The forest was echoing from the loud crunching of leaves. A group of four children were strolling around, talking about great heroes, mighty dragons and long forgotten dungeons. The group was led by a tiefling boy. He had dark grey skin and snow white eyes. His long, black hair made him appear as if he was a girl.
– And then he cut the dragon in half! It was awesome! The dragon was all like "oh no, I've been slain' and stuff" and my dad was like "die stupid dragon"!
– Yea, like your dad could raise a sword. – the human boy laughed.
– Oh shut up, Jameson! You're only so spitish because your girlfriend is here!
– And what? You jealous?
– No!
Feeling the tension in the air, the other human boy jumped forward. His red bangs almost completely covered his blue eyes.
– If it makes you feel any better, I believe you, Ryka! – he smiled.
– Thank you, Ibsen! At least you can be trusted.
– Hey guys, what's that? – the group's human girl pointed at a small pile of leaves.
As they approached, a blue bird broke out from under the leaves and flew up to a nearby branch. It was spying on them.
– It got… stuck? – the tiefling stepped back.
– Nah, she was hiding. Probably from one of those dragons your father killed.
– Ah shut up, will ya'?
Ibsen approached the pile. To his surprise, the leaves hid a small hatchling.
– Awh, what a cute birdie!
– A baby bird? – the girl stood closer to him.
– It probably fell from the nest. That other bird must be its mom.
– What should we do with… – she raised the bird and quickly looked under it – with her?
– Well – he looked up at the nest, which was high above –, we need someone strong to climb up and put her back in the nest.
– I can do that! – Jameson grabbed the bird and started climbing the tree.
– Hey, be careful! Don't hold her too tight! You'll kill her! – Ibsen shouted.
– Yeah, whatever!
He easily climbed up the huge tree. As he was just about to reach the nest, the branch under him made a loud cracking sound and the next thing he knew, he was falling. Fortunately, he fell on the pile of leaves in which the bird was before.
– Are you alright? – his girlfriend rushed to him.
– I'm fine, I'm fine… this stupid bird…
With great force, he threw the hatchling to the ground.
– You idiot! – Ibsen yelled, before rushing to the animal.
– Come on now, who cares about that stupid bird! It's just an animal!
– And you think that justifies hurting her even more pain?
– Oy, talk to me like that again and I will…
– Shut the fuck up! – Ibsen lunged at the boy, hitting him straight in the face.
– Motherfucker! – he fast retaliated, hitting Ibsen with such force, he fell onto the ground.
– Hey, hey! – his girlfriend stopped him from jumping after boy. – You're bleeding! Does your nose hurt?
– My nose? What's with my… – he felt blood leaking down to his mouth.
– You're not fighting anyone today! Come with me, I have bandages at home!
– But what about him? He's still fine!
– You'll pay him back later! Come fast, before you bleed out!
And as such, the girl squeezed his hand tight and began to run. Ibsen laid on the pile of late autumn leaves. Slowly, he tried to stand up. His grunts were loud.
– Ibsen, why did you hit him? – the tiefling boy stood above him.
– I didn't like his face…
– No, stop lying! You always act like this around animals!
– What do you mean?
– What do I mean? The last time we were at Jameson's place, you tried to "rescue" his dog when he wasn't watching!
– Did you see how skinny that poor animal was? Bet he was on leash his entire life! It was such a sad sight!
– Who cares what it looked like? We're talking about a dumb animal!
– Well, you might think he's dumb, but…
– It bit you! You were trying to help it and it bit you! It made you bleed!
– Yea, I should've earned his trust first. The poor animal must've been so scared…
The tiefling couldn't take it anymore. His voice echoed through the forest, as he began yelling.
– He's much stronger than us! Just look at you! With one hit, he sent you to the ground! You know how bad he can beat up others! And you just angered him!
– And? He hurt the…
– I don't care! Can you hear me? I don't care!
He shook Ibsen by the shoulder. Tears ran down his cheek.
– I just don't wanna' get bullied anymore, man! I don't want to live my life in fear! I don't want others to pick on me ever again! Do you know how bad it feels to be alone?
– But I'm here and I won't bully you! You're one of my best friends!
– Shut up! We're not friends! – he shook his head, sending tears flying left and right. – I only hang out with you, because you act like you believe my tales! I hate you! We all hate you! You're the most annoying person I've ever met! You're worthless! Just go away and die!
His legs couldn't handle it anymore. He slowly crouched down beside him, then sat down. He was bawling his eyes out. Out from nowhere, he felt a hug.
