Kheri's Point of View

Dwardew Palace

It was impossible to get close to the breach in the wall. The floor was too unstable, and the risk of seeing what was happening wasn’t worth it. Even flying would be risky, given how harsh the bursts of winds were. Most of the sailors from Harlow’s group were grouped together behind thicker walls. He was the only one who risked getting closer to the compromised parts of our rooms.

The Captain seemed frozen by whatever he saw, but our attention quickly shifted when something crashed through the ceiling of our rooms. Typhon immediately moved to protect Elincia, while I drew my swords as I saw it start to move. It was alive, and whatever came here was likely no friend. A familiar Dwarf stood as he eyed us.

“General Kheri.” He greeted evenly.

“What is the King’s advisor doing here, Tart?” I demanded as his gaze was filled with malice, no matter how neutral his expression. “Clearly, you have some ill intentions by coming here.”

“I’ve been given orders, my dear Zugal.”

My nose wrinkled at his use of my race. “And what orders are those, Dwarf?” I questioned back.

His form started to change into a grotesque stone golem as his skin cracked and blood leaked out. “The Queen’s.” He replied as his eyes fell out of his head.

“Protect the Priestess!” I roared as I charged forward.

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He curled up as I swung my swords across his arms protecting his neck. A chipping sound came from his arms, but other than that, the ringing of my blades could be heard. My hands also were sore from the blow and force I had put into it. Given that it felt like I just swung against a bolder, they were starting to go numb.

“I expected a little more, but perhaps I didn’t need to worry so much.” His husk of a form looked about. “It would appear your Elves are tired as well, and the biggest issue still doesn’t have her magic.” He stated as he looked at Elincia.

Putting my swords away, I picked up two pieces of rebar from the debris of different lengths. Better to use them as clubs and not have to worry about ruining my swords in case I need them for later. Who knows what other Ghouls might be lying in wait. Ones not made from stone or focusing on defense.

Tapping them together, my eyes focused on the newly revealed Ghoul. Greigh told me about the Ghouls and said I would likely be able to fight against most of them with no issue. Pretty sure he didn’t think about one covered in stone. Studying the Ghoul, I frowned as I remembered the Ghoul that tried to take Arthur’s corpse after the island incident.

“I’m not convinced you realize the situation you’re in.” I told him. “I’ve already fought one of your kind before. This time, I’m more than ready.”

“Is that so?” He questioned back. “You may have the speed, but do you really think you have the power to break stone?”

I tapped the rebar together. “We’re gonna find out.” He seemed surprised as little wisps of wind started to gather around the rebar. “Looks like your Wraith friend isn’t taking any more magic from us.” The Demon roared at that since most Zugal can’t use magic, but I’m not most Zugal.

Using my wings to propel me forward, I slammed into the Ghoul with reckless abandon. Given that it was a Ghoul, there was no other choice. I aimed for any joints I could target. Elbows, shoulders, wrists, and even his hips and knees. There was no way I would let him anywhere near the Priestess or anyone else in this room. Chipping away at his arms got me nowhere, but it likely hurt given, how his fingers kept curling. He looked like a literal husk of his original form with no facial features whatsoever.

Reaching out, he grabbed one of the rebar, and I immediately used my wings to twist it around. Letting go of it surprised him as he expected some manner of resistance. I gave him none. Flapping above him, I landed on his shoulders and brought the other rebar down on his face. A crack shot through where his nose and mouth used to be as he stumbled back.

Jumping back, part of me expected him to retaliate. What I wasn’t expecting was Harlow to be there with a rock raised over his head. He brought it down hard on the back of Tart’s head. The Ghoul fell to his knees as he turned around to see who was responsible. Harlow immediately grabbed a wooded club from one of the destroyed chairs as a weapon.

“I’m going to kill,” He paused for a moment as he glanced around the room. “All of you.”

“Like you weren’t going to do that before.” I mocked back and he roared in response.