Fleeing the Battlefield

Selene wiped the blood from her lips, her violet eyes flickering with exhaustion. The overwhelming use of her power left her limbs trembling, but she couldn't afford to stop now. Not when her children still needed her.

The battlefield was eerily silent, save for the faint crackle of residual lightning fading from charred corpses. Smoke and the scent of burnt flesh lingered in the air, heavy and suffocating. The devastation was absolute—every beast and undead had been reduced to nothing but smoldering remains.

Yet despite their victory, danger still lurked.

Valeria exhaled sharply, forcing herself to stay upright. Her entire body ached from forcing mana through her cursed limbs, but the pain was a small price to pay compared to what had almost happened.

Her eyes fell upon her unconscious brother, still cradled in their mother's arms. His normally pale skin was deathly white, his breath shallow. The dried blood around his mouth and nose made her stomach churn with unease.

She clenched her fists, forcing down the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume her. Damn it, Lucien…

She took a shaky step forward, gripping her sword tightly for balance. "We need to leave," she said firmly, her voice hoarse but resolute. "This much destruction will attract something worse."

Selene nodded, her fingers brushing through Lucien's messy hair, as if reassuring herself that he was still here, still breathing. "I know."

Eris, who had been silent, finally spoke. "But… where do we go?"

She looked up, her golden eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She had never felt so small, so helpless. The fear of losing Lucien still clung to her, an unrelenting terror pressing down on her chest.

Valeria took a moment to think. They needed shelter—somewhere defensible. Their previous home had already been compromised, and staying in the open was suicidal. The creatures in this apocalypse were mindless, but those with intelligence would be drawn to the battle site soon.

Her fingers tightened around her blade. "We'll head west," she decided. "There should be abandoned shelters along the old district. We can use one to rest and figure out our next move."

Selene adjusted Lucien in her arms, her expression unreadable. "You can't move properly, Valeria."

"I'll manage."

"Val—"

"I said I'll manage."

Selene stared at her for a long moment before sighing. "Then let's not waste time."

The streets were eerily empty.

After what had just occurred, even the mindless creatures avoided the area, driven by instinct to flee from something far stronger than them. But Valeria knew better than to let her guard down.

Her breathing was steady, but each step was a battle. Her body protested with every movement, but she forced herself forward. Selene walked beside her, carrying Lucien, while Eris clung close, her small frame trembling.

Lucien's weight barely affected Selene, but her strength was waning. The lightning technique had drained her more than she let on. She was holding herself together for them—but Valeria saw the signs.

They needed to find shelter—soon.

"Val," Eris whispered, her golden eyes darting nervously around the ruins. "It's too quiet…"

"I know," Valeria muttered back, scanning their surroundings. The silence was unnatural. It wasn't peace—it was the kind of hush that came before something worse.

Her grip on her sword tightened. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt like they were being watched.

Selene shifted Lucien slightly in her arms, glancing at her daughter. "How much further?"

Valeria swallowed her discomfort. "Not long. If we're lucky, we can barricade one of the old apartments for the night."

Eris nodded, though she still looked uneasy. The streets were lined with abandoned vehicles and shattered buildings, remnants of a world that once was.

Then—

A sound.

A distant snarl.

Eris flinched, stepping closer to Valeria. "Something's coming."

Valeria cursed under her breath. "We need to move—now."

The moment they quickened their pace, the noise intensified.

The first shadow emerged from the alley—a grotesque beast with jagged, exposed bones and twisted flesh. Its eyes burned with unnatural hunger as it snarled. Then, another appeared. And another.

They had been waiting.

Selene tensed. "They're hunting us."

Valeria didn't hesitate. Despite her injuries, she pushed forward, raising her sword. "Then we kill them fast and keep moving!"

The first beast lunged.

Valeria twisted her body, barely avoiding its gaping jaws before slicing upward. Her mana-enhanced strike cleaved through its skull, black blood splattering the pavement.

Another charged.

Selene's violet lightning flickered to life, striking the creature mid-leap. Its body convulsed violently before collapsing.

Eris let out a sharp breath, clutching her dagger. She wasn't a fighter, but she refused to be useless. She stayed close, watching for any openings to help.

The ground rumbled.

A larger figure loomed ahead—a mutated zombie, its body reinforced with hardened flesh and twisted muscle. Unlike the mindless ones, this one was intelligent.

Selene adjusted Lucien in her grip, exhaustion clear in her posture. "Valeria, can you—"

"I got it."

Valeria forced mana through her body.

It burned. The curse protested violently, sending sharp pain through her nerves. But she moved.

The zombie lunged.

Valeria sidestepped, but her movements were sluggish. The curse was slowing her down.

The monster's claws grazed her side, drawing blood.

"Val!"

Ignoring the pain, she gritted her teeth and swung with all her might. Her blade found its mark.

The zombie's head rolled.

Silence.

Then, a thud as the body collapsed.

Valeria staggered, barely catching herself.

Eris rushed to her side. "You're hurt!"

"I'm fine," Valeria panted, forcing herself upright. She turned to Selene. "We need to go."

Selene didn't argue. They had wasted too much time.

They ran.

By the time they reached an abandoned building, Valeria was barely standing.

The shelter wasn't perfect—windows were shattered, the air was stale—but it was secure. For now.

Selene set Lucien down gently, brushing his damp hair from his face. Her fingers trembled, her emotions barely contained.

Valeria leaned against the wall, closing her eyes for a moment. "He needs to wake up soon."

Selene exhaled shakily. "He will."

Eris sat beside Lucien, holding his hand. "He has to…"

Valeria stared at her unconscious brother. The memory of his terrifying power flashed in her mind.

She whispered, "Lucien… what the hell did you do?"