Gifted

Pearl was watching the footages with great concentration, when her eyes landed on a specific footage, showing a group of young men running through the forest that's headed towards Maria's Guild. The group vary in age, as the slightly older ones carried the injured, while the younger ones are running at full speed.

"Maria, a group of Gifteds are running towards the guild, with multiple injured in tow." Pearl informed Maria, as she zoomed in on the specific footage that she's talking about, so everyone could see. "Judging by their speed, they will arrive here in about 45 minuets to an hour, if everything goes well."

"It's Scott's guild" Maria said, when she got a clearer look on the footage, before adding in a grave voice "It is much worse than I expected"

"Jae! Miayaka! Lead a team for a rescue mission." Maria instructed with a voice of a commanding general.

"Yes ma'am!" Jae and Miayaka swiftly responded with serious expressions on their faces, before Jae began calling names.

"Sharon!"

"Yes!" Sharon swiftly stood up, when her name got called.

"Shiro!"

"Hai!" Shiro responded, as he steps forward.

"Apollo!"

"Sir!" Apollo calmly responded, as he stood up from where he was sitting.

"And Pan!"

"Superstar Pan, reporting for duty!" Pan responded with great vigor and excitement.

"Alright you four, follow me!" Jae instructed, as he walked out of the living area with Miayaka beside him.

The four that were called immediately followed. Once they entered the foyer of the Guild Mansion, Jae and Miayaka halted in their steps, before facing the other four.

"Okay, you lot, this is the real deal. This is no joke, as people can actually die today. You are no longer in training." Jae said with a somber expression, making the atmosphere even more tenser.

The four suddenly felt a heavy pressure thrusted upon them, when they heard Jae's words. It made them realized how really serious the situation is and the real severity of the consequences of their actions. One decision can lead to either death or life.

"Now don't get too nervous. My wife and I are going to be with you, so just do the best that you can, okay?" Jae said in reassurance, when he noticed that the four suddenly got too nervous.

Letting out a calming breath, the four returned their gazes to Jae, Seeing the strong determination in each and everyone's eyes, Jae didn't dawdle any longer and got on with the briefing.

"Now that that is out of the way; Remember this is a rescue mission. So, as much as possible do not engage, understand?" Jae reminded in a stern voice.

"Yes, sir!" The four responded in unison.

"Saving lives are the priority, but if the situation is really dire and you have no choice, then that is the only time that you fight, are we clear?"

"Yes, sir!" The four once again responded in unison

"Good, now Miayaka is going to open a portal. Once we get through, stay together at all costs, until I issue an order. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir!" The four once again responded in unison, but this time, a little more louder and with more vigor.

"Alright, let's rock!" Jae said with a little excited smile on his face, as he nodded at Miayaka.

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Arthur kept running as fast as his two feet can take him, as he led his guildmates, deeper and deeper into the forest. His mission and main goal is to make sure that everyone will get to Lady Maria's Guild, safe and sound. But the possibility of that to ever happened, will take a lot of miracle; since, Shadows of all shapes and sizes are chasing them at an unbelievable speed. Also, taking into account the rough terrain of the forest; Arthur's candle of hope started to dwindle, as he knows that the journey was going to be even more dangerous.

It was not long before Arthur's fears, came true. One of their newer guild member, that recently just joined, tripped on an over sized root of an old tree, making the young Gifted fall on his face.

With sharp eyes, Gabe skillfully pivoted his body and sprinted his way towards his guildmate.

"C'mon, let get you back on your feet" Gabe said, as he quickly helped his guildmate to stand.

Gabe hooked his guildmate's left arm over his shoulders, while supporting his guildmate's body with his other arm. As his guildmate started standing up, the young gifted that he was helping suddenly let out a pained cry.

"Ack!" The young Gifted started to stagger, as pain started coursing through his left leg.

"What happened?!" Gabe asked calmly, as he tried his best to hide the panic in his voice.

"My foot, I think I twisted it" The young gifted said, before letting out another pained cry, when he mistakenly put too much weight on his injured foot.

It took Gabe all of his self-control, to prevent himself from cursing out loud.

"I'm so so-" The young gifted was about to apologize, when Gabe abruptly cut him off.

"Just, don't talk and conserve your energy" Gabe said through gritted teeth.

Gabe thought of carrying his guildmate on his back, when a sudden loud roar thundered across the forest. The roar was not only loud but powerful as well, as it was accompanied by a strong ominous blast of wind.

The sudden loud roar, made some of their newer members to tremble in fear, to the point that they completely stopped running.

