How Long Till I Keep losing

The wind howled around them as Amon, Ying Yue, and the others flew through the blood-red skies. The world below was unrecognizable, a twisted landscape of death and ruin. The horizon was bathed in a crimson glow, as if the heavens themselves were bleeding. Thunder rumbled ominously, accompanied by flashes of lightning that streaked across the sky, illuminating the carnage beneath.

Amon's heart sank as his eyes drifted to the ground. The once-thriving village near the sect was now a sea of ash and destruction. Fires raged uncontrollably, consuming the remnants of homes and turning the earth black with soot. Bodies littered, the ruins of bodies of men, women, children lay there-none had been spared. Their faces were frozen in expressions of terror, and some were burnt beyond recognition.

The scent of charred flesh and decay filled the air, making Amon feel like vomiting. He tried to look away, but the devastation stretched endlessly in every direction. His breathing quickened, his chest tightening with every horrific detail that came into view.

It was then that the memories came rushing back.

He saw Elder Wei's face again-calm yet resolute-standing before the mysterious cloaked figure. Amon's jaw tightened as he remembered the elder stepping forward, his aura blazing with divine power. Despite the overwhelming strength of the enemy, Elder Wei had stood his ground, unleashing a massive spell to shield the stadium from the figure's wrath. For a brief moment, it had seemed like hope wasn't lost.

But it wasn't enough.

The shield had shattered like glass under the enemy's assault. Amon had watched, powerless, as Elder Wei was struck down in a single, devastating blow. His lifeless body crumpled to the ground, and chaos erupted.

Elder Wei's sacrifice had saved many lives that day, but not enough. Most of the people in the stadium had perished anyway-consumed by flames, crushed under collapsing debris, or torn apart by the mysterious figure's power. Amon could still hear their screams, their desperate cries for help that he couldn't answer.

"If only I were stronger…" The thought gnawed at him, relentless and cruel. His fists clenched tightly around Ying Yue's arm as they flew, his knuckles turning white. Guilt and anger churned in his chest, threatening to overwhelm him.

"Amon," Leeon called out sharply, breaking him from his thoughts. "Focus. We need to keep moving."

Amon nodded numbly, forcing himself to look ahead. But his reprieve was short-lived. Ying Yue's sharp gasp drew his attention. "Look," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Ahead of them, lying amidst the rubble, was a figure they recognized. Elder Hurky and another elder which was only wearing an underwear. Or what was left of them.

The group landed cautiously, the wind from the amulet dying down as they approached. Amon's stomach twisted as he took in the gruesome sight. Elder Hurky's body was torn apart, his lower half split in two. His intestines spilled onto the blood-soaked ground, glistening in the flickering light of the fires. His face was barely recognizable, twisted in a grimace of pain and despair.

Oh my gods…" Amon whispered, staggering back a step. The bile rose in his throat, but he forced it down, his body trembling.

Ying Yue turned away, covering her mouth with a hand. Leeon knelt beside the body, his face pale and grim. "Elder Hurky…" he muttered. "One of the strongest among us… gone. Just like that."

Zhao Wei grimaced, his fists clenched tightly. "We don't have time for this," he said harshly, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. "If they could do this to him, they'll do worse to us if we stay here. We need to keep moving."

Reluctantly, they rose back into the air. Amon cast one last look at Elder Hurky's mutilated form before they took off, his heart weighed down by grief and rage.

As they flew further, another figure came into view, lying against a large, blackened rock. It was Astel. Unlike Elder Hurky, he seemed alive, though barely. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, and his bloodied robes clung to his battered frame. His face was twisted in pain, but there was a faint flicker of recognition in his eyes.

"Astel!" Leeon shouted, his voice laced with relief.

The group descended quickly, landing near him. Amon rushed forward, his heart pounding. "Astel! Are you okay? What happened?"

Astel's eyes flickered open, locking onto Amon. For a moment, his expression softened. But then something changed. His gaze darkened, and a low, guttural growl escaped his lips.

"Astel?" Amon said cautiously, stepping closer.

Before he could react, Astel lunged forward with inhuman speed, his eyes glowing an unnatural red. His movements were wild, erratic, and filled with a terrifying malice. In his hands, he wielded a massive hammer, its surface glistening as if forged from blood itself. The weapon pulsated with dark energy, the air around it humming ominously.

"Get back!" Leeon shouted, shoving Amon aside just as the hammer came crashing down. The ground split beneath the blow, cracks spidering outward as debris flew in all directions.

"Astel, what are you doing?!" Ying Yue cried, panic in her voice.

But there was no answer-only a guttural snarl as Astel swung the hammer again. Leeon and Zhao Wei moved to intercept him, their weapons drawn. "Stay back!" Leeon barked. "He's not himself. Amon, get Ying Yue out of here!"

Amon hesitated, fear and confusion warring within him. But before he could act, Astel's hammer came down again, forcing Leeon and Zhao Wei to leap aside.

Leeon gritted his teeth, dodging another strike. "Zhao Wei, flank him! We need to end this quickly!"

Zhao Wei nodded, his body crackling with lightning as he moved in for an attack. The two of them fought with precision, their strikes coordinated and relentless. But Astel's strength was overwhelming. Every swing of his blood-forged hammer sent shockwaves through the air, forcing Leeon and Zhao Wei to stay on the defensive.

And then, it happened.

Astel roared, his movements growing even more erratic. With a mighty swing, he brought the hammer crashing down on Leeon. The impact was catastrophic. Leeon's body exploded under the force, his blood and organs spraying across the battlefield in a gruesome display. His remains scattered like broken fragments of a once-living person.

"Leeon!" Amon screamed, his voice cracking with horror.

Zhao Wei hesitated for a fraction of a second, but that was all Astel needed. Turning with terrifying speed, Astel swung the hammer again. It collided with Zhao Wei's chest, and the result was the same. Zhao Wei's body erupted in a shower of blood and viscera, painting the ground red. The hammer pulsed with a sickening glow, as if feeding off the carnage.

Amon froze, his mind unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed. His legs felt like lead, his breath caught in his throat. They were gone. Just like that.

Ying Yue grabbed his arm, her face pale and stricken. "Amon, we have to run! Now!"

Amon didn't move. His eyes remained fixed on the bloody remains of his companions, his heart pounding with a mix of terror and despair. I couldn't do anything. Again.

"Amon!" Ying Yue shouted, shaking him violently. "Move!"