Facing down the thick beam of light headed at me, time feels like it's slowing down. Phew, okay, no time to panic.
Yeah, that wasn't happening, I start panicking. I jump to the side, trying to angle myself and shield my face so I don't instantly die when getting hit by the beam, but it's useless.
I close my eyes as I can only pray that it disappears or something.
*Thump*
"Am I dead yet?"
I'm sure my body just hit the ground, and I'm not feeling much so I must be dead. Does that mean I've left this realm? Most souls go to Hell, don't they? So does this mean I'm going to Hell now? Probably, or maybe I'll linger like a spirit. Actually, it's more likely that I'll stick around in the Corrupt realm considering I'm a Heretic, a being more attached with this realm than other entities.
Alright, as the blade fades away and I look around me, I notice that I'm on the floor. Hmm, I wonder how bad my body looks. I try to get a look at myself but I couldn't see my head. And for some reason, my limbs were also moving somewhat.
I make a grasping gesture and my hand also does the same. Wait, what?
Am I controlling my corpse? No, that ain't right, it's more like I'm moving naturally. Like there's no problem.
And there is no problem because I'm not dead. My belated realisation shocked the high priestess more so than it shocked me.
She seemed to freeze in place, as she stared at me with her eyes widened like saucers. Well, she's not the only one like that, I can see the other cultists stare at me like the priestess.
"How did you even do that!?" one of them shouts.
Well, don't ask me! I don't even know myself…
Reason being!
The Heretics were left as the leader of the caretakers of this realm and rightfully so. Gifted with many talents and supreme skills, none of the rest could match them, whether it be in combat or developmental craft.
Part of the original talents the Heretics received, one was the manipulation of all natural essence in this realm, basically meaning that they could use and interfere with any essence. Naturally, this meant they could very easily deconstruct the formation of any essence based spell by simply willing the essence forming it to separate, thus causing the spell to fail. Similar to the incoming light beam.
Nonetheless, as a racial talent, it was a rather unique blood talent, even when compared to different talents across the three realms.
Except I'm pretty sure I won't be able to use that anytime soon, not too sure about that one. Though I have to comment that it's pretty cliché how I awakened it when I was about to die.
Not that I'm complaining, if anything, I would complain about how unceremoniously I unlocked it. Like seriously? It just happened. I'm not sure I can even replicate it again, at least not without mulling over various topics and some deep pondering.
No, let's stop dwelling on this. The high priestess seemed to break from her reverie, and this time she seemed intent on frying my ass. Is anyone going to jump her? I mean, she's standing right there! Her attention is even wholly devoted to me! At least don't let my sacrifice be in vain…
Scampering around the beams of light sent my way, my internal rant is finally heard. Looks like I can count on you guys after all!
The beams suddenly give a moment of respite, allowing me to see the high priestess trying to lash at a crow while avoiding a black knife. However, I guess she isn't a high priestess for nothing. Easily avoiding their assault, she counters sending them flying away, and she just blinked in front of me.
Yikes! That was too sudden. So sudden that I spontaneously kicked her shin. Despite my previous confusion, I immediately press on my counter, thoroughly shanking her. Heh, her descent seemed to be taking its toll on her, as I sense her already weak life force. Or maybe that was due to my shanking…
Nah, I'm sure it was the backlash. It was the backlash without a doubt. I mean, look, she's even withering up, and surely such a strong ability would have this kind of drawback. However, despite the fact that she's basically crippled in every way, she attempts to grip my leg. Which is not happening.
Kicking her square in the ribs, I hear a sharp crack as she slams into the basin of a fountain. We're in the city square, which is still rather populated even at this time of night. Gasps sound out as I stand over the battered high priestess. I lean over her, pressing my machete against her neck.
She says nothing, but scoffs at me, as she spits on the ground. I expected some last words, but if there's nothing else. Then…
*Tch*
Wait, that wasn't me. Looking down, I see a child, no more than twelve years of age. He seemed to have mustered up his courage to stab my foot. Using some fruit knife, he barely cut my boots, but that's still hella annoying. Why would he even try something like that in the first place? Is he ill in the head? I'm the good guy here! Sigh, I'm getting distracted.
Focusing back on the high priestess, this time I kill her but…
"Please stop that!"
The Hell? The kid starts bawling his eyes as he inserts himself between the high priestess and my blade. Are you kidding? First, you stab my foot, then you have the audacity to make demands? Isn't this a bit unreasonable?
I don't see why these races are even worth protecting in the first place. Reminds me of a bit of ancient history.
"What can you offer me?"
Maybe he has an idea in mind, who knows?
The kid looks dumbfounded for a moment like he wasn't expecting to get this far, but he shivers before he recites what I assume to be a line from a fairytale.
"... A hero is som-someone who puts down their life for the pretty girl…"
Did the kid consider the high priestess pretty? Interesting. From my perspective she looks like a husk, but granted, everyone had their tastes, or rather kinks in this case.
"Your life ain't worth much kid,"
And it really isn't. What am I gonna do with his life after I kill him? It's not like I eat souls or anything. It's useless. Now I'll have to kill the kid and the high priestess, now won't I?
No matter. I proceed to slit the kid's throat, but I'm unscrupulously interrupted once more.
Come on! Does anyone here have any manners at all? Just let me finish this…
Is that too much to ask?