"Ugh... That white fighter again. The one who fought our sajini."
"That can't be!! I saw with my own two eyes how he was crushed and butchered in the ground!" Someone said in protest.
"The rebuke sparked a bitter outburst, prompting the first officer to backhand his second. "You call me a fool!? If I say it's her, IT'S HER!" He snapped back with some vexation between his tongues, trying to remind the mdogo who was in charge. But they had little to no time to waste.
The one supposedly in charge raised again his spyglass, toward the action on the horizon. His slit eye had adjusted to the sight of the golem crashing through the foliage and trees. The soldier watched with envy and just a hint of fear—not that he'd admit it to anyone. The white warrior girl was sturdy as she shrugged off the fall as if she'd her siku slapped with an unyoya.
His pet, Jiwe, lurked nearby, watching quietly. The hyena was seasoned with plenty of time of experience in hunting and raids. He himself had trained the animal for nearly five years. Now he and his pet had been summoned by their majesties to wage war in the vast north. At least it was green and looking for food was easier. And sometimes it would rain.
His mind went wide awake when Jiwe's jaws snapped shut on the lady's head. He was certain that any binadamu of that frame would already be dead. Human soldiers. His own kind. Anything that entered Jiwe's mouth would come out as a chewed-up, bloody mess—if not outright swallowed. His surprise was fed when the warrior woman struck out and tried to escape, and his senses were further dulled when Jiwe eventually dropped the prey.
"Hss… What's your pet doing, Wazilli?! Is she dead?!"
"For the better of your tongue, you'd best speak about the girl and not my pet. Now go on and shut up over there! Umeelewa? Mjinga..."
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Two of his fingers were itching with pain but other than the rest of his hand was okay. Scratch that—he felt his face little numb, most likely from smacking his head on a log. Thank goodness the room didn't crush in upon impact. Dörk assessed the situation and realized that the walls of the room had bent and warped slightly from the damage. Long story short—he had to get the fuck out.
The wizards pushed aside a board that he hadn't noticed was pinned to his leg, but his concern was short-lived once he felt it was still okay—maybe a little bruised, but nothing beyond that. His legs wobbled a little when once again on both feet, but his brain adjusted and he quickly moved on—but that's when a new blow shaken the frame of the wrecked machine. This time, it felt as though the force of the hit was concentrated on one of the room's walls. Blessed be the heaven- the room was still holding. That was more than sufficient to tell where the source had originated from. As one of the walls buckled under a fresh blow, shaking him to his very bones and forcing him to grab the ladder still—somehow—attached to the wall. "YOU MUTT!"
That angry shout meant something concerning for the old man- that Nyx was engaging something large. After not a second thought, Dörk pulled on one of the slats in the wall in order to see outside.
The hand-sized hole was just big enough to provide a clear view of what was outside. Unbelievable. If he could remember, the man had probably been more terrified in his life once. He recalled one of his journeys when a troll armed with an improvised club slaughtered a village in the western Afmen Pasture. That time he wasn't alone but was accompanied by eight other strong guild members—men and women—with whom he had struck a deal. Now… he had only the kid with him and no time for his preparation. Dörk watched as Nyx pulled one of the short spears from his back, along with one of the curved daggers.
Holy shiv. The kid's standoff was nauseating.
The feeling of dread in his chest was an old familiarity, first experienced in his very first year of adventure. After joining the guild network to officially participate as an adventurer with his college friends, he was the only lucky one to escape with his life after even a single month. According to certain rules, thanks to his higher studies, he was able to advance directly to a higher rank than low, skipping the beginner's jobs that the guilds sometimes encouraged newcomers to try. It was hard, but they managed until they ran out of luck. A short trip to bog cost the five lives of his friends when a mud eel the size of a cow capsized their little boat. Three drowned tangled in roots. One was mauled by the eel, and the other slipped on his weapon, accidentally gutted himself, dying from infection four days later.
But that giant cat-lion-dog—or whatever it was might just as well have tried to scale the city walls and, with some effort, climb over them if it had something to grip onto with its claws. Running was stupid.
