The pain still pinned me to the ground, unable to move. The gargoyle's weight on my chest was overwhelming, its claws as heavy as marble pressed me into the ground.
Its body, made of stone and shadows, seemed to absorb the light, and for an instant, I thought everything was over. The second creature was diving from the air, its enormous stone wings creating gusts of wind that stirred up dust around me. Its claws, sharp as knives, were ready to tear me apart.
I couldn't move; I couldn't breathe, and the weight on my chest suffocated me with every second that passed.
"Is this my end?" I thought, fear racing through my body. "No… I can't fail now… I can't."
Just when I thought it would be my end, a shout broke through the air. It was sharp, like an explosion in the middle of the chaos, and the sound of metal against stone echoed around me.
The pressure on my chest lifted suddenly, and for a moment, I didn't know what had happened. My eyes struggled to focus, still dazed from the pain and dust covering everything, but then I saw him: Kael, standing there, his sword unsheathed, covered in sweat and dust.
"Get up!" he shouted in a hoarse voice, though I could barely hear him over the deafening beat of my heart.
Kael was hurt. I could see blood staining his left arm, flowing from a deep wound. But he didn't seem to care. The gargoyle that had been on top of me lay on the ground, its head smashed by a well-aimed blow from Kael.
The other creature, diving from above, switched targets in an instant, fixing its stone eyes on Kael.
I still couldn't move well; my body refused to cooperate. But air, thick and bitter, returned to my lungs. I struggled to stand. My hands shook as I put a knee to the ground, watching Kael prepare to face the remaining gargoyle.
His breaths were ragged, but his eyes still burned with determination. The wind created by the gargoyle's wings stirred the dust and shadows around us, creating an almost surreal scene.
"Kael!" I managed to shout, my voice barely an echo of what I wanted it to be.
He threw me a quick glance, his brow furrowed in concentration, before refocusing on the creature that stalked him. The gargoyle descended with deadly speed, its wings slicing through the air like stone blades. Kael, with a quick maneuver, narrowly dodged its charge, and in an agile turn, drove his sword into the beast's side.
The creature's scream was loud, but it didn't stop. Its claws passed dangerously close to Kael, tearing his armor, leaving visible marks.
With all my strength, I managed to get to my feet. Every muscle protested, each step felt like walking on burning coals, but I couldn't leave Kael alone.
I gripped my sword with trembling hands, feeling its weight as if it were the only thing anchoring me to this world, and I launched myself at the gargoyle just as it turned to attack Kael again.
With a shout that came from the depths of my being, I drove my sword into the creature's chest, feeling how its stone body's resistance yielded under my force. I pushed with everything I had left, adrenaline replacing the pain, even if only for a moment.
Kael let out a long sigh when the gargoyle fell to the ground, motionless. His sword was still dripping with remnants of the battle, and though exhausted, his eyes still shone with a mixture of relief and weariness. He took a step toward me, bending to offer his hand.
"Good job, Darius," he said with a tired but genuine smile. "I don't know how we did it, but we made it." I took his hand, though I could barely stand.
My body trembled, every muscle protesting from the strain, but still, I managed a faint smile in response. I had no words left, only a gesture that Kael understood perfectly.
"Beyond," he said suddenly, pointing with his sword toward the horizon. "Look."
With difficulty, I turned my head in the direction he indicated. The remaining gargoyles, which had been our mortal threat just moments ago, were retreating. Their heavy, winged bodies disappeared into the shadows, and the echo of their screams faded into the distance.
"Grimmor's creatures," Kael murmured, with a slight satisfaction in his voice.
"They did their part."
Seeing the danger recede brought an unexpected relief to my body. For the first time in what felt like hours, I could breathe without the weight of imminent death on my shoulders.
But when I tried to move, my legs gave out under my own weight, and I fell to my knees on the ground. Barely aware of my surroundings, I gave a faint smile, almost incredulous that I was still alive.
Before exhaustion completely overtook me, I heard a familiar voice.
"Leave him to me," it said softly, but with authority.
I raised my gaze with difficulty and saw Nayris approaching swiftly. I felt my body wanting to surrender, but I clung to consciousness upon hearing her voice. She knelt beside me, placing a firm but reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"I'll take care of him."
Kael observed her carefully, as if evaluating whether he could trust her. Their eyes met for an instant, and after a brief exchange of glances, he nodded.
"It seems you know him well. I'll leave him in your hands."
Nayris lifted me, supporting my weight on her slender but surprisingly strong frame. I could barely focus my thoughts, but the soft scent she gave off—a mix of herbs and something familiar—and the confidence in her movements gave me the peace I needed.
I felt my eyelids grow heavier with each step we took.
The next time I regained some awareness, we were in front of a small house, modest and simple, near the market. I could barely remember the journey here; it was all a blur.
Nayris guided me carefully inside. There was no one else, no sounds, just the sound of her footsteps on the wooden floor as she led me toward a small but comfortable bed.
"Rest," she whispered as she laid me down, gently removing my boots. Her touch was firm but careful, and I could feel her beginning to tend to my wounds, cleaning the blood and bandaging my arms and torso.
