Dozen Ghouls

Agatha's hands trembled with exhaustion as she struggled to keep moving.

"What the hell? Hurry up! Why are you resting?" A female Metamorph pushed Agatha towards a new room filled with sick and dying patients. Her feet felt heavy with fatigue. 

Agatha had been treating patients since early in the night, earning a mere three silvers per patient. She knew it was a meager sum, barely enough for a banana, but it was the only job available to her.

This was the harsh reality facing Agatha. If she didn't accept these low-paying jobs, she and Aiden would go hungry and suffer.

Agatha needed to save enough Galleons by morning to buy food for their journey. She longed to save up for a Teleportation Spell from the Witches, which would expedite their departure. However, the cost of such services was exorbitant, requiring months of work just to afford one. 

With no time to spare, they had no choice but to travel on foot, unable to afford even a carriage. They needed to escape before the Ravager or the Faes found them, and Agatha couldn't afford to make any mistakes this time.

"Pick up the pace! You are moving too slow. Don't forget we're paying you!"

Agatha resisted the urge to lash out at the woman who pushed her with the face of a grasshopper. The sun was rising, and she needed to complete her work quickly so she could return to Aiden, hidden in the forest.

Aiden was undoubtedly frightened that she had left him alone, but they had no other option. Bringing him along was too risky. She couldn't afford for him to fall ill during this critical time.

The patients flooding in weren't just wounded from battle but also suffering from various illnesses and diseases. Even if Aiden could have accompanied her, the rules wouldn't have allowed it for children or non-working individuals.

The infirmary echoed with screams and cries as new patients arrived with grave wounds. Agatha couldn't fathom why there were so many injured soldiers today, but she couldn't dwell on it.

She focused on her tasks, knowing she wasn't alone. There were five other Healers, and although the influx of patients was overwhelming, their systems were designed to handle such crises.

The scene was chaotic, filled with noise, blood, and constant movement as patients were brought in and taken out. Agatha felt a wave of dizziness from the commotion but pushed herself to continue. There was no time to rest. She had to keep going until every patient was attended to.

Agatha's heart sank as she glanced at the boy crying loudly. Her eyes widened when she realized he couldn't be more than twelve years old.

Without hesitation, Agatha rushed to his side, her feet rooted in shock when she saw his feet were covered in arrows.

After regaining her composure, Agatha fetched water and knelt beside the boy. She gently removed the arrows, causing him to scream in pain and thrash about until he finally succumbed to the agony, squirming at the last arrow.

Blood stained his feet and the surrounding area, reaching even his mattress. Agatha swiftly healed his wounds using her powers, not caring if anyone questioned her identity as a Water Fae.

Despite being a powerful Metamorph, the boy was just a child. Agatha couldn't comprehend why he had been thrust into battle and subjected to such suffering.

As minutes passed, the boy fell silent. Agatha realized he had likely passed out not just from the water but from the overwhelming pain and exhaustion. It broke her heart to see someone so young endure such agony. What had become of this world?

Agatha let out a long sigh, taking a brief moment of rest before she resumed treating the other patients. She couldn't quantify how much energy she had expended, only that her body felt like it could collapse at any moment. She couldn't afford to expend any more energy.

Time seemed to blur as Agatha worked tirelessly, but she noticed the sun was already high in the sky when they finished. They were given bread and water, and Agatha received ninety silvers for her efforts. Despite her exhaustion, a smile lingered on her face as she walked away.

With that sum, she could buy a sack of fruits and a gallon of water, enough to sustain them on their journey. Agatha wasted no time and immediately purchased food, saving the rest of the coins for their travels. She hurried through the forest, knowing Aiden must be hungry by now.

Though her body was still exhausted, having eaten and drunk some water had given her a bit of strength to keep going. As she reached the middle of the forest, nearing the colossal tree where Aiden was hidden, she noticed something was amiss. The forest was unusually noisy, but not with the usual sounds of animals and plants. This was a different kind of noise altogether.

Agatha's heart raced as she followed the loud noises, her instincts telling her that something was terribly wrong. She froze as a Ghoul emerged from above the trees and attacked her, filling her previously exhausted body with dread and fear. With adrenaline fueling her, she ran as fast as she could, scanning the surroundings for the tree where she had left Aiden. If the Ghouls were there, it meant the Ravager might be there too.

Various scenarios played out in Agatha's mind, all leading to the possibility of Aiden being injured. She forced herself to push away the negative thoughts and focus on the task at hand. She had to be strong, they had to escape, they had to survive.

Despite stumbling a few times, Agatha kept running, not daring to look back to see if the Ghouls were still pursuing her. She was driven by pure instinct to reach Aiden as quickly as possible.

Finally reaching the tree, Agatha's breath caught in her throat as she saw Aiden outside with a man fighting the Ravager. Trembling, Agatha took in the sight of the Ravager's weakened appearance, yet his eyes still held the same anger and ruthlessness.

