Wrath of Titan

"Fool!" Rick whispered quietly, clenching his fist.

"Oh, is that all?" Karl's surprised voice rang out as he chuckled, approaching the pile of debris. A gray magic circle lit up on his hand. "Point of Rejection."

The objects covering Eros began flying in different directions, revealing the boy's bloody body riddled with bruises and wounds. His breathing was faint and ragged.

"Wow, you're still alive! Amazing!" Karl exclaimed joyfully, clapping his hands. "Did you really decide to gift me the pleasure of torturing you before you die?" He approached the boy's body. "But it wasn't worth it. You've surprised and amused me so much that I'll kill you quickly as thanks."

He crouched over the titan's body and pulled out a dagger. "This dagger has taken many lives, and now yours will be next." His smile turned bloodthirsty. "Thank you for the entertainment. Now, goodbye—and blame only yourself for your death!"

The dagger descended toward Eros's heart with frightening speed. But at the last moment, when it was mere millimeters away, two fireballs struck Karl's hand, altering the dagger's trajectory. The blade pierced the ground, barely missing Eros's body.

"I didn't expect this—two traitors," Karl grinned, turning to his right to see Rick trembling with his hand outstretched. Then, he shifted his gaze leftward, where one of the C-rank mages, Roni, stood.

"The first one is predictable, but I didn't expect this from you, Roni. I thought you were smarter," Karl said disdainfully.

"Go to hell! You kidnapped me, forced me to join your guild, and now you're lecturing me?!" Roni screamed in rage, firing another fireball. Karl easily deflected it.

"Heh, is that so? Then you'll serve as an example." His thirst for blood surged through the guild. "Betraying me is the gravest sin, and the punishment is death."

"I'm not afraid of you! If I die, at least I'll know it's for a just cause!"

"Good. Very good!" Karl hissed. "Everyone, seize these two traitors and bring them to me. And as for the children..." He glanced toward the corner where the children huddled. "Kill them. Leave no one ali—"

Karl froze mid-sentence, his eyes bulging. The next moment, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The magicians in the guild froze, staring at him in disbelief.

"And didn't you claim I couldn't kill you?" A weak but resolute voice broke the silence like a lightning strike. "How does it feel to be without a heart, you bastard?!"

"You little shit," Karl hissed, clutching his chest where his heart should have been. Instead, there was a gaping hole. His gaze shifted to the boy, who stuck out his tongue. A glowing magic circle was etched on it.

For a few moments, Karl locked eyes with Eros before collapsing backward. Karl, the leader of the Dark Dawn guild and an A-rank mage, was dead.

On trembling legs, Eros stood and scanned the room. His gaze fell on Rick and Roni. "Thank you," he whispered. They exchanged guilty smiles.

"Now," Eros said, turning to the guild mages, "who is the new master of the guild?"

"Who the hell are you—" The speaker didn't finish, as Eros fired a Bullet of Destruction, creating a gaping hole in the man's chest.

"I'll repeat: who is the new leader of the Dark Dawn guild?" Eros demanded, his gaze piercing through the room.

A cloaked mage stepped forward, a staff with a brown stone strapped to his back. "Nori... right?"

"I'll take over until the elite team returns," Nori replied, frowning. "What do you want?"

"I want to discuss a peaceful resolution," Eros said.

"Peaceful?" Nori mocked. "You killed our guild leader. Why should we agree to peace? You deserve death."

"I'm sure things will be easier for you without that scumbag," Eros spat, kicking Karl's body. "I'm not asking for much—just let us leave."

"You're right, it will be easier," Nori sneered. "But why would we let you leave alive?"

"If you don't let us go, I'll take you all down with me before I die," Eros said with chilling finality. His tone froze the room, his sincerity undeniable.

Nori hesitated, glancing at his guildmates. None moved, all awaiting his decision. "Fine. You may leave the guild," he said, his face contorted with anger. "Everyone, step aside. Let them go and don't pursue."

"But—"

"Do as I say!" Nori snapped.

"Rick, take the children and follow me," Eros ordered quietly before turning to Roni. "You're coming with us too." Without looking back, Eros began walking toward the exit.

"Lily, let's go," Rick said firmly. "Tom, Dean—you two bring up the rear. Rick and I will lead."

"Understood," the older children replied, taking their positions.

"Rick... this is real, right?" Lily's voice trembled as tears welled in her eyes. "We're leaving this place, aren't we?"

"Yes, Lily," Rick reassured her, hugging her shoulders. "Let's go. Or do you plan to stick around?" He joked, trying to lighten her mood.

"Idiot," Lily muttered, clinging to his chest.

"How are you holding up?" Roni asked as he caught up with the swaying Eros, who led the group.

"A few more minutes and I'll collapse," Eros whispered, his voice barely audible. "Be ready to catch me. Speed up if you can, but don't leave the kids behind."

"Got it, hero," Roni replied, a faint smile on his lips. "Just hold on until we're out of sight. Then you can pass out all you want."

"I know," Eros hissed. Crossing the threshold of the guild, he never looked back. His gait was firm, his gaze sharp, masking the exhaustion threatening to overwhelm him.

Roni fell back to address the children. "Listen carefully," he said seriously. "In a few minutes, Eros will run out of strength. We need to pick up the pace."

