Following the same train of moves, I faced General Daidus in one-on-one battles. With each introduction, there was something new. I came to know of how he was a noble at birth, how he trained across the Black Desert, the battles that he fought, and of how he came to where he was now. Gathering intel across our battles, I now knew of the northerner's intentions; they planned an all-out raid to loot villages of our kingdom to gain resources. As my mind was pre-occupied with these thoughts, my body moved instinctively.
Death after death, there was so much I could see, so much I could learn. Dying simply became a means to a new start; I didn't fear it anymore. Even as we fought, General Daidus often uttered, "You seem to fight... freely."
The moments I died became... enjoyable. I can sense something about me is lost in the remnants of my deaths, but what it is, I do not know.
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[Failure]
[The 4251th Cycle Commences.]
[Class: Warrior]
[Rank: D]
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"It is most impressive. I respect your fighting style. I am High General Grayhound Daidus the third, of the raven kingdom of Bahagrit.", spoke the General.
Staring into his soul, calmly, I replied, "I know."
In a quick rapid succession, I closed the distance between us and pierced his right eye to the back of his skull.
"I can feel the mush of your brain, General."
As if he was choking, the general tried to utter a sound, "Ac... Ack...", before he died on my blade. It was over. The change in my rank had probably caused my strength and speed to increase. I saw fear in his eyes as he finally died.
Covered in the splatters of the general's blood, the army grew weary of my presence. The momentary silence after the cheers was almost melodious. As I walked away from the plains back to the village with the bloodied sword, a northerner charged at my back. I could hear his footsteps before he even began moving towards me. In fact, I could hear everybody; their sighs, their steps, the clacking of wood, the dirt grinding under their soles, the chirps of the birds and even the howls of the wind.
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As I turned to face the blade of the soldier, I could tell it wouldn't kill me. I dropped my sword as the sword slashed into my right shoulder. With the sword stuck to my body, I held his head carefully so he wouldn't move, putting pressure on my thumbs as they hovered over his eyes. "AHHHHH!!!" He struggled and screamed and died standing. As I let go of his corpse, he fell to the ground; blood flowed in streams across his face from his eyes.
Looking back at the sword in my shoulder, I pulled it out, letting the warm blood of my body stain my garb even further.
*Clank*
I dropped the sword for Chief Umbra's sword and headed back to the village.
The murmurs of the villagers grew louder as I approached the gates of Rhine.
"Your sword, Chief Umbra."
The chief replied, "What- What has happened?" Shaking his head, he continued, "Go back to Grobak and heal your wounds! We can talk later. Briar, open the gates!"
Nothing mattered more than the fresh breeze of the gates. After returning Chief Umbra's sword, I was overcome with emotion as I entered the village after what felt like months. 'What was I to say to my family this time? What will I say to my caring daughter as she sees my wounds?' As I delved into dreams of visiting my family, I reached my house walking.
Coming to my senses, seeing the broken walls of the village homes, I realized something was amiss. Rushing into my house I saw my wife and child lying on the floor. As I paid attention to their nerves, I could tell it was poison. The bulging veins around their heads told me enough.
I had been sad long enough. I sat down and caressed my daughter's hair as I knelt to the ground. 'Maybe this is how it is meant to be. Maybe we are all meant to die today.' The silence dulled any emotion I had left.
Suddenly, a piercing rush of air passed the back of my neck as I moved my head to the side. Shifting my eyes as I turned, I caught glimpse of the person behind me. A hooded woman in all-black with a dagger covered in a blue fluid. 'An assassin', I thought to myself.
Before she could react, I swung my leg backwards and kicked her legs. Losing her balance and falling to the ground, she stumbled to reach her knife. Towering above her, now standing, I grabbed her by the neck and lifted her off the floor. As anger fueled my body, with the very arm that was bleeding out, I smashed her head with my fist.
*Thoof* *Thoof* *Thoof*
"Why is it that you get to live and they die?"
I stopped beating her as I came to a better realization. "No. You won't die like this... not today."
I took the time to start a fire after I ripped her clothes apart. As I munched on her raw limbs, I saw the disgusting face gargling blood as tears rolled down what was left of her eyes. It had been days since I had eaten and the meal seemed extravagantly tasty. Pushing my short sword into her spine, I roasted her alive over the fire.
She died sooner then I expected. I took time in slicing her body and trimming the fat. In the end, I could only eat about a quarter of the meat and burned the rest over the fire.