The Legati Aurorae lower their spears, pointing them directly at Naboru. A cry rises from their throats, like a lament, echoing in the dark night. Their sound is both terrifying and desperate, a macabre melody that reverberates in the air, charged with menace. They rush toward Naboru with lightning speed, their movements fluid and precise, like shadows dancing under a complicit moon. Naboru, however, remains still, a calm smile illuminating his face. He shows no trace of fear, his confidence radiates around him, creating a striking contrast with the anxiety gripping me. His eyes shine with a determined gleam, filled with a mixture of defiance and boldness, as if he knows exactly what is about to happen, but is ready to face it.At that moment, his face transforms. His usually gentle features become firmer. He exudes an almost surreal aura of calm, an inner peace that seems to protect him from the threats surrounding him. It's a gaze that reaches deep into the soul. His eyes, sharp and piercing, capture the attention of the Legati, holding them without blinking, like a hunter awaiting its prey.
He then points to his chest with his finger, a simple gesture, and in a bold whisper, he challenges them:
"Go on, stab me here."
The tone of his voice is firm, but it also resonates with a note of defiance. It's as if he is saying that he would accept their fate with the grace of a king surrendering to his destiny, without wavering. Naboru will not waver, he will not retreat. Their spears gleam in the moonlight, but he doesn't let them scare him. On the contrary, he seems to draw strength from them. It's as if... as if he is mocking the machinations of the Legati Aurorae.Then, just before the spear of the nearest Legati Aurorae pierces Naboru, a sharp noise rings out. The second Legati, positioned behind him, drives his spear with deadly precision into the back of his comrade. Surprise spreads across the face of the one who collapses, his eyes wide with disbelief as he is struck down by this betrayal. The spear sinks deep into his body, lifting him slightly off the ground before he falls, bringing with him a torrent of blood that spurts into the air.Naboru, leaning slightly forward, displays a sadistic smile, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. He crouches down in front of the agonizing Legati Aurorae, his lips stretching into a sneer of disdain.
"So, does it hurt, my friend?"
he taunts in a mocking voice, his words dripping with biting irony.
"This is what you call divine punishment, isn't it? I must admit, it has a poetic touch. But you know, all this talk of justice and judgment isn't really my thing. Oh, but look at you now, kneeling before a mere mortal. I understand your pleasure, after all. Still, it's pathetic!"
The Legati, his face twisted with pain, tries to rise, but his body is already heavy, weighed down by the blood seeping from his wound. His hands clutch the spear, but every movement is agony. Naboru watches him, amused by his suffering, by the way the man's body slowly collapses in a desperate struggle for survival. The features of his face contort, terror and suffering mixing in his final breath.
"It's really sad,"
Naboru continues, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"They all talk about you as divine creatures, instruments of punishment, and here you are, dying like a wounded dog. Frankly, I expected a bit more bravery from one of the Legati Aurorae. You know, when I was little, I was always told that heroes never fall. But look at this scene, isn't it? A hero on the ground, guts spilling out. What a lovely spectacle!"
With a chuckle, he steps closer, staring into the Legati's eyes.
"I hope your goddess Auraclis is watching. She must be so proud of you. A real model for future Legati. Maybe they should build a statue in your honor, right where you fell. 'Here lies the brave Legati, consumed by cowardice!' What do you think?"
The Legati struggles, his attempts to rise becoming increasingly desperate. His eyes seem to plead, but Naboru shows no mercy.
"Ah, I understand,"
he says with a sneer.
"You still want to fight a little? Very well, I'll give you one last chance to shine. What do you have to say in your defense? Maybe some apologies to your goddess for failing in her quest of terror?"
He waits, then continues after a long silence:
"Oh, I'm so kind that I'll end your suffering. But I don't intend to dirty my mother's beautiful blade. I'm sure she would appreciate it being used for something greater than just embellishing your death."
With unexpected speed, Naboru grabs the spear lodged in the Legati's body, a defiant glint in his eyes. He raises the spear, examining it closely, then says with a devilish smile:
"Hum… but isn't this spear beautiful? You really like it, don't you? Oh yes, yes, yes, you love it, don't you?"
In one fluid motion, he stands up and, with renewed strength and determination, drives the spear into the mouth of the fallen Legati Aurorae's helmet. The impact resounds in the air, a dull and chilling sound, followed by a sinister crack as the man's skull shatters under the pressure. The metal bites into the armor, causing the bones to break, and a torrent of blood bursts out, staining the ground a vivid red. The Legati's face, partially hidden by his helmet, freezes in a final expression of ultimate surprise, as the blood slowly drips from the mouth of the helmet, flowing in small dark rivers along the cold steel. The droplets splash onto the ground, each one blending with the fateful song of agony.
"I hope you didn't have any plans for tonight, because I doubt your goddess is coming to fetch you. Who knows? Maybe she has other little Legati to take care of."
He bursts into laughter, a sharp sound that echoes in the night, before concluding:
"But I'm sure, where you're going, there's already plenty of room to welcome lost souls like yours."