Desperation

The apprentice spat blood, his voice strained but filled with fury. "I will not be killed by you."

Mortis smiled coldly. "We shall see."

He raised his hand, ready to cast the final spell, but the apprentice made a desperate move. With a surge of willpower, the apprentice chanted a powerful incantation. The air around them crackled with energy, and Mortis's senses screamed of danger.

The apprentice's lips curled into a diabolical grin, and he began to laugh maniacally. "We shall go to hell together," he rasped, his eyes gleaming with madness. Mortis's instincts screamed at him to act.

"Retreat!" Mortis shouted, but he had only a fraction of a second.

The apprentice's body glowed with an intense light as he drew upon every last ounce of his mana. Mortis could see the runes forming around the apprentice, a sign of an impending explosion of devastating magnitude. Mortis turned and dashed towards the edge of the clearing, pushing his body to its limits.

Behind him, the apprentice's laughter grew louder and more frenzied. Then, with a final, blood-curdling scream, the apprentice's body detonated in a cataclysmic explosion. The shockwave ripped through the forest, trees were uprooted, and the ground was scorched.

Mortis was thrown to the ground, his back searing with pain as he felt the edges of the explosion's heat. He shielded himself with an Umbral Shield, but the force of the blast shattered it. He hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of him, and his vision blurred.

When Mortis regained his senses, the scene around him was one of utter devastation. The trees were blackened and charred, and a thick cloud of smoke hung in the air. He struggled to his feet, every movement sending waves of pain through his body. His cloak was in tatters, and blood dripped from numerous cuts and burns.

"Rael! Lira! Thalor! Aric!" Mortis called out, his voice hoarse.

There was no response from Rael or Aric. Mortis's heart sank as he saw their lifeless bodies among the debris, their eyes staring blankly at the sky. Thalor, however, emerged from behind a partially collapsed tree, his face pale but alive. Lira crawled out from a nearby thicket, coughing and covered in dirt but breathing.

"I'm here," Thalor said, his voice shaky. He looked around, his eyes widening in horror as he took in the destruction. "Rael... Aric..."

Mortis clenched his fists, his mind racing. The apprentice had sacrificed himself. Mortis had underestimated the apprentice's resolve, but he had luckily survived. 

"We need to find shelter," Mortis said, his voice cold and determined. "We need to tend to our wounds and return to the academy to report."

Thalor nodded, his face set in grim determination. "What do we do now?"

Mortis looked around the clearing, his mind already calculating their next move. "We need to find a safe place to recover," he said. "And then return academy to report the result of the mission."

Thalor and Lira helped Mortis to his feet, and together they began to make their way through the wreckage. The forest was eerily silent, the only sounds their labored breathing and the crackle of smoldering wood. Mortis knew that they had to be careful; the apprentice's explosion might have attracted unwanted attention.

As they moved, Mortis's mind raced with thoughts of survival and recovery. He would regroup, heal, and then return to the academy to report the outcome of their mission.

Mortis, Thalor and Lira moved cautiously through the forest, their senses alert for any signs of danger. The forest had become a graveyard, the once vibrant trees now blackened skeletons. Mortis's body ached with every step, but he pushed through the pain. He could not afford to show weakness.

After what felt like an eternity, they found a small cave hidden among the rocks. It was dark and damp, but it would provide them with some shelter. Mortis quickly scanned the surrounding mana for any mana disturbances, ensuring they were safe.

Inside the cave, Mortis collapsed onto the ground, his strength finally giving out. Thalor and Lira set about tending to their wounds, using her potions. The pain was intense, but Mortis gritted his teeth and endured it. He could not afford to be weak.

"We need to recover quickly," Mortis said, his voice strained. "We can't afford to stay here for long."

Thalor and Lira nodded, his hands moving deftly as he bandaged Mortis's wounds. 

Mortis closed his eyes, his mind slightly relaxing for a while. The apprentice's self-destruction had been unexpected, but thankfully it didn't kill him. He would tend to his wounds and then return to the academy as fast as he could.

Inside the cave, the atmosphere was thick with the stench of burnt flesh and the metallic tang of blood. Mortis's mind was a storm of thoughts, each one calculated and precise. 

"Thalor, I need you to scout the area," Mortis said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We can't stay here any longer. Lira, help me gather whatever supplies we have left."

Thalor nodded and slipped out of the cave, his movements silent and deliberate. Lira, though clearly shaken, moved to assist Mortis. Together, they took stock of their remaining potions. Each potion was critical, and Mortis's meticulous nature ensured that nothing was overlooked.

