(Derrick Holt)
Why? Why did I just do this? What was I trying to gain from this?
These were the thoughts that passed through my head as I had jumped between Waluge and the Monster.
I wasn't brave or even suicidal enough to do this regularly or even in a self sacrificing way or to save someone.
Dam, I was doing something completely illogical and something that I shouldn't have done. Waluge was a Wizard he could make to protect himself better than I could ever protect him.
Damnit this was supposed to be a life where I lived to my fullest without any regrets and yet I was once again going to die a meaningless death.
I don't want to die.
With that I intercepted the monster and both it and I both rolled to the side and I without a second thought started to hit it over and over again.
The skin felt less like skin and more like steel yet I didn't stop. All I had to do was to buy Young Waluge time. I wasn't going to let this life waste away as long as the Waluge kid and the woman could survive I would give them time even if it cost my life.
This was the only thing I could do to repent for the way of life I lived beforehand. Ah, was this going to be me eternal punishment for me being a rephensibal human being?
As I rained blows upon the monster, each strike fueled by desperation and a primal urge to protect, a fierce cry erupted from deep within me.
"Die! Die!" I screamed, my voice raw with emotion, each word punctuated by the impact of my fists against the creature's unyielding hide.
The adrenaline coursed through my veins, drowning out the pain as I relentlessly assaulted the beast, driven by a single purpose: to buy precious moments for Young Waluge and the woman.
My mind raced with thoughts of redemption, of atonement for the reckless life I had led. This, perhaps, was my chance to make amends, to find meaning in a final act of selflessness.
With each blow, I poured my anguish, my regrets, and my hopes into the relentless assault, willing the monster to succumb to my fury.
But even as I fought on, a haunting question lingered in the depths of my mind: Would my sacrifice be enough to erase the stains of my past, or would it merely be another futile gesture in a life filled with regret?
The monster, enraged by my defiance, finally managed to kick me off with a powerful thrust, sending me sprawling across the ground. Before I could regain my bearings, it lunged forward with terrifying speed, jaws gaping wide as it aimed for my shoulder.
I barely had time to react before the searing pain tore through me, its razor-sharp teeth sinking deep into my flesh. Agony engulfed me, every nerve screaming in protest as the creature's fangs tore into my shoulder with merciless ferocity.
A guttural scream tore from my throat, mingling with the sound of ripping flesh as I thrashed in futile desperation, trying to shake off the relentless assault. Blood soaked my clothes, staining the ground beneath me as I felt the life draining from my battered body.
"I don't want to die!" I cried out, the words a desperate plea echoing into the night. Fear gripped me, clawing at my heart as I struggled against the crushing weight of despair.
Amidst the chaos and agony, a faint whisper crept into my mind, cutting through the haze of pain like a beacon in the darkness. The voice, almost ethereal in its presence, spoke with a strange resonance, its words echoing with an otherworldly urgency.
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"Do you want to live?" it asked, its tone both solemn and compelling. "Are you willing to pay the price?"
For a moment, I hesitated, torn between the agony of my wounds and the desperate desire to cling to life. Every fiber of my being screamed out in defiance, a primal instinct urging me to fight on, to defy the darkness closing in around me.
But as I lay there, battered and broken, I knew that I could not face the prospect of oblivion without a fight. With a trembling voice, I whispered my answer into the void, my words a silent plea for salvation.
"Yes," I breathed, the word carrying the weight of my desperation and my longing. "Yes, I want to live."
And in that fleeting moment of surrender, I felt a surge of energy coursing through me, as if the very essence of life itself was breathing new strength into my weary limbs. With a newfound resolve, I steeled myself for whatever trials lay ahead, ready to face the consequences of my choice, whatever they may be.
And then I blacked out.
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(Waluge Solomon POV)
As I saw Detective Derrick fall to the ground after the show of light and the fight, I didn't even have the time to process anything before the main door into the warehouse was broken and the group of Wolves chimera ran inside.
I immediately shouted at Miss Tracy. "Miss Tracy you pick up detective Derrick and run!"
And started the completion of the Ritual to summon a Familiar that might help me.
I was already second guessing myself if I should have even started to summon something such as this. Essentially probably using Spells against these beings would have been better but it would have taken a lot of mana that I don't have. My reserves are average.
With a last amount of mana used the ten balls Summoned on to the Circle and while floating they started to rotate in circles faster and faster as bright light was glowing until it reached its peak.
As the light died down the familiar that was in the circle shocked me. It was utterly ridiculous that I could summon such a thing, many would consider it a 1 in a million chances.
What stood in the circle was a Rabbit with a top hat on its tiny head. If I was alone and not in danger I would have screamed at the top of my lungs and would be utterly annoyed at it.