– It's okay, I understand. Others told me that already. I know how worthless I am. Don't feel bad for telling the truth. But please – he held the tiefling tighter –, if anyone tries to hurt you, tell me, alright? I won't let my friends get hurt, even if that means pain for me. Don't worry, I'm slowly getting used to it…
This made the tiefling cry harder. Ibsen lent him a tissue.
– Thank you!
– Don't mention it! – Ibsen smiled.
After that, he walked up the hatchling. It was still alive, thanks to the soft leaves covering the cold ground. He grabbed the animal, put it inside his pocket and began climbing.
– What are you doing? – the tiefling asked concerned.
– I'm just doing what I do best: being annoying!
– But you're scared of heights!
– And now I'll give a reason to heights to fear me! – he chuckled.
Soon enough, he climbed up to the nest. There were two other hatchlings inside.
– Little cuties… – he put the small bird next to his siblings. – Hey, Ryka! I put the birdie back!
– Good work! Just please, be careful before… Ibsen!
For some reason, the tiefling raised his voice. This confused Ibsen. The bird was safely put back inside its nest. Why was his friend screaming? Then he realized, that the entire world was spinning around him. It was a weird sight.
– What? – he muttered, before hitting the ground.
- - -
– Now – Eunostus approached –, where were we?
– Why did you…
Ibsen tried to stand up, but quickly collapsed. The pain came back much stronger, which made him scream. This time though, it did not blind him. Hidden to his opponent, he was getting ready for the right moment.
– Come on now, you don't have to worry about her! Did you not hear what she was chanting? – he crouched down beside him. – "Kill, kill", "murder, murder"! Why should you care for a person so evil? She wishes you nothing, just pain!
– Why did you murder her?! – his voice cracked from the raw emotions.
– Oh, stop acting like you care! I know you're just trying to buy time, but listen, my patience is fleeting and my trigger-finger's itching.
– Why did you kill her? Answer me!
– One more word and I'll shoot you.
– Oh yeah? – slowly, he got up on one leg. – Do it, pussy!
– What did you just say?
Eunostus looked down to reload his weapon, to which Ibsen spat in his face. Disgusted by his sudden action, Eunostus quickly stepped back and searched his jacket for a handkerchief. While he wasn't looking, Ibsen reached into his cape.
– You little… fine, where do you want the pain? – he wiped his face and raised the gun once more.
– In your hand, dipshit!
As Eunostus raised the gun to his head, Ibsen stepped away and launched his hidden tanto into the boy's wrist. Eunostus screamed out of pain and tried to aim the gun at him, but Ibsen didn't let go, which only made blade cut deeper inside his arm.
He couldn't handle it anymore. The gun fell out of his hand. Ibsen tried to catch it, but Eunostus quickly kicked his injured leg, which made him fall to the ground.
They were both screaming in pain. Eunostus immediately healed his wound, only to realize the tanto got stuck inside his arm. The suffering didn't go away. He grabbed the grip of the blade, clenched his teeth and tried to pull it out.
But it didn't come. The blade was still inside his lower arm.
– Fuck!
– What's wrong? You can dish, but not take?
– Who do you think you… – but he stopped, as Ibsen had the gun aimed at him.
– Cat got your tongue?
– Oh, my! – he smiled, crossing his arms. – You outplayed me, well done! But let me ask you this: now that you have the gun, what's the big plan?
– I don't know, but it features making you eat shit! – he shot him in the leg.
But Eunostus did not fall. He didn't even make a sound.
– Come on, you have to try harder than that!
– Yea? How about I…
He shot him in the shoulder. Once more, Eunostus calmly watched as he pulled the trigger. Shortly after, he yawned.
– What? Why are you not feeling any pain?
– It's a secret, my dear. If you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine. You can keep shooting at me, but that won't change a thing.
– Oh yeah? – he raised the gun to Eunostus' head. – And if I pull it now? Will nothing change?
He stepped closer to Ibsen. Grabbing the gun, he fixed his aim. The barrel was between his eyes.
– Shoot me, if you dare! – even now, his voice was calm.
– You wanna' die? Is that what you want, huh?
His hand was shaking. The tears from his eyes got mixed up with sweat, unlike Eunostus', whose face was completely dry and smooth.
– What, did you forget how to use guns?
– No, I just… don't want to…
– Why, let me help you!
He raised his hand and pulled the trigger. Ibsen's heart missed a beat, as he wanted to stop him, but was too slow to react. He covered his eyes, before falling back onto the ground. No word left his mouth. The gun fell from his hand. His skin turned pale. A loud burp emerged from him and after quickly turning away, he threw up.
– What a disgusting sight.
He turned back with surprise, only to get kicked in the face. Eunostus was still very much alive. The bullet was visible inside his skin. It became a part of his skull, a part of his body.
– H…How?!
