I swung my sword with a war cry, tearing through the flesh of the monstrosity in front of me, leaving a trail of silvery red in its wake.
At the same time, Le'garde flanked it with swift steps, piercing its left side with a deep thrust of his spear, drawing a red spray after a soft, wet crunch.
The strange wolf-like creature lunged forward, snarling with bared fangs, biting into the beast's right leg, tearing its limb apart and cracking its bones with a sickening crack.
The creature's guttural, agonized howl reverberated through the dark, rocky chamber, making me grit my teeth against the ringing that hurt my ears.
The wolf retreated into the shadows, thrashing and yelping painfully, while my captain stepped back, cowering, using his spear as a crutch while holding his wounded arm.
I resisted the instinct to cover my ears, avoiding falling into a terrible combat stance, opening my guard to an unexpected attack from my enemy.
However, the gnashing in my mouth and the pain in my head were insignificant compared to the rest of the afflictions that ravaged my body.
My limbs burned and protested against every action I took, exhausted by the endless macabre dance.
Advance, attack, retreat, dodge, defend, parry, this process would repeat itself until one of us was dead.
I did not intend to be the first.
My armor threatened to topple me in a moment of weakness, weighing down like a blacksmith's anvil on my entire body.
A brief loss of strength in my legs was all I needed to fall toward the ground.
Whether I would ever rise again… Well… That was a different story.
My chest burned and each breath required an enormous effort, creating clouds in my partially obscured vision.
It felt like fire ran through my veins and each blink extended the dark edges that brought eternal sleep.
Oh, Alll-mer, what if I stopped for just an instant? Would it be so wrong? Would you condemn your devoted follower for a moment of weakness? Can I sit and rest, believing that I am under your watch and care? When… If I open my eyes, will I find myself in this accursed abyss, or beside you in paradise?
I widened my eyes and shook my head, dispelling these sinful ponderings.
D'arce, how dare you doubt at a time like this?!
I wiped the sweat that was running down my forehead like a waterfall, soothing my eyes and unsticking my hair from my face.
Forgive me for my lack of faith, my God, I know that you would not abandon your sheep in a time of trial! Not when you proudly observe our devotion with your eternal love, ready to guide us to new heights with each challenge overcome! If you allow me, I only ask one thing of you, one thing, and I swear that I will never demand anything from you again. Give me the strength to face this abomination!
I took a deep breath, feeling refreshed, as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
I stopped clenching my teeth, the pain in my head receded, my arms and legs pulsed with energy, my gear became light as a feather, my heart burned in my chest with unshakable determination and I had never seen so clearly.
I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, hearing the material creak, and scanned my surroundings with a sharp gaze born of my time on the battlefield.
Teeth, eyes, and metal gleamed faintly in the darkness. The wolf circled like a beast, limping and growling with every step, but remaining defiant, like a predator about to spring upon its prey.
The beast knew this, there was animalistic recognition in its gaze, a mixture of the intelligence of what had once been human and the instinct of what was left of an animal.
The corners of his massive, bloody, salivating mouth twitched unsteadily, responding to the sounds uttered by the dark wolf, and his remaining limbs twitched dangerously, ready for the next strike.
Le'gard headed in the opposite direction, raising his spear with both hands, moving with a cautious step, one foot after the other, almost dragging them on the ground.
His chest rose and fell heavily, as if he would stop at any moment, his long hair, once beautiful but now filthy with dust, blood and sweat, tangled in front of his pale face, and his fighting stance faltered slightly with each painful movement.
I was in no better situation, we could not continue like this for much longer. It was time to put this beast down.
"RRROOOAAARRR!"
The beast released a deafening roar, a shocking sound that seemed to shake our surroundings.
We returned the gesture, letting out our war cries and howls, enduring the familiar pain and advancing on the monster.
A swing of his remaining arm kept Le'gard at bay, forcing him to back away awkwardly as he raised his spear to the side, using it as a shield.
The attack left an opening for the wolf to close the distance, circling the beast and drawing its attention, dodging the kicks and bites it unleashed, but finding itselfmyself pressed against the cave walls.
I narrowed my eyes and waited for the perfect opportunity, approaching cautiously, my sword steady and raised, my feet light and nimble.
Just when it seemed the wolf would be crushed against the cold rock and become a red stain on its future grave, my brother-in-arms plunged his weapon into the beast's back, which arched, screaming in fury, and turned quickly, separating the spear from its owner.
