Into Conflict's Grasp

Meanwhile Specter and the others took the West, me, Defender, and the Savage family took down the Wildmen from the East.

When we split up, I could feel Defender's nervousness. If anything went wrong between us and the Savages, the outcome of the fight would be an insult to the DRT.

Because of her nervousness, I moved her up to the front with me. Our situation brought me back during the Calamity, when I helped lead my family to a DRT base.

Out of the entire thing, I wished I could've kept my daughter alive. This feels like a second chance, history is repeating itself just for me. To keep who feels like my daughter, alive.

If I die today, I want Defender to live.

Our walk was silent but understanding. This was a novel experience for all of us. We've never fought alongside Savages, and they never with us.

Honestly, it feels awkward. Knowing how I contributed in killing off an entire family of Savages.

"Ey DRT guys, I know where we're standing. If we punch through here, we'll burst through two outposts and a base. Enough fun to go around." A Savage called out.

My hand shot upwards like an arrow, signaling to stop. Then my eyes connected with Defender's eyes. There was a strange comfort inside her stare.

She looked calm, I felt calm, the Savages sounded calm.

I turned around and made my final decision. "Alright, here's what's going to happen. We'll enter through here, take out the two outposts and silence that base they've got. Sound good?"

Every Savage excitedly agreed. Their loud yells and menacing gazes startled Defender. My hand quickly landed on her shoulder.

I came closer to her ear and whispered. "Stay beside me, I have faith in your own ability to fight. But here's a life or death scenario. Also, don't let them bother you."

As the leader of the group, I was the first to walk off the path and into the dense leafs. I know I shouldn't trust these Savages too easily, but this is how we build trust.

We kept walking for what felt like an hour, but in reality was probably ten minutes. On the other side, one outpost had its back turned to us.

This outpost was eerily quiet. Wildmen would howl for the opportunity to go wild on some Downpour soldiers.

We crept closer to the outpost, weapons in hand. Step by step, the only sound I could hear was our footsteps. But I was sure there was someone inside. There must be.

After getting close enough, I along with several other Savages swarmed into the outpost. Our invasion broke down the camps they laid around. We left nothing standing.

But then, no one was there? I checked around the outpost for any indicators of where these Wildmen could be.

Out of the entire outpost, I only could find the burnt wood of the campfire. They were fresh, but not too fresh. From what I can tell, these were burning earlier today.

Then two theories popped into my mind: the Wildmen are hiding out in that base, or they are traveling towards the middle of the region where the final showdown was rumored to take place.

In order to make sure, I ordered the group. "I'll go to that base and see if there is anyone inside. If I get attacked, I'll shout for your help."

My dagger weighed my hand down even more. Not helping me sprint into the base. My helmet felt lighter and easier to toss around, my usually heavy armor now felt light.

But also my heart pumped faster and my breathing got heavier. Adrenaline pumped through my system, I knew I was strong, but taking on an entire base of unpredictable Wildmen was its own fear.

I stopped right outside the base to catch my breath before entering the base. My heart raced faster, and my dagger weighed down my arm more. I forced myself to turn the corner and check the base.

No one was in there. If there weren't any Wildmen in these parts, then where are they?

"HEY, NO ONE'S HERE. COME OVER AND I'LL EXPLAIN OUR NEXT STEP!" I yelled out to the group.

Defender led the group back to me. While on her way to me, I noticed her face. She had a relieved smile on her face. One happy to know I survived.

Even in very dangerous situations, she still looks hopeful for the future.

"Alright, I have a theory, I bet the Wildmen just left their outposts and bases and moved towards the middle of the region." My voice was still shaky.

I pointed at a path I found while waiting for the family to come over. It led right into the heart of the river. And the heart of the region itself.

We understood we had to walk for a while. Instead of complaining, we prepared for our death march. Only a handful will walk this road again.

***

Two hours. Two hours full of walking in silence. Warmonger and Edward would've driven the Downpour outsiders on their side of the region.

Just before I suggested splitting up, I noticed some figures out in front of us. 'Professional' formation, rough outfits, and unhinged patience. A group of Wildmen walked in front of us.

I shot my hand up once more and announced my orders. "Hey, this is your chance to start proving your loyalty. In other words, do your worse."

My command brought up weapons and made Savages put on their last pieces of armor. My dagger found its way back into my hand. To my left, Defender stood tall.

Her shield rested on her arm, bracing for the trauma it's about to receive. She held her spear in the same hand. Its almost mystic silver tip wasn't hungry, but it knows it would have to eat soon enough.

The entire group broke into a sprint after the Wildmen. I bet from a distance it looked like a bunch of wild animals chasing their prey.

Some Savages in the front row leaped into the air and picked an unsuspecting Wildman to land on. They noticed those footsteps behind them weren't other Wildmen too late.

Savages landed onto Wildmen like water raining on fire. Then the second row of Savages came in, and this was the one I was part of.

I slashed my dagger to the throat of a Wildman. My other hand reached down and grabbed their sword. My brain automatically spun me around and made me plant the sword between the eyes of another Wildman.

An axe was barreling towards my face, before it could reach me someone bashed the attacker away. Defender stood in front of me. She protected me while I thought of my next move.

Wasting time wasn't something I wanted to do, especially since she is risking herself. I picked my next target and rushed them like a bull. My dagger dug deep into the Wildman's chest.

I didn't want to stop on that Wildman; I kept pushing the body with me until I caught another unlucky soul.

They tried getting out from beneath their ally's body. I slowly approached them, a tainted red dagger dripping the devil's drink in hand. The fear they must've felt watching me get closer while their friends die around them.

Before I could finish the Wildman off, another Wildman crushed them. The disgusting crunch made my skin crawl.

"LOOK, THEY'RE RUNNING!" Defender excitedly announced.

Wildmen knew when to retreat from a battle.

"CHASE AFTER THEM!" I yelled back.

Savages sprinted towards them. The Wildmen ran down a hill, a very familiar-looking hill. I didn't realize where we were until I looked at what was under it.

The river, it was right there. And so were rows upon rows of Wildmen on my side, and then hundreds of Downpour on the other.

This is it, the final engagement. Once again, if they want this territory, then they must rip it away from the DRT's corpse.