Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

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Sorry if the last chapter felt like a dip in quality. I accomplished everything I wanted to happen that chapter, but something did feel off about it so I hesitated to post it. I decided not to rewrite it and just get it out there so sorry if that was the wrong choice. I'll try to make this chapter better.

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Chapter 13

We decided to leave as soon as possible because there was the possibility that more hags would appear. The others didn't ask how I saved Sasha which was good for me since I didn't want to explain my ability, but they did have looks of astonishment when Sasha stepped out of the tent looking like nothing had happened to her.

The snow was falling more fiercely than ever before as we tried to make our way back. I was the only one who talked the whole way and when I did it was whispers to Sasha. I didn't get any useful information, but I still felt she was some how connected to why I was here.  

We faced little danger and finally made it back to the spot we appeared at in this ice hell. I hadn't noticed them before, but there were two large ice pillars.  

Balor:"Only one person at a time can pass through the pillars. We'll use the same order as last time."

We all nodded and Balor passed through them. After we were all through everyone started removing their coats and packing them back in their bags. I returned Balors coat and just like last time Sasha changed before passing through. We had traveled straight back here without a break which left everyone fatigued so we decided to make camp. We gathered around the fire to cook something to eat. The warmth of the cave along with our fire made everyone sweat, but we were happy to be out of the cold.

Balor:"I want us to get out of here fast so tomorrow will be another long day. This will be the last break until we get out of here."

Haluk tapped his brothers shoulder so he turned to look at him. He then pointed to his throat. Balor nodded and moved his gaze over to me.

Balor:"Haluk wants to thank you. His throat is healing nicely."

Becket:"You're welcome, but I'm curious why he doesn't talk?"

Balor:"Our father cut his tongue out when we were young."

Becket:"Oh. Sorry."

Balor:"It's fine. That was a long time ago."

Becket:"So how is the wound on your throat? Can I see it?"

Haluk nodded so I went over to him. He unwrapped it and showed me. His neck was covered in dried blood so I couldn't make out the cut. I wiped away some of the blood to get a better look at it and saw it had healed faster than I thought it would. It was only a scratch now.

Becket:"Hm. That's faster than expected."

Balor:"That's amazing. You were even able to save Sasha after she was drained by a hag. If you weren't here I don't know what might of happened to us."

He reached out his hand towards me so I gripped it and gave him a shake.

Balor:"Lets work together again."

Becket:"Sure."

I returned to where I was sitting.

Tallie:"How about we make this a permanent team."

Balor jumped to his feet.

Balor:"Thats a great idea! What do you say Becket, Sasha?"

Becket:"Well...for as long as I'm in town."

Sasha:"Sure."

Balor:"Great! We'll register as a team once we get back to the guild."

Everyone's mood got better and we talked for a few more minutes while eating before it was time to get some rest. Haluk was given first watch so I went to sleep in the tent with Sasha. They assigned the last watch to me since they didn't want me taking over everyones watch duty again. While I was on watch there wasn't much to do so I practiced manipulating the stored life force. I could store it at any location inside my body just like mana which led me to believe that mana and life force might not be all that different. I could also now feel the amount of mana I had stored inside me.

Until now I had never run out of mana, but I wasn't sure if I had a lot more than usual or if this amount was typical for elves. A wolf showed up so I tried to suck it's life force out, but I didn't feel it's presence inside the wolf.

*Maybe I can't drain the life force from all living things.*

It was only a guess, but I assumed monsters couldn't be drained. The hags had life force inside them, but it might not have been theirs since they could have stolen it first. Being able to return youth to people would be a world changing ability, but since I needed to steal it from others I knew it would only create a terrible world. Kings and other royalty would take advantage of their positions in society and use this ability to sacrifice many in order to live forever. Every scenario I could picture ended with abuse of this ability.

I tried eating the wolf meat again, but nothing happened. To be sure I couldn't get anything else from this monster I ate it's heart tongue and many other pieces. Since I got nothing new I assumed which ability I got did not depend on what I ate from the monsters.

