Seeing members of their own trusted circles suddenly bolt into the darkness and fog without a word, terrified just by John's gaze, drove a wedge of doubt into the hearts of the humans.
Even if they had wanted to step in and stop John, they knew they lacked the power. It was clear in their eyes: anyone daring to stand before this monster would die. End of story.
While the crowd remained paralysed by the sudden, bloody twist in events, John chased down the remaining runners. He caught the cyborgs one by one. He didn't leave a single one alive.
Then, he began to drag their bodies back toward the centre of the clearing, moving with the grim purpose of a butcher dragging sheep for the slaughter. He piled the corpses in a heap in front of his fortress.
