Aftermath of the Siege

It's been twenty minutes since Kirou's clone destroyed the barracks and armory.

From Jackson and the others' perspective, the entire stronghold had grown a bit too quiet. It took the group a minute or two to decide to check things out for themselves. After leaving their designated area, the group walked for a few minutes before they stood at the entrance of the stronghold.

The group took in the destruction of the walls and gate of the stronghold for a few seconds before they crossed the damaged bridge. As the group passed the gate and surveyed the area, they noticed the various corpses thrown all over the place.

This sight left each of them with complex emotions, especially Jackson. That said, this was the result of their request so they had no right to comment on the aftermath, nor would they. Instead, the group took it all in as they started walking deeper into the stronghold.

After walking for another five or so minutes, the group came across another set of corpses. What differed with this set was that each corpse was charred in a few areas, some of which were even reduced to just charcoal. That visual, along with the smell of burnt meat floating in the air gave the group an idea about what had transpired in this area.

It was around this time that the group heard movement coming from another direction. Each person raised their weapons in preparation for the upcoming conflict, only to realize that such an action wasn't necessary. The reason for this is that they noticed a giant minotaur wielding two stone axes leading a small group of people.

Jackson's group recognized the stone axe-wielding minotaur and lowered their weapons. As they did this, the group behind said minotaur noticed Jackson's group as well. The group stopped roughly ten meters away from Jackson's and took in the surroundings as well. Needless to say, this group was made up of Mistaken Fox and the three female players.

There was no sound between either group for roughly a minute as both examined each other and their surroundings. Each person had their own thoughts on the destruction around them but kept those thoughts to themselves. It was around this time that someone from the group of players, Reya, spoke up.

"Mr. Wolf..... I mean, Brother Kirou is asking for us to head towards the open area located at the back of the stronghold, just below the cliff."

After speaking, both sides glanced at each other for a moment before they started heading in the direction of the cliff. Even without a player's map to guide them, everyone could see the cliff overlooking the stronghold so they naturally started heading in that direction.

Unintentionally, both groups kept a slight gap between themselves as they walked towards the cliff. Both Mistaken Fox and Warrior Jackson noticed this gap but kept quiet about it as they walked toward the designated area.

*******

After walking for another twenty minutes in silence, the two groups arrived at the open area underneath the cliff.

To say they were surprised would be an understatement as no one, not even the players themselves could believe what they were seeing.

Kneeling between two of Kirou's clones were twenty bandits, each bound by wires that connected their hands and feet to their necks. This in itself wasn't so surprising, except that these twenty men were practically the best bandits that this stronghold had to offer, besides their leaders.

Next in line were those very same leaders. Minus Cain himself, the other five leaders were currently bound to posts that kept them kneeling with their backs straight. By comparing them with the previous group and Cain himself, you could tell that Kirou was being particularly cruel to those five bandit leaders.

Then there was the brain behind the stronghold himself, Cain. He wasn't forced to kneel like the others, but his body was bound to the point where he couldn't commit suicide even if he wanted to. Along with those bindings, Cain was also surrounded by all three of Kirou's pets and his remaining clone. When Jackson saw this scene, there was a pang of sympathy in him as this one-time rival was reduced to such a level.

Off to the side, when Kirou saw that his people had arrived, he glanced over them and did a quick count before nodding slightly and releasing a breath. After doing that, he stood up and approached the group.

He stopped directly before Jackson and said, "As per your requirements, I've captured Cain and the other five bandit leaders for you. I've also kept those twenty alive as they're the only ones that tried to defend this stronghold with their lives instead of fleeing or sabotaging their allies."

As Kirou said this, he sent a harsh glance towards the five bandit leaders bound to the posts. Jackson didn't even need to guess to realize what Kirou was hinting at.

He nodded slightly and started walking towards the captives. Kirou said nothing as Jackson walked by him and just waited next to the group.

Jackson first stopped by the group of twenty and gave each one a careful look, engraving their faces into his memory. Next, he walked over to the group bound to the posts. There was no expression on Jackson's face but those five could practically feel a blade hovering under their necks as his gaze passed over them. He moved on from this group and now stood directly before the bound Cain. Kirou's pets and the remaining clone had made way for him when he got close and only Jackson was next to Cain at the moment.

Both men looked at each other, complex emotions visible in their eyes. They stayed like that for a few moments before Jackson spoke up, "Why, Cain? We may not have gotten along over the years, but I've always trusted that you'd be looking out for the entire camp. What made you abandon me and my men that day?"

Cain just looked at Jackson with a pained expression on his face, but he kept quiet. Jackson saw this and narrowed his eyes slightly. He waited a bit before asking the same question, only for Cain to remain silent.

After this back and forth a few times, Jackson got angry and lifted Cain by the chains that bound him until they were both at eye level before shouting, "Tell me, Cain. Why did you abandon us? Why do you refuse to answer me? WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?"

Cain could see the anger in Jackson's eyes. Instead of remaining quiet, he instead shouted back, "You asked me why I abandoned you and your squad. Look around you. Look at all the damage that was wrought by the Weapon Master you asked to get your revenge. You asked me why I abandoned you and your men. Ask me again. I F**KING DARE YOU TO ASK ME AGAIN!!!"

At those words, Jackson was shocked. He could see the pain and agony inside Cain's eyes. This wasn't just a defeat or loss as a result of the day's events that showed in Cain's eyes. Jackson could practically see the trauma that usually hid within Cain's past on full display. The rest of the people in the area could hear the pain in Cain's voice.

It didn't take much for everyone to realize Cain's reason for running, or rather, the biggest reason besides his greed and cowardice. That being said, Jackson dropped Cain unceremoniously back to the floor before turning away from him. He then turned to Kirou and spoke, "Master Kirou, how should I deal with these men?"