As Mortis worked, his mind drifted back to the explosion. The apprentice's final act of defiance had been both impressive and foolish. The sheer power of the self-detonation had been enough to devastate the area, but it had cost the apprentice his life. Mortis could respect the dedication, but he could not condone the wastefulness. In his mind, there was no greater assurance than one's own survival and continued existence.

Lira glanced at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and determination. "What do we do now, Mortis?"

Mortis's gaze hardened. "We'll return to the academy to report, Lira."

Thalor returned, his face grim. "The area is clear for now, but we should move quickly. There's no telling how long it will remain that way."

Mortis nodded, his mind already formulating their next steps. "We're heading back to the academy," he declared. "There's no time to waste. We need to report the completion of our mission and finish our recovery. The losses we've endured today are severe, and we must ensure that our mission is concluded properly."

Thalor and Lira exchanged uneasy glances but did not question Mortis's decision. The urgency in his voice was clear, and they both knew better than to argue. Despite their injuries, they began to gather their remaining supplies and prepare to leave the cave.

Mortis took a final look around, ensuring that they had not overlooked anything crucial. The cave offered little comfort, but it had served its purpose as a temporary refuge. Now, it was time to return to the academy and deal with the aftermath of the mission.

As they made their way back through the forest, the once vibrant and majestic trees now appeared as skeletal remains, scorched and blackened from the recent explosion. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burnt wood and smoke, mingling with the stench of blood. Each step was painful, and Mortis could feel the strain on his body. His injuries were severe, but he had to push through.

The journey back to the academy was slow and arduous. Thalor and Lira struggled alongside Mortis, their own injuries making the return difficult. The forest seemed endless, its oppressive gloom a constant reminder of the day's harrowing events. 

Eventually, the academy's imposing silhouette emerged through the trees, a beacon of safety and authority. The sight was a relief, though the grim task of reporting the mission's outcome awaited them. Mortis led the way, his steps heavy but resolute.

Mortis Nacht led his team through the dense foliage and towards the academy gates. The imposing archway loomed before them, its intricate protective runes faintly glowing with a magical energy that seemed to push back the encroaching darkness of the forest. The massive iron gates, partially open, were flanked by two stern-faced sentinels. Their hawk-like eyes scanned every approaching figure with unwavering vigilance, reflecting the academy's commitment to safety and order.

As Mortis and his team drew nearer, the sentinels' gaze sharpened, taking in their battered and bloodied state. The sight of Mortis's disheveled appearance and the faint scars marking his skin prompted the guards to scrutinize them closely. After a tense moment, they exchanged nods of understanding and stepped aside, allowing the weary travelers to pass through the gates.

Entering the academy's grounds, Mortis felt a rare sense of relief. The familiar surroundings offered a stark contrast to the harrowing events they had just endured. The academy's tranquil ambiance, with its well-maintained paths and verdant gardens, was a welcome sight. Mortis's eyes, however, remained sharp and focused as he led his team through the academy, towards the quarters of Daniel Asomdes.

Upon reaching Daniel Asomdes's quarters, Mortis did not bother to knock. He pushed open the heavy wooden door, revealing a spacious room. Daniel Asomdes, a man of imposing presence and authority, sat behind a large oak desk cluttered with papers. His sharp eyes assessed Mortis and his team with immediate concern.

"Report," Daniel commanded, his voice steady and authoritative.

Mortis stepped forward, his expression as cold and impassive as ever. "We have completed the mission. The apprentice who was our target is dead. However, our victory came at a high cost."

Daniel's gaze narrowed slightly. "What happened?"

Mortis took a deep breath, his mind replaying the events with clinical detachment. "The apprentice was cornered and made a final, desperate act. He triggered a powerful self-destruction, which severely injured us. Aric and Rael did not survive the explosion. We managed to survive and bring the threat to an end, but their sacrifices must be noted."

The room fell silent as Daniel absorbed the grim news. His eyes were filled with a mixture of concern and grim understanding. "Their loss is a heavy blow to our cause. But, we need to continue."

Mortis nodded, acknowledging their sentiment but remaining focused on the task at hand. "We need immediate medical attention for our injuries. The explosion left us in critical condition, and we require better healing potions to recover fully."

Daniel's expression shifted to one of understanding. "Go and buy the necessary potions at the Trading Post. I'll compensate you with contribution points for these expenses. You and your team are dismissed for now. Rest and recover."

Mortis nodded in acknowledgment and, with a final glance at Daniel, turned on his heel. Thalor and Lira followed closely behind, their faces reflecting the fatigue and pain of their injuries. They made their way to the academy's trading post, a bustling hub where students and faculty could sell and buy necessary supplies and equipment.