image [https://img.wattpad.com/story_parts/1470262734/images/17ed42d52eec6a4d787341473195.jpg]
(Samantha's Perspective)
While I was talking with the group of humans in the house across from the farm, a strange and overwhelming power cut through the air. My eyes instinctively turned toward the source of that energy.
When I turned to see where that power was coming from, I saw through a window that a massive rock was hurtling towards us at great speed. The group of humans wouldn't have enough time to react; I couldn't let anything happen to them-I needed them alive.
Quickly, I stepped in front of the woman and the man who seemed to be their leader to shield them.
In one swift and fluid motion, I unsheathed my sword. I took a deep breath, feeling the magical power flow from within me, enveloping the blade in a yellow light that seemed to cut through the very air. With every fiber of my being focused on that single strike, I gripped my sword with both hands, closed my eyes, and assumed a firm stance to take the impact of the rock.
The seconds seemed to stretch out... I heard the crash of the rock breaking through the wall.
When I felt the rock was a second away from hitting me, I opened my eyes. My sword shone with a blinding intensity, slicing the rock in two with a single motion, thus sparing us from a horrible death. However, some of the humans standing to the sides weren't as lucky; the rock, now split in two, managed to strike them, killing them instantly. Despite my determination, the force of the impact pushed me back, causing my feet to slide across the ground, injuring me slightly.
I felt a tremor in my arms. The weight of the effort and the amount of magic I had used began to take its toll on my body. A slight numbness spread through my muscles, but I knew I couldn't show weakness in this situation. The surviving humans now watched me with surprise and concern.
It wasn't just a simple rock that I cut; it was imbued with magic...
Before I could think further, I heard a whistle in the distance.
Unknown: Whoa... Not bad. I didn't think you'd be able to cut that rock.
Outside the house there was a man, his arm covered in something strange. He wore a somewhat different outfit, but it was clear he was with the mages who had attacked the group of humans.
image [https://img.wattpad.com/6bd2645c1c34fb5c2cfd02bf7f2d42d156a091f1/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f71316d54476f4a36706a726b38673d3d2d313437303236323733342e313765643430343934316562353335363936383232343231303232392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
I got into a defensive stance. For some strange reason, I felt that this guy was dangerous, as if I had already felt it before at some point in my life.
Unknown: Now I understand why these useless ones were taking so long, though I won't blame them. It seems they were unlucky to run into something unexpected.
As he said this, he looked at me.
How annoying... This situation keeps getting worse.
Even though I was mentally ready to fight, I knew I wasn't in favorable conditions due to various factors, both physical and situational. I wanted to find a way out of this situation, but I knew I didn't have time to think about that.
The man touched the ground with both arms, and the whole ground began to tremble.
This made us all lose our balance for a moment.
Without giving me time to move, the man, at great speed, rushed towards me. When he was close, he created a strange sword out of nowhere and attacked me. I managed to react in time, and our swords clashed, creating a shockwave that damaged part of the house and threw the humans to the ground.
Unknown: Whoa... Not bad.
With a series of movements, the man started attacking me faster. I could feel his great skill with every clash; his speed was incredible. At one point, he tried to stab me, but with a backward maneuver, I dodged it and kicked his face.
The man spat out blood.
Unknown: Those movements... They're so familiar... Could it be that we know each other...? No matter, you're going to die anyway.
The man started smiling. In a swift motion, he lunged at me again. When he was about to strike, instead of attacking me with his sword, he extended his strange arm and aimed below my feet. Out of nowhere, my foot went through the floor, and I lost my balance. I prepared to block his sword as best as I could. The man attacked with his sword, and I deflected it, but that was a feint. Then, his strange arm changed shape into a pointed form, and he tried to stab me with it.
I wasn't going to be able to stop his attack in time, as it caught me by surprise. Before he could stab me, as I couldn't move, I used my "Sparkling Defense" to create an electric shield around me. However, his arm pierced through my shield like it was nothing. This surprised me. I quickly moved my body to avoid it piercing my head; however, my shoulder was impaled by his pointed arm.
Desperate to get out of this situation, I expanded my electric shield as much as my body allowed. The man received an electric shock when the other parts of his body that were not made of that strange material touched my shield and he was thrown away from me.
As he was flung away by the shock, His pointed arm abruptly left my shoulder, leaving a gaping hole. I started bleeding heavily.
