Chapter 14 - Aftermath

The only sound that remained around me was the crackling of the dying fires. The intense orange hue from them, illuminating the campsite, seemed washed out, and I had to blink my eyes multiple times, adjusting to the feeling to the best of my abilities. When I asked, Cravik simply patted my back, saying it was the aftereffect of the potion and that I would be back to normal after a good rest. Which... I really looked forward to it now that the battle was over and all of the beast-folk were dead.

It was still a bit discomforting, standing amidst the carnage that I took part in, my breathing feeling heavy now that the effect of the potion left my veins. But at least I knew I still felt something, and it didn't override my brain with the ecstasy it gave me. I could tell that the ground beneath my feet was slick with blood, and I could register with my eyes that the once crude camp was now nothing more than a ruin of bodies, torn tents, and scattered supplies.

"Ugh..." I flinched, shaking my body.

The stench of death was thick, clinging to everything, and I wasn't used to it. The only time I saw something like this was in a video game, not in real life. It filled my nostrils, smelling bitter and metallic, and I fought the urge to gag. I raised my arms and watched as my hands trembled; either the adrenaline was still coursing through me, or it was something else. Get a grip, Auriel. I have to get used to it fast... So, pushing my fears down, I stared at the blade I used for the killing blow, its edge darkened with the blood of the tiger folk, and I wondered how long it would take to get somewhat desensitized of this feeling.

"Alright, boys," Cravik yelled, drawing my attention, stretching his neck with a loud crack, "loot everything! Don't just stand there!" He smiled at me, "We will take it all, not just our goods they stole—everything. If it looks valuable, it's ours now."

"Finally!" Dren dropped the axe he was gripping, sinking it into one of the fallen beast-folk's furred shoulders, nodding. "Damn right, Boss! They stole from us first. Now we take double. The usual rules?"

"The usual." He nodded and continued after seeing my expression, "You can take something for yourself, Auriel. It is how the gang pays for your services. No questions asked!"

"Oh..." I blinked my eyes in surprise.

Jared was already moving, his fingers quicker than when he fought as he rifled through the bodies, stripping them of weapons, coin pouches, and anything else that looked useful, sometimes slipping something into his pockets. I watched as the others moved through the camp, gathering whatever they could carry before finally joining them. Soon, the locked chests were broken open; their crates pried apart to have a look at what was in them. One... Well, one had a chopped-up human body. I somehow didn't want to see that, yet it happened...

"Wait..." I flinched before Cravik could reseal it.

"What?" He asked.

"I think... I knew the guy." I muttered, but I wasn't sure.

"Really?" He hummed, looking at me.

"Maybe." I looked away in the end, trying to search my thoughts. Then it clicked. It was in my younger variant's memories that he was with the guy in the caravan who sold us out. It was his partner or something... I think.

"Auriel?" Cravik asked, his voice concerned, squeezing my shoulder.

"Sorry."

"No need." He smiled, bringing me away from the barrel. "I know this can be much. You are still a young man and green behind the ears! Or white, Young Flour Boy!"

"Ha. Ha." I chuckled, genuinely appreciating the way he was trying to ease the mood.

"Come, let's find something good for you that you can sell to us!"

"Wait, what?" I stumbled, making him laugh.

"Duh. Most stuff we pocket, we sell to the gang anyway. We give ourselves a good price~!"

Well, damn. That is insider trading if I have ever seen one. Anyway... It did help divert my thoughts.

Only a few minutes later, we did find the stolen shipment of potions near the largest tent, stacked haphazardly as if the beasts didn't even understand their worth. The sight of the potions made my stomach churn. I could once again feel the unnatural surge of strength they had given him during the fight, the way my body had moved faster and hit harder as if it belonged to a literal god—someone much better, someone who didn't hesitate. Fuck... I had to keep myself in check; the last thing I wanted to get addicted to it.

"Here they are," Jared called out, lifting a wooden crate on the top of the stack. "Looks like most of the haul is still intact."

"Finally, some good news," Cravik nodded. "But don't stop there. Check it all."

I quickly moved to help, my hands grabbing another, going through it, counting the number of flasks, noting that we had it all. Then, I found myself a bag and began stuffing it with anything of value—daggers, small trinkets, even a few old scrolls and parchment that were left scattered inside the main tent. Documents. I wasn't sure if they were important; maybe it wasn't even the beast folks who wrote them at all. But anything written down might hold some kind of lead that I was too inexperienced to realize yet. But not the others. Maybe it's something Cravik or the unknown Big Boss would care about.

