Chapter 16: Fairy Arc (3)

-First Person POV-

*panting*

Adrenaline.

One of natures most wondrous creation. A mere 26 atoms, a hormone no bigger than a molecule of sugar, yet... the effects were explosive.

*panting*

[shiiiiik! clink!]

Coursing through your veins like a surge of power, you felt it kicking in... you felt the rush. Eyes became more focused. The contrast of blood boiling and the cold sweat lingers on your skin.

[clang! swoosh!]

You’re running. Muscles tense. Heart pounding. You no longer feel any pain. Thoughts flash through your mind... Am I hurt...? Was I bleeding...? You’re thinking but you won’t stop running. You’re body not listening. You can’t stop.

[shiiiiiin-ka!]

Sparks fly as you deflect another blow. You’re being chased. As you dodge another attack, you finally notice the fairy in your arm. She’s quivering in fear. She won’t stop shaking.

[gah! thud!]

It’s been 10 minutes, but everything felt like a blur. You’ve been running non-stop. The fog is thick but…

[whooshhh…]

A soft breeze hits your face. You look around…

You’re out of the fog.

***

-Marcus’s POV-

“ha-...haah…” (Marcus)

Vision has finally been restored. Marcus’s eyes quickly sweeps the surrounding. It was a battle field. Several trees were destroyed by powerful magic. Corpse of disfigured monsters filled the trenches. Ignoring the skirmish between the fairies and demon, Marcus’s focused on the fog. A shadow was growing bigger. A monster was emerging…

“Kekekekeke!” (???)

The cackling of a haggard old women vibrated on Marcus’s skin. Chills went down his spine as the beast slowly emerged from the fog. Her head was twisted sideways as her skin sagged towards the earth. Her body was like a toy doll, completely out of place with the rest of her gruesome appearance. Dangling on her sides were two slender arms. They were long enough to reached the floor as she hovered in the air. Marcus knew what that abomination was… a Galzar….

*Flashback*

“Eeeek! Help me!” (???)

Markus was on a quest to kill a horde of demons that’s been plaguing the local villagers. Reports of missing women and children reached his ears not too long ago. With him, his two companions...

“Markus! It’s a villager!” (Cleric women?)

“Thank goodness, we were able to find one!” (Swordsman?)

Markus went to greet the damsel in distress. It was rather peculiar situation. The girl was clearly in distressed but nothing was chasing her. Markus held the girl in his arms, he tried to comfort her the best he could…

“No need for fear, we’re here to help you!” (Markus)

“Boooohohoho…*hic*... bohohoho” (???)

“Don’t cry young lady! Please, we need you to tell us what happened!” (Markus)

“Booohoho…*hic* ehehehehe…” (???)

“...?” (Markus)

“Kekekekeke...KEKEKEKE!” (???)

“Wah?” (Markus)

Markus fell to his knee. His flesh was searing in pain. Hot blood trickle down his stomach…

“Markus!” (Cleric women?)

Looking up, the woman was laughing hysterically. Her skin was melting off her face like slime. Her tongue slowly glided up her razor sharp nails as she licked the blood off her finger tips…

“Get down!” (Swordsman?)

[shiiing]

*End Flashback*

This was Marcus’s first time fighting an adult Galzar but he wasn't scared. Was it the adrenaline pumping through his veins? Or the trembling fairy princess in his arm? Or was it the surge of memories of him fighting hordes of Galzar? Marcus was confused, but he was determined. Determined to kill the demon in front of him.

“Kekeke! HAH!” (Galzar)

Marcus spun his body counter-clockwise while parrying the first strike. He landed his left foot on the demon’s left side. The force from the butterfly kicked altered the demon’s trajectory towards the ground. As the demon turned its head, the image of a hoe falling down smacked the demon right in the face.

[boom]

Marcus was surprised by the puff of dust and stepped back. When the dust cleared, the Galzar was struggling to get its head dislodged from the earth.

