Arthur's Point of View

Reed's Farmstead

Rushing in-between the red energy signals, I darted into the Hollow Forest behind them, and likely where they came from. Several began to converge on me in an instant and confirmed that they were, indeed, watching me. Passing through bushes and darting through trees, I led the Ghouls on a chase away from the farm at an incredible pace.

While we did get some distance away from the farm, I watched as they slowly encircled me before confronting me. Not having any other choice, I let them. Continuing to run was all I could do to get away from the farm, so no one else was caught up in this mess. Having no choice but to stop as one of the Ghouls emerged from the trees and slammed into the ground in front of me.

Surrounded by trees and other foliage, the Ghoul stood up and looked at me. "How did you know I was there?"

What I assumed was a Ghoul stood before me. Male, rather large, taller than me, and black hair. However, the rest of his body was cloaked, including his face. A plain black cloak with two red clasps keeping it in place. This wasn't a normal cloak. His movements were shrouded in darkness, as was his face. It was likely enchanted with magic or something along those lines. I didn't know enough about magic to make an educated guess.

"Obviously, I read your palm." Gesturing to him with a pitied expression, I continued. "Your future isn't looking bright."

"You'd be wise not to underestimate me, human." He warned in a deep tone.

"I wouldn't dare. You and your little friends have certainly gone out of your way to track me down." I said, which seemed to startle the Ghoul if the sudden change in his energy was anything to go by. "Am I correct in assuming you're here to avenge your friends from the other day?"

His cloak colors were the exact same from the previous Ghouls and almost matched in terms of design. A different group from the same faction… The Ghoul before me seemed to move ever so slowly as he studied me. I kept my ears open for the ones behind me during this entire time, with my sword raised.

"So, it was you that killed our scouting party…" The Ghoul stated.

"I mean, yeah. They were the ones with pet manticores, right?"

"Bold of you to admit that to my face."

Clearly, this Ghoul didn't realize it was me. "Thank you." He did now.

Stumped on what to do, he seemed to lower his defenses to talk, which amused me. "Why did you kill our men?"

Chuckling at that, gesturing to him was all that I did. "Probably because they did the same thing that you're doing now. Confronted me for no reason, surrounded me, threatened me, and gave off a general feeling of being a bunch of bitches. Mostly the last one, but the others were also considered. I promise."

"You're not surrounded. It's just you and me-"

"Lie to me again, and yours will be the first head I take." I interrupted and then gestured to the area with my head. "Your friends lying in wait aren't that good at hiding."

"Why would you think I'm lying?" The Ghoul inquired.

Groaning in annoyance, my gaze shifted upwards to the sky, as I let my annoyance show. "Kill him first. Kill him first. Kill him first." I said to myself repeatedly.

Since I was right next to a tree, I brought my sword up and through the trunk. It began to topple over. As it did, I jumped up and off the falling tree with both feet. This launched it into a grouping of trees that a few Ghouls were hiding in and acted as a kicked stand for me. Barreling towards another Ghoul, I took a swipe at the tree where it was hiding, and it quickly jumped away.

Landing, I rested my sword on my shoulder in between the trees. "So, the rest of you want to come down, or do I need to send some more hurtling trees throughout the area?" Then I held up my pointer finger on my left hand. "Before you do, consider the effect that'll have on the environment. The poor trees that'll be cut down and thrown at all of you." Wiping a fake tear from cheek, I finished. "It's almost too sad to think about."

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Several Ghouls landed next to the original that was with me. In total, there were fourteen that had left the trees. I was so proud. However, now each of them was glaring at me through the bushes and from beneath the trees overhead. Honestly, I was impressed with how well I could see in the dark. Especially since I could see almost as if it were daytime. That's something that would've been handy all those years ago.

"Perhaps there's something you should consider as well." The lead Ghoul began. "Our group consists of both men and women." He then pointed to the shortest, who was really small and said, "We even have a child with us. You wouldn't want to harm them, would you?"

Planting my sword in the ground slightly, they all seemed to shift, and the leader relaxed as if pleased with himself. "I'm sure that works on many people. There's just one problem with what you pointed out."

I could practically feel the confused look he was giving me. "What might that be?"

Holding up my fist above the pommel of my sword, I kissed each one. "I lowered the age ratings on these babies. Unfortunately for you, they're rated E for everyone!"

Reaching out and grabbing my sword, I pushed it forward to drag it through the ground. Chunks of dirt, roots, and rocks pelted the group of Ghouls. Each growled and scattered. However, as they jumped to flank me, I spun in a circle with my sword stretched out. Cutting down all the trees next to me. As one was falling, I tossed my sword high into the air and wrapped my arms around the trunk of the tree.

"Equal rights," I shouted as I swung the tree to my right, which slammed into a Ghoul. "And lefts, bitches!" The tree then went left. "The only one suffering here is truly the environment! This poor tree!" My words could barely be heard as it crashed, splintered, and slammed through several other trees in the vicinity along with a few Ghouls.

"Everyone, take him alive! Transform and subdue him!" The lead Ghoul ordered out.

