Noim

Chapter 1 | The Moment of Truth

Have you ever been too immersed in a dream that you, yourself, couldn't wake up even if you wanted to? Dreams tend to become so real that your brain subconsciously acknowledges it as your own reality rendering you unable to get out.

You would need to wait for that certain trigger that will eventually pull you out to reality. I believe that every dream comes with a certain trigger.

It can come in all shapes and sizes. Most of them are just too passive to notice. It could be a friend, a stranger you walk past by, a cat you saw before you cross the street, an apple, a feeling, a strange sound, or even just a single word, something that you would pass by and the next thing you know, you’re awake. You’re back in reality.

Heh. If only all triggers are that passive.

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All that stands between us and the sanctuary we’ve all been longing for are these fuckers that took away everything from us. Are you gonna let them humiliate your lives again?!

『No!』

They took away our homes... took away our loved ones… even our freedom! They ate us… Raped our daughters… enslaved our kind… crushed our very souls… and now, as we stand. They are even trying to take that little bit of humanity that’s left within us...

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But little do they know that we will never break… and with every bit that they take away from us, we’ll take away a huge part of them. For every soul they took from us we will send a hundred of them to hell!

This is the moment of Truth people.

Show me your strength!

Show me your determination!

Show me your will to LIVE!

CHARGE!

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We need to breakthrough!

Maintain the frontlines! Cast the first batch of support spells now!

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Clear!

Go. Go. Go.

William what the hell are you doing?!

I told you we got your back, just go all out and make a mess out there.

Just go crazy. We got you, kid.

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Shit! There’s too many of them!

We’re surrounded. We need to break through or else we’re all gonna die here.

Bombard them now!

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*BOOM!*

More are coming from behind!

Shit. They’re swarming us. We’re gonna be wiped out at this point.

Cable, Rex, Fisher! Save as many as possible. Provide Cover! We need to fucking push through.

...

Come here, kid. At this rate, all of us are gonna die down here. We will gather their attention and launch our last set of spells we can afford to create a diversion.

Now, I want you to lead all of the others and steamroll your way towards our goal. The sanctuary should be just a few blocks after we exit the tunnel.

Don’t worry. We can still-

Even though you’re strong, it wouldn’t make much of a difference. They already have us surrounded. The iron fortress we casted is about to break as well...

But...

Go and lead them out of this hell hole!

That doesn’t make sense. We still have a lot of--

Don’t you dare disobey orders now! We can handle this. Just go and save these people. We’ll catch up with you in no time.

*Thud*

Go on, kid. Even time couldn’t kill me what makes you think I’ll croak this time. Besides, Captain over here is gonna go all out. It would be a waste if this old man isn’t here to see it.

But…

Look just go. We’re running out of time already and you’re squabbling isn’t helping much either is it? Don’t crush everyone’s hope will ya?

I…

JUST GO!

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Keep it up. We’re about to exit the tunnel.

Move faster. The tunnel is about to collapse!

Wait, what’s that...

It’s a trap! Everyone STOP!

EVERYONE STO---

*BOOM!*

No!

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Mom! Dad! Are you both alright? Just hold on okay. I still have a few potions here. This should be enough to keep you both going.

Wha...wa...what are you doing?!

You know it’s not enough. Damn kid. When are you gonna grow up!

Just go honey. Remember that we always love you… *cough* *cough*

My wife… WHAT ARE YOU STANDING HERE FOR?! LEAD THEM TO THE SANCTUARY YOU STUPID PIECE OF SHIT!

Dad… I…

LEAVE NOW

Come on William. we need to go NOW!

GET AWAY FROM ME! I CAN STILL SAVE MY PARENTS! GET AWAY FROM ME! GET AWAY FROM MEeeeee.....

WILLIAM THIS IS NO TIME FOR DISCUSSION. WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE HERE IF WE DELAY ANY-...

*Splash!*

That son of a bitch almost sneaked out from behind. Come on!

COME ON!

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The Refugee is just a few blocks as soon as we exit this tunnel. Everyone run straight ahead and don’t look back!

*Slash*

Keep going!

*Splash*

*Boom!*

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We’re getting wiped out!

I know! JUST KEEP RUNNING AND TRY YOUR BEST TO STAY ALIVE!

*Boom!*

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There’s the Shelter. Come on!

OPEN THE GATES QUICK!

HELP! HELP! PLEASE ANYONE HELP!

SOMEBODY OPEN THE GATES!

PLEASE! There are people down here...

*Slash*

Shit! They still caught up to us…

HOLD YOUR GROUND! HELP SHOULD BE COMING SOON!

We’re gonna be wiped out at this rate...

Just scream harder!

Help!

Please!

Anyone!

*Sob* *Sob* Please help…

*Screech!*

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The gate is finally opening. Everyone come on!

We...

We made it…

*thud*

WE MADE I-

It’s not over yet! Quickly close the gates! Some of them might get inside!

Shit. Here they come. Prepare for battle.

There’s too many of them…

Are we gonna die just like this?

*BOOM!*

*Slash* *Slash* *Slash* *Slash* *Slash*

He wiped a third of them in just a single move…

Look! They’re finally retreating!

We’re saved!

Thank you so much, sir… Thank you… Thank you…

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No need to thank me, everyone… This is Sanctuary after all. ‘Grin’

I don’t like the feeling of this…

*Slash*

Everyone sa… sa-

ve… yourselves...

He’s a har...

vester...

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Bingo!

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HAHAHAHAHAHA! YES!

THAT’S IT! THAT’S IT!!!!

Sacrifice more blood for this sanctuary that you people call.

HAHAHAHA! YE...--

Whoops. *Grin* You sure got guts kid.

What? Say something. OH DON’T BE SO SERIOUS YOU POOR CHILD. Do you think you can kill me with the toy you’re holding over there?

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HERE! Let me help you.

*Stab!*

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

YES, THAT’S IT!

STAB ME! I SAID STAB ME!

*Stab!*

AGAIN!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

*thud*

I don’t understand… *Sob* *Sob*

Why...

Please tell me...

Those people…

Everyone sacrificed themselves just so we could make it here…

EVERYONE!... Even my pare..nts…

Wha-ha.. Ha.. hy!…

*thud*

*Sob* *Sob*

Do you think that you’re the only one that lost somebody?! HAHAHAHA!!!!! HOW FUCKING NAIVE! You made it here, yet you’re far more blind than anyone that I’ve ever met.

It’s BECAUSE YOU’RE WEAK!

It’s because you’re too...

*SLAM*

fucking!

*SLAM*

weak!

*SLAM*

DO YOU THINK THAT YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS SACRIFICED A PART OF THEMSELVES TO GET THIS FAR?!

I HAVE SACRIFICED MY FRIENDS! MY PARENTS! MY WIFE MY CHILDREN

I HAVE SACRIFICED MY HUMANITY TO SURVIVE

DO YOU KNOW WHY?

HUH?! DO YOU KNOW WHY?!