"Vidaaa!" William screamed in panic, trying to call out to the girl whose body was lying helplessly across the cave.
He was about to approach the girl, but before he could take a step, the giant beast howled.
The cave walls shook. The animal's large body squirmed. It looked very angry, and also in pain. Its four legs took turns trying to grab the sword stuck in its neck. But it couldn't reach it at all.
In pain and exhaustion, the creature fell. But slowly it crept closer towards Vida, probably intending to vent its last grudge. One claw lifted, ready to crush the yellow-haired girl's body.
This time William got up immediately. He jumped and lay gliding over the rocks. As soon as the beast's claw swung, William was already under it, beside Vida, with his sword pointed upwards.
The sword pierced through the animal's claw. William tried hard to withstand the pressure. The animal roared. It backed away, trying to pull its claw, pulling William up to his feet. William followed the movement as he continued to press his sword, trying to tear the claw deeper.
His sword was finally pulled out. Blood gushed from the injured claw. The frightened beast inched backward, into a darker corner of the cave. The roar that previously sounded so frightening was now replaced by a long, grievous moan.
William slowly stood in front of the creature, both hands gripping his sword. He looked back, saw Vida who was still lying motionless.
William crouched down, grabbed Vida's body, and laid her on her back. He touched the girl's neck. The pulse was still felt. Her head also didn't appear to be injured.
William breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know any further about the girl's condition, but there seemed to be hope.
He was excited when the girl's head move slowly and her eyes opened. For a moment the girl's blue eyes just stared blankly at William, not fully conscious. Then she blinked. Her lips winced in pain.
"Where is he? Where?" The words came out of the girl's mouth.
"Are you okay?" William asked worriedly.
"Where is he?" Vida rolled to the side, trying to sit up.
"Over there," William pointed to a dark corner. "Hey, calm down. Let me check your body first. Maybe there's a broken bone or—"
"Kill him." Vida grabbed William's shirt and pulled him closer. Her eyes were fixed on him. "You … kill him now … before it's too late."
"He's been badly injured. He'll be dead soon."
"No … he can recover. Kill him now!"
William looked at the girl, now surprised.
What's that mean? This creature can heal even though it was seriously injured? Is it some kind of magical creature?
Damn it! Is she hiding something?
William slowly let go of Vida's grip on his shirt, trying to remain calm even though his annoyance was starting to build up.
"Fine, I'll kill the beast. I'll make sure he dies! But you, Vida … you owe me an explanation. Remember that."
He mustered up his courage and stepped forward again with his sword ready to swing. A rough growl rang out from the dark corner of the cave. The animal's pair of red eyes were visible, as was its greenish skin, which was now dim, perhaps because it had become weak.
From within the darkness, one claw swung towards William. But the movement was no longer as fast and strong as before.
William dodged easily. Convinced that he had found an opportunity, he moved closer to the creature's face. The beast roared. Its mouth was open, complete with sharp fangs. William's sword slid down, straight into that mouth, through its throat.
The growl stopped. Its breath disappeared.
Finished. Finally.
William caught his breath. He slowly removed his hand from the sword that was still stuck in the animal's mouth.
For a moment he felt relieved that he had finally escaped death, but another feeling suddenly appeared. Yes, he did kill this creature, but he still didn't know for sure why he had to do this.
He understood that this creature, according to Vida's story, had killed many people. The skulls in this cave were proof of that. But what was the reason for all that? Why was this creature being hunted? What William was doing now was probably no different than what the lowly mercenaries were doing, who only wanted to work and kill for the money.
William was willing to help Vida kill this creature because to him the girl was his friend. The girl had once saved his life. But, did she also consider him a friend? As he recalled, Vida had yet to openly explain why she was hunting this creature. As friends, shouldn't they be open to each other?
At the same time, William felt dizzy in his head.
It wasn't pain, it was just that he felt something different around him.
There were voices, which seemed to be whispering to him.
"Wil … liam …"
William stood giddy beside the dead beast's head and leaned against the creature's body. His heart was beating fast, and for some reason, his chest felt tight. He looked down. Near his feet, beside the giant creature's mouth, something caught his attention. On the floor of the cave, there was a black palm-sized stone, that seemed to be emitting light from within.
What stone is that?
"William ..."
The whisper was heard again.
"Don't take it … don't touch …"
Strange whispers, which might have been easy to understand, if only William had realized what was happening to him. But at this moment the stone in front of his feet continued to attract his attention; telling him, to take it.
William bent down, then took the stone in both hands, and looked at it.
Glowing black stone. The most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Black stone …
Where had he heard that words?
And why … it seems familiar?
"William ..."
The whisper was heard again. Like a female voice.
Mother? Is that you?
William gasped. Suddenly excruciating pain stabbed all his fingers that touched the surface of the rock as if he had just touched a layer of very cold ice.
William screamed. The pain spread to his palms, then to his entire body, like thousands of needles pricking him from various points.
That pain finally took all of his consciousness away.