"Everybody snap out of it!" Arthur shouted in urgency, when he saw his guildmates tremble in fear.

They cannot afford to waste time, because estimating from the loudness of the roar, the Shadows are more closer than Arthur thought. Arthur was thankful that Gabe was extremely fast on his feet when going back to help his injured guildmate, but their situation got more dire, and they need to start moving again very soon.

Thankfully another one of their newer guildmates, Halberd, also saw what happened, when his guildmate fell, and swiftly ran towards Gabe's direction. Halberd is among the newer recruits on Scott's guild. But although new, he has already shown great capability and is considered by Scott as a prodigy.

"Put him on my back!" Halberd said with urgency, as he knelt down in front of their injured guildmate, his back facing them.

Gabe didn't even think twice, as he placed his injured guildmate on Halberd's back. Halberd tightly held on to his guildmate, making sure that he's secured on his, before standing up.

"Go! I'll take care of the incoming threats" Gabe instructed as he turned to look at the dark forest that they once passed through.

"Be careful!" Halberd said with a nod, before he started running to catch up with the rest of the pact.

Gabe already knew that the threats were close, but he never expected for them to move so quick. Silhouettes of creatures, varying in shapes and sizes, started appearing one by one. Not wanting to stay any longer, Gabe placed his hands on the ground and started concentrating. Gabe's hands started glowing with a misty green shine, as evergreen erupted from the ground with extreme speed. Gabe also manipulated the branches of the trees to intertwine with each other, creating a fence like barricade. Gabe has no idea how long this barricade will last, but on the brighter side, it will serve as an obstacle, to slow the threat's pace.

Gabe immediately started running to catch up with the rest of his guildmates, once he finished creating the barricades. Unknown to him, a bat like Shadow, with the head of a lion, was flying above him. The Shadow was smart enough to make sure that Gabe was still far from the rest of his guild, before dive bombing towards its prey with blinding speed.

Gabe kept running as fast as his two feet can take him, when he saw Halberd running towards his direction, no longer carrying their injured guildmate.

"What is this guys trying to do?!" Gabe though as a deep frown appeared on his face.

Halberd kept shouting something to Gabe, but their distance to each other was still significant, preventing Gabe from hearing his shouts clearly.

Once their distance got closer, Gabe saw Halberd stopped running and stood in place, now wielding a glowing sliver halberd.

"Hurry!" Halberd shouted on top of his lungs

Gabe didn't know what got to his guildmate, but he pushed himself to run faster, nonetheless.

Once Gabe's distance to Halberd got to about 3 meters apart, Halberd suddenly swung his halberd in front of him. Gabe would've been slashed in half, if not for Halberd's warning.

"Duck!" Halberd shouted

Gabe slid on the ground with knees and leaned his body so far back that it almost touched the ground, dodging Halberd's swing, matrix style.

It was unfortunate but the incoming Shadow saw through Halberd's plan and was able to abruptly stop its decent, by spreading its wings, serving as parachute.

The wind quickly carried the Shadow upwards, causing Halberd to miss and slash the air instead. Once Gabe has recovered back on his feet, he finally understood Halberd's strange actions, when he saw the flying creature above them.

"Thanks" Gabe said in appreciation, as he stood panting, next to Halberd.

Halberd just nodded his head, but didn't say anything back, as his eyes were focused on the flying creature.

Halberd wanted to make sure that Gabe was going to be okay, so he transferred their injured guildmate to one of the newer guildmates, with an excuse that it was Arthur's order. The new guildmate didn't protest or questioned anything, as he thought that the order really came from Arthur. After transferring his guildmate, Halberd told the carrier to go ahead, as he will guard their rear. The guildmate quickly nodded and began running again, leaving Halberd to stare at their backs. When he's sure that he won't be noticed, Halberd quietly ran back further into the forest to meet up with Gabe, and that's when he saw the flying creature that was hovering above Gabe.

Now the two stood side by side, with their guards up, against the flying creature. The flying creature just watched the two Gifteds as it quietly hover over them, with patience of a seasoned hunter. Having s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e hearing, the creature's ears twitched lightly, when it heard rustling in the forest. As if finally hearing what it was waiting for, the creature let out a delighted noise, in glee. With great excitement and glee, the creature let out a loud deafening screech, causing the two Gifteds to cover their ears.

Still in daze, Halberd stood in place, disoriented; Causing his perception on his surrounding to quickly drop to 0, unable to notice the incoming attack.

Gabe only saw it for a second, when a panther like creature pounced on Halberd with a blinding speed. In a blink of an eyes, Halberd was now pinned to the ground by the seemingly normal panther; if not for the single pointed horn, that's sticking out in the middle of its forehead.

