Chapter 64: A Name

Chapter 64: A Name

Kithinas wind spell blasted Stryg right off the pillars edge. He wasnt sure what happened, only certain of the radiating pain on his side. He spun in the air, his eyes catching a mere glimpse of a victorious Clypeus, before disappearing over the edge.

Strygs uninjured hand shot out and grabbed the rough side of the pillar. His claws dug into the pillars wall, carving through the stone as he slid a few feet down. His body jerked to a halt, the force of the stop ramming into his shoulder. He grimaced in pain, certain he had pulled a muscle.

Stryg took a shaky breath. His other arm had already been cut open by Clypeus and his kidney was pounded by a magical blare of wind.

He stared down at the chasm pit below. It reminded him of the black pit that served as the entrance to the cave of lamias. The cave where he had run from. The place where he had abandoned what made him a member of the Blood Fang tribe.

Kithina cried out from above. She was in danger, she needed help. He wouldnt abandon his teammates, not this time. Stryg grit his teeth, dug his claws deep into the pillar, and threw himself up with all the strength he could manage. His hand shot out and managed to grip the pillars edge. With a shaky hand he pulled himself over the edge.

Kithina lay on the floor at the other side. Her legs were covered in blood.

Clypeus stood over her, blades pointed at her abdomen. You wont die, but Im afraid youll wish you had.

Stryg stood without another thought.

Clypeus ear twitched, he swerved around, eyes wide. Stryg tackled him in the gut, sending them both over the edge.

Stryg!? Kithina shrieked.

Clypeus and him were in free fall, their bodies careening to the chasm floor. The climbing ropes yanked them back up. Clypeus body jerked backwards as the rope dangled him between the pillars. He cursed as one of his gladii slipped out of his hand. He reached to the side of a nearby pillar, trying to regain his balance.

The rope dragged Stryg upwards before he caught the horrible sound of tearing. His harness slammed him into the side of a pillar. He wheezed for breath. He tried gripping his harness and rope. His eyes turned upwards.

Oh shit, Stryg muttered in horror.

The dangling lifeline was ripping at the strands, half the rope had already frayed. He glanced at the nearest pillar. It was at least twenty feet to the top. He needed to move fast before gravity did its work and smeared him into the chasm floor. He didnt dare pull on the rope anymore. He gripped the pillar as best he could.

Im impressed! Clypeus yelled.

He lunged at Stryg with his remaining gladius. Stryg kicked off the pillar, evading the attack. The ropes fibers split even more. Stryg cursed his luck, he couldnt afford to put pressure on the rope.

After pushing us down here, where are you running off to? Clypeus swung himself over at Stryg.

He wouldnt let Stryg run away. The moment Stryg had thrown them both off the top of the pillar was the moment the goblin had sealed his fate. Clypeus had the environmental advantage. He still had a bit of yellow mana to spare and a good amount of green.

Stryg swung around another pillar, hoping to create some space. Clypeus quickly cast a yellow wind spell. The air converged on his back and pushed him forward. Hed wait for a perfect opening to cast a green stone spell to finish the goblin off.

Kithina couldn't feel her legs, but it didnt stop her from dragging her bloodied body to the pillars edge. She glanced down, past the pillars limits at the ensuing fight.

Please, please, be okay, she whispered.

Stryg was trying to swing away from Clypeus, who kept slashing his gladeus at him. The vampire changed his attack pattern, making a high thrust. Stryg ducked, but Clypeus followed up with a swift kick to the head, slamming his skull into a pillar. Stryg dangled from the rope dazed.

Stryg, hang on! Callum shouted from afar.

Callum was dangling from his own rope only a few pillars away.

Youre not getting to Clypeus! Nora screamed.

She attacked Callum with a blast of water. He was forced to swing away from his friends plight.

Dammit, how do you still have any mana left? Callum asked, astonished.

They had been fighting for the past ten minutes and Nora still had enough blue mana to fling bursts of water at him. He glanced at the weakened Stryg. Something was wrong, the goblin was moving erratically. He hadnt been trying to fight Clypeus so much as run away from him.

Callum caught the potent scent of Strygs blood. He was bleeding, probably severely injured based on his clumsy movements. Callum dodged another torrent spell. He needed to make room for Stryg to recover, but he was too far to help and Nora wouldnt let him get closer.

Loh was surprised. She hadnt known. Did Stryg ever mention the nature of our relationship?

Yes, but he swore me to secrecy. To everyone else hes just your assistant. But, Im guessing you are actually here to check on your apprentice.

Loh nodded in understanding. She didnt wish others to know that she was Strygs master. She should have been angry that her apprentice disobeyed her. Yet, now, it seemed so trivial.

The doctors said that Stryg will make it, though they arent sure when or if hell awaken, Loh said softly.

Felis bottom lip trembled, Strygs strong. I just saw him this morning. I came to the academy to bring him something to eat. He has to wake up, he has to.

I take full responsibility for his injuries. I should have been a better teacher, a better master.

I heard it was an accident, Feli clasped her hands together.

Nonetheless, it shouldnt have happened. Im sorry, your loved one is injured because of my lack of foresight, Loh bowed her head in shame.

Feli laughed bitterly, Thats the irony isnt it? Our whole engagement was set up because we both wanted something from each other, not because we loved each other. Weve only been together for some months now. It hasnt been easy. Ive had to deal with all the antics of that violent little oh-so-ignorant goblin every single day.

Feli looked at the comatose Stryg, Ive watched that adorable face scarf down plate after plate of food, sometimes eating my own food. The latter part was annoying. A lot of things he did were annoying. Some guy tried groping me once. Stryg could have just knocked him out, but he killed him. Blood got everywhere, even on my clothes. It was disgusting.

Feli chuckled, This one time Stryg dragged me out on a walk late at night. I couldn't see anything and I tripped and sprained my ankle. It was horrible But, then Stryg carried me in his small arms all the way back home. He didnt complain once, even though I couldnt stop whining the entire way.

Feli cleared her throat, I dont love him. Affection sure, maybe even attachment, but definitely not love. Because. B-because if I do... A tear fell down her cheek.

Loh gripped Felis shoulder gently, I can resonate with the feeling. The image of the beautiful Tuari fluttered in her minds eye.

D-dont, a soft whisper of a voice muttered.

Loh and Felis faces froze. They both rushed to the bed. Strygs eyelids shifted, but didnt open.

Were here, Stryg, Feli smiled in pain. She placed her hand gingerly over his cheek.

His chapped lips parted, Please, dont

Please, dont what? Feli leaned closer, hoping to catch his words.

Strygs eyes opened slowly. He blearily looked around. Feli and Loh were at his side. His sight was back to normal, the vision of darkness and silver gone. He couldnt remember what had happened, only the faint wisp of a dream now gone.

Stryg, can you understand me? Loh asked intently.

M-master? What happened? He asked weakly.

His throat felt parched, his head stuffy. He tried shifting, pain shot through his entire body. He grimaced.

Try not to move. Youre lucky to be alive. Were in the infirmary of the academy... You fell, Stryg. During the exam your rope ripped and you fell down the chasm. Its my fault, Im so sorry, Loh bit her lip.

Ugh, he groaned. He remembered the blast of light, the darkened beautiful silver vision of the world. He remembered the fire and falling.

Feli wiped away her tears. How do you feel?

Feli? Id feel better in my own bed, he winced.

Once the doctors finish healing you up, well go home, I promise, she sniffed.

Stryg rocked his head to the side, I finally thought of a name.

Eh? For what?

A name for our tribe. The Ebon Hollow. What do you think?