Under a blue sky and on a path that ran through the woods, walked a blonde elderly woman with a content smile as she enjoyed the beauty of nature. Walking with no troubles, striding with no hurry, carrying herself free, she made her way down the path holding a small bag. Making her way to a creek that spliced the path in half she stopped, bending down cupping her hands to splash a bit of water on her face. As she rose, she looked to her side and saw something peculiar to her. A man up the creek resting on a tree not 15 feet from her. She gazed at the man who wore gray tatters over what seemed to be some form of light white armor, a hood that covered his face and a large dull dark blade rested by his arm. Curious, she walked over to him to get a better look.
The man had his head slumped down a sign that he were to be asleep, his apparel overly used and unclean as if it were the only things he had. The elderly woman reached out her hand towards the mans hood, desiring to lift it. Upon lifting the hood she could see the sleeping man was pale as the moon, with hair whiter than snow, and a troubled expression as he restlessly slumbered. Slightly shaking his head and twitching his face as if he were in a nightmare, as if he was reliving a burden wishfully forgotten.
The elderly woman dipped her hand in the creek and raised it towards the pale mans face, she flicked her wet fingers a few times. A bit startled he awoke, looking alert at the woman’s gentle smile. The woman stepped away, as the pale man lifted himself off the tree, grabbing his sword and placing it on his back as he got up. Realizing he was quite a large man, she looked up at him, still with a gentle expression as the pale man greeted her with a blank stare. Without words, the man walked passed her and crossed the creek into the other side of the woods.
As he became out of sight, the elderly woman remembered a man in dark robes and a beautiful face confronted her sternly with a wanted poster a few hours past. Perhaps a mere coincidence that this gray wanderer matched the description, or perhaps something she simply wouldn’t wanted to bother herself with. Either way, the elderly woman knew that the men’s fate would soon intertwine; as those who seek with uncertainty, would find themselves at ends meet.
A small village just outside of the border of the Suns domain, a young girl tends to a wounded man.
“Sir, I’m not sure if I can heal these injuries,” she said visibly doubtful.
An old man bearded man in robes using his healing magic on another wounded soldier replied “Focus Faith, I cannot do this without you girl, deepen your connection to the Sun Shine we mustn’t let these men pass just yet.”
“Yes, sir” responded Faith.
Using their sunlight magic to heal the three wounded men, Faith and Bronks healed the majority of the wounds. Successfully healing the soldiers Faith grew a smile.
“We did it Bronks!” she exclaimed, “They are going to be okay!”
Bronks caressing his long beard nodded in agreement, “You did well girl. Perhaps one day you won’t need me around, perhaps one day soon I hope” he said.
“Please don’t say such things Bronks.” Faith pleaded sincerely.
Master Healer Bronks, a skilled and professional doctor has found a home in the small village that Faith lives in, a village just outside the border of the Suns domain.
“Now that these men got their treatment, we must let them rest,” Bronks stated, “Now fetch me some more water from the well before dark,”
Faith nodded her head and went for the door, leaving the small wooden clinic. Outside she picked up an empty bucket and started walking to the well. As she made her way to the well in the center of the village she could not help but feel a uncertain of the future as she looked around in sorrow. The village she knew all her life now in disarray and in near ruins, men and women hastily running by to fix their homes from the most recent attack. Small houses with torn roofs, windows shattered, wagons crushed, and peoples heart broken all by the hands of the gargoyles.
With the consistent attacks of the gargoyles for the past few weeks, the village begged for help from Soledge, a town that lies on the border of the Suns domain no more than half a day away by carriage from Faiths village. Soledge being an official part of the Sun Kingdom had the resource of the Suns domain, a privileged that Faith’s village does not have. Out of generosity, the council of Soledge sent a few of the border guards to assist with the gargoyle menace. Ten guards have been sent to the village 2 weeks ago, successfully scaring off the flying stone bats, but in the most recent days they have been attacking more confidently, and nearly every night.
The threat of being completely driven out by the gargoyles is becoming more and more clear, with the guards sent lacking any proper equipment or magic capabilities, the gargoyles have the advantage. With only two blessed humans being capable of magic that do not know any offensive spells and only restorations, the villagers and guards treat them as priority citizens, a reason why three men are unconscious.