The panther like creature didn't even give Halberd the chance to regain his composure, when it swiftly sunk its sharp jagged teeth on Halberd's shoulder, causing Halberd to let out a loud anguished cry.

"Halberd!" Gabe shouted with worry filled voice, after being snapped back from his dazed state.

Wild root and vines broke through the earth, when Gabe swung both of his arms upward. The wild and old roots pierced the panther like creature's body, while the vines wrapped around its limbs and neck. Gabe though that he was helping Halberd, but what he didn't know was that he was only making it worse for his attacked guildmate.

As the vines on the panther like creature's body slowly tightened, its teeth also sunk deeper and deeper into Halberd's shoulder, causing him to let out another anguish pained cry.

Realizing what he's done, Gabe immediately loosened the vines wrapped around the panther like creature, but he was already too late. The creature's jaws were already locked and can no longer free its bite over Halberd's shoulder, completely trapping him.

"Gabe get out of here and leave me, Hurry!" Halberd shouted at Gabe with urgency, as his voice broke from the extreme pain.

"I can't leave-" Gabe was about to argue, only to be cut off by Halberd.

"You have to GO! The Guild needs you! My life isn't as important as yours! So, Go... please!" halberd begged, as tears trickled down his cheeks.

"N-!" Gabe tried agruing once again, but Halberd didn't let him.

"JUST LET ME DIE HERE! Save yourself.... Please!" Halberd said, as he looked at Gabe with a sad smile.

Not a moment longer, another roar came from the inner parts of the forest. It was the same one that they heard earlier, but this time the source is no doubt more closer that it was before.

Halberd knew that it was already over for him. If he died, it's going to be two on one and Halberd is not sure if Gabe is powerful enough to fight these two creatures, along with the rest of the creatures that are fast approaching. Halberd already knew that the bat creature's target is Gabe. So, the lease he can do is to use his own life as a distraction, to help Gabe escape.

"WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING?! GO!!!!!!!" Halberd once again shouted, when he saw Gabe still hesitating.

"I-I'M SO SORRY!" Gabe shouted as he started to run. Shame and guilt started eating him up, but he willed himself to kept running, because he knew that Halberd's sacrifice will be in vain if he stayed.

The bat creature once again dive bombed towards Gabe, only to be stopped when a loud menacing roar caught its attention. Turing to the source, the bat creature was furious, when it noticed that it was Halberd that took its attention.

Seeing its comrade approaching, the panther like creature finally pulled its mouth from Halberd's shoulder, ripping a chuck of it.

Hearing Halberd's anguished cries almost stopped Gabe from retreating.

"Arrgggg!" Gabe roared in agony, as his heart slowly kept breaking with every step that he takes, away from Halberd.

Time seemed to slow as Halberd turned his head towards his right, starring at the platinum band ring on his ring finger with sad and regretful smile.

Halberd lived his life to the best that he could, leaving him with only one regret.

Failing to protect the most important and precious person in his life; His beloved master and wife.

"I hope that you continue living the rest of your life with a smile on your face" Halberd said in a whisper, as he slowly closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate.

Just as the bat creature was about to take the finishing blow on Halberd, something zipped through the air at a blinding speed. Gabe got a brief glance at the thing, when it passed by him. His eyes widen, when he realized that it was speeding missile, heading straight towards the bat like creature.

With it s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e ears, the bat like creature immediately flew up to doge, missing its chance to kill Halberd. Unfortunately for the bat like creature, the missile was a homing missile, causing it to swerve upwards, the moment the bat like creature ascended into the air. The bat like creature was in deep shock, when it saw that the missile was still heading in its direction. The moment that the missile came in contact with the bat like creature, a massive explosion happened in the air. The explosion was so strong that it disintegrated the bat like creature into nothingness.

Gabe was still in utter shock, when the explosion happened, but what came next shocked him even more.

"Target eliminated! I repeat, target eliminated! It's showtime ladies! Advance! Go! Go! Go!" The voice was cute, but it was commanding and authoritative.

The next thing Gabe knew, an army of pink came rushing into the forest. They all looked exactly identical with each other, all wearing the same pink military camouflage combat uniform. The pink soldiers each held a different fire arm on their hands, as they charge into war, wearing determined expression on their cute little faces.

One of the soldiers approached Gabe and stopped right in front of him.

"Don't worry, the cavalry's here!" The cute soldier said with a beaming smile, while giving Gabe an adorable wink.

Gabe just gaped at the person in front of him, not knowing what to say.