The man could see that Nyx had no intention of doing it. Wasn't he scared? Dörk wasn't clearly facing him, so he could only guess—right or wrong didn't matter. Suddenly, Nyx launched the blade with his magic, striking the beast's metal shaffron. Was he trying to provoke it? To scare it or simply to gouge out an eye? Shit for his bad aim.
The giant hyena closed in but didn't attack with a bite as before, now opting to swing its claws at him and pound Nyx's guard. It continued like this, crashing its considerable paws into the golem whose attempts to recover his footing proved futile. Dörk heard the tip of the spear clang after it struck—again—the animal's metal headguard. Worst of all, the animal had been trained. This time, it clamped its mouth on the smooth side of the metal and wrenched the weapon from the enemy hands. This kind of proved intelligence and savagery was overwhelming the smaller fighter and had no protection when he was again between the animal's jaw.
Nyx was about to lose an entire arm. Dörk was terrified, thinking the kid would be torn to pieces. But Nyx also proved his battle intelligence. His ungloved hand sent short electric arcs through the shaffron as he focused his magic, pushing the scared animal feets away. The shock had proved surprisingly effective, if only for a brief moment, as it left the animal writhing in pain. For it, the animal had imagined an ugly bite on its forehead, now bucking and trying to shake off what was supposedly on its forehead.
That brief moment gave the golem time to leap back onto its two legs. "I'm fucking gonna kill you! Aaaah!" He didn't hesitate as he ran, drawing the dagger and pull grabbing the second one. He dashed through the air a short distance and struck the beast over the head, one of the blades cutting deep into its fluffy nose. The other two seconds were spent with the golem slipping between the beast's legs and looking to land a big blow. From Nyx's perspective, he couldn't cut through its guts as Callahan had once instructed. But the skin and fur felt alike heavy woolen blanket. He couldn't see where it would be worth stabbing in its hide. So the blades only struck the right thigh near the joint. The metal guard only protected the outer side leaving the body open from an angle like this. On this side, it was just leather, but Nyx painfully pinched the skin near the strap on the leg and cutting about half of an inch deep.
The frenzied madness that had taken hold of the beast knew no bounds. It rolled across the dirt to escape the golem and regain its composure. The hyena hadn't struggled to regain its equilibrium, but was now gently limping—yet still lively enough for a fight.
Both "monsters" locked eyes viciously, neither willing to back down or be intimidated. The larger one had launched itself in a giant leap toward the golem, and, sadly, Nyx was not prepared for such an attack. He'd tried to escape with a simple dodge, but his boot had slipped on a handful of gravel. His land was just three walking steps away.
The beast had snapped hard, grabbing Nyx by the midsection from the back. If the giant hyena had been a more friendly pet, the scene would have been cute. But it was brutal. Now sprinting, the two of them could have been mistaken for a runaway train crashing through trees and occasional mounds of earth.
Nyx couldn't turn to stab the fucking thing in its fucking face! But his brain was starting to get the hang of this. For him, it was similar to horseback riding. But as he managed to focus, his anger was slowly boiling over as well. The golem, who had been so calm just lately, let it all out. He roared, and not a second later unleashed a flurry of elbows, striking the soft tissue beneath its jaw.
Acting on instinct as he felt himself falling, his hand grabbed one of the straps, pulling the hyena's head down with him. With a loud thud, they both crashed into the dirt, smashing into an old trench. Their weight crushed the dead bodies as he rolled before coming to an abrupt stop against a now ruined staircase shattered into pieces by his own momentum. The hyena toppled like a horse, landing farther away from the golem, and slammed into the corner of the dirt in-ground path.
Nyx didn't feel dizzy from the fall. He didn't feel any pain, even though he was sure he'd cracked his knee a little. He was just bloody angry. Bloody hungry. He didn't give the monster a second's reprieve as he rushed toward it, his feet stepping past the old soldiers that had died weeks ago. His mana coalesced and summoned a dagger he'd lost moments ago to finish off the wild mutt. It didn't seem to be in good shape for a moment. It must have landed on its head. Maybe it hurt its neck?
