The rain started again.
Cold droplets struck Nikolai's face as the clouds gathered above the outpost, spreading across the sky until they swallowed the blood moon. The remaining red light faded from the courtyard, leaving the damaged floodlights and burning buildings to illuminate the dead.
"We lost this fight..."
After those words, his father's weight seemed to double, slumping against him with each step.
Nikolai tightened his arm around his father's waist, stopping him from falling as the wounds across Ivan's chest continued pouring blood. His transformed body had already disappeared, leaving his torn clothing hanging from his battered frame.
"Dad.... Save your breath."
"I'm not dying."
"Then stop talking in such a defeated manner... we're alive to fight another day..."
Ivan released a weak grunt, but he didn't argue.
