The Gods' Decree 238 The Autopsy Of The Deflowering Prince 3

This was of course expected as the difference between strengths lessened, so too would the fights become more grueling. Hence some disciples had not sought the safe haven not because they were weaker, on the contrary, it was just a means to recuperate their strengths before heading into battle.

"Gendry the hour mark is soon approaching. Though previously we lost Mathew and James, Myself and Mica are now fully recuperated."

A man of somewhat generous proportions questioned his squad captain. He was Lucas #27th on the previous year's ranking. They were one of the many squads taking advantage of the safety bestowed. His squad captain Gendry the previous year's #21, pondered their dilemma. 

Within his mind he calculated the odds of them surviving the night if they were to leave the comfort of the safe haven. After a while, he displayed a wry smile as the odds did not quite stack in their favor. Yet staying within the safe haven for a prolonged period of time didn't favor them either.

Gendry then responded, "I have heard a rumor from some of our compatriots inside the safe haven. It is stated that to the northernmost side of the forest has the least recalled sightings of those within the top fifteen.

My plan is this, we will journey to the north creating a stronghold as we bide our time picking away at the enemies."

Hearing his captain's plan Lucas was a bit skeptical. Who knows if this rumor was spread by those of higher ranking in order to catch everyone in one big net. Why fish for food when it is simpler to invite ignorant prey to dine? 

As he readied to relay his concerns, Lucas spotted in the distance someone hopping on one leg towards them. Not wanting to alert the others outside of his squad, he then signaled his captain and squadmates.

They all had a glint in their eyes. Markers were a scarce commodity since recently and here they had an injured disciple who seemed so helpless. In a time like this, how could they not take advantage?

 The three without a word hastily rushed out of the safe-haven catching the others within off-guard. Everyone hurried looked for clues as to the sudden reason to the three das.h.i.+ng before they spotted the disciple in the distance.

While the three sprinted towards him they heard m.u.f.fled words blurted out by the injured disciple. Still, they did not hear him clearing until arriving within a hundred-meter radius. He stated one-word continuously at the top of his lungs,

"Help! Help! Help!"

Darwin screamed catching the three off-guard. It was as though he was fleeing from his life as tears washed his face. He pointed behind him as his bloodied hand s.h.i.+vered,

"They want to kill me. Please, someone, Anybody.., Help me!"

His pleas for help became so loud that the others in the safe-haven could now hear his cries. Yet they became puzzled, this was merely a tournament for markers. There were no incentives for disciples to go as far as killing their fellow disciples.

The three did not buy this either seeing it as Darwin's feeble attempt at garner sympathy after losing a battle. As they leaped in to seize his marker.

Pew! Pew! Pew!

Three successive arrows pierced through the air before bursting straight through their bodies. Fortunately for them, the ice arrows had missed their vital organs. Yet it compounded with their previous injuries and they were now left bleeding on the ground.

Seeing their state Darwin cries intensified as he knew he was a dead man. He wobbled on one leg determined to make it to the safe-haven. Even jumping over the bodies of Gendry and his men.

While jumping in mid-air on his last remaining leg-

Pew!

An arrow ripped throws his legs causing him to fall face-first into the cold night's floor. All who witnessed the act from the safe-haven were startled at the change of events. At the same time, they were thankful for not being greedy as the likes of Gendry and his squad.

It seems the ones who pursued Darwin did not take kindly to other hounding in on their prey. Though crying out in pain Darwin was determined not to die on this night so he crawled on the cold floor as blood oozed from his body.

Pew!

The following arrow barely missed his skull. Despite this, it ruthlessly shaved the hair from the top of his head. As minor as it might have been, perhaps this was the major injury in Darwin's mind. He prided himself on his features and his cascading hair was the most priced possession.

Still, he persisted crying at the top of his lungs while crawling with all his might. Soon the onlookers saw a teen couple making their way from the distance. There was a beauty with cascading silver hair and a somewhat muscular youth who had a hair of dreadlocks. 

They witnessed as the young woman formed arrows of ice from thin air while nocking her bow. With their steps, they were neither hurried nor rushed as the male youth nonchalantly had his hand to the back on his head while watching.

Within seconds their ident.i.ties were known. Who remaining within the forest did not know the one who calls himself, Sir Mouse and his companion Silver-hair May? They seemingly cared not that Darwin was about to arrive at the barrier of the safe-haven as May once more aimed.

Pew!

The arrow pierced through the air and by his trajectory, all knew without a doubt Darwin was a dead man. He tried crawling as quickly as possible, but they knew it was all for naught. As the arrow was about to pierce his skull a hand nonchalantly plucked it from the air.

"Isn't this a bit too much?"

Unedited Version

To be continued...