“Huh?” (Marcus)

Marcus was strong but he wasn't that strong. The demon finally popped from the dirt and charged at Marcus. Again, Marcus struck the demon down with his hoe.

-10 mp

Once more, the demon was stuck in the ground. There wasn't any increase in damage, but on impact, Marcus subconsciously alter the earth at the very last second.

Marcus was using his teraform skill.

“ROAR!” (Galzar)

The demon was seriously pissed. Though it wasn't hurt, it was humiliated twice. Without hesitation the demon raised its right hand at Marcus.

[poof]

“ROARRR!!!” (Galzar)

This time the demon whole body was submerged in the dirt. Its head was convulsing as it roared.

“Hmmm…” (Marcus)

Marcus was now ready to experiment with his teraform skill. His body was relaxed. He completely forgot about the whole situation he was in. Imagining the image of solid rock…

[rumble]

-54 mp

The Galzar was encased in a stone block. Seeing the helpless head squirm made Marcus break out in laughter.

“Hahahaha!” (Marcus)

“...erm...Marcus?” (Yunni)

“Hahahaha!” (Marcus)

“Marcus!” (Yunni)

“Hah...Oh Yunni? What?” (Marcus)

Marcus finally came back down to Earth. There were still several battles happening around him.

After aiding the fairies against the horde of Galza...

[ping]

Teraform beginner lvl. 6

+increase proficiency altering land

“Phew!” (Marcus)

Wiping the sweat of his brow, Marcus and the fairies stood idly as the image of demon sprouts yelled and cursed out profanities.

“pffft!” (Fairy Soldier?)

“Hey! No-pfft-la-la-laughin-hahaha!” (Captain Cornel)

*laughter*

Just moments earlier, everyone was fighting for their life. Now the whole brigade of fairies were hysterically laughing their heads off! Marcus joined the fun but Yunni wasn't too pleased with their attitude.

“Hey! Stop laughing!” (Yunni)

“S-sorry Miss Yunni! Men! Attention!” (Captain Cornel)

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

After the calming down, one by one, the heads of the Galzar were decapitated. Everyone stood in line as the Captain made a roll call.

“...Asper?” (Captain Cornel)

“...” (Brigade)

“Captain...Asper died in combat…” (Marcus)

“Can you confirm soldier?” (Captain Cornel)

“Yes. I witnessed his death…” (Marcus)

“Sigh…. So that makes three. Looks like we lost our cook men” (Captain Cornel)

Everyone gave a short prayer before setting up camp. They were now deep within a cave, two soldiers were always out front guarding the entrance....

“Marcus, if you please” (Captain Cornel)

[rumble]

Marcus was their food supplier but most recently, their chef. The previous chef Asper had died, it was unfortunate but no one was expecting to be attacked within the fog! The fog had a very powerful spell. If you weren't a fairy, your sense of direction would get distorted. Fighting in the fog for anyone would be difficult, especially for long ranged fighters that requires knowing the exact location of their target. Aside from the surprise assault, most of the fairies remain unscathed. Marcus felt responsible for Asper’s death. Since he was the cook, Asper always tagged along with Marcus. Marcus kept thinking of various scenarios were he could have saved Asper, but he knew dwelling over fallen comrades wouldn't bring them back to life…

Everyone sat down while chewing on Marcus’s ‘food’. Though it wasn't the best, no one complained. Marcus found it odd. Eating his own creation, Marcus had to agree how horrible it tasted, but everyone continued to eat in silence. Was it the lost of comrades? Is everyone on edge since the last fight?

“Um…” (Marcus)

“Ek! This is horrible!” (Yunni)

*gasp*

“Move aside Marcus! Let me cook!” (Yunni)

All the fairies were up in arms holding down Yunni. It was a struggle to keep her from the pot.

