Chapter 27: Sacrifice (2)

Arthur's Point of View

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(Slight Recap)

After realising the power he has, Arthur returns to the village and finally fixes his mistakes. Despite Arthur knowing that his change of heart was too late, he charges straight to the village, hoping to lend his strength to the town for the last stand.

.....

"I hope I'm not too late…" I said, and slid through the mountain's top. It was the quickest way to travel to the ground, and I had no means of flying or gliding through the trees.

As soon as I landed on the soil, I lifted my head and focused on the pavement. I raced towards the waves of trees and made my way down the linear road.

The pungent smell of smoke came into my senses as I hurried towards the jungle. Upon looking around the environment, the flames coming from magic spells continued devouring every tree in sight. It took the ancient trees down as the flames spread to the neighbouring plants.

I had seen deforestation back from my world, but saw nothing like this before.

The choirs of children begging for help came to my senses as I stepped foot on the borders of the town. As I gazed from all directions, half the village got destroyed, while the other half was still standing tall.

However, I knew it was a matter of time before the desolation would consume the place.

Among the burning houses and collapsing trees, groups of villagers sprinted away from the forest fire. With those numbers, those groups of people would scream to their heart's content while running away from danger. However, instead of feeling despair, all of them had a calm expression as they followed the man leading them out of the town.

Despite their attempts, a magic projectile hindered them from advancing on the roads. As I gazed upon the origin of the spell, five figures greeted my eyes. But if I had to squint my eyes, there was an additional force walking towards someone.

"Arthur, is that you?" The villager leading the crowd turned to me and asked.

I faced the man and went towards him, hoping to find more information about the happenings in this village.

… Besides the destruction in front of me, the name of someone I knew popped out from the man's mouth.

"Afenos is in the first borders, together with his sister. He's trying to face the monsters alone while we retreat from this place! You have to save them, Arthur," the man pleaded, with his eyes nearly weeping a waterfall.

I grabbed his shivering hands and replied, "Don't worry. You're doing great. Once I distract the monsters, please leave this city."

The man gave me a nod after hearing my words. He went back to the crowd waiting for people behind and gathered everyone back on the right track. After our exchange, we went separate ways. And it was time for me to act before it was too late.

"I'm doing this all for you, Afenos. You better be alive right now, or I'll kill you myself," I murmured, and rushed ahead of the marching people.

...…..

Afenos' Point of View

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"You… I like you. What's your name, brave child." A voice came out from the Uruk-hai's mouth as the monster trod closer in my direction.

"My name is Afenos! The one who will vanquish you, vile creature, to Hel! Remember my name!"

Uruk-hai's eyes widened upon hearing my words. But the monster did that not because it got frightened but found it amusing to perceive my statements. It was as if mocking me and the words I confessed.

"How can a human-like you defeat me? You don't have a bastard sword, a shield, or even magic! You're just a young boy that wanted to play the hero."

After saying its fill, the Uruk-hai slammed the ground, creating violent shockwaves to me. It disrupted my balance, forcing me to kiss the ground. However, I refused to give up and kill myself from the earthquake alone.

If I planned to battle with the monster, I wanted to give it my all.

Within a few seconds, the grumbling ground finally stopped. The world surrounding me returned to its natural order, but the damage created by the slam distorted the terrains. I gulped the saliva stored inside my mouth as I witnessed the mountains that should be beside me turned into rubles.

It was like the monster had mentioned; I had no power against a being stronger than me. But if I surrender right now, the people I wish to protect would die because of me.

I raised my hand and tried forcing myself to cast a spell. It was a spell that I used before, and the only chance I had to stop my enemies. I planned to cover the entire surrounding with ice.

"It's a slick chance… but I have to do it."

I knew that my mana capacity failed me, since I already exhausted all of it in one go. But if I don't push myself right now, it would be the end of the line for the village… my sister… and me.

My eyes focused on the magic circle forming in front of my hands. That transparent sphere moved clockwise, preparing the minuscule ounce of mana stored inside my body. However, it was not long before those two circles cracked and shattered into pieces.

"NO!" I shouted, but it was too late.

The five ogres were already racing at me like unicorns with wings. I tried it again and forced myself for the nth time… but nothing.

I could do nothing…

"Brother, duck!"

I lowered my head and followed the feminine voice that caught my attention. With my eyes still looking in front of me, the five ogres stopped running. All of them stood in front of me, wondering what happened.

Each of the monsters jabbed the air, but their fist never went through me. The invisible thing remained to shield me, but nothing showed in the air.

"Leave my brother alone."

A girl emerged from the trees with both of her hands glowing with brilliant white lights. The spell that my sister used protected me. It acted like a shield that blocked any forms of attacks, and it was enough to keep my life.

"Rain… You came," I murmured, and went to her side. "But what about the injured people? Who is taking care of them?"

"You idiot! The chief knows something about herbs… and I taught them everything I know about them," Rain retorted.

"Everything? Those herbs are like hundreds of them."

"What? Do you think the villagers are stupid enough to learn them? And besides, aren't we worrying about something? Like that ogress in front of us with one of them standing behind?"

Rain got me good at that point. It made me silent while giving her a nod.

"Yes. You're right. We have more things to deal with besides arguing."

The two of us glanced at the Uruk-hai trudging in our direction. It did not run like its lackeys as it took its time to reach our place. By the time that the Uruk-hai was close enough for our sight, that monster flashed us a grin.

"What do we have here? Sibling of the hero."

After hearing the voice of the monster, my confidence left me. Although I knew my sister could stand her ground, imagining her getting killed by that fiend… made me afraid.

My hands vibrated like the ground earlier. An ocean of saliva filled my mouth as I spared a glimpse of Rain. A vision appeared inside my mind, showing me her body covered with acrid blood. Her head decapitated, resting on my hands.

I finally knew that we couldn't win this match. I did not want to risk my sister's life above anything else.

"Rain, we need to run away," I blurted, while snatching her hand.

Rain did not heed my words and tilted her head. "What do you mean to run away? We need to distract this monster so the villagers can evacuate! What are you saying?"

"W-We can't fight this… we will just lose. Please, my sister. Let's get out of here before…"

"Before what?"

I couldn't give Rain an answer. If I told her I wanted her to survive and abandon the village, it would defeat the purpose of staying here. But I knew that Rain wouldn't also allow me to risk my life in the village… which was why she returned here for me.

"Finally! After countless minutes of waiting, you finally realised the gap between a human and a monster. You will die in my hands and leave this world filled with regret! The world is going to change for the better. I revived for a reason, and that reason brought me here. And that reason calls me! The demon has returned to the castle! And I shall prove my loyalty to the king by killing you two."

The Uruk-hai conjured a magic circle in front of us. It gathered all the arcane in the environment, forcing a whirlwind to absorb anything in its way…