The Ravager's red eyes blazed with fury as he locked onto Aiden. Agatha felt a surge of fear grip her chest, a fear she had suppressed for years now threatening to overwhelm her. Her breath caught in her throat as the Ravager's menacing smile sent shivers down her spine. However, before he could reach Aiden, a new figure intervened.

Standing behind Agatha, the newcomer's face was initially hidden, but when he turned towards her, she recognized Liam's angry and vengeful expression. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by fierce determination as he unleashed a barrage of sharp icy daggers at the Ravager before leaping forward with a dagger in hand. The Ravager dodged the attacks, causing Liam to step back briefly, creating a temporary distance between the Ravager and Aiden, who was hiding behind a nearby tree.

Agatha quickly closed the distance between herself and Aiden, enveloping him in a tight hug. She could feel his fear, but he remained remarkably calm considering the danger they were in.

After ensuring that Aiden was unharmed, Agatha took his arm firmly and they began to run as fast as they could, desperate to escape the forest. However, their path was soon blocked by the imposing figure of the Ravager, halting their escape.

"Agatha…" The Ravager's voice dripped with malice as he sneered at her.

Agatha felt a surge of nausea rise in her throat at the intensity of the Ravager's stare. Anger burned fiercely within her, fueled by memories of the suffering he had caused. He had stolen Aiden's youth, and the desire to see him pay for his crimes consumed her thoughts. She longed to tear him apart, to make him suffer as he had made others suffer.

But beneath her anger, Agatha was keenly aware of the Ravager's power. She had witnessed him snuffing out lives without a hint of remorse, and that knowledge filled her with both fear and hatred.

Clutching the dagger hidden beneath her dress, Agatha scanned her surroundings for any possible escape route. Her grip on Aiden tightened as she moved to shield him from the Ravager's gaze.

"You have no right to hide my son from me, woman," the Ravager's hoarse voice echoed, sending chills down Agatha's spine.

"He's not your son!" Agatha's voice trembled with defiance as she spoke, her eyes locked with the Ravager's.

The Ravager's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Are you questioning his bloodline?" His voice thundered with authority, causing the very air to tremble. "Who are you to deny it?" With a sudden burst of movement, he advanced towards them.

Agatha barely had time to react as the Ravager's strike sent her crashing into a nearby tree, leaving her stunned and breathless.

Agatha gritted her teeth against the pain as she rose to her feet, her vision blurring with adrenaline and determination. Panic surged through her as she spotted Aiden being choked by the Ravager, his small hands desperately trying to break free from the grip around his neck. She could see his little feet thrashing wildly in the air.

Without hesitation, Agatha charged forward, driving the dagger deep into the Ravager's slimy back with all her strength. The sharp tip buried itself into his left shoulder, and with a final surge of energy, she dragged the blade down his entire back, leaving a gaping wound in his wake. The Ravager's roar echoed through the forest as Agatha's blade tore through flesh and sinew.

But her triumph was short-lived as the Ravager swiftly turned, delivering a brutal slap that sent Agatha crashing to the damp ground. Pain exploded through her body, but she refused to stay down, struggling to stand once more.

Aiden, his neck red from the chokehold, rushed towards Agatha's weakening form. Despite his own injuries, he tried to reach her, his eyes filled with concern and fear.

As the Ravager closed in on them, Liam swooped down from the sky, grabbing the Ravager's arm and diverting his attention. With a thunderous impact, Liam's fist connected with the Ravager's face, sending shockwaves through the air and rattling the very ground beneath them.

Covered in blood, Liam retrieved his sword and struck the Ravager's bare torso, inflicting a wound that further weakened their monstrous foe.

The Ravager momentarily lost his balance, but his massive frame allowed him to swiftly regain his footing. His thunderous roar echoed through the forest, causing the creatures within to scatter in fear. Birds took flight, animals darted away, all sensing the danger presented by the Ravager.

Before their eyes, the Ravager underwent a monstrous transformation. His once-human form expanded threefold, his skin taking on an ashen hue, nails elongating into deadly claws, veins pulsating prominently, and his horn extending meters in length. His eyes glowed with a dark intensity, signaling his shift into a Demonic State.

Even from a distance, Agatha could sense the overwhelming power emanating from the transformed Ravager. Though not at his full strength, he remained a formidable force capable of inflicting deadly harm. Agatha clutched Aiden tightly, her heart racing as they fled for their lives. Running felt futile, but they had to try. Surrender was not an option. They had to survive.

Suddenly, a dozen Ghouls materialized before them, seizing Agatha's hand that held onto Aiden. Their grotesque forms scratched and clawed at Agatha, causing excruciating pain that forced her to release Aiden in a desperate attempt to free herself. The Ghouls swiftly snatched Aiden away, dragging him towards them despite his struggles.

"Aggie!" Aiden's voice called out, filled with fear and desperation as he fought against the grasp of the monstrous hands.