When the others got up and started packing I was feeling a little tired. I hadn't slept very much during this trip and it was finally catching up to me. We set off and I lagged behind a bit, but Sasha stayed with me.

Sasha:"Are you ok?"

Becket:"Yeah I'm fine. Just a little tired."

She looked a little worried so I gave her a smile, but she never looked directly at me even while talking.

Sasha:"I'll need to contact my sister to tell her I found you."

Becket:"I'd like to talk with her. Maybe her dreams were different or your god Haarus told her something else."

My only hint on why I was here were these girls that had been dreaming about me. I still wasn't sure if they dreamt about me or this bodies original owner, but I could feel that if I found them I would get some answers.

*I don't understand why the gods would want me to take these girls as lovers.*

Becket:"Sasha what do you think about becoming my lover?"

Sasha stopped walking and looked down.

Sasha:"Umm..........I think it's.......ok."

Becket:"You don't have any problem with a man you barely know?"

Sasha:"I know enough, and plus now that I've found you I can get to know you better."

Becket:"I can't promise you a future with me. For now I'd like your help locating the other girls that dreamt about me. Will you assist me in my search?"

She gave me a nod. I have no goal and no purpose so I might as well try and figure out why I'm here.

*I at least hope there's a reason I'm here.*

Becket:"So Sasha tell me a little bit about yourself and your race. I'm interested."

Sasha:"......Well I grew up in a forest with my family. My father taught me how to hunt using our races magic."

Becket:"Could you tell me a little more about your races magic?"

Sasha:"Our magic makes us masters of stealth. If we get strong enough we can hide out presence from others while still standing right in front of them, but I'm not that good yet."

Becket:"What about your sister? Didn't you say she was a mage."

Sasha:"Yeah. She's the first in our family born with the ability to harness outer mana. Our parents saved up so they could send her to the magic academy. I was suppose to go to become a warrior, but I came here instead."

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Becket:"You can still go."

Sasha:"I'm sure I'll experience more this way."

Becket:"So you're like a race of ninjas."

Sasha:"Ninjas?"

Becket:"Skilled warriors who fight while concealing themselves."

Sasha:"So I'm a ninja?"

Becket:"Sure."

After what felt like years we finally reached the end. We could see the light flooding in as we approached the caves exit. I felt dead tired and was ready to get back to the inn for some sleep.

Balor:"Finally sunlight."

We were all squinting at the bright light as we exited the cave. The fresh smell of the forest entered our nostrils. Everyone had a smile on their face while staring up at the sky.

Tallie:"Freedom! Hahahaha *Thump.*"

When Tallie stopped laughing I shifted my gaze from the sky over to him. He was standing there with a stunned expression. An arrow was imbedded in his chest. I quickly looked around and saw knights everywhere. My eyes were still adjusting to the change in lighting so things were a little fuzzy. Tallie dropped his staff and fell to the ground. The others finally noticed what was happening.

Balor:"Tallie!"

Balor faced the knights.

Balor:"Why the hell are you attacking us?"

Some of the knights started clearing a path for an approaching knight.

Felix:"My name is Count Felix. I am betrothed to Princess Eva and I'm here to arrest a wanted man in your group. That arrow was a warning not to defy us. Hand over Becket Edwin."

Balor:"Becket? Why what did she do?"

Felix:"You think he's a girl? How stupid are you. Hahahahahaha!"

I could see the rage on Balors face.

Balor:"Shut the hell up you bastard! I'll kill you!"

Balor rushed towards the knight, but was intercepted by four knights in purple. Balors sword went flying off along with his left arm. He froze for a second, but didn't realized what happened until they took off his right leg.

Balor:"Aaahhhhhh!"

He was on the ground clutching his bloody left stub with his right hand. His one leg was flailing around.

Felix:"You dare attack your future king! Execute him!"

The four knights crept in closer to Balor and readied their swords, but before they could use them their heads went flying.

Becket:"You want me! You'll have to kill me first!"

