Cal turned to his right and slashed horizontally with a spin backwards. Gathering all the momentum of his weight and accelerating speed, he swung his sword of white flame to Hood's neck. Thud. An arrow stuck out of Cal's right forearm. Cal stumbled, missing Hood's neck, and cut his chest instead. Blood splattered. Hood jumped backwards. Cal was screaming. Arrow in deep. Cal struggled to pull it out without feeling anguish. Hood touched his cut.

Nearly.

He looked for where the arrow could have come from. Hood saw a figure. About 6 feet. a grey-brown, overworn tunic that could have been white long ago. hastily made boots of old leather. He holds a bow in hand and a quiver on his back. curly black hair. Although his skin is of a dark hue, a semblance of a farmer's tan persists. Hood's face.

You can't be serious.

Drac waved and then pointed to Cal.

Oh, that’s right.

With Cal exhausted and injured, this is his best chance of winning. Hood has had all the fight. But he must make this chance worth it. He cannot call for his copy for any more than 5 seconds. He can't let such an opportunity escape his grasp. Now it's time to finish this.

Hood sprinted back in. Hood leapt and hammered down his short sword. Cal grabbed Hood’s arm with his open hand before it could reach As if his arm were in a vice, the hood could not pull away. Another arrow shoots close to Cal's grabbing arm. Cal let Hood's arm go before almost being hit by a loose arrow. Cal evaded another arrow in his head. He stepped back. Cal looked between Drac at the doorway and Hood in front of him. With the arrow still in his right forearm, he gave his sword to his left hand.

“This will be enough to thwart you away.”

Blade up, Hood ran back in again. A slash at the throat, a stab at the knee, and a strike from under Cal was blocking them all until another arrow came. Its target was the left side of Cal's chest. Cal blocked, leaving him open for Hood's stab at Cal's body. The blade met meat. A scream came from Cal; he struck at the Hoods with renewed fervour. His sword's aura edge was blazing with white heat. Hood stayed to block the blow with his vambrace. It shattered inside his jacket sleeve. Searing heat cleaved through Hood's skin, muscle, and bone. Hood pushed his sword into a tricep. Cal’s face was filled with terror. His flame exploded the stone beneath.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“HOOD!” Drac screams.

Hood’s arm is cut through. The flaming white sword reached Hood's shoulder. sword slicing through the body like cake. Blood splattered like raindrops hitting the ground. An arrow flew towards Cal’s head. caught by his right hand.

“It's too late for your friend, Drac.”

Hood’s copy materialises in a crouched position. From below, he leaps with every portion of strength his body can muster. Hood's gleaming, short sword pierces through the sternum to the heart. Cal looks down, stunned. Eyes wide, a face of dread, the hood pushed the sword in deep, then dematerialized. Two figures stood bloody, close to death.

Cal turned to Drac and pointed with a trembling finger. “You…you are done.” He collapsed to the ground. Hood wobbled against the wall to rest. Drac ran after him.

“Hood! Hood!!” Drac held Hood and laid him down gently. Tears came out of his face. “I’m sorry! It’s all my fault!

Hood pulled down his mask.

“No. No. I didn't have that much time left, you see. Our lives were going to end when we joined up together. We were taught and trained to expect it. Just di-" Hood coughs up blood. "I just didn't know the end would come this quick.” Hood's voice is like gravel. Drac sobbed, wiping tears away.

“I was envious of you.” hood says

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it means: I was envious of your life here. I spent ten weeks spying on you when I could have picked you up on the very first day. I saw your life. How content were you? I saw your friend. made me think of bad things. Things like... what having a friend would feel like. Having a family.

Drac listened.

“The envy turned into hate. 'He shouldn't be here,' I thought to myself. This peaceful life isn't for us. Then you were to be sacrificed. What I kept delaying was finally happening. It was out of my hands. So I convinced myself I wasn't taking you by force.”

“It wasn't your fault,” Drac smiled with teary eyes. “You saved me. You were my hero.”

Hood finally looked into Drac's eyes.

“And besides, I would've joined you if you had asked. Who doesn't love an adventure?”

Hood laughed heartily. Smile radiating. “Yes, who doesn't? I remember when I was a child, I used to read books about... heroes. Hood lied still. blood dripping to the ground. eyes empty of life.

Hood's body heated up. A bright glow as he disintegrated into white specks, leaving Hood’s clothes and equipment behind. Drac looked around, dazed at the lights dancing around him. Then all of them fused into him. The pain was excruciating. like a hot rod poking every part of his body. Then it ended a moment later. Drac looked at his body. It feels unfamiliar. Movement is more snappy and responsive. Legs fit less in the breeches. The forearms look much more toned. Drac looked at Hood's clothes and weapons. Hood’s short sword, although bloody, shone as it lay on the ground.

Go on, then. I know you want to try it.