As Faith approached the well in front of the Grand Cottage in the center of the village, the Elder Villager exited his home alongside the remaining guards. The guards dispersed to grab the attention of the villagers, some of which in the middle of repairing their homes, and the others preparing for the next attack. After a few minutes the guards and villagers gathered in front of the Grand Cottage with looking up at the Elder Villager on the second floor balcony clearing his throat for a speech.
The Elder Villager, the leader the village who has access to the library and knowledge of all the Elders before him, wise and virtuous to his people as if a loving grandfather. Only the fairest and noble of the villagers in age could become the Elder Villager, someone who would lead through the toughest of times and even sacrifice themselves for the people. If only that were the case for the current Elder Villager, a crooked aging man who seem to have a glint of greed to his eyes, wearing jewelry and expensive attire to confirm his avaricious image. The youngest of all Elders before him, and seemingly most unlikeable in history, as he had a track record of being mischievous and conniving as a adolescent.
Raising his arm up he spoke, “Here here, what joyous news I have for us! I have had word that more men will be coming here to assist us our problematic situation, but not just any guards, no but we are going to be honored with a blessed knight and his consort!
The crowd of villagers faces lit up and cheers from the guards. The crowd began to become more and more excited speaking to one another with hope in their voices.
A enthusiastic guard called out “Eldest! Is it the captain of the guard in Soledge?!”
“It must be! There is only one pair of blessed and consort in the guard! It must be her!” one guard exclaimed.
The Elder Villager rose his hand in a stopping motion ceasing the crowds excitement. He responded with a sigh, “I do not know, but I do know they will be arriving midday tomorrow!”
With that news, the crowd grew agitated, sharing worried looks to one another and discontent.
“I know, I know! The possibility of the gargoyles attacking just before dawn is quite high. For that reason I have to ask that anyone with a house that isn’t damaged to please shelter those who haven’t been able to repair theirs,” the Elder Villager said leaving the balcony.
With a that attempt to quell the villagers they grew upset, murmuring and grumbling to one another about how little regard the Eldest had for them. Some saying he had plenty of room to shelter these in need, but only cares to keep the guards to protect himself. Soon they discussed who would be sheltering who’s family. Faith then went along to drop off the bucket of water at the clinic and started to go towards her small home just at the far end of the village. Before she could make three steps, Master Bronks flung the door open.
“And may I ask where do you think you are going, child?” Bronks questioned.
“Home?” replied Faith timidly.
With a heavy sigh Bronks shook his head, “Absolutely not. Do you want a repeat of yesterday to happen?” he remarked.
A sense of guilt hit Faith as she peered behind Bronks to see the injured guards that she nearly helped get killed. The attack last night resulted in Faith being trapped in her small shed she calls home. The guards immediately went to rescue her but in the process were gravely injured. With three less guards the stone gargoyle flew to the village and did the damage that still remains seen.
“I want you to sleep at the clinic tonight. All the while helping me tend to the guards too, so please go get your sleep wear and hurry back before it gets any darker,” Bronks urged.
Faith nodded her head and jogged to her home at the edge of the village. As the sun was rapidly setting, she arrived at her small home. As the attack was just last night on her shed she was thoroughly surprised that she had very little damage done to her humble abode. Opening the scratched door she turn on the lantern by her bed. Even with only a bed, closet, and a nightstand in her living space she didn’t have much room to move which made it all the more difficult to avoid the shards of glass from the broken window above her bed.
Grabbing her sleep wear and a blanket from her night stand, she looked at the broken window, still mildly traumatized by the sudden crash that woke her up from her slumber with a stony tail nearly hitting her. As she recalled those frightful events triggered by the window, she notice the sun has already set completely, with the night encompassing the plains. The window which peers out towards the plains and the small dense forest which surrounds the local lake, was emitting a small flash of light the source just out of sight, and blue flash she was not familiarly of.
The dark and moonless night but with only the stars to give vision to the land, Faith found herself being curious of the small flashes of light just beyond the forest. Almost in a trance she stepped out of her shed, and walked across the plains and towards the forest. Reaching the first trees of the forest she could see in the distance light flashes in increasing volume, illuminating the dark every other second. As she moved closer and closer she could feel the earth shake ever so slightly but with violence, she heard faint clashes and trees cracking. Now uneasy she still continued onwards to the source, which seemed to be originating from the lake.