Yet it was the only thing that I had and would use this to save myself.
With summon complete the second phase of the summoning began. In this phase the Summoner would try and sign a Geas or contract with the summoned beast.
As the rabbit with the top hat stood before me, I couldn't help but feel a surge of disbelief and frustration. This was not what I had envisioned when I started the ritual. Yet, in this dire situation, I had no choice but to make the most of it.
Gathering my thoughts, I focused on the task at hand. "Listen closely," I began, addressing the peculiar creature before me. "I need your assistance to protect us from the Wolves chimera that have invaded this warehouse. In return, I offer you shelter within my realm and sustenance to sustain your existence. Do you accept these terms?"
The rabbit's eyes gleamed with intelligence as it regarded me with a level of comprehension that caught me off guard. It tilted its head slightly, as if considering my proposal. Then, to my relief, it nodded solemnly.
"Very well," I said, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "We have an agreement. Now, we must act swiftly to defend ourselves."
Turning my attention to the chaos unfolding around us, I assessed the situation. Miss Tracy was struggling to lift Detective Derrick, who lay unconscious on the ground. The Wolves chimera were closing in, their growls echoing through the warehouse.
"Miss Tracy, keep moving towards the exit," I instructed, my voice firm with determination. "I will hold off the chimera as best as I can."
With a nod of understanding, Miss Tracy adjusted her grip on Detective Derrick and hurried towards the door. I watched her go, a sense of urgency driving me to act quickly.
Focusing my energy, with the word '"ᛋᚺᛁᛖᛚᛞ" ,I summoned forth a barrier of protective magic, creating a shimmering shield between us and the approaching threat. The Wolves chimera snarled and clawed at the barrier, their fury palpable.
Meanwhile, the rabbit familiar stood by my side, its small form trembling with anticipation. "What should I do?" it asked, its voice surprisingly clear despite its diminutive size.
"Help me maintain the barrier," I replied, grateful for its willingness to assist. Together, we concentrated our efforts, reinforcing the magical shield and keeping the chimera at bay.
But our efforts could only hold out for so long. The Wolves chimera were relentless in their assault, and I could feel my strength waning with each passing moment. Desperation clawed at my mind as I searched for a solution.
The Wolves chimera continued their relentless assault on the magical barrier, their primal instincts driving them forward with ferocity. With each strike against the shimmering shield, the warehouse echoed with the sound of claws scraping against magic.
Their snarls reverberated through the air, mixing with the crackling energy of the protective spell. Foam flecked from their mouths as they lunged and clawed, their eyes burning with an unquenchable hunger for blood.
I gritted my teeth, channeling every ounce of remaining energy into maintaining the barrier. The strain was immense, my muscles aching with the effort as I fought to keep the shield intact.
Beside me, the rabbit familiar worked tirelessly, its small form trembling with exertion. I could feel the barrier weakening, cracks forming under the pressure of their relentless assault.
With a look at the Rabbit I looked at and said. "You continue the spell, I have an idea."
I hated what I was about to do. This was the Magic I was most at home with something I had promised myself that to never use.
As the magical barrier weakened under the relentless assault of the Wolves chimera, I made a difficult decision to abandon it. With a glance at the rabbit familiar, I instructed it to continue the spell as I began to conjure a new one.
Drawing upon the depths of my knowledge, I began forming a formula so complex a human normally would never look at or at least not it this time period.
A Magic Circle began to form under my feet. each rune imbued with power and purpose. My body pulsed with energy as red lines spread across my skin, marking the connection between me and the arcane forces I was about to unleash.
I began the Incantation. "ᚠᚱᛟᛗ ᛞᚢᛋᛏ ᛏᛟ ᚡᛟᛁᛞ," my whole body felt as if it was burning and i was in so much pain that i couldn't even comprehend any other thing but the pain.
"ᚠᚱᛟᛗ ᚠᛟᚱᛗ ᛏᛟ ᚾᚨᚢᚷᚺᛏ, ᛚᛖᛏ ᚨᛚᛚ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ ᛋᛏᚨᚾᛞᛋ ᛒᛖ ᛋᚹᛁᚠᛏᛚᚤ ᚲᚨᚢᚷᚺᛏ, ᛁᚾ ᛒᛖᚨᛗᛋ ᛟᚠ ᛟᛒᛚᛁᚡᛁᛟᚾ, ᛚᛖᛏ ᛏᚺᛖᛗ ᛒᛖ ᚹᚱᛟᚢᚷᚺᛏ, ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ ᛏᛟ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚡᛟᛁ
ᛞ, ᚹᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᚨᛚᛚ ᛁᛋ ᛋᛟᚢᚷᚺᛏ."with the final word spoken the magic Circle started to glow with an almost colourless glow.