There I stood, facing death. It's icy grasp just inches from my soul.
I wondered if it was possible to live still, in this moment where my opponent had me surrounded.
I looked into his eyes, then past them. I looked around, dawnbreak not far.
Only when I caught my breath did I notice the cold morning air. I thought about what it took to get here, was it our decision to try and help our sickly cousin that got us here?
Was it our need for food and supplies? I thought about what had caused my end and the lost lives of my kin.
I let my breath escape my lungs, a tear shedding down my cheek.
I looked into his eyes once more, past them again. I thought of my cousin, sickly and dying.
This man...nay, a lad. He seemed to be the same age, yet he had prospered here.
I wondered if, in another life we would be in their position.
I took in another breath, a smile crossing my face. I stood tall and proud, weapons to my throat.
I looked into his eyes once more, really this time. I saw a six pointed shape instead of the circles that would normally accompany a gaze.
With courage I spoke..nay, I pleaded. With one word and a look in my eye. It said more than I could've in an entire hour.
"Please..." The air catching in my throat.
For a moment I saw hate in the boys eyes. Then they flickered, the six point turned to 5 and then 4.
I noticed two of his clones disappear, then 4 turned to 3.
His icy gaze melted, 3 turned into 2 circles. Then only one.
One by one the clones disappeared, and the weapons fell. He walked off slowly and nodded to one of the older people he was with, the cloaked man walked towards me with a silver dagger.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of silver and moved back just in time for he sword of one of my kin landed in the soil where my feet would've been.
I picked it up and watched as the man neared ever closer. I knew it before his dagger narrowly missed my arm.
They were offering a fair fight. After dodging the first attack I side stepped and slashed down.
A flash of light made me think I got him, Only to be hit in the ribs by the hilt a second later.
I swung down hard to protect myself as I stumbled. My arms were met with a shock as he blocked the swing.
The shock sent through my arms caused my grip to loosen, Taking advantage of that moment he slid his blade to the hilt of mine and pushed it out of the way.
The action knocked my sword out of my hands, to which he responded by throwing down his and holding up his fists.
I got punched in the stomach, Keeling me over. Following this he decided to swing upwards.
I dodged, His fist narrowly missing my face. I decided to take full advantage of this and hooked right. I felt contact, I had hit him in the side. This fight was proving difficult.
I took a risk and dodged to where my sword was, I made it. I turned and swung blindly, Missing completely.
My action was met with a very hard punch to the side of the head, Thats when everything went black.
...
.....
. . . . ...
I awoke to the crackling of a nearby fire accompanied by a terrible stench.
I took a moment to absorb my surroundings. The sun appeared to be at its peak, Lightly clouding with billowing smoke upwind of me.
Silently I rose to my knees. I followed the smoke trail to a large hole in the ground not far from me, only 40 paces away.
I decided to inspect it. Silently I rose to my feet and walked. 10 paces away the stench was terrible. Almost unbearable, Slowly I moved on.
3 paces from the edge I could see clearly what it was fueling these flames. I noticed the fabrics and the jewelries of my family.
The flames beginning to scorch my face I threw my arm up to shield them. Studying the scene took every single bit of my energy.
Realization hit me like a truck remembering I was witness my family burn. Tears streamed down my face as terror flooded my mind.
My tears were evaporating as I cried and combined with the stench, The sight made me throw up.
A sinking feeling in my soul stopped my legs from obeying my commands. As I tried to get up only to fall backwards.
I clambered and crawled my way away from the horrifying sight. It was then that I spotted them.
The three men responsible for destroying my family. Responsible for the horrible sight I just witnessed, Seated by their own smaller fire.
They were waiting for food to cook, In complete silence they sat with somber looks on their faces.
Suddenly I was conflicted. They killed my family, However I know it was because we put them in danger first.
The fire was not disrespect...it was honour. Their actions had hung in the air and weighed on their minds.
Suddenly I remembered my cousin, We had hid him in the forest before we began our assault.
I ran directly into the surrounding area. Looking, Hoping for any trace he survived.
Far out into the forest I notice a ripped piece of fabric matching what he was last wearing.
Frantically I began looking everywhere for more traces.
Panic grew as I would find pieces. Still so sight.
Until eventually I heard it, I had thought it was just a sound of a nearby animal until I listened closer...Coughing.
I ran towards the sound which, Surprisingly led me back to that clearing. I ran without thinking, Following my ears rather than my eyes.
It led me right back to them, The sound of coughing. I crept up slowly as I tried to locate where the sound was coming from.
It took me a moment before I realized it was coming from a bundle of cloth sitting atop a rock.
My eyes narrowed, I didn't know what to think. It was only when I watched him receive the first piece of food that I decided he would be okay.
It was then that I had dropped my pride. My knees would buckle with each step I took toward them.
I walked and walked. Each step more heavy, More painful than the last. Yet I continued, I walked into the camp.
I walked past my cousin, Past the boy that nearly killed me and the man that bested me in combat.
I walked towards the man that made sure his people ate before him. My knees buckled the last time in front of where he was sitting and I dropped to one knee.
It was then that I lowered my chin, I looked at the ground and cried. It was embarrassing and dishonorable.
During my moment of vulnerability, I heard the all too familiar sound of a weapon being drawn. I looked up in terror as his blades flat side fell on my left shoulder.
*ping pling*
Received an offer to join guild as a duo
Do you accept this offer?
"Y-yes I do.."
*Ping pling*
Now a member of The 83rd Order.
Active member count: 5.
*Ping*