Approaching to the shore of the lake still within the dense forest for cover she could saw the violent flashes of light cease. The stars that helped her see being blocked out by the density of the trees she was covering herself with, Faith was succumbed by darkness. Out of her trance she looked around briefly, but in the corner of her eye she saw what seemed to be a massive shadowed figure hat exuded bright steam. Faith stumbled back to trip over a root, as the steam covered figure wobbled forwards and collasped by her feet.
Fear-stricken, Faith froze in her place on the cold fallen leaves and dirt. This thing that lie by her feet produced a white deafening steam all around it’s body. Gazing beyond the steam covered body, resided a dark shape of a large man, with undefined features due to the lack of illumination. Sitting up Faith reached out to the body.
“Faith!” someone yelled from behind her.
A figure in the distance carrying a lantern was running in her direction. It was Master Bronks, with a guard with him.
“There you are ,girl!” he said out of breath.
Upon approaching her the lantern illuminated herself and the surrounding area, revealing the steaming figure to be a man in tattered cloth and armor.
“By the Shine, what happen here?” Bronks asked, lifting her up.
Staring at the fallen man in ashen armor, Bronks bend down to analyze the extent of the injuries.
“He’s hurt, and he’s terribly warm, he must of eaten something to produce these symptoms,” he said.
In that instance the man stopped producing steam from his body. Bronks passed the lantern to the guard, and lean further in to properly inspect the man. Bronks and Faith quickly but carefully turned over the man to see his face, to see extensive damage done to him.
“He was attacked? By an animal? No maybe a mystical creature, like a gargoyle?” Faith questioned.
“I don’t think so… gargoyles don’t use throwing knives, nor do they use an actually blade,” Bronks responded, pulling out a long thin needle out of the chainmail of the ashen man, “although this is dipped in venom similar to the tails of the gargoyles but it was clearly modified for combat. Paralysis and perhaps a form of necrosis,”
As Bronks studied the strange man, he hovered over the mans hand but was abruptly met with his own wrist being grabbed by the man. Startled by this, Bronks ripped his arm from the firm grip of the awaken and distraught grey armor man. Taking a step back from the mysterious man, Bronks stood in front of Faith in defense while the guard quickly dropped lantern and drew his weapon. Seeing the grey attempting to get up, she quickly went down to help him up.
“Careful, you’re hurt badly,” she said wrapping his arm around her shoulder, struggling to lift him, “we will take you to our village and get you healed, don’t you worry,” she assured him, looking at a doubtful Bronks.
Hurrying over to the village, Bronks and the guard carried the man to the clinic while Faith held the lantern to light their way. Upon entering the clinic Bronks and the guard carefully placed the man down on a bed.
“I’ll get some other men to recon the forest,” the guard said.
Bronks nodded and prepping his equipment while Faith assisting. The man still delirious and weary was halfway unconscious, shook his head in resistance. Turing on the lanterns and grabbing water to enchant restorative magic, Bronks ripped off the mans chest piece.
“By the Shine!” Faith gasped, looking down on the multiple scars and cuts.
“Don’t get weak kneed now girl, I need you to concentrate!” Bronks ordered.
Faith acknowledged, she grabbed a towel piece and dabbed it into the bowl of healing water, and carefully rubbed it over the open wounds. Following Bronks instructions and assisting him where she could, in a matter of few minutes they manage to stabilize the man. With a warm light on both of Bronks hands hovering over the man, he made a confused look.
“Is everything okay?” Faith asked, “Will he live?”
Bronks still looking bumfuzzled replied, “He’s, fine…”
“You say that with very little assurance, Bronks,”
“Watch over him, recheck him for any venom,” he ordered heading outside into the night.
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Bronks briskly walked over to the Elder Villagers cottage to see two guards speaking to one other. The one that escorted both Faith and Bronks out of the forest was conversing to a female guard looking a bit flustered. Bronks got their attention by whistling and they ran up to him.
“Master Bronks, we searched the forest and there seems to be no activity to report,” the female guard spoke.
“But, it seems as if there was a big struggle there,” the male guard continued.
“Yes, must have been a couple of beast or of the like,”
“No, portions of land and trees were disturbed heavily, not even gargoyles do that, it had to be something else, perhaps a new mystical we have not faced,” the male guard concluded.
