"BEHIND US!"
Oswald screamed as his neck seared hot. The trio's boots skidded as they turned around.
CLANK! CLANK!
Aelindor and Percival caught two descending blades from two cultists, the collision echoing in the huge cavern.
"I GOT EM!"
THUD!
He shoved the one blocked by Percival, staggering them. Using the advantage, Percival pierced his blade through the chest, killing him.
Aelindor began to bend backward, overpowered by the cultist's strength.
SQUELCH!
Oswald thrust his obsidian sword through the heart, helping Aelindor.
The cultists around the room of the cave, began converging to their position—like grains of iron being attracted toward a magnet.
The three clashed against the many cultists—blocking, parrying, and counter-attacking. Oswald's feet moved as if he was in a dance—courtesy of captain Seraphina's dance fight—while Percival fought with precise, clear-cut strikes and Aelindor, though inexperienced, adapted quickly.
They tangoed, painting the ancient cavern floor in crimson. After what felt like countless minutes, the three stood alone among a sea of black-cloaked corpses.
Percival and Aelindor heaved, each bending to one knee, while Oswald remained standing—his stamina bolstered by the skill menu.
"You two, take a brea—"
"I thank you for entertaining me. It 'az been a long time since someone bestowed me wiz zuch a GIFT!"
THUD!
The cult leader tapped the butt of his spear on the ground. A wave of magenta energy—like heat haze over a road—rippled outwards, speeding toward them.
"JUMP!"
Oswald yelled, clearing the shimmering arc. After landing, he skidded around.
NO!
THUD! THUD!
The two collapsed, paralyzed.
"HOLD O—"
Behind him, a magenta light cast his shadow before him.
What?!
He whirled to see a magenta fireball—the size of a yoga ball—barreling toward him.
TINK!
He tilted his sword and swung at the fireball, parrying behind him.
BOOM!
An explosion lit the cave in magenta light, lighting him and his paralyzed friends. He turned to the wall of fire behind his friends.
"Tch! The explosions too big. Gotta keep it away from—"
The back of his neck burned again.
He saw the leader's grimoire open, and ten fireballs materialized around him in an arc.
"Let's zee if you can handle zis!"
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Ten more were sent to him. Each collided with his tilted blade, sending a jolt to his arm.
BOOM! BOOM BOOM!
Damn it, I-I need to watch where I parry.
The assault was relentless—arms screaming, leg shaking, hair sticking to his sweat-slicked forehead.
Please… stop!
It didn't stop, it didn't stop for an eternity, the time frame he knew too well.
FUCK! At this rate… I'll be back in the GODDAMN guest room!!!
During the barrage of parries, he ended a few meters away from his friends.
NO! F-FUCK!
His fear materialized. A fireball was released toward his paralyzed friends.
NO!
He sprinted toward his friends, while his legs protested. Time slowed down without his super-speed as he dove with his sword extended.
Come on!
The fireball inched closer to the friends.
COME ON!
Closer.
COME OOOON!
TINK! BOOM!
The fireball flicked from the tip of his blade, exploding among the sea of flames. He skidded to a stop, shielding his head. Jumping to his feet, he stood before his friends.
His entire self trembled, sword pointing anywhere but straight.
THUD!
The cult leader slammed the grimoire shut, disappearing it in his cloak.
"I admire your… tenazity, but playtime iz over. I 'ave other matterz to attend to. Wizout your excuze."
THUD!
Hitting the butt of his spear—which echoed in the cave—the cult leader's body glowed magenta before disappearing in a shower of sparkles.
After that—nothing. Pin drop silence, momentarily pierced by his breathing.
THUD! CLANK!
He collapsed to his knees, raspy breaths tearing from his open mouth.
"Haah Haah Heh, I Haah Haah I'm not done yet! Not Haah passin' out. Not now, anyway. Haah However…"
He let himself lie on the rough ground of the cave, sword still in hand.
"Resting isn't… passing out…"
Eyes open, he stared up at the cavern roof, and let his body go still.
* * *
Countless hours later, the knowledge of day and night was non-existent in the cave. He passed the time repeating the SQ-Lite Code of Ethics.
"Visit the sick. Bury the dead. Be a stranger to the world's ways… what came after that…?"
He heard the two stir above his head.
"Hey! Good morning! Or is it night? I don't know."
The two stood up on shaky legs, holding the sides of their heads.
"Oswald!"
Percival ran up to him, followed closely by Aelindor.
"Are you well? And… what is it you have been muttering?"
Oswald sat up.
"Oh, that! It's uh, some random tenets from a book I recall. I'm fine. Been lying here, waiting for your paralysis to end."
Grabbing his sword, he stood up, his gaze shifting between the two.
"What about you two? Can you walk?"
"Aye. Yet I confess, a certain tingling doth beset my fingers."
"Probably the minute amount of paralysis wearing off. Hopefully, it's gone by the time we leave this wretched place. What do you say?"
With the agreement, they trekked back to the entrance.
Finally, we're out of this godforsaken place.
* * *
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