Eunostus once again kicked him, which he tried to block, but the boy was too strong. His nose was bleeding rapidly. Instead of using his cape to slow the bleeding, he simply covered it with his hand.
– There are many types of magic in this word. Some people learn how to bend forces of nature, others use books to perform rituals, while some elites, like me, get our power from the pure bloodline of our families! You can earn magic like this only through centuries of well-chosen marriages! Noticed my hair? No one has natural pink hair, besides members of elite families! Pink is the color of purity! The color of blood-power! The color of… pride.
He stopped to observe Ibsen's reaction. His face was like a canvas, with body-fluids acting as paint. The lack of response to his statements made Eunostus furious.
– Hey, did you hear what I just said? – he once again raised his leg to kick Ibsen.
But he was waiting for this.
Quickly, he jumped under him and grabbed the pistol once more.
– Give up already! I'm invincible! You cannot hurt me!
But suddenly, he got blinded. Ibsen was collecting the tears and blood in his hand to throw it at Eunostus. Disgusted, but wise enough to know what comes, he focused his healing energies to where Ibsen was seen last.
– Pathetic, simply just pathetic. – he gently raised his handkerchief and began wiping away the fluids. – You know, perhaps if you were to cooperate, this exchange of ideas would've ended with both of us happily walking away. But now, I'll make sure to break both of your legs!
As expected, Ibsen shot him. To his surprise, not from where he was last seen. While he was speaking, he crawled behind him and shot him in the back, right where his heart is. Suddenly losing breath, he almost fell, but swiftly leaned to the wall and healed himself.
– What was… – before he could finish his sentence, Ibsen shot him two more times.
– The tanto – Ibsen thought to himself, as Eunostus fell on the seats –, it got stuck inside his wrist. The bullet too, in his skull. Why is that he reacted different to the blade? His reaction time is unbelievable, he stopped a flying bullet with skull! His healing abilities… they're not passive! My theory was right! He could only stop the bullet, because he channeled his healing energy to the point where I aimed! When I launched my surprise attack, he wasn't prepared… that must be it! But let's go even further with this!
Eunostus could hardly breath. His wounds began to shine white.
– He told me about how he's fascinated with the human body. He also told me about his dream to dissect a human. But my theory… no, the truth is, he already dissected one and none other than himself! The blade didn't magically disappear, but instead got stuck! The bullet too! It became a part of his body! These weapons are now a part of him, but that doesn't mean they're not actively putting him in danger! His body is wounded and I bet that even now as I'm thinking, he's constantly healing his wounds! He's not invincible! He's strong, but not unbeatable!
Slowly, Eunostus stood up. He could barely stand and his face was unlike before. Signs of exhaustion showed up in his whitening eyes.
– Heh, don't worry… I just need a second to…
Ibsen knew he was rapidly regenerating and as such, wasted no time. He rushed down his opponent, who raised his hand to block the attack. Unknown to his foggy mind, Ibsen was playing dirty. He raised his left arm, as if wanting to hit the boy with the gun, but launched his right fist into Eunostus' stomach instead. Blood came out of his mouth, as Ibsen quickly pointed the gun at his heart and shot. Once more, Eunostus stopped the bullet, but not as fast as before. Ibsen launched a barrage of attacks, screaming, while shooting the boy randomly from where he would least expect, always aiming at his heart. He tried to block the incoming attacks, but couldn't change the direction of his healing so fast.
When Ibsen finally stopped, he was barely standing. As Eunostus began to fall, he grabbed him and helped him onto the seats. He raised his hand to block further attacks, but Ibsen didn't mean to harm him anymore. Instead, he took away his handkerchief and wiped the blood from his face.
– Wh…h…
– Don't talk. Focus on healing.
– Y… you…
Confused and barely conscious, Eunostus was filled with anger. He didn't give up and healed himself faster than before, only to feel that something wasn't right. The pain didn't fully go away. He was still feeling it inside his chest.
Finally realizing what it was, the anger disappeared and only dread remained.
– Were my shots precise?
– You… little…
– Thought so. It got into your heart, didn't it? It's now making you feel all fucky and shit.
Eunostus tried to punch him, but his hand was slow and shaky. Ibsen gently grabbed it and put it back on the seat.
– You're not who you pretend you are, right? – he smiled.
– Wh… what…
– You act like a tough guy, but can barely defend yourself. You try to intimidate others, but when I think about it, you do a pretty bad job. Killing the girl in front of me, then showing your amazing healing abilities, I know you can resurrect her anytime! You're like a walking contradiction. A healer, that hurts others.
– Call… am…
– What? Call an ambulance? Be patient, I'm sure when we finally reach the other side, there will be a phone booth. It's less than a minute now. Will you be angry if I borrow a coin for that? I have some on me too, but I'm sure you'd want me to use your cash.
