Return of the Fallen Volume 9 Chapter 12
The moment Ogastx threw down a massive rock, the sky darkened and Grek’s vision was filled with the sight of nothing but heavy rock from peripheral to peripheral. He felt no fear in this moment of crisis. Gripping his sword even together, he called out.
“CRESCENT MOON…DRINK!!!”
His crimson sword began to glow and the ground all around him shook as blood came alive and shot out from the ground. The many soldiers that had died before, all of them had blood. Some of them were directly reduced to ash and had left nothing behind but there were still many who had died with a corpse and therefore had plenty of blood.
It was as if Grek had tapped into a geyser as a gush of blood broke through the surface of the land and rushed directly into his blade. His sword took every drop of it in less than a second. Like an infinite sponge, the blood was absorbed entirely.
*TZTTZZTTZTZ*
The blade grew heavy in Grek’s hand and vibrated so loud it irritated the ear and reverberated in one’s chest. Grek’s bloodlust rose and a thrill ran through his spine. Turning the blade upward, Grek placed the tip of the blade just in front of his right foot. His muscles flexed and bulged as he gathered every ounce of strength. He had to put everything into this if he were going to survive, yet even knowing that at anything could go wrong, Grek was only excited.
The very moment the massive rock was in his range, Grek roared out and swung upward with everything he possessed.
“BREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!”
*CRACK BOOOOOOOOOM!*
A red crash of energy struck the hill-sized boulder and an eruption of unleashed potential exploded violently through every crevice, every nook, and cranny and exploded out the other side and continued forth going straight for Ogastx.
Ogastx’s eyes widened in shock. There was no time to move, no time to escape. His ring lit up with power and a suit of crystalized armor materialized around his body in an instant. The very next second, the violent energy that had broken through the rock had slammed into him like a meteor.
The sky was filled with debris for but a moment as the continuing explosion pushed everything away and cleared the sky.
Down below, Grek’s body was shaking as he lost all strength.
His sword suddenly felt infinitely heavy and he could no longer hold it in his grip and dropped it on the ground.
*Chck*
The very next moment, he felt all the muscles in his body start to tear apart and blood seeped out from his pores. Finally, he could no longer hold himself up nor fight the exhaustion and collapsed face down in the dirt. He had no power to even lift his head and see if he had defeated Ogastx or not. Even at this point though, he still remained conscious. One thought and one thought only kept his mind from going dark.
(Have to get to them. Have to save them before…)
“DAMN!”
Grek hadn’t even finished his thought when Ogastx shouted from up above.
*Chssshh*
The armor he had created in that split second didn’t last and began to shatter and fall away.
Ogastx could barely maintain flight and fell/ascended in an ugly fashion.
*Bam*
Even though he tried to slow himself, he still landed hard on the ground. Creating that large hill-sized boulder used up most of his magic and then on top of that he was forced to create a suit of armor to defend from Grek’s unexpected attack.
Slowly Ogastx walked over toward Grek. A limp in his gait, he felt a shooting pain in his leg.
“To think you would use the blood from the dead. It’s no wonder you are a legend. With a magic sword like that, well, I’ll admit, I underestimated you. Still, even without magic, my strength is more than enough to best you, and with the condition you’re in, this fights over.”
Ogastx stood above Grek, looking down at him with the same smirking face as before.
*Thud*
Ogastx gave Grek a kick in his side, causing Grek to flip over on his back. Placing a foot on his chest, Ogastx proclaimed.
“It’s over. Now do you submit to me or shall I kill you and then those you love?”
Grek wanted to roll his eyes but found he had no strength to.
“I…will not…serve you.”
Grek’s words were barely a whisper and he looked extremely weak and pathetic at this moment yet he still dared to tell Ogastx no.
Ogastx couldn’t believe it. It was over, he had clearly won. He held every advantage and he could kill Grek right here and now and yet Grek was still telling him no. Ogastx snatched Grek up by the neck in a rage and squeezed.
“I could snap your fucking neck right now and this would still be your answer. I gave you every opportunity, I gave you too many chances and you’re still being unreasonable and defiant. That stubbornness and arrogance, no doubt it came from your draconic side. Fine, you wish to be so adamant and for no particular fucking reason, then I will do you the favor of killing you now. After you, it will be your precious family. For them though I will do them all slow, one by one in front of each other. You can all reunite in the 7th realm of hell.”
