"Leave it to me"
'What a dumb thing to say.' Abel thought to himself as he stood before the dispirited Heather. His hair fluttered with the smooth breeze that blew by. He suddenly felt like a main character in one of those fables that told of heroes challenging dozens of monsters, and saving a damsel in distress. Sadly, he wasn't as strong as any of those heroes so he wouldn't be saving a damsel in distress.
The Gnoll's ears twitched as it watched him step forward. It bared its teeth in a vicious grin and took a step forward, prompting him to move.
And so, he moved...
A pale blue aura wrapped around Abel as he dashed towards the creature. He moved like a totally different person than the one who always hunted Ground Rats, appearing before the Gnoll in a single beat. With a single push, he jumped so his waist was level with the Gnoll's face, before spinning and performing a roundhouse kick.
The Gnoll staggered backwards, gripping its bruised jaw. Its eyes locked onto Abel's just as he landed, and it was as though invisible sparks were being generated in the air between them. They both moved at the same time, vanishing from the sights of both women who were watching, and the other Gnolls who were spectating. The blade of Abel's dagger drew thin lines over the Gnoll's body while the Gnoll's claws scratched at Abel.
When they separated, the first thing everyone noticed was that Abel was in a slightly worse condition. Blood dripped down from his neck and his arms and thighs were covered in cuts. Meanwhile, the Gnoll only had a few thin lines that ran along its limbs which were already healing.
"Abel!" Aileen cried out when she saw him. A green glow flickered weakly in her palm. She was trying to summon more energy so she could heal him, but she was truly out of energy now.
"It's fine, Aileen." Abel spoke as he gripped his dagger harder. Although he said it was fine, both he and she knew that his condition wasn't too good. His left arm that wasn't holding the dagger felt unnaturally stiff and difficult to move and he couldn't put too much weight on his left foot.
The Gnoll bared its teeth mockingly as it noticed Abel's predicament. It made some barking sounds and cackled, making the Gnolls around them to do the same.
It was then that Abel decided to do something a bit more dangerous. "Heather. I need you to do something for me." He called out without turning away from the Gnoll before him. Heather, who had regained her wits by this time was now squatting by the rock where Aileen was resting. "I'll attack with everything I have. The moment I distract it, run." He spoke with a resolute voice, a cold light glinting in his pale blue eyes. His black hair draped over his face, obscuring the direction his eyes were looking at.
He flicked his wrist and a second dagger slid out from his sleeve. He took a pose, holding a dagger in each hand.
"Now!" Magical energy rushed through his veins as he moved at a speed he never had before. It was all a new high to him; the world blurring all around him, the feeling of the wind against his cheeks... The sight of shock on the Gnoll's face. Everything. He reveled in the feeling of being part of that moment.
Abel was a blur to the world as he slashed an cut at the Gnoll. Bloody gashes appeared all over its body, but it was smart enough to cover up its vitals. That was the problem - It was smart. Far smarter than a low level monster such as itself should be.
'It's not enough...' Abel furrowed his brows. His dagger simply didn't have enough reach. If he had a sword, he might be able to plunge it into the heart of the creature.
His eyes strayed to the sword that Nick had dropped upon his death. The high quality blade glinted with a brilliant luster. Of course, even his weapon was just as flashy as his ego.
As though heeding his call, the sword rattled for a brief moment before returning to normal. He dashed toward it, picked it up and turned to rush back to the weakened Gnoll, only for his body to freeze in the last moment. His bones creaked and blood leaked through his nostrils and the corner of him mouth. He was already at him limit. Even still, he wouldn't stop now.
His eyes strayed to where Heather was running to in the distance. Aileen was slung over her shoulder as she ran at a quick pace. Dust trailed behind them as they made their way off into the distance. Perhaps they would be able to return with help before he died...
He fixed his gaze back on the bloody Gnoll before him, his gaze firm. Now, it was time to take care of this.
He took off running in its direction, this time a bit slower because of the condition of his body. Although he wasn't particularly good with the sword, he had made sure to learn the most basic things needed to walk the path of the sword. After all, it was part of the compulsory education all kids took at a young age.
The sword was held firmly in his grasp as a light purple aura wrapped around it. A 'Blade Force' was what it was referred to as.
Slash!
Blood splattered on the ground as Abel managed to cut a wound that was deeper than all the others on the arm of the Gnoll. It snarled and lunged for him just as he got into range, but he dodged it nimbly. The Gnoll which was once dominating the field was now being pushed back slowly.
Thump!
The right arm f the Gnoll dropped to the floor limply. Blood spurted into the air as it held onto the bleeding stump and screamed out. Abel didn't miss this chance, lunging and thrusting the blade into its chest.
Just before he could, an ominous sense of foreboding washed over him. His senses warned him against moving any closer to the Gnoll and he hurriedly dashed back. That was when he saw it.
A sickly green aura had wrapped itself around the Gnoll. The creature itself shook and shivered as it foamed from the mouth, seemingly being poisoned or loosing its sense of self. It opened its eyes, leveling its gaze on Abel. Abel instinctively took a step back as he saw its glowing green eyes.
[I have arrived.]