Bronks nodded his head and told the two guards to stay on alert. Returning to the clinic, Bronks found the man sitting upright with Faith helping calming him down.
“By the Shine!” Bronks exclaimed, “Lie down you big buffoon!”
Bronks attempted to push the man back to a laying position but was met with a flinch and a cold stare. Bronks took a step back, acknowledging the warning.
“I tried to tell him to stay still but he wouldn’t listen,” Faith explained, “I suppose he thinks he’s better than he looks for someone who was attacked by gargoyles.”
The white haired and pale skinned man had numerous scars across his body, a person with such injuries seemed far to lively for such a brutal and recent attack, Bronks thought.
“Are you okay, wanderer?” Bronks asked.
The wanderer looked away from Bronks and replied with a gruff and tired “Yes.”
“Good, then you may leave, and take your assaulters far away from here if you could,” Bronks replied sternly.
Faith shocked at the answer from her mentor and even more shocked to see the wanderer comply. Getting up and putting on his white cloth torn chest piece and lifting the hood that concealed half his face, he walked towards his blade resting by his side. Faith tugging and pushing to no avail as the large wanderer completely ignored her feeble attempts to stop him. Grabbing his great dark and dull blade, nearly the size of Faith herself, he sheathed it on his back.
“No! No! He’s not healed fully yet!” Faith begged to both of the stubborn men, “He shouldn’t even be capable of walking, let alone just leave him out there!”
Faith sliding to the door to block his path and pleaded to Bronks, “Please sir he still needs treatment, we can’t just let him go out there to die!”
“Faith… it’s for the greater good. This wanderer here is being pursued, something that we cannot allow ourselves to take apart in. Healing him is enough for some bounty hunters to destroy this village. If these bounty hunters have the resources to attain gargoyle venom, then they would certainly have no qualms in killing bystanders,” Bronks said.
With the disapproval of Bronks, and the massive wanderer blankly staring down at her, Faith discouraged, stepped aside to allow the wanderer passage. The man still looking at the young girl brought his finger to the tip of her nose and tapped it gently.
“Thanks,” the wanderer said earnestly, with a rugged but gentle smile.
Faith looked up at the grey wanderer and replied with a small smile back. The man made his way out the door, entering the moonless night sky. Faith turned back to speak to Bronks, but Bronks lifted his finger to his lips to silence her.
“Faith listen to me carefully, I may be kind to you but truth is my patience as a whole is very poor with people. A man like that deserves none of my efforts, and you would do well if you’d only questioned my expertise as suppose to my judgement. I do this because he would put you in danger,” Bronks stated.
Just before she could enter her solemn stature a bell rang throughout the village. Both their eyes lit up and shared a concerned look. They ran outside to see the female guard from before ringing the bell outside the Elder Villagers cottage. Six other guards quickly exited the cottage, swords and shields drawn preparing for an attack. Looking up at the starry night they saw dark figures hovering high in the sky over the village.
The Eldest ran out from the second floor balcony and yelled “ATTACK! We are under siege! Quickly enter my basement at once everyone!”
Families ran out of their homes in an instance, while the guard attempted to keep them in an orderly fashion. Faith ran to the previous male guard and grabbed his attention.
“Sir, we need some help getting the others out of the clinic safely,” Faith asked.
The male guard nodded and gestured to the female guard to come with. All three hurried there way to the clinic to see Bronks with three makeshift stretcher already in place. Bronks told them that they have to go one at a time. As they all got ready to leave, Faith and Bronks holding the stretcher, and the male guard jogging backwards keeping an eye out for the gargoyles still above them, the women guard stayed behind to protect the two other injured until they returned with the stretcher.
Approaching the cottage they saw the a majority of the village has already entered the cottage, they handed over the injured guard to the people to carrying him inside. Once the injured guard was safe the three ran back to the clinic. Upon opening the door a terrible screech came up from above. In the briefest of moments the male soldier was whisked away by a large shadowy figure as Faith and Bronks made their way inside.
The guards forming up in a defensive line in front of the cottage, watched in horror that one of their comrades was snatched by a gargoyle. The soldier being carried by the foot struggled to let loose of the grasp of the red eyed stone bat. With a hard swing of is sword at the man bat, he broke free of the grasp, plummeting a dozen feet. A second gargoyle joined the first to play with the wounded guard, now unconscious.
