"Unlock their chains!" the soldier shouted.

  "All of you slaves will either die, or, if you’re lucky enough to survive, you will regain your freedom," the man sneered. "So run for your lives—and clear a path for the soldiers to climb the castle wall!"

  The Malzar Empire and the Varkzar Empire had long been locked in a brutal war for dominance over the continent of Frecunder. Amidst the chaos, Baron Louis Capet of the Kingdom of Umbrania—a barren and desolate land—sought to claim fertile soil as his reward for participating in the war. His forces clashed with those of another baron from the Kingdom of Yvarmyr, both vying for control over the contested lands.

  "Cedric, are all the preparations complete? You know we must win this war—we even had to beg that bastard of a Viscount for slaves just to carry out your plan," Baron Capet said, his voice laced with frustration.

  "Yes, Baron. We’re ready to lay siege to the enemy castle whenever you give the order. Victory will be ours," Knight Cedric replied confidently.

  "Good. Then let the siege begin—for fertile land and a future worth fighting for," Baron Capet declared.

  The Siege Begins

  As war raged on, chaos spread across the battlefield.

  "Father, how can we reach the castle wall when there are so many archers?" Lakan asked, his voice shaking.

  "Don’t worry. I will protect you. Just run with all your might, and you will survive," Panday assured him.

  Lakan’s eyes widened in terror as he spotted the moat—a small river flowing in front of the towering stone walls. How could they possibly reach the castle? Even if they survived, where would they go?

  "Slaves, run! Grab the ropes and follow the plan!" Knight Cedric commanded.

  The slaves ran frantically, driven by sheer desperation. Anything was better than the torture that awaited them if they disobeyed.

  Arrows rained down from the sky, striking the fleeing slaves like a merciless storm. Some managed to evade the deadly barrage, while others fell, their bodies littering the ground.

  At the front, Panday led the charge, running ahead of Lakan, urging the others forward. He shielded the children from the arrows, his determination unwavering. Despite their natural strength—whether beastmen, dwarves, or other races—the slaves were vulnerable against the relentless assault.

  "Alunsina, don’t go too far! We need to protect our son. Ignore the others!" Labaw Donggon shouted.

  "But they’re just kids! Their parents are already dead—we have to protect them! This is what we planned with the other adults!" Alunsina cried back.

  "Just come back! I don’t want to lose y—"

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  Thwack!

  "Maaa!!!!" Kadlum screamed in horror.

  An arrow had pierced Alunsina’s head as she tried to shield a child.

  Labaw Donggon clenched his fists, his face twisted with grief.

  "Don’t stop! We need to survive—for your mother," he urged.

  The slaves ran with all their might toward the moat, their eyes filled with anticipation—as if waiting for something.

  In the river, rafts drifted downstream, leaving the castle soldiers dumbfounded.

  "What?! Why are there rafts in the river?!" a soldier shouted.

  "Everyone! The rafts are approaching—get your ropes ready!" Panday commanded.

  Following his orders, the adults holding the ropes dropped them into the water.

  Knight Cedric scowled. "Why are you dropping the ropes?!"

  Panday turned to face him, his eyes burning with fury.

  "You really think we would obey you while you send children to die on the battlefield? Your baron must be desperate if he’s sacrificing children just to save food!"

  Cedric’s expression darkened. He clenched his fists. "You dare betray me?! So this was your plan all along—tricking me into using this strategy just to escape!"

  "Follow them! Catch them again! These are the only slaves the Viscount could spare—we need them to reach the castle! Mages, to the front!" Cedric barked.

  But the mages, positioned behind hundreds of soldiers, struggled to move forward.

  "Why are you so slow?! They're almost at the river!" Cedric roared as he realized what the slaves were attempting.

  As they neared the river, Panday called out, "Save the children! Lakan, steel yourself—we must survive!"

  "Yes! We will survive!" Lakan shouted, his determination rekindled.

  Thwack!

  An arrow lodged itself into Panday’s chest.

  The slaves gasped in shock. A great warrior—pierced by an arrow. The one hope they clung to was crumbling before their eyes.

  "Father!" Lakan cried.

  Panday gritted his teeth, barely holding on. "Don’t cry, Lakan! Just run! Balagtas, Tumanod, Dalangpan—come here!"

  The three dwarves, who had been shielding the others, turned to see Panday’s condition.

  "Are you okay?! Brother, we have to survive—this is our long-awaited dream!"

  "Hold on! The slaves need your guidance!"

  "You can make it! We’re almost there!"

  Panday gave them a weak smile. "I’m counting on you three. Make this escape possible."

  "Don’t give up! Aren’t you the strongest?" the dwarves pleaded, their voices shaking.

  Panday exhaled sharply. "You three… it’s your time to carve your own path now."

  The rafts finally reached the castle walls.

  "Now! Jump, all of you! Swim to the rafts!" Panday commanded.

  He coughed, blood trickling from his lips. "I need to hold on… just a little longer. Lakan, you must fulfill the dream we shared. I am proud… to be your father."

  "Father! How can I survive without you? I need you!" Lakan sobbed.

  Panday chuckled weakly. "You’re already a man, Lakan. You're twelve years old—you can survive without me. Hahaha!"

  Lakan, with a serious face, said, "Where should we go? This land… there's nowhere to hide."

  Panday coughed, blood trickling from his lips. "Head northwest... The mountain ranges there remain untouched by humans and elves. You'll find refuge. Now go—before they catch you."

  Balagtas grabbed Lakan, pulling him and swimming onto a raft.

  Panday gave a weak smile, his breathing ragged. "Go now, you three. Live for the dream we all shared. I won’t be there to see it, but I know you’ll make it happen. This is where I stay."

  The three dwarves turned to him with solemn expressions, holding their fists to their chests in a warrior's farewell.

  Then, Balagtas and Panday pushed the raft into the river.

  Splash!

  As the current carried them away, Panday smiled one last time before collapsing, reminiscing about the happy memories he had with his family and fellow slaves.

  Lakan reached out. "Father!!"

  But Panday was gone.

  Grief overwhelmed Lakan. Exhausted from trauma, frustration, and sorrow—he fell unconscious.

  Out of the five hundred who had been sent to their deaths, only a small handful managed to escape—drifting away on the rafts toward an uncertain future.