Ruok stared into Bignum's massive eyes as the orc hauled him out of the shallow water like a sack of wet grain.
Again.
Water dripped from Ruok's hair, ran down his face, and into his already ruined clothes. The riverbank smelled like mud and iron. Smoke drifted from the camp beyond, faint but familiar.
Too familiar.
With a weak smile, he said, "Thanks, Bignum. You can put me down now."
Bignum grunted and lowered him into the shallows. The moment Ruok's feet touched the ground, his legs gave up.
"…Ah," he croaked, catching himself with trembling arms. "Damn. Here we go again."
The same words.
Every time.
Eighth. Ninth.
Maybe tenth.
He had stopped counting after he got cut in half by someone who was technically on his side.
**
The world reset, but it never felt new to him.
Same cold water.
Same worried look from Bignum.
Same distant noise of soldiers gathering.
Soon—same argument.
And somewhere behind it all—
Mephyst—smiling, watching, waiting for his chance to strike.
**
Third loop.
The moment came.
Minerva stepped forward.
Mephyst shifted behind her.
Ruok moved.
The dagger flew—clean, fast, exactly where it should be.
The second followed, low toward the Goblin King.
Good.
Perfect.
He ran.
Straight to Bignum.
"Bignum! Move!" he shouted, grabbing his arm.
Bignum turned, confused. "What—?"
Too slow.
The demon's blade still pierced him.
Same place.
Same timing.
Ruok's grip tightened hard enough to hurt.
"No—!"
He pulled—
A goblin rushed in from the side.
Ruok saw it.
Too late.
The blade slid into his ribs.
Sharp.
Cold.
He gasped, his body folding.
"…I changed it," he whispered.
Not enough.
Never enough.
**
Fourth loop.
Throw.
Clean.
Accurate.
Run.
Faster this time. No wasted steps.
Ruok saw it—the exact moment Mephyst slipped behind Minerva.
He reacted instantly.
Too instantly.
His arm snapped forward without setting his stance.
The dagger flew—
Wrong.
The angle was off.
It struck Minerva.
Her shoulder.
A clean hit.
Time slowed.
Her body shifted just enough—just enough—that Mephyst's blade missed her heart.
She lived.
Ruok's stomach dropped.
"…Oh no."
Minerva's head turned slightly, her gaze sharp, searching.
Not panicked.
Not confused.
Cold.
Jawhead saw everything.
The throw.
The hit.
Minerva bleeding.
That was enough.
"YOU—!" Jawhead roared, charging like a storm breaking loose.
Ruok raised both hands. "Wait! I can explain—!"
"No need!" Jawhead barked.
The axe came down.
Heavy.
Fast.
Final.
Ruok barely had time to think—
This is fair.
**
Fifth loop.
Throw.
Perfect.
Run.
This time, Ruok didn't rush after.
He moved with control.
He reached Bignum early—earlier than ever—and pulled him out before the strike landed.
The demon's blade cut empty air.
Bignum lived.
Actually lived.
Bignum blinked. "What just—?"
"No time!" Ruok snapped. "Stay behind me! Try not to die!"
For once—
It worked.
Ruok smiled.
"I did it…"
Then he turned.
Toward Minerva.
Toward Mephyst.
Mistake.
The fight there was worse up close.
Faster.
Sharper.
Too fast for him to even follow properly.
Mephyst laughed, light and amused.
"How persistent you are, Princess. It is almost admirable."
Aeltharion moved beside her, precise and measured.
"Your arrogance will be your flaw."
Minerva said nothing.
Her blade burned brighter.
Ruok stepped closer.
Just a little.
Too close.
Wrong place.
Minerva moved.
One clean strike.
A demon fell—
And so did Ruok.
Her blade passed through him like he wasn't even there.
She didn't pause.
Didn't look.
"To hesitate is to perish," she said, calm as ever.
Ruok hit the ground, staring up.
"…I wasn't even hesitating…"
**
Sixth loop.
Throw.
Run.
Forget Minerva.
Forget the center.
Ruok went straight to Olga.
"Duck!" he shouted.
Olga dropped without thinking. The Goblin King's blade cut the air above her.
"That was close!" she snapped, already countering.
"I'm helping!" Ruok said, half proud, half terrified.
They fought—if that counted as fighting.
Olga was solid. Strong. Direct.
Ruok—
was surviving.
Barely.
He dodged. Slipped. Stabbed a goblin once.
"Ha! Did you see that?!" he said.
The Goblin King saw it too.
He turned slowly.
Ruok froze.
"…I didn't mean it."
The Goblin King stepped forward.
One swing.
Heavy.
Ruok raised his dagger.
It shattered on impact.
The blade didn't stop.
**
Seventh loop.
Throw.
Run.
Olga again.
Stick to what almost worked.
"Stay close!" Olga said.
"I am close!" Ruok replied. "Very close! Maybe too close—!"
She charged.
Ruok followed.
That was the mistake.
He stepped into her line.
Right between her and the target.
Olga didn't stop.
Couldn't.
Her fist drove forward.
Through him.
There was resistance—
Then none.
Ruok blinked.
Looked down.
Her arm was inside him.
"…Huh," he said.
Olga's eyes widened.
"…Oh."
Ruok gave a weak smile.
"…You hit really hard."
She pulled back.
Too late.
He dropped face-first into the mud.
**
Ruok stood there for a moment, breathing slowly, staring at bignum.
He let out a small laugh.
Tired and dry
Then he smiled.
"Hey, Bignum," he said softly. "How about we try something new?"
Bignum tilted his head. "How did you know my name, half-breed?"
Ruok didn't answer. He looked toward the camp.
Toward the chaos around him and those that waiting to happen.
Then back at Bignum.
"…Shall we run from this hell?"