CHAPTER 53: SORRY, SACRIFICES HAVE TO BE MADE

Dominic stood before Gravemind, the towering Colossus leader, whose massive form loomed like a nightmare born from stone and wrath.

The ten Colossi flanked him, each easily a hundred feet tall, with gleaming obsidian armor and glowing red eyes. Their breaths came like thunder, and each footstep split the earth beneath them.

The air around Dominic was thick with tension and hopeless dread. Behind him stood the remnants of the Ghost Force, bruised, bloodied, and panting. Lillian, arm wrapped tightly in a blood-soaked cloth, was kneeling but still clutching her blade with ferocious defiance.

Alice was wounded, one side of her face marked by a violent clash with one of the Colossi, while Lady Fares was limping but radiated resolve.

Dominic’s system chimed faintly in his mind, its voice unusually restrained:

[Warning: Enemy Power exceeds Level 10 SSS Class. Immediate retreat advised.]

He clenched his fists. His sword trembled in his grip—not from fear, but from the raw pressure of Gravemind’s presence. The beast was unlike anything he had ever faced. There was no strategy, no stat boost, no technique in his arsenal that could account for the sheer overwhelming might of the Colossus.

Gravemind stepped forward, each movement sending shockwaves through the ground. His voice was deep and primal, like mountains grinding together.

"So... this is the mortal the Ghosts chose as their General. You are brave, Dominic. Foolishly brave."

Dominic narrowed his eyes. He raised his sword and pointed it at Gravemind. "You think I’m afraid of you?"

Gravemind’s massive hand swung like a falling boulder. Dominic dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding instant death. The earth where he stood seconds ago exploded into a massive crater. Debris flew everywhere.

"Spread out!" he commanded the Ghosts.

Alice led her squad left, attacking the ankles of the nearest Colossus. Their coordinated strikes made a dent but couldn’t pierce the hardened stone. The Colossus roared and slammed its foot, killing two Ghosts instantly.

"No!" Lady Fares screamed, launching herself forward in a burst of shadow magic. She slipped through the terrain like smoke, appearing at the Colossus’ blindside. Her daggers glowed with purple energy as she slashed its Achilles tendon. The creature stumbled, falling to one knee. Alice’s team jumped on the opportunity and climbed up its back, stabbing and slicing with everything they had.

Meanwhile, Dominic charged at Gravemind, blade humming with system energy. He landed a powerful upward slash that scraped Gravemind’s chest. Sparks flew. The impact did almost nothing.

Gravemind swatted Dominic mid-air like a mosquito. He flew through the air, smashing through a stone pillar, blood pouring from his mouth.

"General!" Lillian cried.

Dominic struggled to his feet. His vision was blurry. Every bone in his body screamed. He wasn’t sure he would survive a second if such hit again. His system echoed softy in his ears.

[Durability Critical. 92% Damage Taken. Healing Recommended.]

He spat blood and wiped his mouth. "No retreat... not yet."

He sat up and muttered lightly to himself. "Engage healing immediately." Then a cold shimmer of light glowed on his body. He felt his bones straighten effectively. His flesh repaired instantly.

Another Colossus lumbered toward Alice’s squad. Its hand clapped like thunder, smashing the hill she stood on. She rolled at the last second, pulling two Ghosts out with her. But more died. Blood soaked the battlefield. Screams echoed in every direction.

Lady Fares returned to Dominic’s side, shadows clinging to her skin like armor. "We can’t hold them. We must flee. Or we will die here."

"I know," Dominic whispered, shame burning in his chest. "But we can’t abandon them."

"We won’t," she said. "But you’re the General now. If you die here, everyone dies."

Gravemind raised his hand again, drawing on dark energy that painted the skies red. The other Colossi followed suit, preparing for a massive area-wide annihilation attack.

Lillian limped over to Dominic and Lady Fares. Her face was pale, and her arm hung uselessly at her side.

"I’ll stay," she said, voice firm. "I’ll hold them off. You gather the survivors and go."

Dominic shook his head violently. "You’ll die."

"I know," she said. "But someone has to give them time. If I can take one more down, it’ll be worth it."

He clenched his fists again. His entire body trembled. Not in fear, but in rage and powerlessness. He hadn’t even had time to touch her boobs effectively. He hadn’t made her his harem yet. He hadn’t fucked her large ass. Damn! These damn Colossi were creating agony and pain in him.

Lillian stepped forward, holding her sword in her good hand. She turned back and smiled faintly.

"Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain."

Dominic finally gave the command. Tears hung in his eyes. He didn’t want this but it had to be done. Sacrifices for the greater good as they say.

"Retreat! All squads, retreat to the Southern cliffs! Fall back! NOW!"

Lady Fares summoned a massive veil of shadow to cover their escape, and the remaining Ghosts began pulling back. Alice grabbed the wounded.

As the smoke rose and the shadows thickened, Lillian screamed and charged toward Gravemind with all the strength she had left.

The last image Dominic saw before disappearing into the shadows was her silhouette leaping into the air, blade raised high, facing down the might of the Colossus alone.

His eyes met with hers. For a moment he felt his heart break. This little hours of fighting together was ending with her death. She was dying for the good of the Ghosts.

She was dying as a legend. And if course they were not going to let her name go erased . She would be a legend in their hearts.

Alice sobbed bitterly as she saw one of her friends left in the battle field to rot. They were leaving so much behind. This was a devastating blow on the Ghosts and it was going to take time to recover from.

Dominic glanced away just as Lillian’s head was squashed by Gravemind. His laughter echoed in as he watched them flee into the shadow orb of Lady Fares.

Within minutes they were teleported. Teleported away from the sight of death and destruction. From pain and sorrow. They were fleeing their home land not knowing the cause of their down fall was no other than Morgan.

Best friends are the worst enemies.