, slamming him into the wall with brutal force.

The Hunter fell—motionless.

The second Hunter lunged immediately, weapon raised.

His uncle spun, striking with his spear.
A clang of metal.
A sharp grunt.
And then—

He drove the spear through the Hunter’s armor.

The second one collapsed on the ground, defeated.

Ashren stared in awe.
His uncle had taken down both Hunters… alone.

But there was no time to celebrate.

A soft mechanical whir sounded from far down the street.

Ashren turned—

A third Hunter stood at a distance, almost hidden in the smoke.
No footsteps.
No warning.
Just cold precision.

Its weapon already aimed.

“ASHREN!”

The uncle saw it first.

The shot fired—

SHHK!

—and he threw himself in front of Ashren and the children.

The blast hit him directly in the chest.

“UNCLE!”

Ashren’s scream tore through the air as his uncle fell to the ground, smoke rising from the burn in his armor.

The distant Hunter aimed again, preparing a second shot.

Ashren’s uncle, gasping, reached for the weapon dropped by the fallen Hunter he defeated.

His fingers trembled… but he lifted it.

And fired.

His shot struck true.

The third Hunter jerked back and collapsed.

Silence.

Only the crackling of flames filled the street.

Ashren dropped beside his uncle.

“No—no, Uncle, please—stay with me!”

His uncle coughed, blood staining his lips.

“Ashren… you protected the children… I’m proud of you.”

Ashren shook with sobs.
“I won’t leave you. I won’t!”

His uncle placed a weak hand on Ashren’s cheek.

“You must… go to the shelter. Take them… live.”

“No—please—”

“Ashren…” his uncle whispered, voice fading,
“…be a better man…”

His hand slipped away.

His eyes closed.

Ashren cried, tears falling onto his uncle’s armor as the world burned around them.

But shouts echoed in the distance—more Hunters coming.

He wiped his tears and lifted the two shaking children.

“I’ll come back for you,” he whispered to his uncle.

Then he ran.
Through the fire.
Through the smoke.
Toward the shelter—
toward survival.

To be continued…

❤️ If you’re enjoying it, please Like & Subscribe — it helps a lot!