The battle raged on. My body ached. The crystals pulsed. The choice had been made. But I wasn’t alone.

Through the fire, a figure moved. His sword flashed like lightning. Galndrik arrived — just in time.

Flames danced around him. His eyes locked onto the two Mega Orcs. And with a voice that cut through the chaos:

“Enough games, vermin. It’s time you felt fear.”

The fire circled him like a ritual. His presence sent a chill through allies and enemies alike.

His blade struck with precision. Every motion confident. The Orcs couldn’t react in time. His sword tore through the air — and through them.

Brek stood in the storm. His silver blade soaked in blood. His breath heavy, chest rising and falling. Every muscle burned with fatigue — but his eyes held no fear. Only focus.

A massive Orc charged with a war axe. Brek dodged at the last moment. The axe slammed into the ground, scattering stone and dirt.

Brek spun. His sword carved deep into the Orc’s side. The beast howled. Brek didn’t hesitate. One final slash — across the throat.

Silence.

Laima moved like a shadow. Her bow sang. An arrow pierced an Orc’s neck before it could raise its weapon.

She didn’t stop. She dropped low, spun, dodged. Another arrow drawn.

Her eyes met Brek’s. He gave a subtle nod — silent signal.

She released. Brek stepped aside. The arrow struck true — straight to the heart.

“Target confirmed,” she whispered.

The dance of battle continued. But something had shifted.

We weren’t just survivors. We were allies.

As Noctua hovered above me, trying to heal the torn ligaments in my shoulder, I spoke in a tone that left no room for doubt:

“Complete the bonding of the shoulder ligaments with your energy, because I have something in mind. Finish it and cast a veil over us and the fallen.”

She hadn’t understood why I said it—her face made that clear. “I know you don’t get it, but do what I say, quickly! In any case, have your pistol ready.”

I glanced up at her above my head, slightly annoyed by the puzzled look she gave me. I knew what she was thinking: whether she should trust me. But she still wanted to say what lingered at the edge of her mind.

“What are you talking about? We just need to…”

She kept treating my wound, but exhausted and nearly in a rage, I gave her no choice. “LISTEN, NOCTUA! Do what I tell you!”

She was rattled—I rarely spoke that way—but she responded fairly quickly. Her gaze fell on me, full of doubt, but she didn’t hesitate to begin the veil process. It wasn’t long before she cast the veil over the team and chanted, “Relium personæum!”, which means Protection in the shadows!

Luckily, whenever she began the healing for my shoulder ligaments, I had a brief moment within the veil to react. Through the Codex, I contacted all the survivors with a tone that was relaxed, slightly irritated, and humor-tinged.

“Toast, toast, can you hear me? This is Prometheus. You still have that pouch of crystals I gave you? If yes, perfect. Now—eat one! It restores half your life and energy. I’ll use mine to heal whoever’s still breathing. Don’t screw this up!”

The battle raged on fiercely, but I didn’t stop there. “Plus, I want to ring in the new year with food, drink… and good company! I don’t know about you, so let me ask, ladies and gentlemen… What do you desire? Death or life? It’s your choice… over and out.”