My (Monster?) Hero Life

Kace glanced around as he tried to ascertain what the best course faction would be right now. Constance had him trapped in a difficult position, and she knew it. The only thing holding Kace back from dumping his DNA points into new abilities right was that he was unsure if that would be enough to bridge the power gap.

The army had ground to a halt as they tried to deal with the relentless barrage that the zombies kept firing towards them. Every time they tried to take a step forward, they would experience casualties that forced them to back off. The distance that they were currently maintaining appeared to be their limit of what they could deal with.

"Damn it! They're right there!" Sophia screamed furiously.

"I know. But. We're struggling. As it is." Grugda growled as he raised another Earth Wall to block the Bone Shards fired at them.

Grugda watched on with a solemn expression as his spell crumbled under the onslaught. The closer they got to the zombies, the more powerful their Bone Shard ability became. At this point, his Earth Walls could only stop one volley before falling apart. It made the Eljein frustrated to no end!

He was all for charging in, but there would be no point if nobody survived to rescue Kace from his situation. The Tu'Thrag and the natives that had been hidden even tried to intervene. Only to discover that their abilities did not let them get close to the remote battlefield at all. At that point, Grugda realised the extent of the danger that Kace was now in.

'He can't. Make a quick. Escape. His spells. Seem useless. Cutting them. Makes the situation. Worse.' Grugda's mind spun in high gear as he attempted to analyse the condition of Kace's battle from the outside. However, every idea he had met a dead end. Grugda's expression grew dark as he realised that Kace may have to abandon Shadow just to make it out alive.

If Kace did that, there was no telling how it would affect his psyche afterwards. Kace had always appeared a little unstable. He often went from one extreme to another. Whether it was a friendly and approachable side that he displayed or a dark and cunning nature. There was no telling what you would be dealing with on a daily basis. 

Grugda had even begun to wonder if Kace had a split personality or if his mind was fractured. He had no idea that he was close to guessing the truth as the battles still waged in Kace's Inner Mind for dominance. At that moment, a change occurred on the battlefield. 

Kace grabbed Shadow by the neck before activating Stampede. He used his arms and body to shield the goblin as he charged through the enemy lines shocking Constance in the process. Kace had only just realised that he could use this method to save Shadow. He had never thought of it before as whoever he dragged along would not benefit from the protective effects of this ability.

But Shadow was small enough that Kace could protect him while using it. The zombies directly in front of them were barrelled over, and they finally had a clear line of sight between them and the army! A tremendously loud roar of triumph rose from the army as they witnessed Kace breaking free from that horrendous situation. Even Grugda cracked a smile.

However, their joy was short-lived. In the gap between them, several new lines of zombies emerged from the sand to block their escape yet again. These ones instantly aimed their arms towards Shadow clutched to Kace's chest. Kace's gaze grew cold as he realised that he had been fooled. It was most likely that Constance had actually surrounded them with zombies hidden in the sand. 

She had just used the pits to make Kace think that the ones that arose from it were all she had! Kace cursed as he knew what would happen next. If he continued his charge, there was a good chance these zombies would manage to kill Shadow with a stray Bone Shard. Constance was deliberately trying to force him to stay inside her encirclement to protect Shadow's life. 

If they tried to escape, then she would make sure they paid for it with Shadow's life. Not only that, but if they did return to the army, then Constance would be free to unleash the entirety of her zombies' prowess on monsters that were gathered. 'Just now, the majority of them are focused on me. It'll be a massacre if they become free to target the others.

Kace cursed as he felt the effects of his Stampede wearing off. Suddenly he felt a wave of calmness wash over him as he made a decision.

"Shadow. Forgive me." Kace looked down at his loyal friend with a solemn gaze.

"It's ok, My Lord. As long as you survive, so will the Tu'Thrag." Shadow resolutely turned his gaze ahead. Fully prepared to be abandoned.

At that moment, Kace swung Shadow behind him. Using the momentum from his wavering Stampede and his physical strength, he suddenly launched Shadow through the air above the blockade! Constance gaped as the goblin cannonball flew too fast for the zombies to react! Shadow landed heavily in the desert, scattering sand wherever he passed.

He eventually came to a halt only a few meters from the army! The Tu'Thrag amongst them quickly retrieved him. He had received a few injuries, but nothing seemed severe. Everyone turned to stare at Kace expectantly. They assumed that since Shadow was now safe, he would be able to break free.

However, Kace stood alone and with a heavy expression. He brandished his halberd as he awaited the zombies who were catching up to him from behind. He closed his eyes for a moment before he gave out a command. His tone expressed that he would not tolerate it if they ignored him.

"Everyone! Retreat! Leave me behind!' With that said, he turned his back to them and charged into the fray once more…