A few minutes earlier
"Tch, I can't move. My shoulders feel heavy, and my legs are weary. I have to get to master Shen before the monster hurts him."
"No no, dodge it! That attack is a feint, it's going to strike for a second time."
"Why can't he hear me? Move, move your body even if it feels like your bones might break. I have already lost everything; I can't afford to lose him too."
"Move!!!! Otherwise, Master Shen will die. Move, you stupid legs move!!!"
Shen parried the suppressing claws which rode toward him in pace. The chiseling sound his sword made enlightened him on the dreadmourn's progressive healing.
*The effects are wearing out. I have to lengthen the distance before another attack springs forth. My body feels heavy, the mist has begun taking effect tsk!!*, Shen grinned.
After being parried in his first attack, the dreadmourn drove its jaws at him in succession. It was a feint from the start, and the real attack was to end the knight with a deep bite.
Shen drew his foot back in instinct, however that reaction was too slow to aid his escape. The jaws of the dreadmourn approached swiftly, and as it stood he had no chance to counter.
Thwack!
"Thawne??"
...…..
Thawne's attack managed to save Shen from an early death. The knight was shaken by the unwavering will the lad showed, and with a firm grip on his sword he drew his arms back.
"I can't believe my student is rather saving my skin. How shameless of me! I wish I could smack myself a hundred times, to atone!", Shen gasped.
"2nd swordsmanship of the knights order, Wanderer's Dance."
Gliding his sword downwards in a clean cut, Shen struck firmly. The dreadmourn felt the presence of his prey had grown stronger, and dire attempts to attack to end the battle sooner.
The descending blade changed the directory, and like a connected puzzle, it scoured through the dreadmourn precisely. Sharp and precise was the nature of the sword skill, and his speed was grandiose.
"Rargh"
Tearing through its flesh, the attack flawlessly suppressed the beast. Shen gritted his teeth with each swing, as his body had already breached the natural limits.
*Don't stop now! Push on, even if your limbs feel like they would fall off. Push on till you end that beast!!*
Shen's sword grew strong in power, although his frail body had already given up. The knight felt a deep desire to protect Thawne, and this was enough to push him past the mortal limits.
With eyes drawn blank in fury, and limbs weary from pain and fatigue. His sword strikes grew precise in each second, and the child stood watch in admiration.
"I can't fall behind him. Huff huff! Mother, Father, give me strength to fight for this cause. To become a knight of strength, and the next Eldritch flame, I will kill them all!!"
Thawne's fists were clenched in his heartfelt speech. The boy dragged his fragile body in pace, and with a strong spin, he raised the axe high.
"Die!!!"
The dreadmourn's focus was pinned on the knight which brutally attacked with no breaks. It was devoid of Thawne's lingering self, and in its last moments, Woodlock came into sight.
A loud roar encroached as the axe struck through its neck. The injuries from the arrows and attacks of Shen had already peeled its hard scales off.
In fear of death, it attempted a retreat, however, Thawne was enchanted by an urge for revenge and pressed on the axe without any thought.
His screams wailed through the forest, and within that moment his strength surpassed the limit. The axe glid through the lit neck and tore off the dreadmourn's head.
The screams of the beast had finally grown pale, and Thawne's battered body wavered above its corpse. It was a fight worth his life, but the darkness clouded his mind.
Woodlock's blood loss was too severe, and the effect of drowsiness weighed on his body. The lad was already near death, but pushing forth every inch of power opened his wounds.
Cough Cough!!!
Thud!
Thawne's lively eyes grew pale and cold, as his life slowly seeped away. The boy was on the verge of death, and it was proof of nature's rules.
"Ugh… Am I going to die, again? The skies look as bright as those days, hah. I did my best in this turn."
A voice firm and calm, finally drifted to an end. The lad had grown weak enough, and it was finally time to breathe his last. Thawne had no flashy words for his last breath and simply kept his eyes locked on the sky.
"No! Stay with me! Don't you dare give up on it Thawne!", Shen yelled.
Placing his trembling hands over Thawne's chest, Shen gasped in fright. He had to save the child he somewhat nurtured, and in belief, Shen closed his eyes.
The child held unto his last breath with all he had. Hearing Shen's voice rekindled his desire to live, and Thawne desperately held on for a chance.
*I won't die, I can't die. Breathe in every minute you gain, and use every strength left to cling to life. You have to become the Eldritch Flame, not die on your first quest*
Repeating words of purpose, he clang to life like a tick. Shen's hands had a golden glow, and with time his frustrated look grew worse.
"I have to survive... I have to survive... What's this? Did I already die in my attempt to live? Ugh!"
The dark mist which clouded the space disappeared and it revealed a room filled with statues. Thawne gasped at the sight around him and smiled gleamingly.
"These statues, I recognize all of them. Zeus, Athena, Hades, Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Apollo, Hera. The Greek gods of my previous world are... here?", Thawne pondered.
Arghhh!!!
A portal opened beneath his stead, and like a black hole, it sucked Thawne within. The lad screamed in fright as he was pulled within the abyss, and found himself shaking in terror.
"I'm going to die! I'm going to die!"
The seats of the gods surrounded Thawne with him in the center. As it stood, he was warped into Olympus, and the gods looked disgusted at his childish actions.
Slowly opening his eyes, Thawne opened his eyes to see the gods looking down at him. Their faces revealed a disgust for his senile actions, and the child's face turned dull in confusion.
"Why is Zeus bald?"