Fushigiro clenched his fist. He didn't even manage to respond because he was already physically drained from the high-intensity battle. He gritted his teeth in hatred. How dare this monster kill his member in front of him?
Miles carried Athena's body to the side. The Apokalip tried to attack him in doing so, but Fushigiro and Tamasai covered him.
"You'll pay for what you've done!" Miles glared at the pale, white-skinned monster and looked at the lifeless body in his embrace.
He felt that it was partly his fault. If he only responded fast enough. He could have saved her. She didn't need to die. A bitter expression. 'I haven't managed to say my feelings to you yet...'
Athena was his source of motivation every day. He admired and yearned for her for years. But he was afraid to say his feelings because he knew that she didn't feel the same.
Athena's death was just too sudden for everyone. No one has expected the Abomination to have the ability to turn its arm akin to a sharp blade. Not to mention, it was precise enough to cut a feathery body, which essentially gave Athena's body the nature of a swaying leaf. Impervious to blunt forces.
The morale on the battlefield was affected by her death. Now, three of the members were unable to fight. Dunn was exhausted, Jin was beaten to the point of collapse, and Athena died.
"I'll fucking kill you!"
"Guys, we should run. If even Miles and Athena fell. Once the captain and others died. It would be our turn next. We won't be able to do anything and by then it would be already too late." The anxiety in Fatty's voice was evident.
Andre looked at the ongoing battle with a grim expression. He knew that Fatty was speaking logic. It would be their turn once all the members and once that happened, everything would be over. They won't be able to outrun the bastard.
Caleb shook his head at this. "Not so fast. Tamasai hasn't still made his move yet. The scoundrel was obviously strong, but he's not doing anything. It seems this guy doesn't actually care much about our life and death."
Luna looked at the Tamasai, who kept a neutral expression while watching Fushigiro, Dunn, and Rina fight the monster. Thanks to Fushigiro's soft fist, the abomination could only limp. Its previous speed was nowhere to be seen. "He's more like a spectator."
"And even if the damn bastard really beat Captain... We would still be able to escape. Its speed mainly comes from its weirdly shaped feet." Caleb said.
A lot of things happened. He didn't expect that they just started their journey, yet two members had already fallen. It just shows just how difficult it was to traverse the land and go to the City of Phenos. If they encounter another such Apokalips again. how would they supposed to fight it with their limited number?
He didn't even dare to process the chaotic emotions in his heart caused by the deaths of Miles and Athena. Caleb has a good impression of Athena. After all, she was the one who taught him how to survive in the wild. She also has a pleasing personality and shows her care for him multiple times. Fortunately, he might have a kid body now, but his soul was practically an adult. He has already experienced a lot of things and the death of the two wasn't enough to cause a wave in his heart. 'I've changed. I'm not as sensitive about the death of others as before. What has caused my change?'
Caleb knew that even if the teenagers die in front of him right now. He won't break down. He would just feel sad, but that's it.
He might have been willing to save them in danger and risk his life. However, that decision was more for himself. After all, he knew that he had to preserve his humanity. In the future, he would experience thousands of lives, and fully witness the Dark Side of Humanity. He was afraid that at that time, he would become apathetic, cold, and rational to the point of not caring about others. Just like how humans saw ants. He doesn't want to become an emotionless machine. He might become a knockoff version of Fang Yuan in the future. The only way for him to keep his humanity intact was by making relationships and cherishing them. If he really loses his sense of self in the future... At least he did his best.