“Nononono!” (Soldiers)

“Please don’t worry princess, you shouldn't cook! No. Please don’t cook!” (Soldier)

“ARH!” (Yunni)

A burst of wind blew all the fairies back. Yunni accidentally blew out the fire in her tantrum.

“...” (Yunni)

“Can’t help it. Looks like we can’t cook anymore!” (Captain Cornel)

“Marcus…” (Yunni)

“Yes?” (Marcus)

“Fire” (Yunni)

Yunni face was pouting as she pointed towards the smoldering pit. Her body language resembled a heartbroken puppy...

“Woof!” (Diloria)

“Sur-” (Marcus)

Marcus was suddenly sacked by several fairies.

“Hahaha! No need for fire! We’re full!” (Soldiers)

“Psss- Marcus!” (Captain Cornel)

“Er-Yes Captain?” (Marcus)

“Please, don’t ever, EVER, let Yunni cook” (Captain Cornel)

“Huh?” (Marcus)

“That’s an order” (Captain Cornel)

“Eh? Oh!” (Marcus)

“Marcus!” (Yunni)

Yunni tantrum knew no bounds. Who knew the roar of a cat could produce such strong winds? The pile-up of soldiers were blown away as Yunni approached Marcus.

She’s not the princess for nothing…

“Marcus, fire please!” (Yunni)

“...No.” (Marcus)

*gasp*

The soldiers face were struck with horror. They were more terrified now then when they fought against the Galzars.

“Why?!” (Yunni)

“You’re not allowed to cook” (Marcus)

*GASP*

Everyone’s back was against the wall. Even the captain was reciting a small prayer.

“Says who?!” (Yunni)

“Says me!” (Marcus)

The whole brigade was shaking in their boots. Marcus was pretty sure one of them just pissed their pants…

“Grrrr! MARC-” (Yunni)

Marcus began patting Yunni’s head like he normally would for Diloria when she was upset.

“H-hey Marcus, sto-” (Yunni)

He pulled her in closer with his other arm. He was now stroking her hair as held her in his chest.

“er-muf-erf-urm” (Yunni)

I’m not good with kids...I hope this calms her down.

Marcus was treating Yunni like a 10 year old who was throwing a tantrum. Little did he know, fairies had a lifespan of ~200 years. Yunni was actually his senior...

+2 charm

“Yunni, I’ll be cooking from now on. Okay?” (Marcus)

“...okay…” (Yunni)

Marcus didn’t notice but Yunni's cheeks were completely flushed pink. Marcus sat back down and started the fire. While starting another round of cooking, to his surprise, he finally got the skill he was looking for.

[ping]

Cooking beginner lvl.1

+increase quality of food

Through special action(s): + 1 intelligence

Sweet!

“Um, Marcus?” (Yunni)

“Yes Yunni?” (Marcus)

Marcus continued to stir the pot of stew.

“How strong are you? I didn't know you could fight like that…” (Yunni)

“Hm…” (Marcus)

Marcus was perplexed. He knew he was athletic; he always enjoyed playing sports. But for him to actually fight...he couldn't explain the feeling. He’s been having several flashbacks ever since he regained consciousness two weeks ago. Some of it was utter nonsense...but others...some other memories held significant meaning for him. At first he thought he was delusional. A side effect of falling unconscious for two weeks. But the more he played Golden Age, the more everything seem to make sense. It wasn't just his imagination running wild. What he was seeing remembering was real.

Like memories of a past life, Marcus body subconsciously knew how to fight. The way he reacted, the way he swung his fist, everything felt natural....

He looked back at Yunni while tilting his head. He didn't know what to say.

“Um. Isn’t it normal?” (Marcus)

“What's NORMAL about it?!” (Yunni)

PREV / NEXT

***

Author's Rant: Hi guys! Happy boxing day! I've self edited up to chapter 10.5, slowly working my way through. I hope you enjoy reading everything so far. If you have any comments on how to improve, I would be delighted to read them!