This moment marked a turning point in their journey.


The building stood tall before them, their destination, the final stop on a long and uncertain road. And in front of it, like some grotesque warning, stood something Civilian had heard rumors of, but never truly believed existed.


They called them Scarecrows.


A twisted blend of branches, fabric, and bones, woven together into crooked effigies clawing toward the sky. Two dozen of them stood scattered across the plaza. Some were small, others so tall their peaks touched the third stories of surrounding buildings. Skulls grinned from the tangles, eye sockets gaping, jaws stretched wide in eternal silent screams. And judging by the stench of rot, not all of the material was old.


No one knew why the Shadows built them, but everyone understood the message: This city wasn’t theirs anymore.


Dog whined. He had followed faithfully until now, but here he stopped, ears pinned back, tail tucked low. Civilian knelt and stroked his fur, but even he knew no amount of comfort could convince the animal they were safe here.


“They call them Scarecrows,” Civilian whispered, as if afraid that louder words might wake something that should never be disturbed.

“We think it’s their way of telling us to leave.”


He tilted his head back, eyes following the warped mass of bone and vine.It was worse than anything he’d ever imagined.


“Honestly? I thought it was just some scary bedtime story,” he admitted.


Soldier stared at the Scarecrow with unflinching indifference. Then said, flatly,

“Well… now you know where all the people went.”


Dog whined again, took a few steps backward and then turned. His scruffy tail flicked between the ruins before he disappeared for good.


“At least someone around here has some sense,” Soldier muttered, then barked sharply:

“Don’t touch it.”


Civilian froze. His fingers had almost reached one of the braided cords wrapped around a skull. He just wanted to make sure it was real, that exhaustion and fear weren’t playing tricks on them.


He pulled back, startled, then turned away from the grotesque structure and looked at the building entrance.


They had made it.


“So this is it,” Civilian breathed.


“Yeah. Thanks to you,” Soldier nodded, then paused awkwardly.


“And now?” Civilian asked.


“Now… you can go back. Back to wherever you call home. The rest’s on me. If I succeed, you’ll know. If I don’t… you’ll know that too.”


Without another word, he stepped forward, leaving Civilian standing behind, watching his figure fade into the distance.


Civilian hesitated.


He should let him go alone. Really, he should. He’d done his part. He had no further mission. No duty. No plan.


He should turn around.


And yet…


He only hesitated a moment.Then he ran...to catch up.


He knew it was a mistake.


But it was already too late to turn back.