Lucen’s ears were ringing. The world was a white haze with orange light surging around them. His back felt like a thousand needles had been driven into him.
Would [Blood Rebirth] heal with the shards inside him? He blinked twice to clear his eyes, and found himself face-to-face with Aya.
She smiled. "Thank you."
Lucen let go of her, heat rushing to his ears, and cringed as the pain returned.
"Can you help check if my back is riddled with holes?"
He turned around, and Aya’s cold hand rubbed against the pinprinks of heat on his back.
"You’re actually unhurt, the bruises are already fading."
[Ironbody], how could he forget? Killing the Fiend wolf was the best thing that ever happened to him.
They both glance up. Koril and the Tyrant wolf’s battle went elsewhere. But it was still unnerving to know they could be erased just like that.
"Lucen, how do you know Liam is at the fountain?" Aya said, looking hesitant.
Lucen sighed, "So I t the Sage again..."
"Liam didn’t tell she was a Sage or a seer," Aya muttered, "Sages are so of the oldest Knights around. Most are only loyal to demigods, but the ones that aren’t, are the worst criminals alive."
"We can continue this discussion later. Two wolves coming our way."
"A Fledgling and Stalker," she muttered.
Lucen glanced at her, surprised. He forgot she also had second sight.
"I’ll kill the Fledgling first, distract the Stalker." Lucen enchanted his spear with two breathes
She simply nodded. Lucen climbed from their hiding place and drew the attention of two wolves. The Stalker towered over the Fledgling, and waited behind, gauging Lucen, as the smaller wolf charged imdiately.
Lucen t the Fledgling’s charge head on, slamming the tip of his spear into its iron skull. A bang sent them both back, and Lucen used [Starfall]. His spear turned into a white beam of light, and slamd back into the wolf’s skull.
This ti there was a painful crack, and the wolf shuddered. Lucen rushed forward while it was stunned, his spear returned to his open palm.
The Stalker surged forward with deadly speed to interrupt him. But wisps of white fla ca between them. Aya conjured a fireball while her spell distracted the Stalker.
Lucen smiled and focused on killing the Fledgling. He flanked the stumbling beast, and stabbed his spear into its side. He didn’t need to use the spear’s ability. This ti it cut right through to the wolf’s heart.
Lucen ripped his spear free, warm blood splattering over his boots. The Stalker had avoided most of Aya’s tracking flas, but one sank deep into its lower abdon. The injury hissed and smoke poured from the hole.
The wolf whimpered, slamming its foot into the ground. The stone caved in, but the pain remained.
Lucen approached it slowly. He was stronger now, but this was still a Stalker. It would have physical strength near to a Top-tier Knight.
The wolf howled, and charged forward. Aya sent a fireball streaking towards it, but it jumped out of the way, and lowered its horns to slam into Lucen.
He leapt back, throwing so bone fragnts. The white pieces of bone expanded into spears. But they snapped and broke under the wolf’s charge.
Lucen turned and jumped on top of a collapsed wall. The wolf smashed right through the wall. The narrow footing tilted as the wall collapsed.
Lucen lurched forward, but jumped off just before the wall fell. He ca down on the wolf, and stabbed his spear into the wolf’s back. The spear hit bone and stopped.
Lucen released [Starfall], and the spear turned into a blinding bolt of light. A heavy snap split the air, and the wolf slumped, whimpering.
Aya jogged towards him, watching the sky warily. Heavy sounds shook the world around them. She shouted, "you don’t even need my help."
Lucen let his mana sense spread over the ruined city. Letting the crystal he gave Liam guide him.
His eyes snapped open. "I’ve found him."
Liam was in one of the only uncollapsed buildings. Roaring flas licked its white walls, its doors and windows broken. Lucen could sense many people hiding inside.
He swept into the darkened house, making the civilians jump and grip their weapons tighter.
"It’s . We’re all good. Where is Liam?"
An older woman raised her hands. "He’s here"
Lucen ran over while Aya was instructing them on where to run to. Liam’s face was ashen, eyes closed, and a trial of blood ran from his forehead.
"Go with them, I’ve got him," Lucen said to the woman. He watched her leave the house before cutting his finger on his spear. Then he opened Liam’s mouth and let a drop of his blood fall in.
Color returned to Liam’s face in a rush. He shuddered and his eyes snapped open. "Ahhh!"
Liam sat forward, yelling lightly. "Lucen. Oh, god. I saw a block slam into my—"
He touched his forehead and felt the blood. Lucen pulled him up, consoling, "Don’t worry about it, I healed you."
"Aya!" Liam quickly forgot his injuries, and ran towards Aya, who had just reentered the house. They hugged, smiling brightly despite being covered in ash. Lucen’s lips turned up a little.
Once they were done catching up, Aya turned to Lucen, frowning. "There is a Fiend wolf battling two Knights close by, we have to go."
"You and Liam go without ," he said. They both bristled to argue with him, but he raised a hand to stop them. "I’m not trying to be a hero. But my destiny is here, and I’ll be alright."
Aya stared into his eyes. The world was falling apart around them. But they were both smiling. Liam punched him one the shoulder.
"You still have to beco a Knight before I turn eighteen. So make sure you co back."
Lucen nodded. He hugged Liam, then Aya, and walked with them out of the house. Then he watched them run off, turning back anxiously at him every few steps.
He sent them off with a smile. He felt a strange peace. This was where he was ant to be, death was all around him. But he felt like he found a road through the forest.
Death might be all that waits for him at the end. But he had his spear, and he made his choice. He would live no matter what.
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