Chapter 46- Hope
The acting leader stood amidst the chaos, sweat dripping from his brow as he watched Celestia struggle to rise. He clenched his fists tightly. If we don’t act now... we’re done for. All of us.
Taking a deep breath, He stepped forward, his voice cracking as he shouted, "Wait! Please!"
The attackers paused, turning their eyes toward him.
Hans raised his hands. "My name is Hans Torent. I’m the acting leader of the civilians here."
The man with the lightning skill arched an eyebrow, amused. "And?"
Hans continued, his voice trembling but determined, "We’ve had enough of this life... starving, hiding, waiting to die. We’ll go with you, just let us join your group."
A beat of silence. Then, the man burst into laughter. "Ha! Hahaha! Did you hear that, boys? Look at them! The people this ice queen worked so hard to protect are the first to abandon her when things turn ugly."
He turned his eyes back to Celestia, who knelt on the ground, still smoldering with pain but unwavering.
"Tell me, Lieutenant," he said mockingly, "how does it feel? To be tossed aside like trash by the very people you risked your life for?"
Celestia looked up at him with her signature frost in her gaze. "It doesn’t matter. I was just following my orders."
"Hmph. Still so proud." He knelt down and grabbed her chin between his fingers. "What if I offered you something better? Be mine, and I’ll treat you well. You’re not bad to look at, and I like a woman with spirit."