Chapter 13: Chapter 13
Arthur's Point of View
Reed's Farmstead
Rushing in-between the red energy signals, I darted into the Hollow Forest behind them, and likely where they came from. Several began to converge on me in an instant and confirmed that they were, indeed, watching me. Passing through bushes and darting through trees, I led the Ghouls on a chase away from the farm at an incredible pace.
While we did get some distance away from the farm, I watched as they slowly encircled me before confronting me. Not having any other choice, I let them. Continuing to run was all I could do to get away from the farm, so no one else was caught up in this mess. Having no choice but to stop as one of the Ghouls emerged from the trees and slammed into the ground in front of me.
Surrounded by trees and other foliage, the Ghoul stood up and looked at me. "How did you know I was there?"
What I assumed was a Ghoul stood before me. Male, rather large, taller than me, and black hair. However, the rest of his body was cloaked, including his face. A plain black cloak with two red clasps keeping it in place. This wasn't a normal cloak. His movements were shrouded in darkness, as was his face. It was likely enchanted with magic or something along those lines. I didn't know enough about magic to make an educated guess.
"Obviously, I read your palm." Gesturing to him with a pitied expression, I continued. "Your future isn't looking bright."
"You'd be wise not to underestimate me, human." He warned in a deep tone.
"I wouldn't dare. You and your little friends have certainly gone out of your way to track me down." I said, which seemed to startle the Ghoul if the sudden change in his energy was anything to go by. "Am I correct in assuming you're here to avenge your friends from the other day?" The source of this content is N0veII_bIn
His cloak colors were the exact same from the previous Ghouls and almost matched in terms of design. A different group from the same faction... The Ghoul before me seemed to move ever so slowly as he studied me. I kept my ears open for the ones behind me during this entire time, with my sword raised.
"So, it was you that killed our scouting party..." The Ghoul stated.
"I mean, yeah. They were the ones with pet manticores, right?"
"Bold of you to admit that to my face."
Clearly, this Ghoul didn't realize it was me. "Thank you." He did now.
Stumped on what to do, he seemed to lower his defenses to talk, which amused me. "Why did you kill our men?"
Chuckling at that, gesturing to him was all that I did. "Probably because they did the same thing that you're doing now. Confronted me for no reason, surrounded me, threatened me, and gave off a general feeling of being a bunch of bitches. Mostly the last one, but the others were also considered. I promise."
My body changed as I fought, and blood flowed briefly from wounds that healed moments later. I saw my arm transform into something more bluish looking and demonic in nature as my blood evaporated. As if my body was being corrupted, it slowly spread over the rest of my body. Deciding not to fight it this time, I felt my power growing aggressively. A familiar feeling. Much like the one I felt from the Star Creature seemed to be flowing from me.
One of the Ghouls rushed me with a battle cry. "Die!" His arm turned into a pike.
Thrusting it forward, I twisted my body, so my back was facing the ground and brought my sword across his arm. Soon after, I returned to an upright position, and the Ghoul fell to his knees, clutching at his missing arm. Screeching, he rushed me as the others pulled back. This time, I shot my sword forward into his neck for a quick jab, and then kicked him off my sword.
Falling to the ground dead, I stepped forward to look at him and took note of how heavy and bulky my body felt. Ignoring it for the moment, and raising my sword, seemed to unnerve the other Ghouls present. After all, it's thirteen against one now, and I'm still fighting after what seemed like hours. The Ghoul's blood evaporated off my sword, just like my own blood did on my body.
Studying the sword for a moment, I asked the remaining Ghouls a question. "What do you think I should name my sword?" They didn't respond as they looked on in shock. "I was thinking something along the lines of Defiance. You know, like I 'Defy' such and such." Then I shrugged. "Sorry. Normally I'd say something clever, but I'm kind of freaked out a little at the moment." My voice did not sound like my normal voice at all.
"We need to report this." The leader stated, and all of them took positions.
Sighing, I let my head hang back. "Do you really think any of you can leave? I mean, seriously?" When I asked this, I felt a wave erupt from me and cover the area.
Each Ghoul seemed to freeze in horror as they felt it wash over them. "Pull back! He isn't human!" The Ghoul leader shouted.
"Where's the fun in that?" I asked in a distorted voice.
From my peripherals, I could see things protruding from my head. Not that I would be able to see what I looked like. However, as I prepared to charge after the fleeing Ghouls, I took notice that my right leg was missing all its armor that I was wearing. Now it was blueish silver armor that covered my leg's entirety and not just select parts. Much like the Ghouls, I had transformed into something.
Bonus was, I was much faster now. The area turned into a massacre as the battle was now over. Jumping from tree to tree, they practically exploded upon impact, and from me jumping off them. I turned the entire vicinity into a kill zone before any of the Ghouls had a chance to escape. Limbs flew everywhere, bodies were cut in two, and heads were decapitated as blood seemed to rain down upon the area.
Landing after killing the last Ghoul, there was now a clearing with tree stumps, and other debris painted a crimson red. Not knowing how to truly control whatever it was I did, I too, was covered in blood. At least it was evaporating quickly. However, after I made sure each Ghoul was dead, I reached up and felt something along the lines of horns protruding from my head.
"I probably look like a fucking demon. Jesus H. Christ." I mumbled to myself and closed my eyes to try changing back. As luck would have it, "Oh, thank god." It worked.
Studying my limbs, I saw no blood and that they had returned to normal entirely. Relieved didn't even begin to describe how I felt. After all, I was worried I'd have to wander around as the creature I turned into for who knows how long. Thankfully, all was right in the world. Putting my sword on my back after checking to make sure my armor was all accounted for, I rubbed my eyes.
"I'm going to have to do something about this..." I whispered as I looked across the bodies. "Especially if these assholes are going to keep showing up while I'm sleeping." Focusing my eyes on one of the dead bodies in disdain, I was somewhat disturbed when it just started melting to the point of popping. "What... The fuck..." My left eye started straining, and I closed it.
Covering it with my hand, I was confused about whether I was just tired or if my eye just blew up a body. If that's even what it did. Looking around with my right eye, I saw one of the black cloaks that didn't appear to be covered in blood. Grabbing it and ripping it apart, the cloak was quickly wrapped around my head to cover my left eye.
However, as I finished, I heard someone speak from behind me. "Arthur?"
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Hey guys and gals! Story is doing great so far and I have a lot more planned! Just finished the first arc on the patron and moving into the second! If we get over 500 Power Stones for the story, I will release an extra chapter on Sunday!