It didn't matter. Plunging the sharp tip into the open space in the right side neck, Nyx sliced the hide more and more until a 12-inch wound let blood gush out. The soft cry did make Nyx shiver inwardly, even as the animal wanted him dead, but it didn't stop him from pulling the blade out and slashing its head. One strike under the jaw. A final, second strike through the eye socket to finish the kill.
All that muscle. Armor. Thick hide. Only to die from a cut in the neck and two well placed stabs.
The fury. The hunger. The blood on his hands that was slowly being absorbed appease both the feeling. So Nyx repeated this ugly act he performed on the first day back in the world as he pushed his right palm through the cut.
Nyx's natural ability kicked in, absorbing the dark red liquid.
If Nyx were to drink it—the blood would make him feel as if drinking cold, fresh water.
Like the high after a session of crazy sex. Possibly even better.
But this was just fuel. It had to stay like that. Blood is fuel. Not food. Not. Food. The last thing that could drive the final nail into the coffin of Nyx's former self of humanity would be to give in to this disgusting craving. Like an opium addict pushing the docter for another dose. To start hunting and kill for it-- for this feeling like a sick animal.
You boy, are just a pet! An animal! Is that clear!?
"NO!"
Right now, Nyx could imagine Cleo's ghost smirking and laughing at him absurdly if he were to give in. That woman was spot on about his cravings. He just hoped they were temporary unlike hers. That maybe they'd pass.
Feeling the blood flow stop, the golem jerked his hand from the wound. He could feel his body invigorating itself as well the cracks and gaps in his skin filling back in as his inorganic cells repaired themselves. From the copious blood source of the animal he stoled just moments ago Nyx was good to go. But something important was missing.
"Dörk! Can you hear me!? You ok?!"
As the golem pulled himself up from the trench, he could see that the hyena had moved about a good pitch from the ruined trebuchet. Taking another look at the structure, Nyx was puzzled as to how the hyena—even though it was large enough to carry the golem like a toy—had managed to bring it down something designed to support handfulls of men and weaponry. The only explanation within the limits of his logic would be that the structure had been damaged during the battle and the animal had simply given it a push. "I'm still here! Can you hear me?" Yes. The golem heard the wizard and was just... happy for the man still breathing...
Bridging the space between the trenches and the ruins of the trebuchet, the golem simply pondered the fight. A giant hunter like that hyena must have its trainer nearby. The lizardmen had ambushed people before—it had happened once- but still. That animal… for the soldiers in the city, it would have been insurmountable. It would have slaughtered every man like mice, leaving only empty, broken metal husks and scraps of flesh if not it would like them of the ground.
To put it bluntly now, screw the list. Salvaging through the wreckage was tedious and would take time, and the enemies would most likely not be forgiving about killing the giant pet.
Now, standing within arm's reach of the wooden rubble, the statue had inspected it briefly but had no idea what or where to break to rescue the old man. "Dörk, any spot I can smash or yank to get you out?"
As if on cue, the old man's hand slipped through a hole in the still-intact corner between two relatively thick beams. "This joint is still secure. Just… just pull on a plank or two." With much ease Nyx pulled the bad connected pieces abart. The heavy hitter of the now only living people around felt.. ok.
A few seconds later, the wizard had enough space to escape the trap and breathe fresh air again. Although Nyx could clearly see the man limping slightly and a trickle of blood running down his head. "But… uh… grab me a stick. Something I can walk on. This leg's starting to hurt." He let out a soft groan as he tried to settle himself on one of the loose beams half-buried in the ground. The golem landed a hand on the old man's arm before searching for anything Dörk could use for support.
He found a branch, probably broken during the landing but had a bad bend. A minute later, all Nyx could find was a piece in a shape of a incomplete 'T' that he broke from a convenient colapsed wall. "I got something.."