How annoying... Now I understand... It's been a while since I last saw a bearer of the power of earth...
Lilith was beside me, observing the whole situation.
Lilith: You took quite a while to notice his element, Sam, how disappointing... It's been a while since I saw the earth element; it brings back memories. You're unlucky, Sam, this guy is your natural nemesis.
Lilith was right; I couldn't do much against him unless I greatly enhanced my attacks to break through his element.
Lilith: Do you want me to give you a little help, Sam?
I ignored Lilith; I didn't need her help.
I charged at the man and used my "Lightning Strike", but the man put his arm in front and created an earth shield. My sword merely clashed against it without piercing through, and my power was neutralized. The man took advantage of the moment, dissolved the shield, and attacked me with his sword.
I barely managed to block it; however, the man kicked me in the stomach, causing me to stagger back violently and sustaining harm.
Unknown: What's wrong? This is just the beginning; I hope you won't disappoint me.
I felt exhausted and sluggish; my shoulder wouldn't stop bleeding.
Every movement I made felt heavy on my body, I didn't know what to do to defeat him.
Lilith: Come on, Sam, I can help you. You just have to ask me... Then we'll be just like in the old times.
I kept ignoring Lilith, needing to focus.
The man moved at great speed towards me. Before our swords could clash, he created a shield and struck me hard with it. I was sent flying, crashing through part of the house.
Damn it... I can't focus... Lilith talking to me and this guy attacking me.
My entire arm was now covered in blood... Soon I won't be able to move my arm...
Before I knew it, the man was in the air with a large earthen hammer. I managed to turn and dodge it. I took advantage of that moment and struck him with my sword, but he blocked it with his strange arm. So, I charged my fist with energy and aimed it at his abdomen, but I hit something... An earthen armor!? Without giving me time to think, the man headbutted me, then touched my stomach with his arm and created a large, sharp piece of earth that pierced through my stomach from side to side. Then, he pulled it out of my stomach and, with a spin, kicked me in the face, sending me flying backward.
I crashed hard onto the ground.
I couldn't move a single inch of my body; I was losing too much blood from the hole in my stomach and my shoulder.
All I could see from where I was lying was the sky... I had lost all the strength in my body...
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
The man began laughing.
Unknown: I guess I misjudged you...
When he was about to kill me... I felt uneasy... It wasn't death that scared me... It was something else... For a moment, I remembered why I've come this far. At first, I wanted freedom and to escape from my past, but I found another reason to keep living. Maybe it's just a whim, my reason to keep going, but I don't want to let it go. For once in my life, I feel like I want to do something from the heart, I feel like I can choose something by my own will, that's why I don't want to stop walking this path until I reach the end.
Samantha: (Whispered) Lilith...
When I was about to die, I heard Lilith laugh.
Lilith: Yes, yes, I heard you, Sam...
(Unknown's Perspective)
How boring, I thought he'd give me more of a fight. When I was about to cut off his head, his arm stopped my sword by the blade... What? Out of nowhere, a strong, dark energy started emanating from this knight.
His wounds were closing and regenerating... That shouldn't be possible...
With the strength of his arm, he shattered my sword.
I quickly backed away from him.
The knight stood up, smiling.
Knight: What's wrong? Weren't you going to kill me?
There was something strange... It was like he was a different person... Even his power changed. No matter, even if he had hidden his true power, there shouldn't be much difference.
I rushed towards the knight, softened the ground beneath him, causing his legs to sink, and he lost his balance again. I regenerated my sword and jumped to cut off his head, but the knight narrowly dodged it. He took advantage of the moment and aimed a punch at my abdomen again. I simply activated my earthen armor... However, his punch pierced through my armor, and I took a heavy blow, after that, he forcefully pulled his leg out of the ground and kicked me in the face, sending me flying backward.
It was impossible... Had his strength increased that much? I got up, somewhat dazed, looked in his direction, and he wasn't there. I heard a voice behind me.
Knight: What's wrong? Were you that slow?
In an instant, my face was slammed into the ground with great force, creating a crack in the earth. I managed to cover myself with an earthen helmet, but that didn't stop him from causing significant damage.
I reached out to touch his abdomen and pierce it, but he deflected my arm just in time, and I missed. Then, he grabbed my arm and, with brute force, ripped it off.
