Old stuff. The beginning of a story I never get to finish. Contains OOC-ness and self-interpretations
MONSTER
A fist was driven into my cheek, its force sending me staggering. Before I could balance myself, another punch hit my stomach, forcing the air out of my lungs. Doubling over in pain, I couldn't do anything as a high kick hit my chin, sending me tumbling over the pavement, only coming to a halt when my back hit the wall of a building.
Spatting out saliva, I attempted to stand up. The act sent pain all over my body. I winced, having caught sight of my right arm, which had shreds of skin torn off by the surprising sharp marbles paving the street. At least I made quite a contribution to Velder's decoration: a new red streak splattered on the road, created in an impromptu spark of genius. Nice, wasn't it?
...Heh.
I stood up slowly, my balance hampered by disorientation. Wobbling, I managed to lean onto the cracked wall I had been slammed into moments before to prevent myself from falling. There was a taste of iron in my mouth. A searing pain in my chest told me I might have a broken rib or two. There was also a strange feeling of slack in my lower jaw, so it must have been dislocated. To be honest, I was surprised it had yet broken. My assailant had been effective in her stroke.
Eventually, the haze covering my vision faded away somewhat. Blinking and wiping the droplets of blood running over my eyebrows (so there is a wound on my head too, I mused), I took in the sight before me.
It was night. Normally, this town, belonged to Velder capital, would be bustling with night activities. Torches would be lit, and the street would be crowded with people, not to the extent of the day, but still a considerable number of merchants, civillians and knights alike.
But now...but now, it was silent.
Velder had been brought down by demons. Consumed by flame, the capital had been utterly demolished. While having been driven back, the demons and dark elves had caused near-irreversible damage, changing the city into an uninhabitable wasteland, thus forcing its people to evacuate. The only reason I was here was my job as a rear guard.
Still...I liked it this way.
Saying that didn't mean I enjoyed seeing Velder crumbled and fell. It just...the silent and serenity of the night always calmed me down. After having been freed from the Nasod King's control, the ruin of Velder was ironically the first place I could find that tranquility. Seris had always enjoyed the silent atmosphere of the night...
But, all of it was irrelevant tonight. Because...
Silent footsteps, almost ethereal, approached me. With a resigned expression, I looked down from the moon.
She strode forward like a Guardian Angel, long, untied hair left flowing behind her back. In the night, her ruby eyes seemed to glow, further accentuated by the moonlight. An elegant dress of red and white was clad over a curvaceous body, one that many would kill for.
But they were not her defining trait, but her aura. Charisma, to be simple.
She had been born to be a leader. Every words, every gesture of hers could instill awe and respect into her soldiers. An overwhelming aura of confidence, with the ability to invoke bravery and courage in the time of need. It was the reason why she was known by most in Velder.
Elesis Sieghart. Grand Master of the Red Knight.
And right now, she was right in front of me, her eyes bore through mine with a hatred so intense I unconciously pressed myself against the wall I had been leaning on.
"You monster."
Despite the terrible fury she was directing at me, her words were cold, not bearing a trace of anger. But it hurt. The words stabbing through my heart could be compared to a jagged, rusted knife, used to prolong suffering.
Without my intention, the metallic claws of my Nasod Arm dug into bricks, cracking and partially shattering them in progress. If she had noticed it, she didn't react to it, instead opting to draw her claymore.
"I declare your death sentence."
Ah, I thought, my head light, that's how it is. What a fitting end for a monster. Justice would be delivered. Retribution would be completed. The world would be rid of a terrible weapon. Maybe, if I was lucky-
No.
No.
Not now. NOT RIGHT NOW!
My Nasod Arm shot up, the back of its palm met the flat side of her sword, redirecting it to my left. The impact left the entirety of my left side, bar my artificial limb, numb, while the following shockwave emitted by the gigantic blade meeting the wall disoriented me even further and sent a wave of nausea through my brain. The ache in my head worsened, and I nearly fell, only managed to keep myself standing by clutching onto her stuck blade.
"I...refuse...to...die...here...!"
My voice came out distorted, affected by my inability to operate my dislocated jaw, thus became a string of barely comprehensible words. But Elesis caught the meaning of it, and in response, expressed vehement disapproval by snarling and driving her knee into my chest. A 'crack' resounded through the silent street. Damn, she must have broken my entire ribcage, or at least half of it.
Still, I held on. Even though terrible pain assaulted my sense with every movement, I slowly dragged myself up. Dark spots could be seen on the corner of my vision. I nearly choked on my blood, having to cough it out, each irritated my broken ribs. I was still wondering why was I not dead yet.
In spite of it, I leveled a determined gaze at her.
"Not...now...de...mons..."
I could barely gasp those words out, each accompanied by searing pain spreading through my chest.
