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(Kai’s pov)
‘...Am I dead? Am I dreaming? Was that all a dream and I finally woke up? Can I get up? … nope. Can't lift a single finger. The hell it's like pitch black here. Where am iiiiiii what the fuck. Oh I can move my head.’
As my head jerked forward, my body laid still. My neck strained as I tried moving my head as much as was physically possible. I looked all around me, trying to see any source of light in this dark ass room.
‘The hell is that. An elk?’
Within this darkness, stood a giant elk. I could see the elk as if it was day, yet blackness filled the it’s surroundings. The elk’s snow white fur beautifully contrasted from it's blood red eyes. It's antlers were exquisitely curved and seemed to be covered in gold. While I stared at it, it stared back. Dark red blood dripped from it's mouth, while it's carnivorous teeth chewed on something.
‘The fuck.’
While staring at the beast, I felt something missing within me. Ah… My chest has blood gushing out of me. Does that mean?
‘No way, It's eating me.’
As realization dawned upon me, the flesh eating monster started moving towards me. It's graceful stride was accompanied by the drops of blood and the sound of swallowing human organs.
‘Run… Move. . . Can't. . . Get away…’
As it reached me, all I could do was stare into it's eyes.
‘To be eaten alive like this. This is unfair man.’
Tears formed in my eyes as the elk stared straight into my soul. As the elk moved it's head down to my body I clenched my teeth, waiting for the pain, and eventual death.
‘...Huh?’
Contrary to my horror filled thoughts, the elk started rubbing its face against mine. Licking my tears away. Before I could even respond to this insane situation, the elk started glowing. It's body transformed into a ball of light, while it's antlers floated in the air. The antlers started transforming and condensing itself into what appeared to be handles.
The previous ball of light split in two while attached to each handle. Taking the form of a pair of knives. Both blades were curved backwards and looked to be made out of obsidian. The handles looked like a small pair of antlers, yet had a perfectly shaped grip covered with leather. All I could think of the finished craftsmanship was.
‘Beauti-’
“Hey fucker stop snoring.” - Rin
‘......’
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(Rin’s pov)
After waking Kai up from his slumber I decided on our next course of action. Follow the dirt road we just found until we reach a city, but before that, take a small break. Pretty simple right? Honestly, after dragging Kai’s body for almost an hour, all I want to do is sleep. We had finally reached the border of this wretched swamp. But sadly for us, we’re now in some forest filled with giant trees that could reach the skies. Luckily though, we stumbled upon a large dirt road.
‘Suns still in the sky, and I do not intend on sleeping in this forest. Considering how we almost just died in that stupid swamp.’
“Yo was I seriously passed out this entire time? Where are we?” - Kai
“Nowhere.”
“Nice Rin. And finally Kai, we had to drag you for an hour.” - Mari
“Sorry, not like I tried saving you guys just a while ago.” - Kai
“Nice try, is this the thanks I get for saving your ass?” - Mari
While I was observing the two argue with each other, something that I had not seen before caught my eye.
“......Kai, what's that on your back?”
“Huh?” - Kai
“What? Turn around, lemme see. No way.” - Mari
“YOU HAD KNIVES THIS ENTIRE TIME!!!”
“What! I swear I didn’t know I had them!” - Kai
“Oh my god, Kai you idiot.” - Mari
“What! You guys dragged my body this entire time. One of you should've seen them. Also I swear I did not have these before. Besides, what could knives do against that monster.” - Kai
“Yea he's right, I did not see those before. Maybe they mysteriously appeared like my book. And, for your information, if I had those knifes before, I could've gave that monster some damage before I almost died.”
“Wait, what did you guys do with the body of the ogre?” - Kai
“Left it there, what else. Like hell I'm gonna touch that disgusting shit.” - Mari
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“What! We could've taken it's head as a trophy or something.” - Kai
“Shit you're right. Too late now, I'm not going back there, and we need to get to a city quick or we might die again.”
