Callius's golden sword advances, its golden light radiating a warm temperature. My claymore parrying the golden blade creating a spark.
"Finally I'm back!" My voice raising it echos across the whole church.
Callius's blade begins moving in a barrage of golden light. I dodges every single thrust, the blades warmth brushing my skin. I feel a sharp pain on my leg and stomach.
I jump back, grasping my stomach. Callius is much stronger than me, he's attacks almost perfect, his speed is also incredible. I look back to the alter, noticing the light, "Kora can you destroy that crystal?"
I block Callius's attack. Both our swords battling for an opening. My arms feeling heavy, my knees weak, and my stomach wound bleeding out.
Kora looks at the crystal then at me, her face determined. Callius jumps back keeping a long distance between us. "You backing down?" My voice low from exhaustion.
He raises his blade, then I look hear the sound of flesh tearing, I look to my side to see my left chest slashed open. "The hell?!" He dashes forward to stab my stomach, piercing through my back.
I kneel down, my grip on the claymore weaker, using it as support like an old man. "What was that?" Callius walks towards me, each one of his steps getting louder.
"Hey berserk mode, this is your time to switch on. Come on berserk state." I murmur to myself. Callius steps getting faster, crap.
He dashes, his body moving like the wind before falling on the floor. "What happened?" I look back to see Kora raising the fiery crystal. "WE DID IT?!" Kora exclaims.
I raise my hand giving her a thumbs up. "G.. Good... job...". I fall on the floor my vision whitening.
Then...
Blank....
I open my eyes, to see the roof of the cathedral. I flutter my eyes open, then get up. I look to my side to see Kora sleeping next to me.
I look at my wounds to see bandages on my stomach, and shoulder. I turn to look at Kora, sleeping on the seats, circled up holding her staff and the crystal looking vulnerable.
I look around the cathedral to see Callius, Lyra and Boriks bodies missing. I lay next to her and sleep with her.
The next day, I clean my claymore using the old bandages, I then hear multiple metals clanking, I dash to Kora was was on the other room to see a chest of golden coins, silver goblets and valuable looking jewels.
"This is the treasure they talked about." Kora's voice barely a whisper. "We finally got it, the treasure your brother talked about." I gently grasp Kora's shoulder.
"Bullshit." Kora says, her voice laced with venom. She turns to me, tears coming out off her eyes. "These are people. People who went here just to get possessed by the crystal and turn to gold after cleaning it."
My heart sank. "W-what do you mean." My voice shaking, my hands trembling on her shoulder.
"When you fell unconscious, I saw Callius and everyone else's body glow a bright yellow and turn to these golden coins and valuable materials. They turned beings that used to have life, people, animals even bugs, to these coins." Her voice trembling.
I kneel beside her to see her jump to me holding my shoulders tight. Her body shaking, her tears smearing my bandages. I don't know what to say, but to hold her. I hold her tight, letting her let out her trauma, her fear, her sadness, her grief. This is her only opportunity to grief. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
After minutes of crying, Kora slept on my chest. I lean back against the wall, holding her head as she continues sleeping. "It's okay Kora, I'm here." I rest my chin on her head and sleeping.
After some time, we both woke up. And decided to bury the chest and coins. "This is my final goodbye to you brother." Kora says her voice tired. She places a black rose on the buried chests.
She approaches me, placing her head on my chest. "Thank you for being there." I look down to her and smile. "No problem, I'm just happy your safe."
We walk through the forest. Kora being close to me, our hands touching eachother occasionally. She then looks up at me, "I didn't get your name. It's crazy that we went through all this crap yet I don't know your name."
I look at her, "my name is Zain." My voice calm and gentle.
"Zain." Kora says practicing the name her green eyes sparkling with interest. "Thats a nice name, it fits you."
We continue walking through the forest, the forest is quiet today. No monsters, no weird sounds. Just calm silence, feels like the world just gave us a break after everything that happened.
As we continue walking, we see a light from the other side. Kora and I braced ourselves as we continue walking before we see a figure on the the other side.
An old man, in knight like armour with a sword on his side. Its.. DRAKA.
I start shouting and waving, before he turned around to see me and Kora waving back. We finally survived the dark forest.
Draka walks towards me, his eyes lingering on my injured battered body. "You survived." His voice serious but there's a hint of relief. "I'm glad you survived Zain."
He shifts his gaze to Kora, "who is she?" He asked. "She's a close friend of mine her name is Kora."
Kora gives Draka an awkward wave, "it's nice to see the man who taught Zain how to fight."
Draka smiles then gives a nod before walking forward."My camp is close to the town so let's go there to rest."
Kora walks beside me, grasping her staff lighter, my claymore on my side, literally supported by my belt.
Every minor movement of my body I feel immense pain, the bandages on my stomach, shoulder and knee. Kora holds my arm for support, her hand soft. "Don't move too much okay." Her voice softer.
"Thanks." I look at Kora. A small smile coming out of my face.
"Promise me this Zain." Kora her voice more confident.
"We'll do this together. I know we barely know eachother but we went through a lot for the days in this forest like a team. So can we be an official team, like a guild?" Kora looks up at me, her eyes serious and filled with determination.
I look down at her, my heart beating rapidly. "
I grin to her,"We've been through hell and back of course we're teammates."