The battle continues with the bear becoming even more vicious like he knows he will go down anyway but refuses to go down alone. As the fight reaches its culmination point, after pushing the shield bearer back, the bear turns unexpectedly to the right and lunges at one of the dagger yelder, who is unprepared for that. That bear swung his paw at the human head, catching it off guard and decapitating him in one go.
Everyone's face is instantly filled with horror. Including mine.
"Daniel!!!!" is crying everyone in the group. *Seems like bandits have sentiments too.* I say to myself in my mind, trying to forget about the gruesome scene that would make almost everyone lose their composure.
Looking at the corpse without a head, with blood coming out of his neck, I felt like my legs were becoming weak, but hearing Lysara's voice made me not give in to my instinct to puke and close my eyes.
*Watch Cain. This is the world of Elytheria. Watch and imprint this scene in your mind because you will be seeing it often. Imprint in your mind so you know what will happen to you if you don't become strong enough to defend yourself.
As I listen to her, I can feel the smell of blood in the air. Is it making my stomach turn inside out? But I keep watching. I keep watching because I know this experience will save my life one day. Feeling a lot of emotions, like fear and regret, but also determination and determination to get stronger.
Returning to the fight. I can see that because of the reckless attack from the bear, he has his back exposed to the two archers. And two arrows pierced him straight in the back. Nistor also charges forward with a new ferocity, ready to take revenge on his fallen comrade.
"You will die, beast," and he swings his big axe, cutting straight through the beast's stomach, killing it in the process.
"This was for Daniel."
*What do you think, Cain?*
They fight like a team. But the bear's ferocity and desire to not go down without a fight were stronger. They made a mistake by not taking the fight so seriously, being 7 on 1, so because of this mistake, they lost a life.
*Mhm, so what did you learn from this?*
*A lot of things, but to give you an answer.. to never underestimate your opponent*
Keep that lesson close to heart, Cain. It will save your life a lot of times, and not just yours.
As the conversation with Lysara ends, the bandits also finish looting the bear core and its leather. Some of them buried their lost comrades in the meantime.
"Let's retreat for today back to the camp. We will search for the shadow wolf tomorrow. I am tired enough already.
The one giving the order was Nistor, acting as the leader.
After they left, 10 more minutes went by, and I made my way down from the branch where I watched the fight and got down to the ground to inspect the place and look for some missed or leftover loot for myself.
"Let's look around; maybe there is something useful. As I make my way toward the center of the battle where the bear was sleeping, I can't see anything useful for me to take.."It seems like they took everything, even the bear. I guess they are hungry. I started to be too, and I have no more food from home. Lysara, it seems like it's time you taught me how to hunt."
As she materializes on the opposite side of the clearing, I gaze at her with wide eyes. Sunbeams weave through the leaves of the dark-shadowed forest, cascading perfectly over her athletic form and illuminating her face with an ethereal glow. Her hair, as black as the night, contrasts starkly with her snow-white skin, a stunning juxtaposition. Wings like an angel's, yet dark as obsidian, grant her a uniquely cursed divine aura. Her crimson eyes, mirroring mine, reveal her vampiric lineage. Not tall yet not short, she stands around 175 cm, exuding an imposing presence far beyond her height. Adorned in a lace dress seemingly sculpted to her form, it's clear that it serves her well even in battle. If I were to describe her in a single word, it would be 'piercing'—just like the spear that serves as her home.
"Cat, got your tongue?" she asks me with a playful smile.
"I told you that I would not teach you something that needs to be learned through practice and failure. Try yourself. Fail, and I will give you tips. Succeed, and I will tell you where to improve. If I give it to you all for free, you will become lazy and get yourself killed. We don't want that little Cain."
"I understand. Thank you for not treating me like a baby or a little child. You are giving me space to learn and to fail, and I am grateful for that, Lysara.
"Good, never change Cain. I like you this way. Humble and with the right mindset."
"Also, next time you're going to stare at me like that, don't make it so obvious. You will make me blush, little Cain, hehe," and she winks at me.
Seeing that I am becoming as red as a tomato, she starts laughing.
"I was joking, Cain. Everything is good. I mean, I am looking at you 24 hours a day. So you can stare from time to time. Also, I observed that we have the same feature. You will be a handsome young man in the future. But I will not accept every woman who will come after your face, Cain."
I can see her becoming redder and redder, but I get over it as she clears her voice and continues. "If any girl wants you for herself or to be in your life, she needs my approval first. On the other hand, if you need pieces of advice with one of the girls or you get chased by an ugly monkey, count on me." *wink*
"Mhm. I don't understand these things very well now, Lysara. But thank you; I will count on you to keep me far from ugly monkeys!"
Getting a little more serious, I continue, "Let's return to the cave and prepare to hunt for some food to have tonight. Also, the wolf is not in the west because this was the bear's territory. I need to take care of these bandits too. Damn, so many things to do. Let's get back to the cave first.
And I make my way to the cave, taking the same route as earlier, jumping from branch to branch.