The Brave Choice

As Leviathan paused, its monstrous form looming over the battlefield, it seemed to savor the despair that had taken hold of its foes. The behemoth's dark eyes scanned the weary faces of Erohan and Krazthir, who stood defiant yet visibly faltering under the relentless onslaught. The air was thick with the stench of blood and the sharp tang of fear. Despite the grim situation, Krazthir's voice had momentarily lifted their spirits with talk of miracles—a hope that seemed increasingly fragile against such a formidable enemy.

"Your miracle has come," Leviathan sneered, its voice dripping with scorn. "I still can sense that little brat in Eldrian's armor. I need to finish him once and for all." Its massive frame shifted, and with a powerful leap, it plunged into the void below, where Eliss and Amukelo had disappeared. The sight of such a terrifying creature retreating unexpectedly brought a momentary sense of relief, albeit confused and tentative. Krazthir and Erohan collapsed to their knees, their bodies reaching their limits, sweat and blood mingling on the cavern floor.

Krazthir gasped for breath, his voice hoarse but filled with a weary triumph, "I told you we would have a miracle. We only stayed alive because we didn't lose hope completely. If we'd stopped fighting once it got too hard, we would be dead by now..." His gaze drifted over his comrades, each nursing their wounds, their faces etched with pain and fatigue. His voice faltered as he saw Ida, desperation written all over his face, rushing to Yosue's side.

Yosue lay gravely injured, his condition far beyond the reach of any ordinary healing. Ida's hands trembled as he barely held the potion with his broken arms, his eyes glossy with tears. "Stay strong… the potion will heal you…" he urged, voice cracking under the weight of emotion.

Yosue's response was faint, each word a struggle. "Nothing will help me anymore…" He coughed, blood spattering his lips. "Don't waste this powerful potion on me…"

Ida's protest was frantic, almost angry. "What are you saying? You are like a brother to me…" He poured the potion into Yosue's mouth, his hands shaking.

The potion worked to close the wounds, but it could not replace part of his body that has been lost. Yosue's breaths grew shallower, his voice barely a whisper. "Please save Amukelo… He saved you not even being aware of this. If he is alive, I guarantee you he will stay until you come with rescue. This is my last reques…" His voice trailed off, and with a final, labored breath, Yosue was still.

Ida knelt there, the potion bottle slipping from his grasp and clinking softly against the stone. The others stood at a respectful distance, their heads bowed, the sounds of their breathing and the distant drips of water the only sounds in the cavern.

After a moment that stretched out, filled with the weight of loss and the echoes of Yosue's last words, Ida slowly stood up. His face was a mask of grief, but his eyes held a new resolve—a silent vow lit in the depths of his anguish.

The group gathered closer, their faces solemn, understanding the need to discuss their next steps but giving Ida the space to grieve. Krazthir finally broke the silence with a gentle voice, "We must decide our course of action, but first, let's honor Yosue's bravery and his sacrifice. He fought not just for himself, but for all of us."

In the dim light of the cavern, the group solemnly prepared a final resting place for Yosue. Using earth magic, they crafted a grave, positioning his body with dignity—legs straight and arms crossed over his chest, his katana held securely. They raised a simple cross of earth above him as a marker. The solemnity of the moment was palpable, each face shadowed with grief and the heavy burden of loss.

Serah's voice broke the silence, her words choked with emotion, "He... He saved me... But I chose to heal Brorin instead. And now he's not with us anymore..." Tears streamed down her cheeks as the weight of her decision pressed upon her. Zilthiss, sensing her despair, gently placed a hand on Serah's shoulder, whispering just low enough so Ida wouldn't overhear, "I don't think your spells would have helped him. It was over for him once he was hit; half of his torso was missing. It's still a miracle that he was given to stay alive till the fight ended and say his last words."

Krazthir shifted uncomfortably before attempting to steer the conversation towards their next steps. "Let's discuss our next move. I recommend—" he began, only to be cut off by Ida's forceful interjection.

"We need to save Amukelo," Ida declared, his voice filled with unwavering resolve. Elandir responded skeptically, "Don't be ridiculous. Have you forgotten what that monster just did? Do you want to live through that again?"

Ida's reply was sharp, tinged with anger. "What a coward you are! If we don't stop Oxius, this will just be a matter of time before you are dead. You saw it yourself, Amukelo was the only one who could engage with that monster face-to-face. If he is alive, I believe—No! I know he will survive this. And from what we know, he is. You can go back and hope that some 'hero' will save the world, but you would have to live knowing that you are a coward who, although being stronger than most, is more cowardly than the most!"

A tense silence fell over the group, heavy with the weight of Ida's words and the stark reality they faced. Ida, feeling a surge of adrenaline, drank his potion, allowing him to regain the use of his arms. Seeing the resolve in Ida's eyes, Krazthir spoke again, this time with more conviction, "I agree with him. If we won't stop this madman here and just pray for a savior, even if we survive, we will have to live in eternal shame. Who is with me?" His voice echoed in the cavern.

Silence lingered for a moment longer, each member of the group wrestling with their fears and doubts. Krazthir repeated, his voice louder, "Who is going to help us save the world?" This time, the response was unified—a resounding yell from everyone, a chorus of assent that filled the cavern.