Act of defiance

He's draining her life force and when that's done her mana core is next, and well that's the end…she'll die. 

The woman tries to fight back her nails embedding themselves into its flesh as she tries to get it to stop, to let go of her, but it wouldn't, its firm grip and statue-like pose are unmoving, not even her screams of terror or the sounds of her neck bones cracking could make it stop. 

In its eyes she is weak. 

And the weak don't survive in a world like this. 

What should I do Cinder? If I move now, I might be able to do something to help her, and if I do, I might be the one dying. My body is weak, I have a weak ability with no way of using it, and I'm not even a monster yet, just a human. 

"You have to leave her." Cinder comes back over. "If you do anything at this rate you'll be dying and from what I gathered from your memories you'll have no more second chances." 

I can't just do nothing. 

"You have to, you can't save everyone and do you expect these people to do that same when you're the one being grabbed by the neck?" his voice drops, becoming more serious as if it's a reminder of the goals he wants to achieve. "Maybe that's how you ended up dead in your past lives. Worry about yourself and drop your heroic tendencies if you want to survive."

Legion knew he is right, he had to put himself first, so the most he can do is stare at it. And not for one minute take his eyes away from her as she passes, this is the only form of respect he can give to her at the moment. 

And not a look of sorrow or remorse but admiration and respect because at least she had to guts to try to get out, unlike the others who watched her death as a sign and not for what it truly was an act of defiance, an act he will surely commit and come out victorious. 

Soon I'll become stronger. I'll avenge your death and bring down this stronghold. This woman is a sign because if I don't do anything I'll end up just like her, and in this life, the people I call my comrades or friends will be the ones to stand by my side as I face death. 

Time seems to slow down as she takes her final breath, her limbs falling to her sides as she gives up, "She's gone." Cinder says softly. "Her mana core's light is gone and her life force is all sucked out." 

"Let that." The orc says its deep raspy voice begins as he drops her dead body on the floor. "Be a warning to you all, escaping leads to death." Is all it says, before turning and walking away leaving her body on the floor without any remorse. 

That's a monster for you. Unforgiving and ruthless. Disobey you die, in my first life they were just the same, no more different but we were oppressed by goblins…red goblins the worst of them. No man, woman, and child were spared. 

In that scorching hell of a stronghold. 

"Nothing has changed," Legion whispered.

"We…We should probably get moving." Cinder suggests, ready to leave. 

"No," Legion says flatly, turning to the kids, and dropping to a stomp in front of them. "Is there another way to the tavern?" 

"Yes," Anore answers while Avix nods along obediently. 

"Then I want you both to go over there and start your day." He brushes a piece of hair from Anores face to behind her ear. "I just have to help out here and then I'll head to work, I'll come for you both afterwards." 

"But.." Avix goes to say something. 

"Don't you wanna bid Morgan goodbye?" He inquires. 

"Yes!" Their eyes brighten up. "Well hurry up before you miss her.

"Ok!" They rush off going behind a building, but shift their body to turn around to say goodbye. 

"Don't! Just keep going!" He shouts after them and they listen continuing on. "Goodbye and be safe!" 

"Bye!" They shout back, waving.

Make sure they make it there safely. 

"What are you going to do?" Cinder asks confused. 

In a world like this compassion, chivalry and kindness is dead. Nobody cares about what's not thread to them in any way same with monsters. If someone you love isn't the one dead what does it have to do with you? Right? 

That's something humans should change. Because if we continue to live like this there is no saving humanity.

He turns to the people making their way over to the body, nobody touching or sympathizing or caring enough to fix her contorted position just…staring. 

"I see." Cinder understands him, and without a second thought turns to follow them. "I guess there are still good people around." He mummers before heading towards them. 

Moving towards the body as many others, he sees a man stop in his tracks, looking down at her, grief weighing him down as he plummets to his knees erupting in tears. In the man he saw himself, though it wasn't the same situation he sensed his sorrow, grief, and also disbelief as he ran his fingers along her lifeless expression. 

Legion also knew what it's like losing people to monsters and yet he's set to become one, and still he didn't feel guilt or remorseful.

Does that make a villain?

He isn't sure if they were lovers or family, but one thing is for sure this man with chestnut hair and forest green eyes is in pain, and the only thing he needed at his lowest times was a helping hand, someone to look to. 

I'm not a villain, at least not yet. 

Everyone stands there amazed and stunned as Legion, a boy who was known to be the village's sickest boy, puts out a hand to the man. "The best thing we can do is burn her and let her soul be free, but since it's still morning, let's get her someplace where she can lay until night falls." He offers. 

Mumbles ensue as the man looks at him with his eyes wide open, his tears for a moment stopping.

He glances at his hands and at his face, unable to move and perhaps disoriented as another voice chimes in. "Let's get her someplace comfy until nightfall." A girl joins in, putting her hands out as well. 

"Yeah! We can't just leave her to root on the streets." 

"I would also love to help you!" More joins in, wiping their tears away to help a man in need. 

As expected all we need is one person to ignite compassion in other hearts. Maybe if someone had spoken up for me, I wouldn't have died and be here right now. 

"I.." His glassy eyes seem to sparkle, as he nods "Ok.." He says weakly, wiping away the tears streaming down his face. "Let's not keep her here like this." 

Everyone gathers together, their hearts as one as they dig a small hole just enough for her to fit in and place her in gently, and one by one they place a snowdrop flower on top of her chest under her fingers before pulling the snow over her. 

I never thought I would be witnessing a death so fast. I guess it was wrong of me to think this would be better than my past, it's just the same. Brutal, and honestly a wake-up call that I need to find a way out of there quickly.

A few minutes pass by and he's back on his path to the mines, and finally Cinder spots him after searching for him for what seemed like hours. Rushing back, he passes right through him which gives Legion chills. 

"Master!" he cheers, coming to a stop in front of him. 

"Did Anore and Avix reach there safely?" He inquires immediately forgetting to not talk out loud to not look insane, but eyes were already on him. 

"Yes!" he answers. "And yes they got to say goodbye to Morgan before she left, how long will she be gone for?"

Most likely hours, since they first have to put a seal on her to stop her magic usage and let her outside the barrier to consume mana…