Her gun held high, barrel smoking as the bullet sinks deep into the wall. Nein's unfazed even with holes through his left eye. {Astral} activated automatically and make the bullet phased through him. Dispersing his feature into smoke.
"Why don't you dodge?. Are you looking down on me?." Her tone accusing.
This is the side of the captain they fear. The woman who doesn't even hesitating to kill the man she gave her kiss to. Many traitor died in her hand no matter who is it, including her father. And for the first time, they saw someone lives to tell the stories.
"You can say that. I can't really predict your action. I thought you'd-BANG!!"
Second bullet hit his head. Making him headless. He's still standing as he slowly restoring it.
"What do you know?. Just because I show you my sweet side you think I'm just a girl pretending to be strong?. Heh, l'd be dead long ago." Malice clear in her tone.
The six's simply watch in the distance, afraid to get in her bullet way. But they're more terrified by the headless man standing firm Infront of her.
"I paid you to fight for me. Not to telling me to run. What?, just because you did a great job you think we'll following you like an obedient puppies?. Huh...tell me." Her hands trembling, not from fear.
She knows the fact that this is a losing war. She knows she's being selfish. She knows that Nein simply worried about everyone here. But her pride prevent her to accept it. Others also begin to considering his suggestion. That sight pained her more and make her asked.
"For those who agree with Nein offer, drop your gun to the table." Her voice shaking, hoping none of her people do that.
Thunk.
Foris drop his gun first. The most opportunist among them. Followed by Faber, Lamina and Atranu. Both Fera and Unguis look at each other before hesitating and place their gun to the table, leaving her alone with her gun held high.
"Everyone's decided. What about you, captain?." His head returned and immediately ask for her decision.
"Me?... does it even matter now?. With my own people giving up on me and decided to leave their mother land easily?." She feels betrayed.
Finally, she drop her weapon as well and fall to her seat with a broken laugh.
"Hehe, you win Nein. You manage to convince us to protecting that beast home instead. Congrats." Her sarcasm clear in the air.
Others lowered their head in shame. The very six who gave their loyalty to her now chosing to let her down. But they're all know, Ava's also afraid with this war. Vastium used to their long lasting peace and fending against beast. Hearing they'll facing human armies makes them afraid and confused.
"Then tell your people to start moving, Sylva's will greet us by the forest entrance. I'll wait outside, so be quick." He says before leaving the room.
The air thick with grief and conflict. No one dared to speak, not after they openly oppose their own captain.
"Say... what's your reason for giving up." Her voice demanding.
Hearing her pained tone along with her lowered posture that hides her face. Foris's open his mouth and speak.
"Nein's logic sounds. No matter we does to defend Vastium, we'll lose miserably. I give up because...I'm afraid. Sorry... captain..." He's holding back tears.
Everyone silence as they share the same reason as him, they scared about the fact their enemies being something with mind and solid formation, not a waves of sand shark or anything. They wait for Ava answer.
"I see...I'm glad then... because I'm also afraid..." When she lift her head, she revealed that she's been crying in silence this whole time with a smile.
They begin to break and helpless against the cruel reality. Nein simply standing by the town back entrance, waiting as he stares at the countless star above him.
"Gather everyone. Every single people of Vastium. Say to them that we're leaving. If they refuse, just leave them. Take anyone who follows." Ava's voice weak while giving them command.
They begin to carry on her words and tell two thousand individuals in this town. While some understand about the situation, others insist on staying behind. They doesn't force them, to tired for that. While Ava went to her room and start packing her stuff, she look at the picture of her and everyone by the town's gate and lay it down before leaving the room.
Two hours later, almost everyone standing behind him, taking whatever belongs to them with tears flowing down their face. Ava take a step forward and look at him with her broken gaze, tear marks clear on her feature just like the others.
"Not everyone's here but we're ready. Lead the way... Nein." Her voice weak and hoarse.
"Follow me."
He begin to walk away. Followed by her shortly and the people behind her while the rest who choose to stay watching from behind the thin wall. They begin to falter and one by one starting to chase after them until no one left. Vastium left behind by its people, the night in the desert feels more cold now.
It takes them three hours for walking nonstop through the desert. They finally saw the forest and shocked upon seeing Sylva ethereal form standing by the entrance. Her expression delighted by the sight of people lining behind Nein like a herd of sheep.
"School your expression miss Sylva, a warm welcome is not fitting for this moment." He says immediately to Sylva.
Her wagging tails falter immediately as she see the sorrow in their faces. She feels the weight of their decision and immediately open the pathway of the forest to let their numbers entering easily.
"Please get inside. The trees will keep you warm and you can also eat the fruit! And-" Nein stop her with a lift of his hand.
He take a step to Ava and watching her sorrowful gaze.
"Let's discuss our strategy later, three of us. But for now...take some sleep." His voice gentle as he wrap his coat over her body.
She doesn't say anything and just walk past him. Followed by the six then everyone else in a big straight line. His skin exposed to the cold air, the folded spear behind him too, but he pay no mind to it as he watch them seek refuge inside in the forest.
"Their sorrow...I wonder if I'll make the same expression if the same thing happened to me. But...why I doesn't feel anything from you Nein?." Sylva ask curiously when seeing Nein indifferent gaze.
"I...used to it." His voice hiding something under that strong facade.
She frowns and wrap her tails around him as if trying to comforting him. He appear indifferent on the outside, but deep down. He's grieving together with everyone. And with her simple form of comfort, a single tear escapes from his left eye.
Moonlight casting shadow against the line of people retreating into the forest. In the distance, Vastium, as if happy for its people, closing it's gate for the first time.