Chapter 27 - The Struggling
[ Depictions of violence in this chapter should probably be avoided by a faint hearted and most definitely by children, therefore - read at your own risk. You have been warned~ ]
With clear goal in mind I reached into the pouch and retrieved the dagger. My gaze darted around, looking for a way to approach the mark. The forest litter was thick and I had no confidence in sneaking over the dry leaves without alerting the prey.
-’ I need to assassinate them all... ‘ I thought with determination, having no illusions to my chances of winning in a direct combat. I had no idea how many enemies there were, but I knew where the nearest sentry was. -’ ...but first I need to have a better look on who am I facing exactly. ‘
I dropped to all fours and started to crawl with painstaking slowness, using the shrubbery for a cover. With my nerves taut in anxiety and my muscles aching from maintaining awkward positions, I crawled forward. With painstakingly slow progress I managed to reach another tree and my effort was rewarded.
There was a man on lookout, around twenty feet away from me. He wore dishevelled armor made of fur and leather that matched perfectly, with his unkempt hair and beard, into perfect example of a brigand. He was armed with bow, club and a few daggers. His haggard appearance did nothing to cover what he really was - a tall, muscular man used to the life of strife.
An alien feeling of insecurity came over me when my gaze wandered over the beast of a man before me. Unwanted scenarios of rather grim adventures that I read about came to mind and made me strangely aware of my small body. Somehow I had a clenching sensation in my stomach that did not come from hunger.
I closed my eyes, which only made me aware of my anxiously beating heart, and took a deep breath, in a vain try to calm down. My hand clenched the dagger with a desperate effort.
*Huff*
*Huff*
*Huff*
My desperate breathing only served to fuel my fears, as the brigand could notice me at any moment. -’ Why am I panicking? ‘ I thought desperately. -’ It’s only an armed man… why am I afraid? ‘
I risked opening my eyes and looked at the brigand again. The primal fear didn’t want to let go - thick armor, bulging muscles and wicked intents, of which my vivid imagination produced countless scenarios - all of the impressions made me feel small and helpless.
-’ It’s only a game, a game, a game… right? ‘ I tried to reassure myself with the mindless litany, but the smell of the trees, the wildly beating heart, the sensation of bark under my fingers, the hum of leaves, somehow, it only made me cruelly aware of the reality of my predicament.
-” Yie! ” Sudden movement of the brigand surprised me and I unwittingly gave out a soft yelp.
-” What was that? “ With annoyance a gruff voice asked.
My body froze in fear, while my heartbeat surged. Panic overtook me and a rustling steps resounded, getting closer and closer.
Sitting, nestled behind the tree I felt like a trapped deer. Dread sound of the approaching man seemed like a countdown to my doom, and I could do nothing to escape.
An arm, armed with a club, appeared in my field of view. Soon followed by the bearded face which look turned from initial surprise into wide, wicked grin. -” What do we have here? “ He exclaimed softly in a gruff, menacing voice.
My body was frozen and helpless tears streamed down my cheeks, while I uselessly screamed in my mind. -’ Move! Move! Move! ‘ But the scream couldn’t get past the gripping terror.
The brigand extended a hand, reaching for me, and I closed my eyes at a dreadful sight. The anticipation seemed even worse than the sight and I felt something inside me breaking. A rushing sensation surged across my body and the voice finally got through my fear paralyzed lips.
-” Aaaiiieeee! “ With a vengeful scream I rose to my feet, assaulting the surprised brigand with my right hand. Before he could react my blow already made contact with his face and my body hit into him soon after.
Somehow, brigand’s body went limp instantly and my weak bullrush actually made him fall under my weight. I was looking in disbelief at the big body lying under me, unmoving. My gaze wandered to the face, and then to the eye socket, where the dagger, that I forgot about, was nestled.
My stupor was interrupted by the sound of people rushing through the forest. Without thinking I gripped a dagger from the dead man’s belt and rushed in the direction the enemies were coming from. -’ There’s few of them! I need an ambush!’ With a desperate thought I hid behind the nearest tree.
Moments later two men rushed past me, looking at the body and exposing their backs. I could hear a questioning voice in a distance.
I needed to act fast.
Before ruffians had a chance to notice me, I pounced at the closest of them. My adrenaline augmented jump brought me close enough and I swung down my dagger, burying it to the hilt into the brigand’s neck.
Before the body could fall I made a turn, yanking the dagger out and making a crescent fan of blood spray out, without pause I continued the movement, jumping toward another opponent.
Despite my swift takedown the remaining brigand’s reflexes were sharp and he was already alerted. Using what remained of my suprise attack I slashed at the face with a desperate effort, I barely got past the parry that he raised a moment too late. The dagger cleaved his cheek deeply, but I paid no attention to the metal grating on the bone. Unfortunately the wound was not enough to bring down my opponent, he responded with a wide swing of his own.
Desperate roll to the side moved me out of the harm’s way, a whizzing wood brushed past my shoulder. During the roll I grabbed a handful of forest litter with my free hand, and then I tried to stand up. But the brigand wouldn’t just stand by idly, he swung at me again, this time aiming for a low, horizontal swing.
Assaulted in an undefendable position I extended a last ditch effort to dodge the blow, I somersaulted into the air. The ground flipped by and the club flew near my head.
Without thinking I threw everything I had at the brigand, pelting his face with the forest litter as I landed. Due to my surprise maneuvers I found enemy’s side exposed, but the chain mail he had prevented me from stabbing his kidney, I had to bury the dagger in his thigh instead.