“We must help them!” a soldier yelled ready to sprint.
Just as a few men were about to break formation, multiple gargoyles flew down to prevent passage. Landing a few feet away from the guards almost daring them to attack. Five gargoyles against five guards was nothing but a losing fight.
Behind the gargoyles they saw Bronks and Faith managed to drag back the wounded guard back into the clinic, as the woman guard distracted the two assaulting beasts. With the formation of the guard being pinned by the stone bats, nearly the size of the men themselves, the guards could not leave the cottage defenseless. Both opposition waiting for the other to make the first move.
The women guard in the complete defensive, leaped inside the clinic, and closed the door shut. Faith and Bronks dragged the unconscious man to the far corner of the room and alongside the two other patients. The woman guard placed her back against the door trying to hold it shut as the two gargoyles took turns ramming into it.
“We need to barricade this door now!” she exclaimed, struggling to keep it closed.
Bronks ran over to a cabinet by the door and pushed it over towards the woman. Jumping out of the way the cabinet came crashing down near the door, with enough weight to secure the integrity of the entrance. With the screeches being more and more furious, the woman guard held her sword tight at the entrance.
In a moment of silence, came a sudden thump atop the roof of the clinic. Hearing the heavy footstep above their head, the woman slowly stepped closer to the curtained window by the door. Now by the side of the wall to the left of the window and in the corner, the woman cautiously lifted her sword to peek through the curtain.
In an instant the window shattered followed by the creatures long venom tipped tail lashing out blindly. Everyone ducked from the tails wrath as it aimlessly struck the walls and floors. Getting up the woman furiously sliced the tail in half, which was followed by a vicious howl. The roof thumps grew louder and louder, as the woman slowly started to fall to her knees, resting by the corner. Faith seeing the woman guard holding her shoulder in pain.
“It got me,” the guard said.
With her slouching on the corner with an enraged gargoyle failing it’s arm to reach her, poking its bat-like face out of the window, intent on killing her. Finally the rook gave in unleashing another tail in the middle of the clinic. With the venom tipped end of the gargoyle from above blocking the path to the weakening woman, Bronks began to pray to his Shine. Time moving like sludge, the air thickened, and noise muffled, Faith felt no despair. Deep within her she knew this was not the end, no, this was barely the beginning for her. She calmly closed her eyes and began to wait.
In a few seconds what felt like an eternity came a sudden cease of the screaming of the gargoyle at the window. Faith opened her eyes to see the gargoyle protruding out the window no longer moving frozen in its place as a large dull and dark blade ran through its stone neck. The angry features of the bat started to turn grayer and crack. The now dead gargoyle was bulled away from the outside heard by a heavy grunt.
The gargoyle tail that struck through paused it’s assault, and footsteps suggested it jumped off the roof of the clinic. A snarl was made outside of the clinic with following clashes of stone and metal. Faith carefully got up to investigate the battle outside. Peering through the window she saw a large man in gray armor covered in tatters on top of the stone beast, with his great blade piercing it’s chest. He lifted his blade with the beast still pierced by it, and spun it over his head to slam the gargoyle to broken chunks of rock. Faith had hope fill her heart to see the gray wanderer return in the nick of time.
“Sir Bronks! We are saved! The Sun Shine heard your prayers! Thank the Sun!” Faith exclaimed overjoyed.
“By the Shine, thank you!. Quickly now girl we must heal the woman’s wounds before the venom takes her!” he replied.
Faith still transfixed by the strength of the mysterious wanderer, gazed at the calm demeanor as he grabbed the rumbled head of the gargoyle, making his way to the rest of the beast.
“Sir Bronks its that man from a few hours ago, the one who was attacked from before!” Faith stated in awestruck.
Bronks now looking over Faith saw the gray wanderer walk towards the oblivious guards and gargoyles. His giant blade sheathed on his back and his hood covering his face, he stride his way towards his remaining prey.
“Faith, hear me, tend to her wound and deal with the venom,” Bronks said sternly.
Sensing the seriousness of Bronks tone, Faith went to the woman guard as Bronks jumped out of the window with surprising finesse. Bronks hid behind a barrel outside of the clinic to witness the battle that was to take place.
