✣ Crusader Hospitaller Knight ✣
A man that was in deep slumber stirred awake as he jerked up - laying on soft grounds - as his eyes darted on the surroundings he found himself in - searching for any threats - until a sharp pain from his right shoulder elicited a groan from him.
The sudden movement must have caused it as his hand immediately grasped at the wound; fortunately, it was not a deep cut and the bleeding had stopped. However, the risk of infection remained present, and a clean running stream should be found immediately - to cleanse the dirt and clean it - but that was only a set of a number of problems he had piled against him.
Firstly, he had to figure out where he was - of course, it was obvious he was in a deep forest - but he wondered where exactly was he?
There was no deep forest anywhere near a desert plain or dune of sands, yet, there he was in a forest where a man like him - at least educated to an extent and not illiterate - was experiencing the odd displacement. At such a phenomenon, he wondered if he had simply died. But the place wasn't certainly what he'd expected an afterlife should be.
Also, everything felt so real that it could hardly be a dream or the afterlife.
Secondly, has he arrived at this place alone? But all of that - all the problems - could be dealt with after he's done the grievous problem above the others; his survival, as he heard several chuckles surrounding him. At that moment a cold chill ran down the man's spine.
Though a pang of fear struck him - a moment of weakness - he also had the courage to steel himself to take on the enemy that encircled him as their cackle continued. However, the longer they held from charging in the more suspense he found himself in. He gripped his sword and shield tightly.
Until the waves of laughter suddenly fell into a deep silence - and everything else went quiet as well - as he began to prepare for an attack.
A whistle of several arrows flew by as he successfully blocked it with the shield - hiding his torso and head as the rest missed - until a heavy set of footsteps came at him from the side. From the face he must have shown; it was a mix of great shock and uncertainty as he caught a glimpse at the person who charged at him.
He grunted at the heavy swing that it made at him - as he preferred to sidestep instead of use the shield on an attack like that; which would have broken his arm - and under the bright moon there it revealed itself as it let out another sinister cackle.
It was a massive creature - nearly towering over him - as it stood on hind legs and had the face of a hyena that seemed to snarl at him.
After it must have felt that it was done showcasing their large difference, it began to start swinging the big great axe it wielded - attempting to cleave him in half - but somehow continued to fail. However, it was very unlikely that he could continue it up with an injury and the state he woke up in, and further, it was taking every effort and energy he had to make sure it kept failing.
With only armed with a sword and shield - a simple chainmail and helmet - against a large foe along with its companion of several other beasts it was an impossible task. Furthermore, even if he had somehow won the battle. There would be no doubt he would be too injured to live another day.
Then...
As if a choir had started - like the many churches he had visited to listen to the angelic voices - he has started to feel a surge of strength return and empower him. The fatigue he was being consumed by was erased in an instant. He had absolutely no idea what was happening but it gave him the push he needed.
With great vigor and renewed courage, the man began to attack the beast that throughout had him on the defense. With whatever intelligence it had - it felt the shift in their battle - as it began to cackle in a deeper tone as much as it began to snarl at the attacks.
Immediately, the arrows began to fly over them once again - and it was difficult to decipher if its underlings even cared if they struck their leader - but it indicated that it knew and that it felt the change as well.
However, despite being renewed to be able to go against the beast, it would lack the success and the chance to win against it if that was all he relied on. Then like a torch in the darkness, like a mist that was blown away and everything became clear to him - like an instinct rather than anything; like a command had been given - he placed his trust as he battled on.
To the Lord, the man prayed - the voice in his mind called out - asking to receive grace.
'I cry out to you, O'Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my stronghold in the land of the living." Hear me, my Lord; God.'
Thus, the Lord responded.
The faith he had placed in the Lord was rewarded, and he triumphed over the impossible, as the beast fell by the land of his sword. With a wide opening that the beast presented - as it prepared yet another heavy swing - he charged forward. The flesh that the sword fell on was hard and the skin was thick. He wondered if he would cut through it, but in those brief seconds of doubt were erased, as he cast the worries to the Lord, the knight continued through; believing.
With a perfect cut - from the shoulder to its pelvis - the beast retracted back as it laughed in pain. The inflicted gash was deep and it hurt to move.
He could win the engagement.
Then a few yelps caused both to turn their attention, the beast's underlings were being sniped at the distance as their new participants refused to reveal themselves. Until at the last moment when the numbers of beasts had dwindled and burst from their hiding were people with their swords raised high and ready.
Among those was a woman who wielded a twin-bladed sword as she charged fearlessly.
Surprised at the sudden involvement of others - the beast began to look around; thinking - until it sounded or at least made a noise to make a retreat. With a final look at the prey that had forced such a large gash - which would certainly leave a scar -it sneered before running away.
"Chase after them! Don't let them escape!"
A woman's voice that was firm and had a rough edge to it ordered, and when the large figure of a beast that had challenged him began to shrink as it retreated, the sensation that had held back a good long time; returned like a tidal wave and pain returned and the fatigue consumed him.
As he looked around the scene - his vision has turned blurry - the woman approached him with a set of blades still drawn while he fell onto his knees at the weight of his mass at the exertion they - the beasts - had dragged from him. It was only by the sword that he kept himself from landing a terrible collapse against the ground.
"Send this one back and bind him in case he makes an attempt to escape. But keep him alive."
Despite being on the verge of collapse and passing out, he heard the orders that she conveyed to the others as she stood tall - directly and close - in front of him with piercing eyes. With great and admirable deviance he forced his body to move to avoid being a prisoner.
With so much that has happened in such a short amount of time since he woke, there were great and many strange things that had happened to him. Notably, the wonders that had allowed him; to injure an enemy he couldn't have possibly defeated. But he was already exhausted and it may have been the figment of imagination.
He needed a proper rest, especially when it seemed it had dulled his senses when he charged on the woman - to tackle her and hold her hostage - but he was quickly subdued by the very female.
Thus, that action had earned him the consequence of a hard blunt force to the head - despite the helmet still being on - and then it was black.
✣ Crusader Hospitaller Knight ✣