And for the man the piece of wood was strong enough to support his weight, now serving as a third leg. "It's proper. Now then…"
Dörk took a breath after all the crazy activity that had unfolded in the spam of 10 minutes or so. He was aware how risky it was to be in a danger zone like these and out in the open—it was practically an invitation for a bullet metaphorically speaking or not—but people had gotten lucky before and managed to survive. That's how humans progressed from the dirt to the modern way of life they enjoy today. It was just luck, he assumed.
"Might as well head back. I'm pretty fed up for now." The golem's tone was tired, and he was slightly worried that something else might show up to continue ruining their day. "More or less, I don't think it's wise to linger around here."
The gray-haired man nodded in agreement. He could cast a spell or two, but running and protecting himself for long was just asking for a bullet. "We should. The parts can wait for another time." Tho Dörk did hear the golem offer a 'or not at all' unde his breath but chose not to offer a comment or whatsoever reaction.
As tall or strong Nyx was, the man leaning on his makeshift cane was fragile. He would prevaile maybe all the today has to give the duo right now if his latest kill prove right. "Are you still drunk?" He couldn't help but be a little jokester to relieve the man of the slightly alarming feeling he sensed was growing within the wizard. Though Nyx also had his own concerns. He didn't show it at the moment, as his mind was still in a good mood—or rather, the rush from the blood he'd fed on just minutes ago was still going strong.
"Oh, just a tiny bit. Nothing one of these can't fix in a quarter." Dörk couldn't help but flash an imperceptible smile at the golem. As they began walking, the man, skilled in his hand trick procured a white pill.
The act was not entirely foreign to the golem. The talks he'd shared with folks around here made his view of the current world seem somewhat like of a mook's. Medicine distributed around town for people to buy as much they could afford? Had he lived in a that deep of a hole while alive? While he was sick on his knees, only for some kind ladies generous enough to supply him occasionally—or in exchange for favors—with whatever herbal concoctions and whatever else the maids could afford or brew at home. The advance of science was mind-boggling.
"What's that going to do?"
The wizard kept his focus on the road, which was now slowly climbing uphill. "Some amino acids I bought in the capital a few moons ago. It's a really good supplement."
Nyx was still following the wizard from behind. He took the liberty of staying close in case Dörk lost his balance or carelessly slipped with his boot. "And what? Does it kill the booze within you?"
"Ha… Well, more or less. Ethanol is the alcohol— the alcohol inside the drinks that get us tipsy we're talking about—gets into the bloodstream. Later, the liver produces acetaldehyde. That's pretty toxic so we don't like that. So the liver gets to work and makes some enzyme—I don't really know its name—and eventually the ethanol is turned in water and CO2."
The implications of an overcomplicated process like that over the concept of eating&shitting were not for the golem's backwater intellect. Yet Nyx nodded—even though it only made half sense. "What's that—CO2?"
Tho this slowly was getting fun for Dörk. It made him feel like he was in his 20's again, tutoring kids in his spare time. This chance to ramble had set Dörk off on a roll about expertise in science. Explanations about the general properties of the body, for starters, were covered in just a few minutes. He started pointing at rocks and explaining what elements they might be made of. He talked about how trees draw water and vitamins from the ground. How...
But his full attention was broke and turned around. Back in the ditch where the hyena rested now lifeless. Now-- Nyx could see some figures surrounding the beast. Their distinct, their palpable features gave away their non-human race. And one was looking directly at the golem's female form. Nyx couldn't tell the color of his eyes but was sure their gazes were locked. He could describe the patterns on the skin covered in scales and the hanging patches of skin under the jaw, carrying some red and black spots over the egg like coat, but most of all, the sharp blade in his left hand. Compared to the other six figures, who were relatively well-protected by metal chain armor or another relative modern equipment , this one was clad in full leather armor problably resembling a traditional natal style.
Nyx could tell the others were already turning their eyes toward him, but that guy… Nyx assumed that in a fit of rage, both would fight like brain-dead berserkers. Neither was as big as that behemoth Nyx and Callahan killed but it felt like the snakeman's size was deceptive. It did intimidate Dörk, though, as the man quickened his pace and moved away. It took him a second to realize…
"Kid-- I know you're eager for a rough chat with the enemy but definitely not today!"
