Escaping from the Horde - II

 With the moonlight and the torch illuminating the muddy path, Kalsie and the rest were running with all their might since a large horde was behind their back.

"Hah... Please... Can we slow down just a little?" Bella asked Kalsie as her legs were aching from the relentless exertion after running for who knows how long.

"Hah!" It wasn't only Bella; everyone felt their muscles burning as they kept on running, including Kalsie himself. Since they were deprived of water, their tongues were dry, and the torment of thirst relentlessly affected them. But all they would do was just clench their teeth in agony and pushed their legs to the limit with the monsters behind their tail.

"Keep running! If you stop now, those monsters will surround you! Trust me! We're almost there!" Kalsie shouted from the front as he saw their slowing pace. Though he wished he could do more to help, all he could do was remind them of the looming danger and offer words of encouragement.

'At least those monsters aren't as aggressive as before...' Kalsie thought as he found solace in the fact that the pursuing creatures weren't undergoing frenzy state. If they had, Kalsie was uncertain about the outcome since there were too many.

However, they still needed to shake off their pursuers before the monsters grew aggressive again. Otherwise, he knew reaching their destination would be futile.

'But if things keep being like this then I only have one option left...' Kalsie tightened his grip on the torch, contemplating a drastic action if it came to that.

"Look! The forest is ending ahead!" Suddenly, Jack's shout snapped Kalsie from his thoughts.

"!!" He gazed ahead and exclaimed, "That's it! We've are very close!"

Hearing Kalsie's words, everyone looked ahead with hope, despite their tired and sweaty bodies. Inspired by Kalsie's encouragement, they renewed their determination and increased their pace, dashing toward the clearing in front of them.

 As they emerged from the dense forest, they found themselves in a vast open area. Beneath the moon's silvery glow, a massive lake stretched out, with a small island floating at its center. The moonlight danced on the water's surface, creating a magical atmosphere in the scene. Even Kalsie, who had been here in the morning, found it captivating for a moment.

"What is this place?" Everyone was taken aback, not expecting such a remarkable destination.

"Wait, could... that water be drinkable?" Fred asked as he panted heavily considering his body and his thirst was nearly unmanageable.

"What are you all waiting for? Quickly swim towards that platform in the middle before those monsters arrive!" Kalsie's urgent words snapped them out of their daze and shock.

It finally dawned on them why Kalsie had led them to this place. The small island in the middle offered a secure refuge where the Dead Walkers wouldn't be able to hear or see them.

"Wait! Do we have to swim all the way there? We might get sick from the cold water and weather," Bella voiced her concerns, sharing the same sentiments of those less enthusiastic about the idea.

"What other choice do we have? The only way to rid yourselves of that blood scent is by diving into the pond. Yes, you might fall ill afterward, but that's the least of our concerns right now!" Kalsie's tone was resolute as he addressed not just Bella but the entire group. "If you don't think it's safe, you're free to leave and find shelter on your own."

"Eh?" They all were taken aback, not expecting such a response from Kalsie, especially Job and the three whom Kalsie saved yesterday since this was the first time they had seen his domineering side.

"But--" Bella intended to say more, but Noah, her fiancé, intervened.

"Please don't mind her words. She didn't mean to say anything bad... We are truly glad that you brought us here and saved us." He quickly apologized and acknowledged Kalsie's efforts to save them and lead them to safety.

"Its fine." Kalsie nodded in acceptance, and then asked others, "Is someone else feeling the same?"

With no further objections, he shouted, "Then go now! Remember that the pond is deep. If someone can't swim, ask for help, or you might drown!"

"Job, pass me that torch," Kalsie requested after unsheathing his sword.

Job complied without a word.

"Go now!" Kalsie's second shout had a strong tone that pushed their bodies into action.

They rushed toward the lake's edge and leaped into the water.

"So cold!" Fred exclaimed, shivering, and the others shared his sentiment. The pond's temperature had dropped further due to the chilly atmosphere, making it even colder than when Kalsie had first explored it.

Fortunately, everyone knew how to swim. As they submerged themselves and swam toward the small island in the middle, they felt a sense of relief that they could survive against the horde of the monsters.

'It seems like I have to do that...' Kalsie thought as he looked behind where the growling of the monsters were echoing within the dark forest. But then his eyes shifted to another person beside him.

"I didn't know you had such a dominant side," Wendy commented as she watched Kalsie from the shore, not joining the others in the water.

"Why didn't you follow the rest?" Kalsie asked her, curious about her decision.

"Didn't I tell you earlier? I don't particularly appreciate owing others more than once. Besides, I knew you would have something else in mind when you urged the others to hurry up, and it seems I wasn't wrong." She replied.

Wendy pointed her axe toward the lake and continued, "In a place as quiet as this, the noises coming from the lake would attract those monsters here. Are you going to play hero once again to save others while risking your life?"

As she said, the splashing and commotion caused by Fred and the others swimming created echoes that reverberated throughout the empty field, surrounded by the woods. They knew that it wouldn't be long before those monsters would be attracted here through the noise.

"Unfortunately, you're wrong. I'm not some hero or anything. I'm doing what's right," Kalsie replied, shaking his head.

"Furthermore, I'm not that reckless. But since you stayed behind, that means you don't have a problem helping me, right?" He asked with a slight grin on his face.

Wendy's brows twitched as she saw his grin and asked hesitantly, "So... what's your plan?"

Instead of directly answering, Kalsie tossed a torch toward her.

Surprised, she caught it and asked with a hint of amusement, "Are we going to play with fire or what?"

Kalsie's response was resolute, "That's the plan."

Wendy was taken aback. "Wait, are you serious?"

"I'm dead serious."