"Understood," Rick said, calling the smallest child over and whispering something in his ear. The boy nodded and ran to the end of the column. "What's the next plan?"

"We'll head west and move as fast as possible," Eros said.

"West? Why there?" Rick asked, surprised.

"The largest trading city, Magnolia, is in that direction. One of the strongest light guilds, Fairy Tail, operates there. Once we're in their territory, our chances of survival increase significantly."

"Got it," Rick said, nodding. After explaining the plan, Roni returned to Eros. By this time, they had already put about a hundred meters between themselves and the guild but remained cautious. After a kilometer, Eros's body swayed and began to fall, but Roni caught him in time.

"Roni, you know what to do... follow the plan," Eros wheezed before fainting.

"I know. Let's go—speed up!"

"Mister Roni, I... I can help," Lily whispered timidly.

"Help? With what?"

"Heal him."

"You can?" Roni exclaimed, keeping his voice low. "Why didn't you say so sooner? Quickly, come on!"

Sniffling, Lily ran up to Eros, held out her hands, and conjured two golden magic circles on her palms. "White Radiance," she murmured. "It won't heal him instantly, but it will speed up his regeneration."

"Let's pick up the pace," Rick said grimly. "The elite team left on a mission two days ago. At best, they'll return tomorrow. At worst, in half a day. We're still two days from Magnolia." He turned to the children. "We need to move faster. Lily, climb onto Mister Roni's shoulders so you can reach Eros with your magic."

"Okay." Following Rick's instructions, they increased their speed slightly. However, fatigue soon set in, and their pace slowed. Still, they pressed on.

By the next day, they had crossed the Dark Forest and entered the Eastern Forest. Exhausted, they decided to rest for an hour. Roni went to forage for food, Dean fetched water, and Rick stayed to guard the children. Lily focused on recovering the magical energy she had used to heal Eros. The healthier color returning to his face showed signs of improvement.

An hour later, they resumed their journey, albeit at a slower pace. They were fortunate not to encounter any wild animals. The Eastern Forest, known for its vast flora and fauna, housed creatures so deadly that even B-rank mages were advised to avoid it. Monsters like the Forest Volcano or Wild Siren could annihilate their group in seconds.

Half a day later, Eros began to stir.

"Rick! Roni! Eros is waking up!" Lily exclaimed with joy.

"What? What's wrong with him?" Roni rushed over, his anxiety melting into relief when he saw Eros's eyes open. "You're alive, kid! We were so worried." Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Hey… I'm still alive. Stop mourning me," Eros croaked, his voice tired but content.

"I'm not mourning you, fool! These are tears of joy!" Roni retorted, raising his fist playfully.

"Sure, sure," Eros said with a weak chuckle.

"We're just glad you're okay," Rick added, kneeling before Eros and bowing his head to the ground. "And I'm sorry."

"I told you I don't blame you," Eros said, smiling softly. "I made that choice myself."

"But—"

"No buts!" Eros snapped. "If you keep apologizing, I'll knock you out, dress you in Lily's clothes, and parade you through Magnolia!"

"Got it!" Rick said, straightening up.

"Good." Eros nodded in satisfaction and leaned against a tree with Roni's support. "Thanks, Lily, for healing me."

"How did you know?!" Lily asked, shocked.

"I can still feel traces of another's magic in me, and your faint scent matches it," Eros explained. "Where are we?"

"In the Eastern Forest, half a day from Magnolia," Rick replied quickly.

"Good." Eros's expression darkened. "Then they'll catch up to us soon."

"Yes," Roni said gravely. "Even as B-ranks, the elite team works so well together they can challenge an A-rank mage."

"Then we have one choice left." Eros's gaze settled on the trees. "Set the forest on fire."

"What?" Roni asked, stunned. "Set the forest on fire?"

"It'll only reveal our location—"

"Not just to them," Rick interrupted. "He wants to gamble. Since we can't outrun them, starting a fire might draw the attention of other mages in the area."

"Got it," Roni said. "Let's begin."

"Wait," Eros interrupted. "Hide the children first." His eyes landed on a large, sturdy tree. "Help me over there."

"Why?"

"I'll explain. Just do it."

"Fine," Roni grumbled, guiding Eros to the tree. Once there, Eros placed his hand against its bark and closed his eyes. A white magic circle appeared briefly before vanishing. "Now, get the dagger from my pocket."

"A dagger?" Roni reached into Eros's pocket and froze. "This… isn't…?"

"Something wrong?"

"No," Roni replied hastily.

"Good. Cut an entrance into the tree—one meter by one meter," Eros instructed. Roni hesitated but complied, plunging the dagger into the tree with ease.

"This blade is that sharp?" Roni marveled.

"No, idiot," Rick said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The tree is hollow."

"Who are you calling an idiot, twerp?!" Roni growled.

"And who are you calling a twerp, old man?!"

"Old man?!"

Their argument ended abruptly as Eros smacked them both on the back of their heads. "We don't have time for this!"

"Sorry," they mumbled in unison, heads bowed.

"Focus! We need to prepare to face them."

"Understood," Roni said. When the entrance was complete, they peered inside to see an empty cavity.

"What kind of magic is this?" Rick asked, surprised.

"I'll explain when we're safe," Eros replied, his gaze sharp. "For now, let's get to work."