But Dörk didn't have a clear idea of what Nyx wanted to do. The kid was angry, maybe? Young and brash, he acted quickly and not always according for a possibly reasonable reason from what he had learned. "It's fine." His ears picked up Nyx's murmur through the light breeze that had begun to blow moments earlier while their smalltalk.
Nyx's stoic composure faltered for a second as the snakeman he was watching used his thumb claw to mock a line across his neck.
But the golem didn't respond in kind- instead, he turned for a second toward the wizard. "Wait here. Or if you think it's safe, start heading back to town. This won't take long."
Now the old man's concern flew out the window as he felt frozen in place. "Don't be stubborn, kid. You just escaped from that thing's jaws. Things like this can happen, and there's no shame in retreating or walking away or whatever you wanna call it." Even so, despite the old man's good advice, Nyx still walked back down the path leading to the two-legged lizards.
"Shit."
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"Mlezi yu-ja-kuja!"
"Ndio... tumuue sasa."
The two privates were, in truth, eager to taste blood. However, both were quickly silenced by their squad leader with a simple, angry hiss. The snakeman with his naturally yellowish complexion was still eyeing the golem with much fretful impatience. His unnamed, trusted second-in-command cocked the hammer of the stolen firearm, ready to split the white demon's head open with lead at the slightest misstep—or at his officer's command.
"Do not shoot.." Was his order.
The party of enemies drew closer one by one as the leader moved to the front, where the younger soldiers kept their positions closer to the back and continued to observe. If there was anything as dangerous as not respecting chain of command, they didn't know it yet. If the leader told them to wait, every soldier had to be ready to die standing. If he ordered them to run, they would. Acting without thinking, however, was the second most foolish thing, so both privates remained in motionless anticipation.
Both Nyx and the team leader were staying calm. But the air could almost boil if it was possible, given that the second-in-command had his gun ready to fire at the albino person just ten feet away. Was he... scared!? Of that woman? Was the adrenaline in his blood making his head going haywire ...?
Yes.
it was- terrifying.
"Hello." Every ear in the group caught the casual greeting with which the golem had flung it out of the air like a rag. As much as some snakemen might be mere mooks, it was a tasteful attempt. Even so, the leader didn't feel like just snarling or slithering back toward the enemy.
"Vipi, woman."
Nyx felt all their eyes glaring at him as if he were a beast—just like them, or even worse- like the dead animal in the ground. But he didn't respond immediately; instead, he inspected his latest kill from a short distance. "Sorry about your pet. It attacked me first."
The soldiers in the back exchanged two glances, looking from one to the other and back at Nyx. They thought they had misunderstood the woman's language. They tried to correct one another but realized that none of them had misheard the words spoken. Everyone had understood correctly. Everyone had kept their heads cool, except for their leader.
"YOU MPOTOVU!! How dare you mock my animal like that!?"
In the midst of it all—Nyx resorted to something that might be considered a minor blasphemy against their way of life as warriors. When an enemy killed with intent, they were rewarded with blood, steel fangs and claws! Sometimes a curse or poison. Same result every time. Death -as painful as a burning ALIVE!!
The rhetorical noose around the leader's neck was fragile after the verbal jab delivered by… this woman…
She smelled like home. Like the dust of the abandoned stone quarry where generations of families had carved their homes out of rock. His tongue couldn't get enough, thirstily lapping the air.
"Listen. I don't want to fight with anyone. I just want to get my friend back to town safe. I'll be out of your hair… I mean, I'm going to leave, and I don't want any trouble." His brief attempt not to insult the lizard-man was somewhat foolishly saved. Though Nyx got the impression that the expression had gone right over his head.
"Really?!" The bipedal creature brandished his sword across the air theatrically. "A trull of a girl like you wants to beg for safe passage…? It's kind of a joke. Don't you guys think the same?" The leader was boisterous, drawing cackles from his band of soldiers. He didn't feel like being generous. Not this time, and certainly not for his pet's killer.
"No."