Upon hearing this, Kirou raised an eyebrow before responding, "What do you mean, Jackson? Did you forget that these men are yours to deal with?"

"I understand that, Master Kirou. Even then, you went out of your way to save this many people when I mainly wanted Cain. Since you did so, I want to hear your opinion on the matter," said Jackson with a serious expression.

Kirou could see that Jackson wanted a bit of help in deciding what do to with them. While it was up to Jackson to decide whether they lived or died, he knew that Kirou wouldn't have saved them if he didn't notice something about them, hence why he's asking for Kirou's opinion on the matter.

Having thought up to there, Kirou spoke up, "The ones kneeling can be given a chance if you so desire. The master of this stronghold is yours to deal with and I won't impede on that authority. As for the five leaders..."

Kirou didn't finish his words, but Jackson understood his meaning from the cold expression that was on his face. He nodded to Kirou slightly before walking towards the five leaders. Upon seeing Jackson's expression, they knew exactly what was going to happen but they couldn't even protest since their bodies were securely bound to the posts behind them.

Jackson stood directly before the five of them with a blank expression on his face. The five tried to plead for their lives through their expressions but these pleas fell on deaf ears. Jackson took out a knife from his waist and placed it underneath one of the leader's necks. He stared into that man's eyes as he spoke, "There is no honor amongst thieves, but traitors are dealt with severely. Since you've betrayed me and my men, your death will be slow and painful."

Following Jackson's words, he made a shallow cut on the man's neck before stepping aside. The other four watched and wondered what he meant by this. Jackson repeated this action with the remaining four before turning towards his men.

Jackson had a cold expression on his face as he spoke, "Each of you is allowed one cut on each. Find the spot you like and make the cut. After everyone has gotten their turn, we'll start over until all five are dead."

After those words were said, the five on the posts grew pale. This was their version of the 'Death by a thousand cuts' execution method. They've always been the ones to use this on others and now it was their turn to experience it for themselves. They each tried their best to undo the bindings, even going as far as to dislocate their limbs in various locations. Sadly, not even that was able to free them. Even worse, the five forgot something important: even if they had managed to escape the bindings, they were currently surrounded by men that wanted their lives.

Jackson's men were silent for a moment before one took a step forward. All it took was for someone else to start before the rest joined in as the second and third followed the first in going towards the five. The rest of the men followed and each took out their own knife along the way.

The players watched as this took place, each with their own thoughts on the matter. Reya and Navi looked away from the act, finding it cruel. Moon Lily wanted to look away but found that her body refused to listen, instead opting to stare at the entire process. Mistaken Fox watched as the five were slowly tortured and could only release a sigh. As for Kirou, he only glanced at them for a moment before looking away out of boredom.

Just as the first round of cuts was complete, Jackson stopped his men and shifted his focus towards the twenty bandits currently kneeling. Although he was hesitant on the matter, he remembered Kirou's words. With that in mind, Jackson walked over to the group.

Jackson stood before them and spoke in a clear tone, "As you've heard from my master, I will give you an opportunity. I'll give you three choices. The first is that you die a swift death. This way, you'll die loyal to the leaders whom you've served up until this point. The second option is for you to join my men in giving those five a cut until they die. As for the third..."

Having spoken up to that point, Jackson glanced in Kirou's direction, as if asking permission for what he was about to say. Kirou gave him a slight nod in approval, as if knowing what the option Jackson was about to present them with was.

Seeing that he got permission to do so, Jackson picked up from where he left off, "As for the third option, you will be free to leave and do whatever you want, without fear of being hunted down by me or my master, so long as you do not antagonize us."

The group of twenty looked at Jackson as if he was insane. Or rather, that was the main thought in each of their minds. The first two options, they understood completely and would present should their respective roles be reversed, but that third option had their minds shift into overdrive, trying to figure out what Jackson was trying to pull.

Jackson could see that they each wanted to say something but that couldn't be done since they were all gagged. With that in mind, Jackson walked by each of them, removing their gags in the process, allowing them to speak.

"What's your angle, Jackson? Why would you give us the option of going free? Are you not afraid of us retaliating against you just as how you have done against us?"

"Exactly. Aren't you just forcing us to dig an even deeper hole for ourselves with that option? What the hell are you trying to pull?"

"If you want to kill us, there's no need for you to go to such lengths when you can just slit our throats here and now. There's no need to dangle hope in front of us if you're just going to turn it into despair in the end."

Many of such comments left the mouths of those captive bandits. Jackson could see the doubt in their eyes but he can't refute their claims as he knows that they won't believe it, or rather, him. As if he was seeking help, he turned towards the direction that Kirou was in, only to see that he was no longer there.

It didn't take long for Jackson to find him as he heard Kirou speaking, "It is just as Jackson said. If you choose death, I'll give each of you a swift and painless death." As if to emphasize the point, all twenty simultaneously felt a wire coil around their necks, giving them a firm squeeze.

"Should you men choose the second option, your bindings will be undone and you can join the rest of Jackson's men in cutting those traitorous leaders until they die." At this point, the wires binding their hands and feet loosened enough for each to stand on their own while facing Kirou.

"And if you choose to be free, then..." At that point, the wires on their bodies were completely retracted by both of Kirou's clones, leaving them completely free. Even then, none of the twenty tried to make a run for it or fight against anyone present. Instead, all twenty were staring at Kirou with solemn expressions.

Seeing them like this, Kirou looked at them with a serious expression as he spoke up, "Now that the options have been presented to you....."

"...CHOOSE!" echoed inside each of their eardrums.