V4C1: Carnage - Alain's death.

''Thanks, I owe you one'' Jean said to François. Although they did eventually won the battle, this victory was only made possible over numerous injuries and casualties. The demons, despite their poor military training, had an extremely strong will which complicated the process.

This explained the great loss of the squadron.

''Alain? Alain!'' Jean heard some cries in the distance.

At the same time, he concentrates on the divine contract that links him to Alain. A strange expression – a mix of both surprise and pity – come across his face as he remarked it was diminishing.

''Emilie! Come and save him!''

As she examined him, Emily's face darkened. His stomach's wound was deep and large. Furthermore, far too much demonic energy had penetrated his body, some of it merging with him. Separating them was a complete task she could not master, and even if she could, saving him was now impossible. There was too little time.

''I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. Alain will die.''

Eloise's face broke down even more than Alain's when she heard the news.

'So that the result, huh? Will I really die? That's strange… I Don't feel anything.' Still lying on his own blood Alain thought.

When he got wounded, the first thing he thought wasn't that he'd die. No, all his strength was focused on ''clearing all problems''. He did not think a second about dying.

Even now, when he thought about it, it seems unreal. He didn't know why…. Maybe was it the last denial a person would have his death approaching?

'Fuck… What have I done in this life? I…' No, that wasn't something he needs to think about. He wouldn't be able to do anything other after all.

He had always imagined death as a finite thing. It wasn't part of life, just something that should be avoided no matter what. He wouldn't rest peacefully, nor would he be able to live again. 'He' would no longer exist.

Just thinking about it made his fear even more present than ever. Still, if this was inevitable, he should at least do something to the live ones. Maybe was he wrong ? An unknown thing was the scariest.

''Don't worry about me…'' he uttered. ''There's no need anymore.''

Seeing Eloise's tears, he knew he should have the same things differently, but he wasn't a smooth talker.

''No… As long as you don't give up, there's still hope, isn't it true, Emilie ?''

''…'' not willing to look at her eyes, she remained silent and went to help other people.

Eloise did not grab her arms as she still has some logic left.

'Hey, will I really die ?' Alain asked the system who didn't respond to him.

Then, he heard a message.

[As you'll die, your role will be attributed to someone else.]

As time goes on, Alain ceased to think too much. His feelings were slowly fading away until he died.

There, his thought became much more virulent. He saw his life passing in his eyes in 20 short seconds before finally giving up.

The monster had finally died, leaving this world for good as he searches for another one. But there was still much to do.

…

''How many have we lost?'' François asked a Cleppe's soldier.

''27 men… of which 16 were from Cleppe.''

Hearing the news, François proposed to enslaved all still remaining alive demons, and they do so to increase their strength.

Then, they all watched Emilie performing the ritual, and all bodies disappeared. All except 2. Laure's body (A Cleppe's soldier) and Alain's body were still there as if they did not die.

''What's going on ?'' Eloise asked Emilie.

''Although normally all can rejoin the Gods, there are exceptions. Sometimes, that did not work for some reasons I do not know of.''

''Then.. can't he rejoin the Gods?''

''I'm afraid not.''

The day finished like this, with them still searching for the next test, moving to forget their sorrow. But little did they knew that if one monster died today, another one was born on an extremely solid foundation.

Arriving at the door announcing the third trial, the group sighed with relief.

They had been trapped there for days and their morale was at an all-time low. Food was beginning to lack and there have been numerous discussions about whether to kill the demons or not.

Similar to the first door, a message in the ancient language was also there.

[Salle numéro 3 : ''Dernière épreuve'' – Compléter l'épreuve vous permettra de sortir d'ici vivant. Cependant, les dangers sont nombreux et vous avez le droit de rester ici en sécurité. Si vous y aller, vous devrez survivre jusqu'au moment où la porte s'ouvre. Des récompenses pourront être délivrées selon le nombre de personne encore en vie.]

''Room number 3: ''The last test.'' - you are close to the exit, and completing the test will get you out of here alive. You will have to survive until the door opens, as only the worthy enough merit to leave out of here alive.'' Emilie translated.

They began to rest before they'd be entering the last test tomorrow. That night, however, Emilie searched Eloise as they began to plan the future.

Alain's death as well as the villagers as impacted them, and fighting a war that wasn't theirs was something they did not agree with. So, they reflected on possibilities they could use and on their probabilities. Finally, they had to choose:

1- Clearing the last test with the squadron. – 10-20 % survival

2- Continuing with them for the moment and wait for an opportunity to escape – probably greater survival chances than choice number one.

3- Staying there and wait.

The probabilities are just their thoughts and might not be the real ones.

Please make a choice by writing 1, 2, or 3 or creating another possible way. The most asked will be taken. That's how the story will progress. Ps: Emilie won't reveal her possessing Tenebre.

- - - -

Probabilities: 50 % that Alain died. 20 % of receiving a serious wound. 30 % of receiving light wounds.

100 % that Emilie stays alive with 1 % she needed to use Tenebre.

Eloise 5 % no wounds, 55 % light wounds, 35 % serious wounds, 5 % death.