Opening its gigantic mouth filled with knife-sized fangs that would devour and tear apart a grown man in a single bite, the monstrosity intended to condemn my companion, but I would not allow it.
I abandoned my shield and gripped my sword with both hands, assuming a combat stance focused on speed and moving as fast as lightning.
At the same time, Le'gard swung his leg with absurd speed and force, sweeping his opponent's lower limbs.
Our enemy stumbled and fell to his knees with a heavy thud, chunks of his legs torn off by the powerful blow, putting him within my reach.
I focused intently on the target ahead, like a hawk about to strike down its prey. There was nothing left but my blade and what it would prove.
"AAAHHH!"
I screamed with all my might, thrusting my sword forward, using the little energy I had left to pierce the side of the monster's head.
SCHING!
SPLURT!
Cold steel pierced through blood, flesh, and bone, piercing its brain and exiting the other side in a crimson stream.
The beast stopped with its hand in the air, red liquid leaking from its bloodshot eyes and broken snout, but that was not the end.
I growled in effort, pulling my sword to the right, cutting half of its skull, swinging it above my head and delivering a subsequent blow in the opposite direction.
With that final movement, the creature that tormented us fell forward, similar to a cut tree, staining the ground with its blood and severed brain.
Silence consumed us as we observed the corpse. I, I prayed that it would not get up, for it would not be able to continue fighting.
We watched the wolf approach and sniff the body, my heart clenching during the tense moments that passed.
However, a smile crept onto my face when the wolf stepped on the beast's back with its front paws and howled in victory.
That was the signal for me to finally stop, I dropped my sword and shield, letting them fall with a sharp crack.
The crushing weight in my hands disappeared, but the tremor in my legs carried me down.
I fell to my feet, grunting in pain, but then sighing in relief.
I leaned back, staring at the dark ceiling as I propped myself up on my arms, slowly lying down.
Thank you! Thank you, Alll-mer! I knew you wouldn't abandon me! Forgive me for doubting! I swear I will continue to fight in your name and spread your word throughout the world!
Everything hurt, words could not describe the exhaustion I felt.
I wanted nothing more than to get out of my armor and rest my battered muscles, but this was not a safe place for that, no place in this damned dungeon was.
I caught my breath in slow, heavy gulps, filling my burning chest with valuable air, and looked around, spotting the wolf licking his wounds in a corner and Le'gard sitting on the floor against a nearby wall.
Our eyes met in silence and expressionless faces, until he gave me a smile and a playful wink, making me laugh out loud at the absurdity of the situation.
"That was quite a fight, wasn't it?" He laughed, breaking the silence.
"You say it like it was a good thing!" I replied in a mix of joy and sarcasm.
"I would never dream of it, I hope I don't encounter another one of those anytime soon. My heart wouldn't be able to take it."
"As long as we work together, I'm sure we'll win."
"Hm… Value yourself more, you did most of the work and killed that thing. Speaking of us, where's your friend, his daughter, and the giant knight? We lost sight of them in the darkness, I pray they're okay."
I mentally scolded myself for having forgotten about Micolash and his group.
Were they still alive? I'm ashamed to think about it, but I believe we would have heard if they had died. Perhaps they won after all, there is no second beast roaming around here.
CRASH!
The sound of something large hitting the ground interrupted my thoughts, drawing our attention, something was moving ahead in the darkness.
I smiled, muttering a prayer of thanks as I spotted our companions alive and well.
The child, the giant knight we had defeated earlier but had somehow returned, was Micolash.
The remaining beast was dead, resting in a pool of its own blood, with the latter lying on its chest, however, there was something wrong with this sight.
The girl hid trembling behind the knight's legs, watching with wide, teary eyes, a horrified face and hands clasped in apprehension the behavior of her protector.
I followed his gaze, frowning in confusion at Micolash's attitude. He wasn't unconscious, as he was still moving, albeit erratically, but he didn't move away from his enemy's corpse, keeping his face close to the body.
"Micolash…"
"SSSHHH!"
The child interrupted my speech, staring at me deeply, placing a hesitant finger in front of his lips, releasing a hiss to silence me.
I would ask the reason behind this, but the answer came when the man on top of the monster stopped moving, filling the surroundings with a freezing silence, and slowly raised his head, accompanied by the sickening sound of something tearing.