Finally, the fatigue overcame me. My vision blurred, and in that last moment before losing consciousness, a fleeting thought crossed my mind: "I'm safe... at least for now."
The cold night air jolted me awake. My breathing was ragged, and my eyes opened suddenly, as if I had been submerged in a deep sleep and was just pulled to the surface.
For a moment, I didn't know where I was. I sat up quickly on the bed, my heart racing. I looked at my hands, trembling, searching for any sign that it had all been a dream.
"Have I been reborn?" I thought, feeling a cold sweat run down my back.
The bandages on my arms made me hesitate, but something about them felt familiar. They had been placed carefully, with precision. My memories started flooding back: the battle against the gargoyles, Kael saving me, and... Nayris. She had helped me.
I sighed deeply, trying to calm my mind. My eyes scanned the small room. There was a window with curtains, and with an effort that made my teeth clench, I got up.
The weight of my body made me feel as if my muscles were made of lead, each movement a reminder of what I had endured. I managed to reach the window. I carefully pulled back the curtains, looking out at the world outside.
It was night. The market streets were lit by a few scattered lamps, and under that dim light, I saw several people cleaning up the rubble left behind by the gargoyles.
The creatures had caused more destruction than I imagined, and a pang of guilt slipped into my mind. All of this happened, and I barely survived. But the people... they carried on, restoring what they could with a quiet determination.
With one last look, I turned from the window and headed toward the door. The room was quiet, but the soft scent of something warm and herbal called me from the other side. I took a deep breath before cautiously opening the door.
Upon entering, I found myself in a small, cozy room. A fireplace crackled in one corner, casting shadows on the walls, and a gentle aroma of herbs floated in the air. There, sitting in a chair near the fire, was Nayris. Her figure was outlined by the firelight, reading calmly, her face relaxed, and in her hands, she held a steaming cup.
When she saw me standing in the doorway, her eyes lit up, and a radiant smile spread across her face.
"Darius!" she exclaimed with a mix of surprise and joy. "You're up! I knew you'd recover."
Her enthusiasm took me by surprise, and though my body still felt heavy, the relief in her voice made me feel a bit lighter.
"Come, sit," she said, motioning to the spot beside her on the chair. "You still need to regain your strength."
I didn't argue. I approached slowly, feeling the warmth of the fireplace enveloping my body. The atmosphere was warm, more so than anything I had felt in days. I sank into the chair beside Nayris, exhaling a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Settling into the chair, the heat of the fire and the calm of the place began to relax me. As I sat, I looked at Nayris and couldn't help but thank her.
"Thank you for everything you've done… I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't appeared."
Nayris let out a small laugh and shook her head. "You saved me first, Darius. The least I could do was return the favor. You have no idea how scared I was when I thought you wouldn't make it."
I vaguely remembered the moment when I fought the gargoyle to protect her, but it didn't seem worthy of so much gratitude. "It was nothing," I said, downplaying it.
However, something still didn't quite add up. Although my body was sore, I felt that my more serious injuries had healed faster than they should have. I looked at my arms and touched the bandages Nayris had placed.
"How did you heal me so quickly? I was much worse a while ago."
Nayris smiled, pointing to a small table beside the chair. There was a small empty vial, gleaming under the fireplace light.
"That vial had a mana potion. It's for healing serious wounds. I bought it a while ago, but I hadn't needed to use it... until today."
I took the vial in my hands, examining the empty glass. Immediately, something clicked in my mind. I remembered the mana potion Grimmor had stolen from me a few days ago, the same one Eldrek had gifted me.
I clenched my teeth and cursed Grimmor silently. Thinking of his arrogant smile, how he took the potion without a second thought, made me seethe inside. The fact that Nayris had to use her potion because of him only fueled my resentment.
Coming back to myself, holding the vial, I looked at Nayris. "Thank you, really. I promise, as soon as I can, I'll replace this potion."
Nayris waved her hand, dismissing my promise. "It's not necessary. I'm just glad I could help."
She got up, and with light steps, went to the small kitchen nearby. "I'll make you some herbal tea. It'll help ease the pain you're still feeling." Her tone was kind, almost maternal, and I couldn't help but feel grateful.
I watched her as she prepared the tea, moving gracefully in her small home. The warm scent of herbs began to fill the room, creating a comforting atmosphere that I hadn't felt in ages. When she returned, she handed me the cup, and the aroma calmed me immediately.
"You can stay here tonight," Nayris said as she returned to her chair, settling down beside me. "The chair is comfortable, and you need the rest."
I took a sip of the tea, feeling its warmth spread through my body.
"Thank you," I replied, though inwardly, I couldn't shake a lingering doubt.
My mind drifted back to the words my beloved had told me before she died. She was out there, somewhere, and every time I thought of her, it felt as though I was a step closer... I couldn't allow anything—or anyone—to interfere with that.
And yet, as Nayris smiled and the warmth of the fireplace filled the room, I found it harder to ignore the peacefulness that settled over me, more than I was willing to admit.