Stabbed man tried to get me with a desperate backward swing, but the wounds I inflicted had already taken their toll. I easily ducked under the blow and twisted my dagger before yanking it out, leaving a deep, profusely bleeding wound.
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Brigand screamed in pain as his leg failed, making him fall down. I used that moment to distance myself from him, as even my adrenaline addled mind still saw him as a threat.
-” Damn bitch… “ He cursed while trying to fruitlessly stop his lifeblood from escaping.
-’ He is sure to bleed out if I leave him be. ‘ A quick thought appeared before I focused on the real threat - the last brigand was rapidly approaching, announced by the loud sound of rustling leaves and breaking twigs.
For one moment I thought about escaping, but I dismissed it quickly - my chances of escaping were next to none, I could not outrun the pursuer and forest litter would make losing him almost impossible.
I was out in the open and out of ideas. -’ At least they will only kill me… ‘ A weird and unsettling thought appeared out of nowhere, but I didn’t have time to wonder about it as a final rustle of a shrubbery announced the last assailant.
My nerves were taut and I was crouching in a low, defensive position. My hand, that was holding the dagger with an iron grip, felt wet with the blood and sweat. I ran the tongue over my parched lips, my final stand was about to happen. I could not possibly stand against another brigand…
...who turned out to be a…
-” Boy? “ I exclaimed in a shrill, surprised voice. The bandit that appeared was no more than fifteen years old, and that was a generous overestimation on my part. His wide eyes grew round as his gaze wandered over the bodies of his companions and finally settled on the wounded man.
He took a step forward, as if to try and help his companion, but then he noticed me.
-” Who, wha’, why? “ Questioning words fell rapidly from his lips, but the rest of his body gave sign to his inner struggle and trembled uncontrollably. As in an afterthought he lifted a dagger in front of him.
My recent fear, caused by his arrival, turned into a deep, dark emotion that had only one purpose. Obliteration.
I took a step forward, my intent deadly, and the boy took a step back, it seemed almost as if he was a mirror image of mine.
I realized that the boy would bolt at any moment and I had no chance of stopping him.
-” Here’s your choice, boy. “ I said and took on a nonchalant pose. There was a slight change in him when I addressed him as a boy. -” Either you run, far and fast, or you die, together with your companion. “ I opened my arms as if in invitation. -” What’s it gonna be... boy? “ I added stingingly after a pause to goad him.
The boy turned away and ran. I realized that I forgot about the Murderer’s Mark when goading him. -’ Oh, well. Chances of him returning are slim. Still, I will need to be on guard from now on. Damn. ‘ I sighed.
I took care of the clean up, picking a bow and finishing the brigand in a chain mail. I was not going to leave any more loose threads. I looted the bodies and destroyed the bows. Then I headed to a nearby camp… -” After I eat I should be able to check out how well it went with the book, I better not leave any loopholes. It seemed like give it a finger and it will sell your house type of thing. “
* * *
[ Meanwhile in a place that is not a place ]
-” Fool! Kneel before your Master or else… “ A commanding voice appeared in a blank void. -” ... I will have you… “ Suddenly, the voice grew softer as if surprised. -” What in the nine hells is this? “
-” Ey, I demand some answers! ”
Silence, was the only answer.
-” Hey, is there someone… “ A question full of doubt was asked.
-” Anyone? “
-” Stupid bitch, how dare she put me in some pocket dimension. I am not an item! Grrrr. “
[ Time passed. ]
-” How long will she wait to ask great me for help, she couldn’t possibly get out of that predicament. “ A haughty voice stated.
[ More time had passed. ]
-” Right? “ A sliver of doubt appeared. -” Surely, the lack of sustenance will make her come back crawling and begging for forgiveness. The great Zuanon will listen… “
-” ...for a price. Muhahahahahahaha. “ Demonic laughter resounded.
[ More time had passed. ]
-” I will get her back for every moment of this humiliation. Muhahaha. “ Demonic laughter lost its edge and sounded haughty.
[ More time had passed. ]
-” And my revenge will be great. Muhahaha… “ Somehow, haughty laughter lost it’s edge.
[ More time had passed. ]
-” Ha. Ha. “ Two dull words, was all that was left from the demonic laughter of old.
[ More time had passed. ]
The darkness was perfectly still and quiet, it almost seemed like it was alive…
[ More time had passed. ]
...and waiting for something…
[ More time had passed. ]
-” Surely my mind's playing tricks on me. “
[ More time had passed. ]
-” There’s no way that she left me here for long. “
[ More time had passed. ]
-” She needs me. They all do. “
[ More time had passed. ]
-” Hello, is there anyone? “
-” I am sure I heard something. Come out! “
-” I promise I won’t hurt you… “
-” ...at all! “
-” I swear on my very name, I won’t hurt you. Whatever you are just come out. “ A somewhat crying note resounded in the voice.
[ More time had passed. ]
-” Hello? “
-” … “
[ More time had passed. ]
-” It must be the void. I must be losing a grip of time! “
-” Sleep, I must sleep. “
[ More time had passed. ]
-” ARGHHHHH! SOMEBODY OUT THERE????!!! “ Desperate yell disappeared into an empty void.
[ And that’s how it was… only two hours in… ]
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Hey~, Author's here~
today's chapter was intense. Nothing beats the scary combat. Hope you had fun, let me know your take on this~
Cheers,
Mea
Ps Surprisignly enough, the Owlbear general took a great part in a combat scene. Thanks to him~
[ Hm, indeed unexpected for such a low tiered combatant ]
NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 28 - The Reconnoitering [ Wait?! What does it even mean?!! ]
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