She paused.
Red eyes locked with my golden ones intently, an expression of confusion barely perceptible. I answered with unwavering will, matching her intense glare with immovable conviction.
Finally, after a moment which seemed to last for an eternity, she broke eye contact, her judgement made. Yanking her blade out (and nearly throwing me off balance in the progress), she casually slung it over her shoulder.
"I shall stay my blade for now. But know this: the moment the threat of demons is repelled, I will deliver justice upon you."
Shooting me a last disgusted look, she left, ethereal footsteps gradually fading, until I was left in silence.
I slumped down, my legs finally gave out. Around me, the world seemed to darken. A cold gust sent chill all over my skin. I smiled wryly. To be honest, I would be laughing right now had it not been for my broken ribs.
"Hah, what a thoughtless girl."
It was my last thought before my consciousness was plunged into darkness.
In a sea of fire, a beast howled. While its form was not unlike human, it was anything but. As if to remind itself of its own nature, a demonic arm of gold and black took the place of where a human left arm should be. An unstoppable berserker, its monstrous scream announced death and destruction whenever it was heard, as well as inducing a feeling of dread to those who listened.
In spite of that, it was not without opposition.
A battle cry, formed of a thousand voices chorused as one, answered the howl. Soldiers, clad in armor of red and white, raised their weapons in defiance, unwilling to let the beast hamper their determination. One and all, they marched, unafraid of their impending doom.
And truly, their doom was inevitable.
A howl of rage, and the monster was in motion, its jagged, warped murakumo dragged across the ground, leaving an ugly scar on the surface of the earth. In response, the army of red knights charged, their weapons brandished, gleaming in the sunlight.
Then, slaughter ensued.
Like an unstoppable force, the beast tore into the rank of soldiers without much difficulty. Utilizing frightening powers, it crushed all oppositions with overwhelming force. Wicked spikes erupted from black spheres, skewering straight through the chain mail of soldiers. Javelins were materialized and shot, blanketing wide areas with flame and destruction. The heavy curved black sword was swung, its owner made up for the lack of skill with the sheer strength and weight behind each slash, thus tearing through blades, armors and flesh alike with almost casual ease. Gold-black arm spat out explosive rounds, every shot ripping apart bodies and dyeing the battlefield with blood.
Thus, like a walking disaster, the beast brought calamity upon its enemies.
But, the battle did not end. For if the beast had quality in its power, then the knights in red had quantity as their own advantage.
For each soldier slain, two more would take his place. Swords were swung, spears were stabbed, arrows were shot. None reached the monster. But still they fought, for retreat was not an option. If a single spear could not reach their opponent, two would be used. If the beast could evade an arrow, then a volley of it was loosed. Unrelenting, unwavering, the knights pushed on.
Then, by a miracle, a spear slipped past the beast's defence, scoring a gash on its flank.
A great cheer came up from the knights as the beast stepped back, holding its wound. While the spear'wielder had died, he had confirmed a vital information.
The beast was not invincible.
Their morale raised, the soldiers marched onward with a great battle cry. To them, the battle was no longer a one-sided slaughter. They could kill the beast!
But, the beast was strangely silent. It touched its side. Its hand came out in blood. All of its previous rage had been drained out, leaving the beast in terrible silence.
Slowly, it smiled.
The knights began to feel a bone-chilling dread as, in the sky, a portal was formed. A single cylinder slowly ejected itself out. It was black and spiky. It also looked like a missile warhead.
"RUN! IT'S GONNA BOMB US!"
By the time it was said, they had been too late. The mass of iron impacted with the ground.
Then, it was over, as a blinding light consumed the world.
I woke up with a gasp. The moon, barely visible now, greeted me through my hazy vision. Soon, the first ray of Solace would appear.
I was still in the exact place where Elesis had left me. My white coat had been painted red, as well as the ground under my back. Surprisingly, I felt much better than the last time I was conscious.
[Body function: 60%. Current condition: Green.]
...It must be Eve. That idiot. I told her to keep precious materials for the resurrection of her race, but no, she just had to waste it on my self-recovery system. Of course I'm thankful, but...
With an exasperated sigh, I tried to stand up, and instantly buckled down, my legs had yet been able to support my full weight. Leaning against a wall, I pushed myself up.
"Time." -I muttered, my voice hoarse, my throat dry. At least my lower jaw didn't feel like it could fall off at a moment's notice.
In response to my command, a holographic display was projected in front of my left eye. On it, an image of a clock was shown along with a numeric time-date display.
"04:00 huh?"
It seemed that I still had time to get back, patch myself up and have a short rest. Provided that I could still walk. And hide myself while at it.
Groaning in annoyance, I began to drag my tattered body back.