Apocalypse(2)

--- Finn's POV ---

It was not an occurrence that could be dismissed as mere fiction or illusion.

The escape of monsters from the Dungeon had been known to happen on occasion, often without dire consequences.

But this time, the circumstances were far from ordinary.

The air was heavy with the metallic stench of blood as if the very essence of life had been drained from this place. Severed heads with vacant eyes, and entrails strewn across the ground formed a macabre tapestry upon the blood-soaked streets...

With every step we took, the squelch of blood underfoot served as a grim reminder of the lives lost. The walls, once vibrant and alive, now bore the scars of destruction. Broken windows and crumbling facades mirrored the shattered hopes of those who once called this place home.

Just when I had once again found the resolve to lead my Familia as their Captain, honoring the purpose for which I had embarked on this journey, a relentless force emerged, relentlessly challenging my worth.

Doubts gnawed at the edges of my consciousness, threatening to erode my confidence.

I was seething with rage.

The monsters that beset us proved relentless, their bodies refusing to yield to anything less than absolute destruction. Decapitating or tearing them apart became the only viable means of dispatching them, but it was far from an easy feat.

Their frenzied state, coupled with the desperate need to protect the Gods, Goddesses, and our Familia members, created a volatile and chaotic battleground.

Amidst the chaos, Ren, with an unusual darkness clouding his eyes, tested the limits of the situation, his patience wearing thin. And just when I thought matters couldn't worsen, Ais suffered an injury.

Damn!

...I cursed.

In these days, a realization dawned upon me.

I had gravely underestimated the depths of Ren's love for Ais.

In my familiarity with his outward demeanor, I had failed to comprehend the depth of his devotion.

My eyes widened in awe as I witnessed Ren abandon his initial objectives, his whip becoming an instrument of divine retribution.

The whip's reach extended far beyond what logic dictated, spanning a hundred meters with each lash.

Its razor-sharp edge sliced through the air, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The monsters, caught unaware, were torn in two or decapitated with precision and ease as if they were mere paper in the wind.

I marveled at the sight, momentarily forgetting to question the enigma of his weapon.

Still, now was not the moment.

If our foes possessed any semblance of strategy, now was the time for rationality. I acknowledged that Ren's intellect surpassed mine, and together, we had to discern a course of action. For even as we decimated one horde, another loomed on the horizon.

Before I could utter a word, Ais rushed towards him, her hands tenderly cradling his face.

What unfolded next, however, was far from what I anticipated. With a force that could rival that of a Level 5 adventurer, she delivered a headbutt that would make even the strongest wince in pain.

Under different circumstances, I might have found it amusing, but the weight of the situation left no room for laughter.

Thankfully, Ren began to regain his senses, gradually snapping out of his trance. Though I paid little attention to the details unfolding before me, my gaze conveyed a message that needed no words.

In the blink of an eye, I found myself soaring high above the ground, a sense of unease gripping my stomach. It was Ren's doing, but I still found the notion of standing in the air...weird.

With urgency in my voice, I shouted to rally the others.

"Everyone, remain calm! While we mourn the losses suffered by our respective Familia, we must prioritize the safety of the Gods and Goddesses. They are the beacon of our future within this treacherous city. Secure their protection above all else. As for those unaffiliated with us, you must decide your own course of action. But remember, if Orario falls, your homelands will be next in line..."

Gradually, I managed to rally everyone to our cause. Yet, amidst the sea of determined faces, my gaze fell upon a trembling figure—Bell Cranel, the white rabbit. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, his inner turmoil evident.

Now was not the time for personal contemplation. Hundreds of lives hung in the balance, and I could not afford to be swayed by the concerns of a single individual. I averted my gaze, once again fixating my attention on the approaching horde of monsters.

Oh, how I longed for the peaceful respite of our Manor. But fate had other plans for us, and we could not succumb to weariness or nostalgia...

Though a semblance of a plan had been concocted amidst the chaos, the situation remained far from ideal. Cooperation among the diverse multitude of Familias seemed like an unattainable dream.

Nevertheless, driven by a shared purpose, we pressed forward, knowing that unity, however fragile, was our best chance at survival.

The tear-streaked eyes and pained expressions of those who had lost loved ones today were impossible to ignore.

We, too, had suffered heavy losses, the youth of our Familia mostly snatched away. My heart ached, yearning to offer solace and apologies to each grieving soul. But now was not the time for remorse. For those who still drew breath, my spear would shine, their salvation resting upon its gleaming edge.

---

Author's Note:

Join the discord, I've posted the reference for Ren's weapon!

From the next chap things will go forward, we just needed one chap to process a little of what's happening around everyone since Ren didn't really seem to care too much...