“Yo Rin, did you put any other enchantments on us?” - Kai
“It's tiring writing these enchantments, but I did put ‘repair’ and ‘cleanse’ on our clothes. Now we don't have to worry about laundry. I'll put ‘cleanse’ on our bodies later and some other stuff. For now, all we have is the enhanced regeneration, enhanced stamina, and the enchantments on our clothes.”
“Sweet, this shits gonna make our lives so much easier. And Mari can protect us with her magic.” - Kai
“I know right.”
“Wait, doesn't that mean Kai’s knives are magical or something?” - Mari
“Oh yea, Kai get up and try them.”
“Kay… Woah they look just like they were in my dreams.” - Kai
“Holyshit they look so cool.”
As I admired the black blade and the handles that look like antlers, Kai started swinging them around. Cutting up nearby trees and slicing the air around him. Sadly, nothing extraordinary happened.
“Well? Anything?” - Mari
“Mmmm no. They feel like normal knives.” - Kai
“Well for now let's go. I'm sick of sitting on dirt and grass.”
“Fine.” - Kai
Although we’re all tired we can't just be sitting here. Safety is our priority, and a city can offer that. I don't know how we got here, but for now we just have to survive. It's been terrible since we got here. I don't even dare to look into my friends eyes. We might be acting casually, but I can tell. In their eyes is fear, despair, and hatred are attempting to form tears.
We're hoping, we’re all hoping we can get out of this nightmare. Sure I'm excited that we have powers. It's like we’re in one of those fantasy light novels that I love reading everyday. But reality is like a punch in the face. We are here, we are lost, and we need help. We have a home to go back to, family and friends waiting for us. We can't die in this place. I've already assumed were in some other world. Monsters and magic? Definitely not from our world. This is a new world, and I intend on surviving.
‘Bring it on.’
/////////////////////////////////////
(Merchant’s pov)
“Tch, how long is this gonna take?”
“Shouldn't be much longer boss.” - Mercenary
“That's what you just said ten minutes ago!”
“Now now boss, they're just doing their jobs. Bosses safety is always our number one priority.” - Frederick
Sitting across from me is my secretary whom I've known for years. And dare I say those years were stressful. This bastard is like a conman. Always saying words to please my ears and staying nearby to tend to my needs. Yet always there to reap the benefits of my hard work, constantly waiting for the day I fall so that he can snatch everything from me.
‘If only he wasn't such an excellent employee, then I could fire his ass in a second.’
“Alright it's clear! Let's move it!” - Mercenary
‘Finally.’
“How much longer till we reach the city of Kona?”
“We are only a couple hours away sir” - Frederick
“Hmph. I could've been there hours earlier if it weren't for those damn beasts.”
“Monsters are just one of many worries we should be having while travelling these roads. Let us be glad we have these powerful warriors you hired to defend us.” - Frederick
“Powerful warriors my ass. Not only do they cost me quite a bit, it takes them forever just to handle a band of those dirty goblins.”
“It is a cost we must pay in order to expand our business. The town we've been in for years is slowly dying. No profits can be made just from the high prices we charge. We need more customers, new buyers, and wealthier clients.” - Frederick
“A cost I must pay, out of pocket too or my business would be broke.”
“Indeed sir.” - Frederick
“I will be taking a nap for now. Wake me when we reach the city.”
“Yes boss.” - Frederick
___________________________
“mmmm.”
“WAKE UP!!!” - Frederick
“Wha-What?! What in gods blazes do you thi..nk…”
‘Too many.’
That was all I could think when seeing these men with weapons surround my carriages. Roughly 60, no, 80 bandits were slowly coming out from the forest and filled both sides of the road.
“Sir what should we do? We only have 23 mercenaries. Fighting is a very poor choice right now.” - Frederick
‘Shitshitshitshit, curse these goddamn bastards!’
“Captain! Do something! Can't you handle a bunch of petty bandits?!”
A man with a mixture of leather and metal armor, and a sturdy long sword by his side, opened the door to my carriage. Peeking inside with his oily hair everywhere, he spoke words I didn't want to hear.
“No can do boss. We’ll all die fighting. We can all try to escape if we leave the goods behind.” - Captain mercenary
“NO! I hired you for these kind of things! Do what you were paid to do!”