I regretted having called his name when his bloody face focused on me.
His mask, hood and mouth were covered in red that dripped towards the ground, giving him the appearance of a merciless killer.
His slitted eyes glowed in the darkness, similar to those of a cat or snake, making me feel like prey being analyzed by a predator.
His red-drenched mouth consumed a large chunk of raw meat, still possessing the fur and skin of his victim, and one eye remained dangling between his deadly, gleaming fangs.
We stood in tense silence, waiting for who would act first. My mouth had never felt so dry, I licked my lips and reached for my sword, glancing around so as not to be caught off guard. Luckily, my weapon was close behind me.
I reached a tired hand toward it, opening and closing my grip in midair. I groped for the ground and accidentally pushed my blade away, but I had never felt so relieved and secure when my fist closed around the hilt.
Micolash's unearthly eyes stared deep into my soul, he knew I was up to something, and with an inhuman roar, he closed the distance like a maddened animal.
His speed was astonishing, moving on all fours during the initial thrust, but rising into a hunched posture halfway.
His skinned arm, covered in eyes and tipped with bone claws, plunged toward my face. I rolled away, yelping in surprise and rising to one knee.
I gasped as his blow pierced my previous location with a crack, leaving five circular holes in the now cracked ground.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" I pointed my sword at him, demanding answers and receiving another maddened roar in return.
His second attack was more predictable, despite his speed. I stood up and stepped to the side, dodging a vertical swing from below.
I avoided having my belly ripped open like a pig's and pondered my next action in the following moments.
I had no desire to hurt the one who had helped me despite all the harm I had caused him, but I would not allow myself to be struck down after overcoming such a challenge.
I brought the pommel of my blade down towards his head, intending to knock him unconscious.
Horror covered my face as the countless red, glowing eyes on his arm stared at me in perfect synchrony, demonstrating intelligence.
Micolash moved nimbly, twisting his body and grabbing my wrist with his misshapen arm, holding it in a painful grip.
"STOP!"
What happened?! He wasn't that strong!
However, he was still far from overcoming me. I gritted my teeth and planted my feet on the ground, escaping having my neck ripped open as he pulled me towards his toothy mouth and pulled him in the opposite direction, punching his face with my free hand.
The metal of my gauntlet hitting his mask cracked in my ears, and he staggered disoriented, releasing me and allowing me to continue.
"YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN! THIS PLACE WANTS TO DRIVE US INSANE! MAKE US KILL EACH OTHER…"
"AAAHHH… ARGH!"
A furious scream interrupted by another punch was his response, putting him in a trembling position, almost collapsing.
"IF YOU WON'T LISTEN TO MY WORDS THEN MY FISTS WILL MAKE MY MESSAGE CLEAR! STOP AND CALM DOWN, COME TO YOUR SENSES BEFORE I HAMMER SOME SENSE INTO YOUR HEAD! IF I ESCAPED INSANITY THEN SO CAN YOU!"
My efforts were in vain, as he showed no signs of stopping. The next blow was aimed at my left side, which I easily avoided and slapped his face with the back of my hand.
The next one, aimed at my chest, I stepped back, escaping his reach and punching him in the jaw.
"I SEE YOU WON'T GIVE UP WHILE YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH!"
The same goes for me! By Alll-mer, I'm about to pass out!
Maybe I hit him too hard in the head. He closed the distance in a blind, clumsy lunge. I simply moved to the left and put my leg in the way, knocking him to the ground.
"I admire your determination, but you are no warrior! Now stay down!"
I clicked my tongue in frustration as Micolash struggled to get up, and I prepared to kick him to end this.
However, the mass of orbs focused on me again, and he dodged to the side, dodging my attack.
I would have applied more pressure, but a handful of dirt met my eyes, briefly blinding me.
I grunted in pain, rubbing my eyes in an attempt to regain my vision, catching glimpses amidst the chaos.
I swung my sword carelessly every time I thought I had found my opponent.
A futile effort, as something threw itself at me, hitting my chest and knocking me to the cold, hard ground.
A weight held me down, and when my vision returned, I barely had time to get my blade in the way of the gnashing fangs approaching my face.
Micolash's jaw snapped shut with such force that I found myself unable to move my weapon.
Several loud cracks snapped me out of my thoughts of how this was possible.
