Suddenly, I was back in the Library, arms outstretched as a screaming owl barreled down at me. On reflex, I swung my mace at its one good eye, but it dodged at the last second, swooping away with a furious screech.
"Rod!" Blake's weak voice cut through the chaos. She was huddled on the ground, almost exactly where I had left her. The summoned creatures were gone, and though the protector owl was clearly worn down, it was still agile enough to evade my attacks.
How much time had passed? There was no moment to ponder. The owl turned and charged again, its feathers bristling with latent energy. I was out of mana from the previous fight and had already used my last potion. With no resources left, I made a snap decision. Rushing to Blake's side, I pulled out my remaining health potion.
"Hold on," I murmured, carefully pouring the liquid into her mouth. It was a wonder she was still alive, and that the protector hadn't finished her off.
Blake's eyes fluttered open, confusion giving way to alarm as she registered the incoming threat. "Move!" she gasped.
Grabbing her hand, we both rolled aside just as the owl's talons sliced through the space we'd occupied moments before. The creature's frustration echoed through the grand hall, its relentless attacks turning more erratic.
For the next ten minutes, the fight became a desperate dance. Blake was regaining her strength slowly, each minute bringing a bit more color back to her cheeks. My muscles ached, each swing of the mace heavier than the last. Sweat dripped into my eyes, but I couldn't afford a moment's distraction.
"We need to find a way to end this," I thought, casting a quick glance at Blake. She met my eyes, a determined glint forming.
The owl's rage intensified. Its wild thrashing was tearing up the surroundings, ancient books and splintered shelves scattered across the marble floor. It was almost tragic to see such a majestic creature consumed by fury, but sympathy wouldn't save us now.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. "Got any ideas?" I shouted over the din.
Blake moved closer, her voice low but urgent. "I have a plan," she whispered, her breath warm against my ear. An unexpected thrill shot through me, momentarily cutting through the exhaustion.
As she outlined her strategy, I nodded, dodging the owl's swipes as she spoke. It was simple but brilliant. "Ready?" she asked, her eyes locking onto mine.
"Let's do it," I agreed, gripping my mace tighter.
I charged forward, swinging wildly but deliberately imprecise, serving as a distraction. Just as we anticipated, the owl dodged my feigned attack—straight into the path of Blake's arrow.
The arrow pierced deep into its remaining eye. The owl let out a heart-wrenching cry, blood spurting in an arc as it thrashed in blind agony. [Critical Hit: -40 Damage] flashed above its head.
But the battle wasn't over.
"He’s still got too much fight left!" Blake called out, already nocking another arrow. The owl's health bar hovered just above critical but wasn't depleting fast enough.
I nodded, casting [Heal] on Blake to restore her remaining injuries. [Heal: +20 HP] glowed briefly above her, the magic revitalizing her stamina.
Blinded, the owl beat its wings furiously, creating gusts of wind that whipped through the library. Flames from overturned lanterns caught onto the old draperies, the heat intensifying as fire began to spread. The creature took to the air, its shadow engulfing us as it prepared another assault.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
"He's going to dive!" Blake warned, her voice tense.
Bracing myself, I watched as the owl turned in the air, its trajectory aimed straight at us. The force of its descent rattled the very foundations of the library. At the last moment, I cast [Shield], the barrier shimmering as it absorbed the impact. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, but it held. [Shield Absorbed: 30 Damage] appeared briefly.
Blake seized the opportunity, drawing her bow with measured calm. Activating [Aim], she targeted a vulnerable spot beneath the owl's wing. The arrow flew true, embedding itself deep into muscle. [Direct Hit: -25 Damage] flashed as the owl's screech echoed through the burning hall, its health dipping further.
But desperation made it more dangerous. The owl unleashed a whirlwind of fire and wind, a last-ditch effort to obliterate us. The heat was unbearable; smoke filled the air, stinging our eyes and choking our lungs.
"We can't keep this up!" I shouted, feeling the strain of holding the shield against the onslaught. [Shield Integrity: 15%]
Blake's gaze hardened. "Then we finish it now." She reached into her quiver and pulled out her last arrow, its tip etched with runes that pulsed faintly.
Time seemed to slow as she drew the bowstring back, her focus unbreakable. I watched her, the flickering flames casting shadows across her determined face.
"Cover me," she said softly.
"Always," I replied.
Stepping forward, I swung my mace at the owl, not to hit it but to keep its attention on me. The creature lunged, its movements more sluggish but still lethal. I dodged narrowly, the wind from its swipe rustling my hair. [Dodged Attack]
Blake released her breath, and then the arrow.
It sliced through the air like a comet, a trail of light marking its path. The arrow struck the center of the owl's chest, right where its heart would be. For a moment, everything was silent.
Then, a blinding light erupted from the point of impact. The owl let out a final, deafening screech as its form began to disintegrate into ash. [Critical Hit: -50 Damage] flashed above it, sealing our victory.
The massive creature collapsed, the ground trembling as it hit. [Boss Defeated: +500 XP] appeared briefly before fading away. The fires around us began to die down, the magic sustaining them fading with the owl's demise.
I stood there, chest heaving, every muscle in my body screaming in protest. The overwhelming silence pressed in, broken only by the distant sound of settling debris.
Turning to Blake, I saw the mixture of relief and exhaustion on her face. Dirt and soot smeared her cheeks, a small cut above her eyebrow trickling blood.
"We did it," she whispered, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
A surge of emotion crashed over me—relief, joy, and a warmth that spread through my chest. Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and pulled her into a tight embrace.
She tensed for a split second before melting into the hug, her arms wrapping around me. The world seemed to narrow to just us, the scent of smoke and the warmth of her body grounding me in the moment.
"You're incredible," I murmured.
Blake pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting mine. There was a softness there, a vulnerability I hadn't seen before. "Couldn't have done it without you," she replied.
As I gazed into her eyes, memories of our journey flooded back—the dangers we'd faced, the sacrifices we'd made, and the unspoken bond that had grown between us. For so long, I'd kept a wall around my heart, haunted by guilt over the past. But in this moment, the weight I'd been carrying began to lift.
"Maybe it's time to let go," I thought. The guilt that had shadowed every step was losing its grip. I realized that holding onto the past was preventing me from embracing the present—from embracing her.
Time seemed to stand still. The distant fires, the ruined library—they all faded into the background. My gaze dropped to her lips, and for a heartbeat, I hesitated.
Gathering my courage, I leaned in slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away. Instead, she closed the gap, our lips meeting in a gentle kiss.
It was brief, tender—a question as much as an answer. When we parted, her cheeks were flushed, but a genuine smile lit up her face.
"Was that okay?" I asked softly, the last remnants of doubt flickering.
She laughed lightly, a sound that eased the lingering tension. "More than okay."
A sense of peace settled over me. The internal turmoil I'd felt for so long was fading. I no longer felt guilty about moving forward, about allowing myself this happiness. The past would always be a part of me, but it didn't have to define me. It didn't have to limit me now.
"Oh wait! we didn't loot the boss!"