Chapter 33: Shattered resolve

###Chapter 33: Shattered Resolve

They now stood, ready to fight, and began walking slowly toward the battlefield. Determination filled their steps, their breaths steady as they moved forward. But... one person stayed behind.

It was Arie.

He remained kneeling, his body frozen in place as if an unseen force had pinned him to the ground. His head hung low, his shoulders stiff and unmoving. His eyes, wide and unblinking, stared blankly ahead, a sharp contrast to the resolve burning in the others.

Lea and Agin noticed his stillness almost immediately. They stopped in their tracks, their brows furrowing in concern.

"Arie?" Lea called out, her voice soft at first, then louder. "Arie, what's wrong?"

He didn't answer.

Before either of them could act, a sudden sound pierced the air—a sharp whistle, growing louder with every passing second.

"Arrows incoming!" Icelyn's voice rang out, her warning cutting through the tension.

Panic seized them as they realized the danger. From the corner of their eyes, they saw dozens of arrows arcing through the smoky sky, their sharp tips glinting in the firelight.

"Move!" Eldren shouted, leaping to the side. The others reacted instantly, darting and dodging to avoid the deadly rain of projectiles.

But Arie didn't move.

He stayed kneeling, his body completely still, as if the chaos unfolding around him didn't exist.

"Dammit, Arie!" Agin's voice was full of frustration as he sprinted toward him. The arrows were seconds away from striking. Without hesitation, Agin lunged forward, grabbing Arie and hauling him over his shoulder. He dashed for cover, narrowly avoiding the arrows that struck the ground with a sickening thud.

They ran, weaving through the ruins, until they spotted a partially intact building—the remnants of a guild hall. Its charred walls stood defiant against the destruction surrounding it, offering just enough shelter for them to regroup.

Agin pushed through the half-collapsed doorway, setting Arie down against a soot-covered wall. He braced his hands on his knees, catching his breath before glaring at Arie.

"What's wrong with you?" Agin snapped, his tone laced with anger and disbelief.

"You could've been killed out there!"

But Arie didn't respond.

He sat there, his back pressed against the wall, his gaze unfocused and distant. His eyes were wide, yet empty, staring at nothing in particular. His hands trembled faintly, his breathing shallow and uneven.

Lea approached cautiously, kneeling beside him. She tilted her head, studying his face, searching for any sign of recognition.

"Arie...?" she whispered softly, her voice full of concern.

As her gaze locked onto his face, her breath hitched. Her eyes widened in shock.

"Arie..." she said again, her voice trembling now.

Tears.

Tears streamed silently down his face, glistening as they trailed down his cheeks. His expression remained blank, but the silent emotion betrayed him, pouring out in the form of those uncontrollable tears.

Lea froze, unable to process what she was seeing.

Agin, noticing her expression, stepped closer.

"What's wrong with him?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

Lea shook her head, unable to find the words. "He's... crying," she finally said, her tone almost disbelieving.

Agin blinked, stunned.

"Arie? Crying?" he muttered, as if the idea itself was impossible.

It was a sight neither of them could have anticipated. Arie—the one who had faced countless dangers without flinching, the one who had carried himself with quiet strength—was now trembling, tears falling freely, his eyes filled with an unfamiliar, haunting emotion.

Compared to the fiery determination blazing in Eldren's gaze, Arie's eyes were heavy with something entirely different. They were drowning in fear, hopelessness, and despair.

Lea reached out hesitantly, her hand hovering near his shoulder, unsure if her touch would help or only deepen the wound. Agin remained silent, his fists clenching as he wrestled with his confusion and frustration.

In that moment, the room fell eerily quiet, save for the faint crackle of distant flames outside and the silent sound of Arie's tears hitting the ground.

"What is going on with you, Arie?" Lea asked, her voice filled with concern.

Arie flinched at her words, his body jerking slightly as if he had been startled or snapped back into reality. But the distant look in his eyes told a different story—he hadn't fully returned.

"Oh yeah, I'm okay," Arie responded, his tone unconvincing, almost too quick to dismiss the question.

Lea narrowed her eyes, her gaze searching his face for answers. "Something tells me you're lying," she exclaimed, her voice firm but not harsh.

Arie straightened his posture, his expression shifting. "There's no use talking about trivial matters right now," he said, his tone steady, almost too composed. "We should focus more on this war... and why they want us eliminated."

The confidence in his voice caught Lea off guard, but before she could press further, Icelyn spoke up.

"He's right," Icelyn said, her sharp tone cutting through the tension.

She stepped forward, her eyes scanning the group, taking in their expressions. "Let's focus on what we know," she continued, her voice calm but commanding. "That's the only way we're going to figure this out."

"We know that the neighboring nations joined forces and attacked us," Lea began, her tone resolute. "And the reason they gave is because we're weak."

"Yeah," Agin replied, crossing his arms, his voice laced with skepticism. "I find that very hard to believe."

"If they think we're weak, then why did they join forces?" Eldren interjected, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Did they lie about their reason? But why would they?" Arie questioned, his voice thoughtful, though tinged with frustration.

The group fell silent, their thoughts swirling as they tried to piece together the situation.

After a long pause, a quiet voice broke the silence.

"Umm, if I may..." Liana said hesitantly, her hand fidgeting with the edge of her cloak. "Maybe someone spread misinformation about us? Made them think we did something wrong?"

Her suggestion lingered in the air, causing everyone to exchange uneasy glances.

"If that's the case," Icelyn said, narrowing her eyes, "then what are their true goals?"

"NO WAY!" Eldren suddenly exclaimed, his voice loud and filled with alarm.