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Cracks spread across the steel.
What happened to you? How did you become this thing? How did you gain such strength? You are no longer the person I once knew.
The metal groaned and bent, splintering as his mouth closed. Shards of blood, saliva, and grease rained down in all directions, some lightly cutting my face.
I recoiled in pain, closing my left eye as blood obstructed my vision. This was an inconvenience compared to the situation I found myself in.
The irony was palpable, I was fighting for my life this time. So this was how Micolash had felt when I had nearly killed him in my madness.
Hmph! And I had never apologized properly. Of all the dangers in this damned place, being killed by another human being was one of the most humiliating ends.
I dropped the remains of my weapon and used both hands to pull Micolash's face away from mine before he could bite it off.
The sight of the fanged, drooling mouth close to my face was terrifying, death so close at hand.
Unfortunately, without my sword and with both hands occupied, my attacker was free to try other methods.
"AAAHHH!"
His right hand, tipped with claws, closed around my left shoulder, piercing my armor, chainmail, and the flesh just below.
Blood gushed from the wounds as I felt the sharp, curved pieces of bone lodge themselves.
"GASP!"
My screams ceased as his remaining hand wrapped around my throat, his grip tight as a monster's, crushing my airway.
If he didn't break my neck, then I would suffocate, and I couldn't tell which fate would be preferable.
My breaths slowed, becoming slow and painful, each breath burning in my chest as the air left my lungs.
The corners of my vision darkened again, my strength fading, allowing Micolash to approach. I shivered in disgust as his serpentine tongue licked my face, leaving a trail of saliva.
I think this would be the end. My efforts, prayers and faith were in vain, I will die here, devoured by the one I forced to help me.
I think I deserve this in the end, perhaps Alll-mer chose this as penance for my sins, truly ironic.
Why did I come here?! What brought me to this place?!
I knew the answer, I was selfish and foolish, selfish for focusing only on my goal without caring about the consequences of my actions, and foolish for allowing myself to be manipulated by everyone around me!
I escaped from my parents who decided my future for me only to fall into Le'gard's good graces, becoming his right hand, but still taking orders! Blinded by a childish love!
It's always been this way, always following someone else, always having my destiny decided by others, and look where it got me! I should have made my own choices! Said no when something was decided for me!
I should have taken control! Be the one being followed instead of the one following! Carved my path!
I felt the calming embrace of unconsciousness approaching and the hot breath and growls burning my face. I couldn't fight, I didn't have the strength.
I resigned myself and let it happen, praying that it would be painless and that Alll-mer would wait for me with open arms, ready to accept me by his side.
CLANG!
"GGGRRR!"
"AAAHHH!"
I heard a metallic impact followed by growls and screams of pain., II glimpsed the child carrying my shield, repeatedly striking Micolash's head.
She was small in relation to the metal piece and didn't have the strength to swing it properly, preventing her from knocking her father off with a single blow.
Simultaneously, the wolf bit Micolash's pants, preventing him from getting any closer.
I couldn't think straight, I couldn't feel anything anymore, I didn't know how long this lasted, but the one who had almost brought about my end fell on top of me, remaining motionless.
The girl with teary eyes was the last thing I saw before everything went dark. I murmured a thank you and allowed my body to rest.
-XXXXXX-
Le'garde ran through the mine tunnels, breathing heavily as he held the cube in his hands.
His wounds burned, his side bled, and he limped with every step, but he wouldn't stop, not when he was so close.
Abandoning D'arce left a bad taste in his mouth, but there was a clear conflict of interests between his group and Micolash's.
The strange young man didn't trust him, that was clear from the beginning.
He didn't know why he had saved him in the catacombs, perhaps to escape immediately with everyone's help, but he had a way with words and an unusual knowledge about this dungeon, able to convince everyone and always be one step ahead, after all, how had he reached the cube first if he didn't know where to go?
That didn't matter now. D'arce and he must be dead by now, and he needed to return to the catacombs, to enter the city of the gods.
Suddenly, a strange music echoed through the tunnels, with voices and instruments foreign to him, despite having roamed Rondor and neighboring kingdoms and seen their diverse cultures.
Please, allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul and faith
His face contorted in confusion and his movements became cautious, leaning against the walls and peering into every corner and passage in search of the source of the noise.