I screamed loudly, unable to think clearly. I received a kick to my abdomen, and he sent me flying far away.
While I was on the ground, I looked at him.
A faint memory from the past crossed my mind... I'm sure it's her... Her power and fighting style...
I quickly took the necklace from my pocket and placed it in contact with the earth.
Unknown: Vahk! Help me!
A large golem was summoned from my necklace.
image [https://img.wattpad.com/f78fc38c59dc29e9d0ca69b9561932681c76b8a7/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f59334639437653366a43447071513d3d2d313437303236323733342e313765643430656335366364356636333231383233373335383533362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Without wasting any time, the golem moved and attacked the knight. It jumped and crushed her with both hands, leaving a small crater due to its strength. However, its two massive arms began to tremble; something was forcing them up... It was the knight... or rather, that woman...
Knight: You should have more respect for a lady, you piece of trash. Inferior beings should always be beneath me.
With her brute strength, she bent the golem's arms and then broke them in half. The golem headbutted her, but it didn't faze her at all; instead, she headbutted him back, then grabbed it by the neck and slammed it into the ground. Then, with a powerful stomp, she drove it deeper.
Knight: That's better; you look better where you belong, you useless piece of rock.
The golem activated its regeneration and quickly returned to its normal state. Then, it grabbed her with one hand and, using all its strength, hurled her as far as it could. However, she tore off its arm as she was being thrown. She fell inside the house where the group of humans was.
Immediately, I touched the ground and, with all my power, activated my "Seismokinesis" and tried to collapse the house to crush them all.
There was a strong earthquake, and the already half-destroyed house completely crumbled.
I approached to check the situation. I thought the rubble would hold the woman back for a while, but something unexpected had happened: the entire area around the house had collapsed, but part of the house had left a hole in the ground. Carefully, I peeked in and saw only darkness.
It seemed there was some kind of cave beneath this house, and I couldn't see the woman anywhere. I assumed she had fallen into that hole... It doesn't matter.
I looked around, and there were several dead humans.
I had accomplished part of my goal. I told the golem that we should leave quickly before that woman came back for us.
(Samantha's Perspective)
I was a bit dazed. When I regained my senses, I realized I was in a dark place. I slowly got up; I wasn't at the house or farm. I looked up, and a few rays of sunlight were coming through. Was I in a cave? How did I end up in a cave when I was fighting on the surface...? As I was moving, I tripped over something. I heard a groan. I looked carefully and noticed it was the girl who had been with the group; apparently, she was still alive. I wanted to help her up, but I noticed her legs were broken... She stared at my face. I quickly put on the hood, I hadn't noticed that I wasn't wearing my hood.
Jess: (Whispered) You're a girl...
I noticed she was quite injured. It was a miracle she survived the fall.
Samantha: Um... Don't tell your group, I want to keep my identity hidden.
I looked around and saw the bodies of many of her group... At first glance, it seemed they had all died in the fall.
Just to be sure, I checked each body. After a while, I confirmed that they were all dead, except for her.
Jess: (Whispered) Are they all dead...?
Samantha: Unfortunately, yes.
Jess: (Whispered) I see...
The girl looked at her companions' bodies with a strange expression, not appearing sad for some reason, I decided to carry her on my back.
As I was about to lift her, the girl, with her remaining strength, removed my hood.
The girl stared at me in astonishment... It was a bit uncomfortable having her look at me so intently.
I put my hood back on and carried her on my back.
Jess: (Whispered) You're very beautiful...
Hmm... How strange, no one outside my family has ever said something like that to me.
Although, from her voice, she seemed quite weak.
As I thought about it, the girl began to ask me questions.
Jess: (Whispered) Do you have a boyfriend?
Ugh... Why ask that question in this situation?
Samantha: Um, yes...? That's not important. You should be more concerned about your own life and your deceased companions.
I also wasn't sure how to answer. It's true I don't have a partner... But I wanted to clarify some strange feelings I'd had for a certain person for a while... I guess as long as no one knows the truth, I can say whatever I want about my situation.
As soon as the girl heard that, she hugged me tightly from behind.
Samantha: Ugh... W-what are you doing?
How is she not worried about her current situation...?
Jess: (Whispered) Don't lie... Wouldn't you like to be my girlfriend?