“Your life is our priority right now, not the merchandise. And just so you know, life is precious. Money can't compare to it.” - Captain
“Wha-Coming from a goddamn mercenary! I paid you for your lives, now do your job!”
“You paid for our services, not our lives. But enough of this. Someone's coming.” - Captain
‘This bastard.’
“Ahem ahem! May the leader of this little caravan please step out.” - ?
A burly man with a scar on his face stood in our path with his men.
‘Nonono.’
“F-F-Frederick, go out t-there and see what they w-want.”
“...Fine.” - Frederick
“Be careful lad. We'll try to protect you, but try to strike a deal with them. Bandits are violent, but that doesn't mean they want to die.” - Captain
“Advice taken. Ahem. Sorry my good man, but my boss is currently unavailable. May I know who I'm speaking too?” - Frederick
“...Hahaha! Alright alright I'll play your little game. The name’s Frank and me and my boys here want something your boss has, and we want all of it.” - Frank
‘Damn bastards.’
“Hmmm, that seems to be a difficult order. How about this Frank. You leave us alive with enough money to go back home, and we give you all of the money and goods in the carriages.” - Frederick
“What? No! This is everything I own!”
“Sir, please shush.” - Frederick
“...Ha! That's a first! Usually they start begging for their lives. Well sorry ‘bout that Fred, but no can do. When I said everything, I mean everything. Including the weapons and armor on your little guards.” - Frank
“What! Never! They'll just kill us all if we give our weapons!” - Captain
“Well to be frank, Frank but our guards weapons are non-negotiable. Clearly we want to live, and we're armed. Surely you want to take the merchandise and gold without any hassle or death on your part.” - Frederick
“Hmmm, this seems like an okay deal considering what you just said. Even if we killed you all, you're little mercenaries seem experienced enough to deal us a heavy blow in our numbers. Alright deal.” - Frank
“What! No! What are you doing Frederick! I'm going to lose everything!”
“At least you'll have your life boss.” - Frederick
“FUCK! Fine, whatev-”
“Actually. On second thought, no deal. Kill ‘em boys!” - Frank
“What! You can't do that!”
*RUMBLE*
*CRACK*
“Wha-what the hell?!”
“What’s going on?!” - Frederick
“EARTH MAGIC!” - Captain
Surrounding us and the bandits was a 20 foot long wall of dirt. I've seen some earth magic before, but nothing this powerful. It's as if we were in a giant hole.
“AAAGGGHHH!” - Bandit
‘Ah.’
A 10 foot pillar of dirt rose next to a bandit and crushed him completely. Blood and flesh splattered everywhere.
“MAGE! THEY HAVE A MAGE! KILL THEM BEFORE THE MAGE KILLS US!” - Frank
‘What is he?’
“What are you talking about! That wasn't us!”
“Not now boss! They think the mage is on our side, they won't listen to a word you say! EVERYONE! DEFENSE POSITIONS!” - Captain
‘This can't be happening, this can't be happening.’
Chaos ensued next. It felt like hours filled with swords clashing and screaming in the air. Yet only a few minutes had passed. Frederick came back into the carriage and just sat in the seat. His face was pale as he muttered under his breath.
Peeking out the window, I could see the captain fighting while yelling commands to his comrades. His face soaked with his blood and his enemies. Over to one of the dirt walls, the bandit leader and a few others tried to escape, but to no avail, as more pillars rose from the ground, crushing those who attempted to flee.
‘What is this madness.’
As I watched, my body tremble upon watching the horror. Mercenaries with flesh hanging on their sides after being sliced open. Bandits with bones tearing through their skin. Warriors with blood, sweat, and dirt covering their bodies. Experienced killers with weapons to their sides, crying from the pain and calling for someone, anyone, to help them. Men with families, friends, and loved ones, waiting for them back home. People with lives, some filled with sin, others with regret, passing away under the afternoon sun. Humans with emotions, and memories of the good and the bad times. All just trying to survive, no matter how painful.
Yet all that ends here, killing each other pointlessly while a mysterious mage kills the rest.
Wait.
Why do I care? I don’t need to care. I need to survive.