And I was 'round when Jesus Christ
Had His moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate
It was louder now, however, he was not confident in his chances of victory, wounded and unarmed. Someone playing music showed signs of intelligence, perhaps he could negotiate his way out.
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
Le'garde was met with a sight that would have been comical if it weren't macabre just around the corner, ghosts and skeletons singing, dancing and playing instruments in a makeshift ballroom in a rocky chamber.
I stuck around Saint Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed the Czar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain
Colored lights shone from the ceiling, expensive carpets stretched across the floor, tables laden with food and drink stood in the corners, and in the center of it all, there was a man with his back turned.
I rode a tank
Held a general's rank
When the Blitzkrieg raged
And the bodies stank
Before he could even say a word, the man turned around quickly with exaggerated pomp and poise, displaying his features, or lack thereof.
He was an absurdly tall being, nearly three meters tall, wearing a long gray robe that reached his shins, but did little to hide his feet ending in hooves.
His skin was dark as the starless night, in every part of his body responses, including his elongated fingers ending in sharp nails and his smooth, featureless face, except for a pair of yellow eyes glowing like flames.
Only his gestures and the tone of his voice indicated his emotions, welcoming him with open arms.
"Welcome, Le'garde, I've been waiting for you!"
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh, yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh, yeah
His first instinct was to run away, but he found himself unable to do so, his body wouldn't obey him, as a primal fear gripped his heart.
"How do you know my name?!" He uttered in a shaky voice, surprised that he could speak.
"I know many things, a name is nothing impressive, although it would be foolish not to know the name of The Prophesized One."
"How did you…"
An invisible force pulled him towards the man and his feet slid across the floor, no matter how much he struggled.
"SSSHHH! Didn't you pay attention to what I just said? Don't waste my time with useless questions. But where are my manners? I didn't introduce myself, did I? You can call me Tep, and I have a proposition for you."
I watched with glee
While your kings and queens
Fought for tem decades
For the gods they made
"You see, my associates and I have come to a rare moment of unity and have decided to do a little experiment with an individual who has been proving interesting, something that came out of sheer boredom. Unfortunately, this has caught the attention of an unsavory person who has approached this individual and offered him a deal, just as I am doing with you. And what did the bastard do?! HE ACCEPTED! EVEN AFTER EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE FOR HIM!"
Suddenly, the entire dungeon shook, as if a giant had stepped on the surface. Tep took a deep breath, calming himself, clearing his throat and adjusting his clothes before continuing.
"Forgive me, I almost lost my temper, but back to the subject... I believe this is our fault, as we have established extremely loose rules, but that is no excuse for accepting my enemy's proposal. That is where you come in, I know of your dreams of greatness and I wish to help you, after all, it is not every day that a pathetic mortal has the chance to become a God. I will give you the power to achieve your goals, in exchange I want you to do something for me."
I shouted out
Who killed the Kennedys?
When, after all
It was you and me
Tep signaled for Le'garde to speak, but no words came out of his mouth, his mind still trying to process the situation until he finally formulated something.
"What if I don't accept?"
"You will be free to leave, but you will face everything in your path at your own risk."
Time passed in tense silence, the Mercenary Captain pondered his next move, whether it would be worth joining this incomprehensible being, or continuing with all the odds against him.
"What do you want me to do?"
"TSK! TSK! TSK! We need to seal the deal first. Shake my hand!"
Let me, please, introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for troubadours
Who get killed before they reached Bombay
Le'garde eyed the outstretched hand with suspicion, hesitating to accept it.
"Shake my hand! Come on, boy, won't you shake a poor sinner's hand?" Tep insisted.
Against all logic and common sense, he accepted the handshake.
"Yes!" Tep exclaimed, smiling broadly, if he could.
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh, yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh, yeah
Get down, hit it
"Now listen carefully, for I will not repeat myself. This is the moment to ask, so you might as well take advantage of it. The young man who calls himself Micolash and the girl who follows him have very special souls..."
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is just the nature of my game
Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint
So if you meet me
Have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, and some taste
Use all your well-learned politesse
Or I'll lay your soul to waste, oh yeah
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, a mean it, get down
Woo, who
Oh yeah, get on down
Oh yeah
Oh yeah!
Tell me baby, what's my name
Tell me honey, can you guess my name
Tell me baby, what's my name
I tell you one time, you're to blame,
END OF CHAPTER