[I have arrived.]
That deep voice reverberated through Abel's bones. His head pounded and his vision swam as the voice ripped everything in his head to shreds. He sunk to his knees and blood dripped from all seven orifices.
[Hahaha! How wonderful! A human. A poor little human just happened to be here when I incarnated.] The Gnoll leaned down to take a good look as Abel. It gripped his dark hair and used it to hoist him into the air, letting him dangle some distance over the ground.
Abel gritted his teeth and opened his bloodshot eyes to glare at it. He noticed that all the wounds he had inflicted upon it were already healed, and a sickly green aura began to wrap around the creature, clinging tightly onto its skin.
As if resisting his fate, he spat out the blood that had gathered in his mouth, staining the brown fur on the creature's body yet another shade. He grinned madly at it, showing off his blood stained teeth.
The Gnoll wiped the blood away from its face slowly before turning back to him. [Defiant, are we? Well then, let us see how long you last while I break you.] It grinned back at him before slamming him head first on the hard ground.
CRUNCH!
Blood splattered and bones were crushed as the Gnoll clamped its jaws tightly around Abel's right hand. A pained, guttural scream tore out of his lips as he felt his bones being ground to dust and his flesh being mashed into paste.
The creature pulled back its head, showing off its red colored teeth to Abel, as if to mock him.
"Fuck you!" Abel yelled and threw a punch at the Gnoll. The only sound that rang out was the sound of breaking bones. Abel's fingers bent helplessly under the steel skin of the Gnoll. The green aura that was wrapped around it writhed for a few short moments before regulating itself. Abel's eyes were scrunched up in pain, and his mind was being drowned in despair. That punch had carried everything he had, yet it failed to even harm the monster.
The monster carried on, moving on to Abel's lower arm before biting down. The sickening sound of bones being crushed echoed against the cliff wall. The pack of Gnolls that had previously being cackling were now eerily quiet, staring ad both Abel and their leader with intense gazes.
The cycle continued, on and on, slowly and mind gratingly. The worst part was the fact that Abel wasn't able to lose his consciousness, and unlike what he had heard, the pain never became numb. The only thing that he experience was the scenes from his life flashing before his eyes.
'Is this how I will die?' He thought to himself. 'After all this time...? Who will watch over the old man? What about Aileen and Heather? Have they made it to the gate yet? Maybe help will come in time.' An endless stream of chaotic thoughts ran through his mind, moving neither slow nor fast.
The creature raised its head, blood dripping from its wet maw. Abel's blood. Abel paid it no mind as it stood up straight to watch him. Instead, he immersed himself in the memories that fleeted through his mind.
From a time when he was alone.
~A dagger? Why not a sword?~
~Stupid boy! That's why you will never amount to anything in your life!~
To a time when he met a certain someone.
~What a fine dagger that is. Can I take a closer look at it?~
~The way of the dagger is a unique path. Many walk that path, but not many will reach the end of that path. Are you sure this is what you want?~
~When the time is right, I shall pass on what little knowledge I have. For now, just focus on your training.~
His various experiences were being played out by his subconscious. This continued for how long? He could not keep track of time. Until one memory caught his eye.
~Whenever you need help, just call out my name. I'll be there, no matter how far you are.~
"...Help..." His bloody lips barely parted for the words to slip out.
[Hahahaha! Calling for help? You would be better off begging me to spare your life! Not that it would make any difference! You will most likely be crippled for the rest of your life. Not even the best Healers would be able to save your body now. Hahaha-Argh!]
Eyes bulging from the shock, the monsters body was flung back into the cliff wall. From the edge of Abel's vision, he could see a pair of worn sandals that held a pair of worn, aged feet.
"This kid... You're in bad shape. Why did you only just call now?" A rough, old voice called out to him as warm hands were placed against his shoulders gently. The blurry outline of a person entered Abel's line of sight. From the first glance, Abel could already tell who it was.
"Old man... You really... Came..." Abel's voice sounded raw. Had he been screaming all this while? Sensation returned to his body little by little and he felt two cool wet lines that ran down the sides of his face. Had he been crying?
"I told you, no matter how far you might be, I'll be there." Audu smiled slightly before standing up and moving before Abel.
[Oh? You seem quite strong, human. Did you respond to his cry for help?] From within the thick cloud of dust that hung in the air, two glowing green eyes could be seen. A sinister aura permeated through the air, making all the plants and whatnot still in the area shiver and quake. Quite a few Gnolls had already fallen to their feet, clutching their pounding skulls, while some weaker ones were even foaming at the mouth.
Audu looked at the creature with a leveled gaze before speaking up. "You hurt my child, foul creature. Now you shall atone for your sins with your life."
As he spoke, a faint trace of blue aura rose around him. Leaves rose and swirled around him, only to be sliced cleanly in two the moment they passed his eyes. Those eyes shone with an eerie blue light, rivaling that of the Gnoll.
"Oh sword that cuts apart the Heavens, fall upon my foes and lay waste to their minds. Come forth, God Slayer!"