I had my leaf armor covering me and curved blades extended out from the sleeves. Around me were many knights and all wearing different colored armor.

Becket:"Get out of here Sasha! Meet with your sister! I'll find you later!"

She hesitated, but took off into the forest. Some of the knights chased after her, but I knew they wouldn't find her. Haluk rushed over to his brother and readied his spear.

I was attacked by the knights one after another and I started sending heads flying in all directions. A look of surprise was frozen on their faces after they realized their blades didn't penetrate my armor. I had dumped a lot of mana into it to increase it's hardness.

Becket:"Is this the best you've got!"

They all started aiming for my head so I had to be a little more careful. I was already dead tired and after 20 minutes of constant fighting I could feel my mana starting to bottom out. I was becoming more and more sluggish, but luckily I would get a break every few minutes since some of the knights hesitated to get near me because of the corpses that surrounded me. Haluk was still fighting while badly injured. Balor had already stopped screaming either because he died or passed out.

Felix:"Out of the way!"

Felix pushed his way through the knights.

Felix:"Get away from here! I can't guarantee your safety if you stay near me!"

The knights all put some distance between them and Felix. He stopped several meters away from me.

Becket:"So you're gonna try and kill me alone? That's brave."

Felix:"I'm not going to kill you. I'll arrest you, humiliate you then kill you."

Becket:"Go ahead and try."

Felix clutched a white crystal he had on a chain around his neck. A bright light shot out of the crystal and blinded everyone around it including me. When I could finally see again I was shocked. Felix was now at least 60 feet tall. His weapons and armor had grown along with him. I stepped back a few steps out of surprise.

Becket:"Fuck he's hu...."

His sword slammed down into the ground. I just barely got out of the way, but Haluk and Balor were crushed under it.

Becket:"I'm gonna shove that sword up your ass you fucking giant."

I accidentally started talking like Aria. He dragged his sword across the ground towards me. I jumped to avoid it, but he pulled his sword up and it slammed into me. I felt like a rag doll flying through the air and I crashed into a group of trees before hitting the ground. I groaned in pain.

Becket:"Shit. That hurt."

I tried to stand up, but immediately fell back down. My right leg was broken.

Becket:"Dammit! Hey gods. If you help me out here I'll take those girls as lovers like you want."

I didn't get a reply. Felix reached his hand down toward me so I used my good foot to kicked off the ground with all of my strength. His hand smashed into the ground. I rebounded off a tree and landed on that hand then stabbed both of my blades into it.

Felix:"Aaaaahhhhh! You bastard!"

He dropped his sword and reached for me with his other hand. I slid off the side of his hand and opened up a gash on my way down. When I hit the ground I was almost completely out of mana and my body felt extremely heavy. My balance was off because of the broken leg so I stumbled and wasn't able to get away. His hand firmly grasped me.

Felix:"You can't get away from me now."

I struggled to get out of his grip. He pinched the sleeve on my armor and ripped it right off then he began to tear off my armor one piece at a time. Once all the pieces were lying on the ground they recollected themselves and formed back into it's jacket form.

Felix:"Interesting armor."

He held me up by my arms in a crucifix style then snapped both of them.  

Becket:"Aaaahhhhh!"

Felix:"I'll make sure you suffer."

He dropped me onto the ground.

Felix:"Shackle him and box up that armor of his. I want it."

I was lying on the ground unable to move. Blood covered my vision and filled my mouth. I couldn't smell anything thanks to the broken nose and I could only taste the iron from my blood. Felix pulled out the white crystal again and after the light vanished he was back to his original size. One of the knights brought over a cloth and wrapped the wound on his hand. He mounted his horse and sneered at me before riding off. One of the knights boxed up my armor and followed after him. The other knights were still hesitant to approach me, but when they saw me not moving they got a smug kind of confidence.

Knight 1:"Not so tough now are you."

He kicked me.

Knight 2:"You killed one of my friends."

He kicked me too.

Knight 3:"He's pretty for a boy."

That one smiled.

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