A few minutes later, the camp was stripped bare of anything useful we could find. What we couldn't carry away was thrown into the fire and burned. The remaining tents, splintered carts, and even the wooden palisades were also set alight, turning the encampment into a funeral pyre for the fallen beast-folk. And to mask our presence. I watched as the black smoke curled into the night sky, blotting out the stars above us. It was going wildly as we turned away from the destruction, heading back towards the city. Behind us, the flames roared like that tiger, its heat pressing against my back as I walked farther and farther away. I didn't look back. I couldn't. It was done; that was what mattered.

No survivors. No evidence. No loose ends.

...

....

...

The walk back to the city was long, but it felt shorter than before. Maybe it was because we had succeeded, or maybe it was the numb exhaustion settling into my bones, driving me forward on autopilot. The night air was cool, a welcomed contrast to the heat of the burning camp. It carried with it the faint scent of pine and damp earth that helped wash out the smell of blood from my nostrils. The forest around us was eerily quiet, making me think that I was still smelling of that stench, and I just got too used to it. On the other hand, animals would know and avoid us by instinct alone.

No one amongst us spoke for the first stretch of the journey. There was nothing to say. The only thing I heard was coming from the loot we were all holding, stuffed into a sack over our shoulders, jingling as if we were some kind of bloody Santa Claus imitators. Well, it also gave me a new pouch, as I took one for myself. I wasn't sure of the value of the items we gathered, so I went with what I knew: Money. Instead of gambling on grabbing something that was worth a lot, I collected a handful of coins that were shining in a golden color. I only caught Cravik smiling once, seemingly approving that I took that instead of something else, probably a pitfall that many fledglings fall into. 

It also made me think. I had killed, actually killed, another being and then took its possessions. Maybe the worst of it was that it felt… normal. And that thought unsettled me more than anything. Of course, my brain was in overdrive, telling me it was unavoidable, the right thing to do, and honestly? I believed it. I was just afraid that later on, there would be a situation where it repeats itself.... The only difference would be that they would be humans. Simple people who stole from the wrong gang... What would I do then?

"Hey," Cravik broke the silence as I was lost in my thoughts. "You did well today, Auriel."

I didn't respond immediately. My mind was still catching up to everything—making me flinch when I heard his voice, finally making me answer out loud.

"Yeah," I muttered after a pause, not sure what else to say. "Thanks. It was... My first actual fight."

"If that's indeed true, my boy... You have natural talent." He smirked, sensing something. "You'll get used to it."

Will I? Maybe I already am. I didn't answer; I just smiled and nodded at him.

After that, we were back into silent walking as we trudged on, and by the time we reached the city outskirts, dawn was beginning to creep over the horizon. The city gates were still manned, no matter the hour, but just like before, a well-placed pouch of gold ensured no questions were asked about where we were and what we were bringing in. The guards barely glanced at us as we slipped back inside the city, walking the crooked streets toward our headquarters. The city was in the middle of waking, the first rays of sunlight painting the cobblestones in hues of gold and amber, reflected in the puddles here and there. I watched as shopkeepers opened their doors, and the smell of fresh bread wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble. I just realized... I was starving.

Once at the Crow's Nest, we offloaded everything, taking inventory. First, there were the potions, then weapons, then the stolen riches, and finally, the documents I had found. The Boss wasn't there yet, so I didn't meet him once again. Not that I expected to. After I handed over the bag with the documents without a word, my mind was too tired to care what they might contain, already forgetting that I also saw a familiar face at the bottom of a barrel. Instead, I felt drained, like a vessel emptied of everything, leaving me with hunger and exhaustion.

"Come on, guys!" Jared stretched his arms. "Drinks? Wenches? We earned it."

"Maybe tomorrow," Cravik yawned. "Get some rest first. You lot look like you're about to fall over." He chuckled, elbowing me, "It is the potion. It was an actual battle-grade one."

"I see... I'll head home... Sorry, Jared," I muttered, and he didn't argue, also slapping my back. My body felt heavy, my muscles aching.

Honestly, I don't even know how I got back home in the end. My vision was blurry, and I saw double sometimes when I tried to focus. I thought I would stop by the bakery, asking Lira to give me something fresh, but nah. My exhaustion won over my stomach. I wanted only one thing: my room. That's all I desired—just a bed. Just to sleep.

By the time I reached my door, my limbs felt like lead. It was a chore stepping up the steps, dragging my body inside. The moment I wobbled inside, shutting the door behind me, my body recognized I was in a safe place. It didn't even wait; it just pressed the 'off button' in my head, and everything went blank. I collapsed onto my bed, face first, boots still on, sword still strapped to my waist.

Sleep took me before I could even think.

And I didn't even dream. Which was only weird the next time I woke up because I expected some nightmares... but nothing. I slept like a baby. Although... I did wake up to someone shaking my body. That? That gave me a startle...