At the defensive formation of the guards and the aggressing line of gargoyles waiting for one another to strike, both sides unaware to the gray wanderer approach. A whistle that broke the tension came from behind the five advancing beast. They turned their heads to see the wanderer stepping on the head of a their fellow beast, kicking it to their way. The men baffled as much as the stone bats were furious.
In a blink two gargoyles lunged at the wanderer with ferocity and vengeance in their red eyes. The gray wander simultaneously back stepped and unsheathed his weapon atop his back and delivered one slash to destroy both attackers at once. As the two stone bats crumpled in a heap of rubble, both the remaining beast and guards stared in disbelief. Snapping out of their trance, the guards realized that the advantage was theirs. The guards charged at the three stone bats in surprise, although with even a surprise the gargoyles stood their ground well. The guards being distanced by the beasts tail as they attempted to continue their counter assault, defend against the whips of the venom tipped ends.
The gray wanderer made haste and quickly retaliated against the now defenseless beast. In a inhuman jump, the wanderer leaped in the air and landed his blade first into the stone bat from above. The second gargoyle giving the other two guards a difficult time, knocked them away with it’s tail. The beast flung it’s pointed tail at the downed men but was met with an upward slice from the wanderer. Tail now cut in half the beast lunged itself at him, successfully pinning him down and digging it’s its clawed feet into his chest. The stone beast began to flap it’s wings to take flight and take the wanderer with it, but was met with two guards tackling it shield first, knocking it off the wanderer. The two guards that were previously downed finally got there footing and jumped at the opportunity at hand and ran their steel in the at the fallen gargoyle.
The last two guards battled the final stone bat, and managed to gain the upper hand and defeated it all by their lonesome. The guards helped the wanderer up, as he thanked them plainly almost inaudible. The some guards asking if he was okay and if he needed medical attention, some others asked astonished how he fought so effortlessly. The wanderer unaware to their question was, saw something in the corner of his eye move and the white hairs on his neck standing straight, he knew the fight was not over.
The sounds of rock rumbling and converging came from behind them. As everyone turned around to see the broken stone remains of the gargoyles forming into a large shape. In mere seconds a 20 foot tall gargoyle with three long tails stood before them. The guards stepping back behind the wanderer as it made a loud and guttural roar, Immediately it swung it’s tails at the gray wanderer barely blocking the full attack with his sword, yet still launched off his feet into a villagers home, crashing violently through the wooden door.
The guards now in complete despair looked up at the giant stone beast. The giant gargoyle ready to attack was met with a blast of lighting from behind the guards, originating at the Grand Cottage. At the doorstep of the Grand Cottage was the Eldest, holding a staff pointed towards the massive monster. The Eldest with certainty in his eyes flung another strike of lighting from his staff, this tearing a chunk of rock of the stone body. The guards backed up fully as the Eldest marched forward, attacking the giant gargoyle. Lightning strike after strike from the staff, the giant staggered with it blow, unable to get its bearing. On it’s knees now the Eldest, prepared for the last blow, he rose his staff above his head and pointed it towards the giant gargoyle.
Alas no lighting strike came from the staff, nothing but dead air came from the Eldest’s weapon. In a brief confusion the Eldest looked at his staff, before he was impaled by one of the tails of the massive beast. Bronks still hiding behind the barrel near the clinic watched in horror as the Eldest was thrown off the things tail and landed by his side. Bronks crouched to him and to comfort and analyze his state. Immediately Bronks knew that the Eldest was beyond healing. In the distance he could hear the giant gargoyle ready to attack the remainder of its prey.
The beast readying to attack the guards heard a loud clatter to its side. Where the gray wanderer crashed into rose the same man from the rubble of wood, but with a savage look to his face. Steam emitted from his left arm, with which he carried as if it weighed too much for him to lift. Everyone shocked to witness the man lunged forward at the massive gargoyle. The guards watched in disbelief that the gargoyle was being overpowered by the gray wanderers relentless attacks.
Movement that should not be possible for someone with previous and current injuries he rolled and dodged each of the gargoyles attack, while simultaneously counterattacking. He threw himself with a strange grace and yet swung his sword and body wildly. Jumping, strafing, back stepping, and spiraling with no coherent pattern or form, they watched as he grew more and more wild with each movement.