My mind went into shock at that moment... What did she mean by girlfriend? Is that even possible? I don't remember seeing that in my life. Is it normal in this world? I vaguely recall something like that while studying this world, but I thought humans were just very close friends or something similar.
Maybe the fall caused some damage to her head, and she's saying random things.
Putting that aside, I don't remember much about how I ended up in this cave, and I no longer have the wounds on my stomach and shoulder. I suppose Lilith really did help and heal my injuries. Maybe she could be quite useful.
I need to get out of here.
Samantha: Stop joking around, we need to get out of here...
Before I could finish speaking, I felt nauseous and vomited. Because of this, I dropped the girl.
Damn it, why...? Looking down, I noticed I had vomited blood...
Lilith: Even though I can regenerate almost any wound in your body, it's still a heavy burden on your mind and body, Sam. Not to mention you haven't eaten in days, so I recommend not overexerting yourself if you don't want to suffer permanent damage.
I hadn't heard her annoying voice in a while...
For once, I feel like Lilith said something sensible and serious.
I stood up and picked up the girl again.
I tried to keep walking while carrying her, but the girl leaned closer to my ear and started using her tongue on it.
I got nervous and tried to push her away, but she clung to me, hugging me tightly while continuing to lick my ear. I tried to push her away, but I was afraid of hurting her too much by using my strength... No... This situation is serious. With enough force, I pushed her, and she fell to the ground again.
I felt strange... It was the first time someone had done something like that to me. Somehow it felt good... This girl is crazy, it's best to keep her away from me.
I pointed my sword at her.
Samantha: If you do that again, I'll kill you.
Jess: (Whispered) Do you want me to reveal your identity?
Samantha: If you reveal my identity, I'll kill your group... Or, well, whoever is still alive... You decide.
Literally, her entire group is dead... I think...
The girl looked at me with somewhat sleepy eyes.
Jess: (Whispered) Fine.
I ordered her to stay still so we could keep moving.
I really need to treat her injuries. She's the only one who knows the location of the refuge Robert was heading to, although I'm not entirely sure if she knows how to get there or if she was just following her group.
As I thought about it, Lilith spoke.
Lilith: Oh... I didn't know you liked girls, Sam.
Samantha: (Whispered) For your information, she was the one who started doing weird things, not me...
Lilith: Yeah, yeah, whatever you say...
As she said this, Lilith began exploring the cave's surroundings.
Lilith: The girl is cute, doesn't she catch your eye?
Samantha: (Whispered) Shut up.
Jess: (Whispered) Did you say something?
Samantha: Nothing.
Lilith was very close to the girl, but apparently, no one can see or hear Lilith except me.
Jess: (Whispered) I know it's none of my business, but why are you looking for someone in this world?
So she wouldn't get any strange ideas, I told her the truth.
Samantha: That person saved my sister, that's why I need to find him.
Jess: (Whispered) I see.
Lilith: Oh... I haven't seen little Alicia in a long time.
I stopped for a moment.
Samantha: How do you know my sister?
The girl was a bit confused when she heard me speak, but I didn't pay attention to her.
Lilith: I'm starting to think you don't pay attention to anything I say. By the way, Sam, who are you looking for?
Does that mean everything she's said so far is true? At first, I thought she was just making some things up, but I've never mentioned my sister since I met Lilith. She really knows me from the past, but I don't remember anything about her.
Samantha: Why can't I remember if you knew me in the past?
I decided to ignore his other question.
Lilith: Maybe you're getting old and losing your memory...
I glared at her.
Lilith: Just kidding, although elves certainly live too long. The answer to your question is simple, just think about it for a bit. If you don't remember, why do you think that is?
Hmm...
Samantha: Does it mean I lost my memory?
Lilith gave a few small claps.
Lilith: Congratulations, Sam. You're smarter than I remembered
When did I lose my memory? At this moment, despite my attempts to recall all my years serving the emperor, I don't think I'll come to realize something I don't remember.
Certainly, elves live for hundreds of years, and it's a fact that I might not remember all my years of life, but I don't know when I lost my memory.
As I was thinking seriously, the girl was looking at me oddly.
Jess: (Whispering) Um... it's okay, I also like somewhat odd girls, though I'd prefer if you stopped talking to that wall; it's a bit eerie.
I got nervous.
Samantha: Shut up!
After that, we continued along the path, trying to find our way out of the cave.