Not five steps out of Feverton, Gerald stopped Duncan.
“Sir, be cautious. The wildlife in the Gnarl of Blood is highly aggressive, especially to those it does not recognize. If you kill anything, this place will know.”
Duncan gulped and stared out at the blood-red succulents. “What an unnatural biome. I hadn’t had space to see it during the caravan. The Peeking Woods should truly be eradicated as soon as possible!”
“Would that it were feasible,” Gerald muttered.
The two set off for many more paces. The mood was grim and quiet. As such, it was only natural that the stillness broke.
Gerald watched as an Ingestion Hound slipped out from empty air behind Duncan.
“Duncan, dodge!”
Perhaps it was the sweltering heat. Perhaps it was the heavy armor. Maybe Duncan merely did not trust Gerald enough. Either way, he hesitated slightly.
The invisible claws tore into his arm. The bracer rent open with a metallic shriek.
Attack dealt 4 slashing damage to R1 [Hero].
R1 [Hero] has taken a Major Injury!
Their Max HP reduced by 3.
That’s far less actual damage than I took. Does he have some kind of damage reduction Blessing?
Duncan hissed in pain. Still, he brought his hand to the pommel at his side-
Gerald’s slap crushed the head of the Ingestion Hound and left two distinct tunnels through it. Duncan reset his stance, then winced.
“Gah, that was a Major Injury! I’ll have to get it healed by an Orthodoxy [Priest] before we reach Marshweld proper.”
Gerald looked up. “You can do that?!”
If Major Injuries can really be cured without Suzemony, then what am I doing?
Duncan shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, but the service is only for full devotees. It isn’t offered to... Traveler’s Guild members.”
What had he been about to say before that pause? Strangers? Outsiders? You wound me, Duncan. I’d be more offended if I wasn’t planning to kill you. What a kind gesture that hound was!
----------------------------------------
The crimson canopy loomed over Duncan and Gerald. Evening colors tore through it and cast the whole Gnarl in an unearthly light. They had been walking for hours.
“Are you certain we’re going the right way, Gerald?”
Not at all.
“I know these woods like the back of my hand,” lied Gerald smoothly. “It’s just that our pace is drastically slowed by my injured leg. My apologies. Just a minute longer.”
Duncan paused. There was silence for another few minutes.
“...You know, Gerald, I’m not that kind of fool. I know there’s something you’re not telling me about all of this. And I heard you mention the Emissaries sent you earlier.”
They both stopped under a fig tree. The shadows stretched into Gerald’s face, bathing him in stark black and ruddy-cheeked red.
“But,” Duncan continued. “I’ll have you know that the Orthodoxy’s power is endless and gentle. Trust in that. If not, trust in my personal boon, Eyes of Justice. You lied to me about knowing the way through these woods. You lied about your affiliation with the Traveler. I can sense you’ve killed people, but only in self-defense. And you were so kind to that child. If you’re being blackmailed by some cult... Now is the time to tell me.”
His mouth was a grim line. The darkness deepened as the sun set. It smelled of wax here.
“I’m not being blackmailed,” Gerald said, and he saw on the Hero’s face that he knew it was true. Duncan slowly reached a hand to the sword at his hip. The tension in the air became a solid, noisy thing.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“But nor do I really want to do this.” Gerald continued. Both of them paused. In stillness, that tense buzzing became louder and louder. Gerald licked his lips.
“You know what your flaw is, Duncan? Hesitation.”
Endless insects erupted from the figs. They were headed straight for the [Hero], who had not bloodied his blade for the past day.
The sword left its sheathe, swinging in a wide, electric arc. Lightning shot through the swarm and cooked half of it.
Two separate powers at Rank 1?! No, is a personal boon something different? But what sourced the damage reduction?
Yet more wasps closed in, aiming for Duncan’s injured side. They crammed into the torn armor, stinging and gnawing.
R1 [Hero]’s Major Injury has worsened!
Their Max HP reduced by 1.
R1 [Hero]’s Major Injury has worsened!
Their Max HP reduced by 1.
R1 [Hero]’s Major Injury has worsened!
Their Max HP reduced by 1.
The horde only had time to inflict a single thorn’s worth of damage. Sparks coursed over Duncan’s body. The rest of the fried wasps hit the ground curled.
Suddenly, Gerald stood alone against a knight who’d melted an army of pests. His preparations were exhausted, and had only further revealed the difference between them.
I won’t hesitate!
Gerald banished his terror and pounced toward Duncan. A light sidestep took the [Hero] out of his reach. The sword drove up in a one-handed disdainful stroke. Moonlight caught on its edge.
Gerald’s cane smacked the ground and he bounced back from the blade. Even then, a shallow cut opened on his cheek.
Any wound was enough between Blessed.
Attack dealt 3 damage to you, R1 [Penitent].
Like lightning striking the earth, the blade abruptly reversed into a downward cleave; it left another line beside Gerald’s mouth.
Shock & Awe Strike dealt 4 damage to you, R1 [Penitent].
HP: 4/11
Chips of metal and sparks of light fled the sword when it landed. Duncan’s eyes widened. My Aura of Thorns damaged his blade! No matter how perfect the edge is, it can’t take a needle from an angle!
And now the two were close. Duncan had over-committed for his punishing second swing.
Gerald planted his one good leg on the downed weapon. The strength of the knight nearly yanked it free immediately.
Then Gerald, in the same motion, reached out and grabbed the [Hero] by the face.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to R1 [Hero].
His palm slapped in as he dragged Duncan’s head forward.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to R1 [Hero].
Forgoing his unstable stance on the blade, Gerald brought his knee up to Duncan’s stomach.
Attack dealt 1 crushing damage to R1 [Hero].
Aura of Thorns dealt 1 piercing damage to R1 [Hero]
Damn, it’s that body armor! It protects him from even fellow Blessed!
The freed longsword whistled through the air toward Gerald.
If he does that combo again, I’ll be sent to the Vast Underworld! But he has to be low on Holy Power. I’ll bet it all on this last gamble!
Gerald whipped out a fist. The sword neared his head. The knuckles neared Duncan.
For the purposes of Gerald’s Aura, near was enough.
Aura of Thorns dealt 3 piercing damage to R1 [Hero].
R1 [Hero] perished.
All R1 conditions met.
Return to your deity to undergo Suzemony.
The blade bit into Gerald’s neck.
Attack dealt 3 slashing damage to you, R1 [Penitent].
But the hand that swung it was empty of Holy Power; the follow-up never came.
HP: 1/11