In the moment of leaping backward, the giant beast manage to grab him with its left hand. The beast held the wanderer in a position were he could not swing his blade but with his steaming left arm still free. As the beast drew him closer to its mouth, ready to take snack on the wanderer, he rocketed his fist into its bat-like nose with a force that cracked and crumbled a part of it’s face. Letting go, the massive beast fell on its hands and clutched its face, growling in anger.
Suddenly the monster look up at the to see the starry night retreating as a small hint of blue and yellow began to consume the sky. Turning its back on the wanderer, its remaining face made a look that could only resembled as despair. It stared at the distance seeing the sun mere minutes from rising in full strength. It screeched in horror and began to lift its wings to take off. Before it could even leave the ground, the gray wanderer leaped onto it. Grabbing onto its back as it flies upward, he plunged his mighty sword into the things right wing, tearing it right of the beast’s shoulders. Now with one less wing the stone bat fell, maintaining its balance as the wanderer held on plummeting dozens of feet.
Crashing down into a villagers house, wood blasted all directions as if it were made of toothpicks. The guards left to inspect the crash landing a few houses down. Amongst the dust and rubble lay the giant gargoyle half broken into pieces as the wanderer, no longer engulfed in steam stood on top of the beast with his blade shoved into the its back. The guards in unison cheered and gasped in awe to see the unphased wanderer become the triumphant against the giant gargoyle. Startled the gray wanderer faced the guards in confusion in a confused and misunderstanding look. The sun now in full strength lit up the sky and drove the night away, the rays of sun pierced the dust around the wanderer, gently illuminating his face as he looked to his sides to stare at the horizon.
Faith, curious of the commotion, peaked out the broken window to see the house in front of the clinic to be smashed into smithereens, and beholden to see the sight of legends, a mere man conquered a massive monster as the heavens shined upon him. Suddenly the wanderers face grew asleep, immediately falling forward on the rubble of wood and stone. Watching this, Faith quickly wrapped up the now stabilized woman guard and rushed out side unnoticing Bronks carrying the dead Eldest. The guards already attempting to get through the rubble and safely pick up the gray wanderer. Lifting him by the shoulders, two guards got the wanderer out of the wrecked house and laid him on the ground.
“Is he alright?” one asked.
“I don’t know he fell hard with the creature,” another stated.
Faith sliding past the group of guards circled around the wanderer, she made her presence known.
“Lady Faith! Perhaps you could heal his wounds?” A guard asked.
“I’m not sure, I don’t know the extent of his injuries,” she replied preparing her novice magic.
Clasping both hands and eyes shut she focused on conjuring here sunlight restoration. Opening her eyes, she saw her hands emitting a soft yellow glow. A novice spell that can detect abnormalities through touch alone. Faith placed both her hands on the mans chest and immediately pull back in shock.
“What is it m’lady ?” a guard questioned.
“C-Call upon Bronks!” She sputtered in worry.
The guard looked around in confusion until one ran forward to the clinic obeying the young girl. As the guard just about to meet with the door, Bronks exited looking solemnly.
“Master Bronks, we have the hero who saved us to be gravely wounded, Lady Faith request your health,” the guard said.
Bronks leaning his head to the side replied “You mean that man who’s up already?”
Turning around the wanderer lifted himself off the ground as the guards attempted to help him up. The weary wanderer waving his hand to put at ease to everyone’s worry. Bronks and the guard walked over to them and pushed his way into the group. Face to face with the wanderer Bronks studied him.
“Are you okay?” Bronks questioned.
Faith put herself in-between the two men and raise both her hands up, “No he is not okay, Bronks, he is in a great amount of-“
“I’ll be fine” he said gently cutting off Faith mid sentence.
Silence surrounded the group, as Faith was left speechless of the wanderers words. Faith almost certainly knew that the wanderer was far from fine. The wanderer faced his back on both Bronks and Faith, and started walking away. Faith reached out to him but was met with Bronks grabbing her shoulder. Faith looked back to Bronks to see pain within his eyes, as if a father who has failed his child. The wanderer made way towards the rising sun lifting his hood up, heading towards the small forest he seemingly came from, leaving everyone but Bronks surprised.