Sebastian widens his eyes while he can barely think of anything.

  But to his luck, his fists move one over the other in a defensive act that has already been executed so many other times, thus managing to block the axe with one of the gauntlets.

  The impact of the blade made him topple to the side, and roll a few meters. Thanks to the resistant leather of the gauntlet, the only damage he received was the impact itself. His trembling hands are about to give up.

  The mercenary takes advantage of the moment to dash toward him in search of another blow with the objective of finishing Sebastian who is with his back turned and barely manages to support his hands on the ground.

  In the second following the moment he starts running, another black arrow flies from his side, forcing him to stop the run and make an evasive movement with his head backward. He can even hear the sound of it cutting the wind in front of him.

  "Damn!" Lafral expels the words from his chest while propelling himself forward in search of a better position.

  The smile returns to touch the mercenary's face as he turns his gaze to Lafral, but then back to Sebastian who is now rolling down the hill. Realizing the distance he has opened, he tries to start another run, but again another arrow cuts through the wind toward him. But this time he was not able to defend himself.

  When he realizes it, it is already crossed through his right arm. It does not take long and blood begins to run through the biceps and triceps, and along with it the strength fades forcing him to drop the axe to the ground.

  Again he releases another puff of air with his cheeks full, and in a quick movement he grabs the axe with his left hand, and throws it toward Lafral who is preparing another shot.

  Miguel watches the axe spin and cut through the air up the hill, and hit directly the left arm that Lafral used at the last moment to defend himself.

  Abandoning the bow and arrow, Lafral falls to the ground bringing his arm close to his body while trying to place his hand over the cut, but the pain prevents him.

  Miguel barely has time to look carefully at him, and already finds himself forced to crouch, because the mercenary is finishing throwing a stone in his direction. The stone in question is the size of a golf ball, but it does not come with enough force to cause real damage. Even so, he dodges. Still crouched, he realizes that the man is coming running toward him while pulling the arrow from his arm.

  Given the speed, Miguel realizes there will be no time for another shot. So he throws himself forward and downward, colliding with the rock that dared to serve as cover moments before. Then he positions himself on the opposite side of the direction of the mercenary who even tries to go around it, but he moves in a way that always keeps the two facing each other.

  "What is it? Can't catch me?" Miguel releases the words into the air and even laughs for a moment.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Coward!"

  "I can do this all day, and you?" Miguel takes advantage of the pause to catch his breath while staring at the slightly angered face of the mercenary who also takes the moment to breathe.

  "Are you sure?" The man assumes a straighter and more centered posture while running his hand through his hair, throwing the strands back again. "That archer there is losing a lot of blood. That kid down there if he is not treated soon will probably lose one of his hands. Not to mention the others who may be just as worse." The smile takes over his face for a moment as he watches Miguel's gaze become more serious.

  "For a mom..." When the mercenary began to speak, something pierces the side of his head in such an infinitesimal fraction that it would hardly be possible to know what it was if not for the sound that echoed with it. Immediately after, his body falls limp to the ground and rolls a few centimeters downward.

  Miguel quickly turns to observe the top of the hill. And up there he finds Sarah lying behind the rifle which is stabilized on the ground by a bipod. He relaxes his shoulders and breathes relieved as he sees her stand up and throw the first aid backpack down the hill toward Lafral, and then disappear to the other side again.

  When the second shot echoed from the top of the hill, the archer on top of the tree even grips the bow with even more strength aiming upward. In his peripheral field of vision, the clash continues fiercely.

  Draus, unable to use an opening to use his weapon, holds a dagger with a silver blade and handle wrapped with a thin black cord, this same cord also wraps around his hand. His face is already marked with two cuts, one horizontal below the eye that bleeds a little, and another over the cheekbone that bleeds a bit more. His expression already shows slight exhaustion.

  In front of him, a mercenary wearing a brown hood and cloak of the same color also holds a dagger with the blade backward. The two are standing facing each other because of the last shot. Beside them, the body of another mercenary lies on the ground with a very deep cut in the throat. Still attached to the neck, a pendant displays a blood red crystal that rests on the earth beside it.

  Not far from them, Lozar firmly holds his shield while exchanging sword blows with the mercenary in front of him. They refuse to stop, even after the shot. At some moments, Lozar even tries to block a blow with the shield to counterattack with the sword, but the opponent ahead is faster than him. The short bluish sword of the mercenary dances from side to side searching for a moment of glory.

  Tired of all this delay, the mercenary takes a few steps back while removing the dark green hood from his head, revealing golden strands that shine under the sun. Then he puts his hand in a pocket and takes a crystal as blue as his gaze and holds it firmly with his closed fist.

  "Even under the eternal sun.

  Or before the fire itself.

  My vastness shall endure.

  For in this game.

  I am the one who carries his own end."

  He recites the words out loud, and in the next instant, a sudden cold takes over the environment around him. It is possible to see the air leaving his mouth turn into smoke as if we were truly on a day of intense cold. Under his shoes, some corn leaves begin to accumulate small layers of ice. And in his hand the sword seems to do the same, along with his clothes.

  Without wasting time, the mercenary dashes at full speed until he gets close enough to cross swords again. However, when Lozar goes to execute the movement with the sword, he feels a sudden and intense cold, to the point of making his movement slower and clumsier.

  In that single opening, the coldest blade he has ever felt is also the last. On his neck, the blade is embedded on the side while beginning to leave the skin purple and the blood coagulated. The mercenary removes the sword and pushes Lozar's body backward with one of his feet, he falls stiff while collapsing to the side.

  The mercenary takes the crystal and throws it on the ground near Lozar's body, making it break and release a white smoke that spreads across the place and envelops his body. When it disappears, the mercenary makes a point of stepping on the side of the belly, which breaks as if it were a fragile shell, making his foot sink inside.