Chapter 21 Encounter

"Stay here k, and stay alert. Am heading to the bow. That's the only place we haven't checked." With a slight nod Alden existed the cockpit, leaving Kreed to continue searching among the surviving documents.

Thay had been exploring the vessel for over half an hour now, but they couldn't find any trace of the deadly creature responsible for the wrecked vessel.

Many solutions were constantly being created within Kreed's mind, some more likely than others. But none resulted in the absence of the creature. There was absolutely no trace of a foreign entity, but Kreed's intuition was screaming with caution. And what else would he be listening to in this situation? His intuition had saved him countless times before, so he wouldn't stop listening to it now.

As Kreed shuffled through a small booklet, his eye's scanned, for any words he could make out. The entire book was stained In blood, and many of the pages, mushed beneath his finger tips. Yet he managed to analyze a couple of the words that remained.

Based on what he found. The book looked to a journal belonging to a fellow named, Patrick.

From prior knowledge gained, through other documents. Kreed knew that Patrick was one of the seven persons that had took the journey to Debajo alongside Mr Howl. He was part of the detail charged with keeping him safe.

After reading the journal Kreed chuckled.

Apparently Mr Howl was delivering a batch of soul crystals. Many of them being of the corrupted rank. So the level of security was very immense. Patrick the owner of the journal claimed to be an evolved climber. Which was definitely believable. But then how were they all wiped out? They were meant to be security, but in the end they failed at their job. What about the soul crystals that were being delivered? Were they lost? Or perhaps sealed in a vault somewhere on the vessels which they hadn't checked before? The other possibility that Kreed thought of was a rather unique one. What if someone had survived? And what if that survivor took the crystals with them. It was definitely a possibility but, from the gruesome scene before him, the scenario lost most possiblity. There was another explanation as well.

This one, more harrowing than the others. What if the creature ressponsible, for the crews death, had obtained the crystals? The creatures power would increase dramatically if that was the case.

And now, that said creature was somewhere around. Most likely already aware of their presence.

Most corrupted creatures, possessed a keen sense. That allowed them to identify the presence of UN corrupted foes.

After closing the journal. Kreed sighed.

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"Well this is just great."

Leaning against a wooden stool, Kreed suddenly felt it collapse under his weight,

'Argh'

Falling to the floor Kreed, felt his leg being pierced. As his worried mind was filled with a sharp stinging pain. He took a deep breath.

Managing his constant flow of thoughts, Kreed struggled to get up.

To his surprise what had pierced him was non other than a stray piece of broken furniture. Looking at the wound with a grimace Kreed tore the large wooden splinter from his leg.

'damnation'

As he contemplated summoning the healing peach, Kreed was abruptly torn from his train of thought once more.

Feeling his body leave the floor, Kreed braced himself. Slamming into a Siide of the vessel, his bones quaked from the unbearable impact.

What just happened? From what he could assess in the short time he had managed to recover. A couple things could be the cause.

One, the terrible creature that had caused the gruesome sight before him had finally showed up. The second option was a bit less scary but scary none the least. Alden had used his power to conjure a stone pillar. What ever the case may be, Kreed didn't have time to linger. Straining his battered body, Kreed began to move. Grasping the beggars rake Kreed rushed through the cabins back door, and exited unto the deck.

Avoiding a extra Large pool of blood, Kreed ran towards the bow.

Alden was strong, and most likely wouldn't be killed so easily. Yet he felt that he would need back up.

Or maybe not, perhaps he would be more of a hindrance to Alden but kreed didn't care, based on what he had concluded the safest place on the vessel was beside Alden.

Finally appearing on the vessels deck, Kreed's hurried mind was momentarily blank, for a split second he looked at the scenario before him.

And then it erupted, his mind was filled with countless reasons and solutions, but he couldn't seem to focus on any of them. So instead his body moved on its own.

Grabbing the hilt of the silver sword, Kreed threw it forward. Within the couple of seconds of Kreed's appearance,he went from completely still to a violent nature.

The reason for his actions was totally justifiable, the sight before him was that of a hopeless one.

The first thing he had noticed upon entering the bow, was Alden. He was standing in a pool of the vile crimson blood, his cool uniform now stained in it's embrace, he was leaning against a little stone pillar that he had conjured.

There was a small tear on the left side of his uniform, a small cut opened beneath it. From Kreed's angle, a large pillar of pristine stone tore through the vessel and was heading towards the creature that had left Kreed stunned. That stone pillar seemed to be the reason for the abrupt assault that had left him and his bones in numbing agony.

The creature that had caused Kreed's sudden shift in behavior however, was chilling to the sight. It stood about three meters away from Alden, but it's appearance had left Kreed shocked for a couple of seconds. His mind which was normally never empty was left blank.

Why had he not considered the type of creature?

Out of all the options that seem possible why had he not even considered the monster to be,... One that was made with blood?

The creature, that stood mere meters away from Alden was an amalgamation of blood and soot. It's body towered over Alden like a strange cliff. It had multiple long, twisted tendrils. Each spreading towards a different pool of blood. It didn't have a face or anything of the sort. In stead it seemed to be made entirely out of the thick red liquid.

The same liquid that could be seen all over the vessel's surface.

But although the creatures appearance had spooked Kreed, that wasn't the reason for his violent outburst. Instead it was related to the simple cut on aldens arm.

What had managed to cut through his uniform? According to Alden that uniform was of the gold rank! So the creature had to be at least a Stulified being or higher in rank.

The little cut that didn't seem to dangerous, was emanating with an aura of pure danger. And from that little wound that was inflicted on Alden, his entire body was paralyzed.

Kreed took a few seconds to notice it but when he did, his body moved on its own. Making the best possible root for escape.

If the creature could injure Alden much less leave him completely paralyzed what chance did Kreed have?

And so he decided to abandon mission and flee for his life.

Many may have viewed Kreed's actions as cowardly and selfish. But he didn't care. He had just managed to escape an entire island that was filled with the poison of Dallas. Why would he give away his life now?

Alden was the one responsible for bringing them here in the first place so why would Kreed feel guilty over his death?

Was he even capable of feeling guilty?