The guards surrounded the lone warrior. Every eye went glued fixed on Pier's next move. Their armors provided them confidence, but Pier was more crucial upon battling.

A minute more passed and all of their lungs began to be filled with tensioned air, Pier looked at his opponents with deep analyzing methodology. His move was destined to be wise.

Invisible geometric lines measured the distance, his next move was up for the grab. Power sprang from his left arm. The strong punch blew the first guard off the ground. The potent strike hauled the first guard down, a sensitive spot by his abdomen made him weak. He just softly whimpered in physical devastation.

But despite what Pier showed, the others still circled around him. No more further ado was given, the tight battle resumed its momentum. The trained warrior gave the guards a good fight. He fought with might and wisdom, the algorithm worked even in the battlefield.

With only two left standing, Pier increased his power. Punches and kicks awaited to land on his body, but he maneuvered their own fatal attempts to harm themselves.

From the battlefield, the doctor heard groans and cries of pain. He was not an expert in fighting, and even if he wanted to help Pier he still can't. The torture and savagery tore strength apart from his muscles. If Pier never came, he could be dead by now.

From afar, he just stared at Pier. The doctor admired his strength and bravery, a savior in times of distress.

Three out of four guards were down, and the remaining last one felt fear after seeing what happened to his comrades. Cowardice ate him, making his feet run as fast as it could. The three injured ones were just left behind. They continued to scream their pain.

"Doctor, let's go." Pier addressed their departure.

The doctor quickly responded. This chance must be taken, the fled of the guard might cause a bigger battalion to come. Pier and the doctor ran, their pace was swift. None of them bothered to look back. Though Pier did well with the battle, exhaustion ate him.

His strength was worn out but for safety, they must go. The woods cradled their need for a hiding place. The tall trees shadowed their steps. The sunset made it almost hard to navigate their way.

"We need to get to Ace." Pier reminded he doctor of their destination.

In his point of view, Ace was still in the brink of a life and death situation. With the bullet stuck in his body, he could be paralyzed by now.

The doctor tried to keep up with Pier's steps, he kept on panting heavily to ease his tiredness. Like Pier, he was also wounded and worn out, but he needed to continue.

A long trek surrounded them, their knees started to feel whimpered. For almost two meals, the both of them hasn't yet eaten. No further reserve for strength can be used.

Their running lasted for an hour, it was of great wonder of how they even made it. With the both of them in weak condition, it was nearly impossible to travel far, that thought sunk in with Pier. It was his cue to stop.

Both hands landed on his knees, Pier panted heavily. The doctor followed his course. They stopped their sprint.

"Let's find a place to rest." The doctor suggested.

Pier just nodded, he still couldn't find words with all those air traveling out his mouth. Finally, after calming his lungs, Pier stood up and looked around.

As he gawked throughly, he found a cave from a near distance. They can stay there like how he did with Ace.

Pier pointed the direction out. "There, there's a cave."

Warren's weariness needed rest, he started to walk towards the cave. This time, Pier followed him. Their steps now were just small, their legs agreed to take leisure. Ambience switched, from tensioned to calm and soothing.

The crickets around the area hummed their tunes, it became their radio. At least now, they were given a chance to rest their minds and bodies from all the fast phasing events.

Finally, they've reached the entrance of the cave. It was dark, and only the light of the sunset gave them a glimpse of the insides. They were not sure if it was safe for them to hide there, but they had no other choice.

The lone warrior stepped inside, finding himself a place where to lie down. A rock nearby catered his needs, he immediately took the chance. His body was aching for rest. The doctor followed, but he just sat up, leaning his head onto the hard stone foundation of the cave.

The desired rest was reclaimed, but there was no assurance if their journey will be easy. Coldness subsided, creeping into their whimpered body like a blanket. It was hard to rest in this environment, but they need to use what they have.

Everything went even more colder and darker after the sun vanished. The moon mightily rose up. Slowly, it came out from the footstool of the terrain. Her light gave them temporary torches. Rather than that, the moon also gave the doctor the courage to speak.

His voice was hoarse and broken, weakly, he still tried utter what was bothering him.

"I discovered the cure for cancer. What pushed me was the fear of seeing my daughter die. She's my everything, the only remnant that his mother left."

Pier turned to face him, a glimmer of light flashed through Warren's face. His expression formed along with his melancholic reverberation. Every painful memory rushed through him.

"Until one day, she died. I found the cure on the same day where her breath faded." Sadness kicked into a higher level this time.

Warren was a father of a loving 13 year old girl, his life revolved around the city, but after everything, he found no use of why to survive, but now that she was lost, Warren's not sure of what life was anymore.

Only one thing can make his life worth a shot again, resurrection...