[Gerrard Freya Flashback]
"I can help," Jianna resisted, a stubborn flash in her eyes. "I told you, just call —"
"I won't risk it." Gerrard cut her off, his voice laced with an urgency she'd never heard before. "Your father would—"
A guttural chuckle from the throne interrupted him.
"Interesting, human!" The minotaur's three heads spoke in dissonant harmony. "Amongst the warriors who wield that weapon, I sense a power in you that blazes brighter than most."
There was no ti for talk.
Gerrard infused his blade with aura, the tal glowing fiercely.
Ignoring Jianna's cry, Gerrard surged forward, a blur of determined focus.
As he ran, he swung his sword imbued with aura.
SLASH!
A crescent of pure energy launched from the blade, aid with deadly precision at the monstrous creature.
The minotaur wasn't caught off guard. Its three heads swivelled in unison, the angry one roaring in fury as it rose to dominate the center position.
BASH!
With a thunderous crash, the beast slamd both massive hands onto the ground.
The cavern floor trembled in response, and a wall of earth rose with startling speed, an attempt to shield the minotaur from the oncoming attack.
But Gerrard's strike was unstoppable.
The aura-infused slash cut through the earthen wall like a hot knife through butter.
SHAAAA!
It collided with the minotaur's chest with a resounding clang, leaving a deep gouge in the thick hide.
The roar that erupted from the beast was a terrifying feeling of pain and surprise.
"You've penetrated my skin, human!" bood the middle head, a grudging respect tinging its voice. "You are worthy of my full strength!"
As Gerrard pressed his advantage, charging towards the wounded beast, the minotaur's central head rotated again.
This ti, the sympathetic head faced him. A deep breath filled the room, and with a sudden, forceful exhale, the Minotaur unleashed a powerful gust of wind.
It blasted towards Gerrard like a sharp, invisible blade, aid to kill him within one move.
But Gerrard was ready. With a flick of his wrist, he channelled his aura.
SHING!
As he deflected the wind current harmlessly upwards. The air shimred as the force dissipated high above.
up!
Gerrard's heart pounded against his ribs as he forced himself upwards, using aura burning beneath his feet.
He aid a decisive strike at the wounded minotaur, the blade crackling with overwhelming power.
It was a desperate, reckless gamble – a final, all-or-nothing attack.
Ti seed to slow. Just as the tip of his sword was inches from its target, a chilling grin spread across the minotaur's monstrous face.
With a speed wholly unexpected from its massive size, the creature swiped upward, snatching Gerrard out of the air in a crushing fist.
"...!"
"Such a sha," the minotaur hissed, its voice a discordant chorus from its remaining heads.
"You could have shown more, human."
The pressure was unbearable. Gerrard's bones creaked, and he felt a spurt of hot blood as the minotaur's grip tightened.
"Instead," the monster bood, "I'll consu you, gain the strength of a new head!"
The hideous, fanged jaws opened wide. The minotaur lowered him towards the gaping cavern of teeth.
As Gerrard has accepted his death...A sudden flicker of movent had occurred, he prayed that it was soone strong, he hoped.
He closed his eyes, calling out for her na.
"Jianna."
Her silver hair flashed as she charged into view, and her blade transford into a shining lance of pure lightning.
Her voice, fierce and unwavering, cut through the room.
"Form 1... Reckoning!"
SHAWWWWWWW!
A colossal crescent of lightning ripped through the dungeon.
With a force that could split the earth, it arced across the minotaur's imnse form.
Gerrard was blinded for a mont. The Minotaur's body split in two with a deafening roar.
One-half of the creature, along with the arm still crushing him within its grip, tumbled away lifelessly.
The world spun in disarray. Gerrard's body scread with pain, his vision going in and out of focus.
He was falling through the air unable to move any part of his body.
Then a shock of silver flashed before his dimming sight. Jianna.
Her arms caught him before he could crash to the floor.
He felt the heat from her body, the comforting pressure as she lowered him to the ground.
Every nerve in his battered body was on fire, yet he couldn't look away from her face.
Gerrard was in complete shock, but it was slowly giving way to a soft, triumphant smile.
"Guess y-y-you owe one, Blondie," she managed, a forced lightness in her tone.
Her smile trembled, worry carved on her face.
There was a catch in her voice, a desperate feeling of relief that her words couldn't hide.
Exhaustion washed over him, and his eyes drifted closed.
...
...
...
Gerrard rested and finally opened his eyes, his vision blurry and fragnted.
The familiar ache in his body confird the events weren't a dream.
He was alive, battered but breathing.
And his head wasn't feeling the hard ground from before, a sight that sent a jolt through him.
Looking up towards Jianna, who had gently placed his head on her lap, shook with silent sobs.
"Right… sorry," he rasped, his voice hoarse.
He tried to move, his eyes landing on her teary face.
It was an image he never thought he'd see – the fearless friend he knew, reduced to bare emotion.
Before he could stop himself, his hand, throbbing with pain, reached out to wipe away a stray tear.
"Don't cry," he murmured, the words rough against his dry throat. "It's my fault."
Jianna's eyes snapped open, locking onto his.
Her grip tightened on his hand, pulling it close to her cheek.
"Don't fight without , okay?" Her voice was thick with emotion.
Gerrard flinched the vulnerability in her gaze sothing he didn't know how to handle.
He looked away instinctively, muttering, "Right…"
But Jianna wouldn't let him have his way anymore.
She held his face, forcing him to et her eyes.
"Look at , Gerrard…" she pleaded, her voice trembling slightly. "You're always looking sowhere else… and not at . Just this one ti… look in the eyes…"
Her voice dropped to a whisper, "Promise you'll never fight without again."
Gerrard held her gaze, his own eyes softening with a complex mix of emotions – gratitude, surprise, and a feeling he didn't understand.
Finally, he spoke his voice filled with sincerity, "Okay. I promise."
_____________
Authors notes:
- After this dungeon subjugation Jianna achieved the title of Sword Saint after slaying the S-Rank Monster 3-Headed Minatour (Hybrid Variation: Mutated]
- I was contemplating on saying Gerrard's vision was half-covered when he woke up ifykwim1. (I didn't want to break the importance of this scene.)
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