– Don't… touch… m…
– What's that? "Touch me"? Sure, my pretty friend, but first I'll take some of your coins.
Eunostus reached into his pocket and threw a mobile phone at him.
– What's this? It's a phone?
– Call an… am…
– Sure!
It was a small, grey mobile phone. He pressed a random number and it turned on.
– So, how exactly do you people use these? – he heard something spin beside him. – Huh?
As he looked to where the sound stopped, he saw the tanto, stuck in the wall.
– What?
As he looked back, half of the phone was missing. And so were his fingers.
There was no pain first, just blood. Then slowly, it built up. And finally, it became unbearable.
– Holy fuck! – he quickly put his cape over the wound to slow the bleeding.
– You did this to Master?
The woman was alive. Her hair got longer, forming what appeared to be a lion's mane, with her nails also becoming longer and pitch-black.
– What? How did you get healed?
– Master, did he do this to you?
– Y… yes… but…
– You're just like him, right? – Ibsen raised the gun. – Fine then, let's dance!
He shot the girl, who easily deflected the bullet with her nails. She was angry and fast approaching.
– What the…
He shot her two more times, but as if the bullets were nothing but annoying flies, they got tossed aside. Ibsen tried to shoot her again, but he was out of ammo.
The cabin finally stopped and the door opened. Hilda raised her enormous claws to finish Ibsen once and for all.
– St… s...
– I've had enough of this shit! – Ibsen threw a palmful of blood at her, only for her to easily slap the fluids away. Her eyes were crimson red.
– Sto…p…
– Any last words?
– Stop it Hilda, I'm going to die! – Eunostus yelled at her, only for the pain to grow stronger and make him fall from the seats onto the ground.
– Master! – she rushed to him. – Please, hang in there!
– Leave him… bring me… to… – he coughed up blood.
– Master!!!
She held him up and rushed out of the cabin, running fast like a wild animal. Before Ibsen could react, she already disappeared behind the corner.
Now he was all alone with his thoughts, with his wounds and with his pain, that was starting to grow worse, as the heat of the battle slowly cooled down. Blood was still oozing from his wounds. He already lost too much blood to think straight and was rapidly losing more.
He went up to the tanto and pulled it out of the wall, only to look down and see one of his fingers roll in front of him. It made him puke.
A chilly wind blew into his hair, as he slowly got out of the cabin. The clock stopped making its loud noise and with its doors shut, the cabin went away.
After walking two or three steps, he collapsed. The ground was dirty and cold. If he wasn't in so much pain already, it would've bothered him. With the last of his power, he reached out to his bag and tucked it under himself, hiding it.
– I already lost a lot of blood. At this rate, I'm gonna' bleed out. But… it's fine. I chose this. If I would've backed down and just gave him the papyrus, none of this would've happened. But it did. And it's fine.
He held his baggage tight. Tears began to flow from his eyes. He was smiling.
– The day this fell into my arms… this chance of a new beginning… I thought I couldn't get happier. To become the owner of a bar in the world's biggest city… as if a dream came true, I couldn't believe it. I was so happy! So ready to leave behind that unhappy life, that boring place and those evil people… but… they weren't evil. We just didn't get along. Shit, even now, during my final moments, I'm still upset about the past… I'm so…
He felt the cold wind gently touch his fingers, which that woman cut in half.
– No… I'm not pathetic. In the end, I didn't back down and gave it my all. And… for once in my life… it was not for nothing. I'm… okay. I'm okay with how this ends.
As his body became number, his soul slowly weakened. He heard bells ring in the distance. The world started to become much darker, as if someone slowly pulled the curtain in front of the sun. Everything was blunt. The voices, the houses… everything slowly lost its color.
A light-blue being slowly manifested above him. Its body was pure white. Hundreds of small, light-blue horns hanged from the top of its head-like silhouette. It leaned down to him.
– What a sorry sight you are! – it had the calming voice of a female angel. – If I gave you a second chance, how would you repay me?
Ibsen tried to look at the being, but couldn't move his head to get a better sight.
– You can hear me? How embarrassing…
He felt it slowly pulling his cape down, exposing his back to the cold breeze. Then, it finally touched him. It had the softest touch he ever felt. As it just barely touched his skin, his entire body twitched from how good it felt.
– Hehe, you're cute. No worries, you're in good hands now. You'll be fixed up in no time. Rest now. Get a good sleep. You're safe now.
Those words. Those simple words made him remember what it felt like to be a baby, caressed in her mother's arms. The ground suddenly felt comfortable. His soul began to grow stronger. He was starting to feel better.
And before he could realize it, he passed out.