Just as he was about to crush Grek’s throat, Grek mumbled something.
…
Even with Ogastx’s incredible sense of hearing, even he couldn’t quite make it out.
“Was that you begging?”
…
Grek mumbled again and this got Ogastx’s curiosity. He pulled Grek in clsoer.
“What was that?”
The moment Grek was close to Ogastx’s ear, Grek gathered everything he had, was it due to his rage, his willpower or a combination of both. The very second he was near, he roared into Ogastx ear.
“I SAID BURRRRRRRRRN!”
Grek’s mouth opened as wide as possible and before Ogastx could react, a pyre of flames came roaring out.
Fire raging at several thousand degrees slammed into Ogastx’s head and burned him with a blazing inferno so hot it could melt metal in seconds. There was no time for defiance, no time to resist and no time to even try and release a scream. The moment these flames touched Ogastx’s flesh, he was doomed. His face boiled and then melted, his blood evaporated. Every muscle disintegrated and was reduced to ash. His skull charred and his brain melted into a puddle and then vaporized.
In the end, the man became a brittle statue of ash and dust. The moment a gentle breeze blew, the man was scattered across the land and was no more.
*Thud*
Grek collapsed once more and he was done. He had never been so exhausted both mentally and physically in his entire life. Not over the hundreds of battlefields he’s fought through and not through all the grueling life and death struggles. Everything hurt, everything was in pain but still, he could not rest.
Grek slowly rolled over and even with nothing but an undeniable will, he began to slowly crawl through the dirt toward the Great forest.
(I’m coming. Just wait for me, just hang on.)
—————————————————————————-
Chela ran forward with everything she had. At the same time, she held onto Zephris’s hand as if there were no tomorrow as she pulled him with her. Zephris on the other hand carried his little sister Alta along the way. His father had trained him harshly for well over two years, so his strength was several times that of an average adult. Carrying his sister was nothing but something was worrying him.
His mother was not like him nor like his father. She could use a little bit of magic but her body was not that strong and she had been running since last night and now it was early the next day.
Her labored breaths and her heavy sweating were dead giveaways. Zephris understood that at the rate they were going, she would collapse and it would be over.
(Mothers, not goona last like this.)
Zephris looked around the forest before an idea came to him.
Zephris pulled on his mother’s arm and stopped her in her tracks.
Chela looked at Zephris with concern as she thought something had gone wrong. Seeing nothing out of place though she became angry but she wasn’t going to shout and give their location away. Instead, she whispered in a cold tone.
“What are you doing!? We have to keep moving or they’ll catch us in no time. Come!”
CHela tried to pull Zehpris along again but he held firm before throwing her hand off. Gently he sat his little sister down before telling his mother.
“Mom, you are too tired to keep running like this. I will handle those coming after us.”
Chela started at him as if he were insane.
“Stop talking nonsense and come. We have no time for this crap!”
Zephris shook his head.
“Mom, think rationally. You are already reaching exhaustion while I am nowhere near tired. I can lead them away in a different direction while you and Alta run away and escape. I can then circle around after I lose them and catch up to you two. You know this is the best way.”
Chela refused this.
“No, I am the mother. If anything I would let you two escape while I distract them. You’re right, I am not as strong but the forest is still on my side. With your strength, you can take your sister and be out of the forest in no time. It’s best I stay behind instead.”
Chela looked away from Zephris and grabbed Alta by the shoulders.
“Listen, Alta, you hang onto your big brother as tight as possible and don’t let go. Pay attention and do exactly what he says. He’s in charge until Mama or Papa comes to get you. Do you understand?”
Tears were constantly streaming down from Alta’s face. This entire experience was traumatic and she was scared the whole time.
“I don’t want to. I want to stay with Mama! I want Daddy!”
Alta’s crying became louder and louder and Xhela had to figure out something to calm her down. She turned back to Zephris to get him to help and to her shock, he was gone.
“Zephris! Zephris!”
Zephris was nowhere to be found. His voice echoed in the distance.
“Mom, I’ll find you! GET AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE!”
Chela was terrified. First her husband now her baby boy.
“I think I hear something this way!”
An unfamiliar shout rang out in the distance and Chela snapped out of it. She quickly steeled her heart and grabbed Alta, scooping her up and into her embrace before she took off running.
(Damn you Zephris. When I see you, I’m gonna beat your ass until it’s red and blue!)
Comment (0)