"You know," I began as tossed the tree towards him and caught my sword. "That sounds an awful lot like what the other Ghoul said." Gesturing to him, I continued. "I'm assuming you're all Ghouls as well. Who is the Queen, and why did they try to report me to her?"

Ghouls one and all rushed me rather aggressively, especially after my questions. Each of the fourteen changed in some manner. They took on more demonic features. Some even ripped their cloaks that were hiding their features whilst they transformed. Others didn't appear to change at all, but there were changes in their energy signals.

One summoned a sword as their hands ignited in a red aura. "Magic." I said in annoyance.

Crossing blades with the Ghoul, I felt something starting to stir inside me, and not in a sexual way. Although, it was sort of hot in the same manner. A burning sensation started to move through my body as the other Ghouls entered the fray. Twisting and turning, I dodged attacks, but there were fourteen of them. Not only that, But I haven't been able to train or even test this body that thoroughly yet.

The battle was not a quiet one. People would be coming to investigate all this racket, despite how far out we were. At least, I assumed they would send some scouts at the very least. Which meant that somehow, someway, I was going to have to end this before then. That, and before I was seriously injured. As it so happens, my sword began resonating with me again as I focused solely on achieving my goal by any means necessary.

My body changed as I fought, and blood flowed briefly from wounds that healed moments later. I saw my arm transform into something more bluish looking and demonic in nature as my blood evaporated. As if my body was being corrupted, it slowly spread over the rest of my body. Deciding not to fight it this time, I felt my power growing aggressively. A familiar feeling. Much like the one I felt from the Star Creature seemed to be flowing from me.

One of the Ghouls rushed me with a battle cry. "Die!" His arm turned into a pike.

Thrusting it forward, I twisted my body, so my back was facing the ground and brought my sword across his arm. Soon after, I returned to an upright position, and the Ghoul fell to his knees, clutching at his missing arm. Screeching, he rushed me as the others pulled back. This time, I shot my sword forward into his neck for a quick jab, and then kicked him off my sword.

Falling to the ground dead, I stepped forward to look at him and took note of how heavy and bulky my body felt. Ignoring it for the moment, and raising my sword, seemed to unnerve the other Ghouls present. After all, it's thirteen against one now, and I'm still fighting after what seemed like hours. The Ghoul's blood evaporated off my sword, just like my own blood did on my body.

Studying the sword for a moment, I asked the remaining Ghouls a question. "What do you think I should name my sword?" They didn't respond as they looked on in shock. "I was thinking something along the lines of Defiance. You know, like I 'Defy' such and such." Then I shrugged. "Sorry. Normally I'd say something clever, but I'm kind of freaked out a little at the moment." My voice did not sound like my normal voice at all.

"We need to report this." The leader stated, and all of them took positions.

Sighing, I let my head hang back. "Do you really think any of you can leave? I mean, seriously?" When I asked this, I felt a wave erupt from me and cover the area.

Each Ghoul seemed to freeze in horror as they felt it wash over them. "Pull back! He isn't human!" The Ghoul leader shouted.

"Where's the fun in that?" I asked in a distorted voice.

From my peripherals, I could see things protruding from my head. Not that I would be able to see what I looked like. However, as I prepared to charge after the fleeing Ghouls, I took notice that my right leg was missing all its armor that I was wearing. Now it was blueish silver armor that covered my leg's entirety and not just select parts. Much like the Ghouls, I had transformed into something.

Bonus was, I was much faster now. The area turned into a massacre as the battle was now over. Jumping from tree to tree, they practically exploded upon impact, and from me jumping off them. I turned the entire vicinity into a kill zone before any of the Ghouls had a chance to escape. Limbs flew everywhere, bodies were cut in two, and heads were decapitated as blood seemed to rain down upon the area.

Landing after killing the last Ghoul, there was now a clearing with tree stumps, and other debris painted a crimson red. Not knowing how to truly control whatever it was I did, I too, was covered in blood. At least it was evaporating quickly. However, after I made sure each Ghoul was dead, I reached up and felt something along the lines of horns protruding from my head.

"I probably look like a fucking demon. Jesus H. Christ." I mumbled to myself and closed my eyes to try changing back. As luck would have it, "Oh, thank god." It worked.

Studying my limbs, I saw no blood and that they had returned to normal entirely. Relieved didn't even begin to describe how I felt. After all, I was worried I'd have to wander around as the creature I turned into for who knows how long. Thankfully, all was right in the world. Putting my sword on my back after checking to make sure my armor was all accounted for, I rubbed my eyes.

"I'm going to have to do something about this…" I whispered as I looked across the bodies. "Especially if these assholes are going to keep showing up while I'm sleeping." Focusing my eyes on one of the dead bodies in disdain, I was somewhat disturbed when it just started melting to the point of popping. "What… The fuck…" My left eye started straining, and I closed it.

Covering it with my hand, I was confused about whether I was just tired or if my eye just blew up a body. If that's even what it did. Looking around with my right eye, I saw one of the black cloaks that didn't appear to be covered in blood. Grabbing it and ripping it apart, the cloak was quickly wrapped around my head to cover my left eye.

However, as I finished, I heard someone speak from behind me. "Arthur?"