Chapter 19 - Ghost

I finished preparing three tunnel spells. As for any plans I had, I found myself unable to realistically find one. I guessed I could cast the tunnel spell to go down, however, how could I meaningfully travel enough distance to resurface somewhere else? The tunnel spell only allowed me to travel roughly three meters, so if I really wanted to imitate the way these rabbits hide then I would have to find some sort of solution.

At the moment, I was sitting down near a hole that one of the rabbits had dug. As I was thinking of different possibilities, I saw that the rabbit had emerged from the hole and after seeing me, promptly ran away.

I realized my thinking was flawed. I did not necessarily have to exit the ground from somewhere the threat was not at. I could simply remain under as long as the threat has no way of harming me. Later when the threat thinks that I have left I can emerge from the same spot I dug into.

The key point here would be to make sure the threat thinks I am gone. If this wasn't done then they can either wait or take advantage of the fact I stuck myself into a hole. I guess I would have to tunnel at an angle that makes it so I am not visible from the outside.

There was a wolf walking in front of me, it was passing by and hadn't noticed me. Out of reflex, I turned to look at it, and then it turned to look at me.

Honestly, I was kind of nervous to test out the tunnel and hide strategy, but I didn't have Alyx's spell prepared right now. I guess this was going to be as good of a time as any to test it. Before it pounced on me I activated the tunnel spell to the full extent I could. I quickly cast another tunnel spell but changed the angle, so that I would not be visible from the outside.

Some snow ended up falling into the hole, the wolf also seemed to inspect the hole, causing some dirt to fall in. I was getting a little worried because if too much dirt fell in, I would no longer have a way to get air inside and be forced to resurface.

But, this was not the time to be worried. I slowed my breath and closed my eyes. I'm sure if a rabbit was in this scenario it would calm down rather than panic.

As I let myself relax, I felt I was more in touch with my surroundings. Despite having my eyes closed and being stuck in the hole, I could feel tremors in the ground. It was like I could see anything that was moving with a different eye.

Normally I wouldn't even be able to hear the wolf's footfalls, but when I quieted down to the point where even my breath didn't make a sound, I felt it. It was very light, very smooth, but I could feel the wolf moving around.

It was circling the hole, sometimes pausing. I presumed it was looking inside the hole. The air gradually became heavier and the wolf was not leaving. There was a seed of panic in my heart, but I suppressed it as much as I could.

I acted the part of being the earth itself, I was the soil.

The air started to hurt my lungs. I could feel my lungs constrict but not expand. I was truly at my limit at this point.

Thankfully the wolf seemed to notice something and ran away. I burst out of the ground taking long breaths that hurt my lungs. After coughing for a few moments, I recovered myself.

I was a little displeased since my hair got really dirty, but I guess it was still dirty before.

I continued to walk quietly and decided to breathe slower. As my breath slowed, I could feel it again, like I was trapped under the earth. Gradually, my breaths became softer and softer, until they couldn't be heard.

I lurked in the shadows like a ghost.

As I walked I decided to prepare Alyx's spell, the healing spell, and another two tunnel spells to replace the ones I used. I ignored any rabbits that were on the way, occasionally I would be able to bypass a rabbit without it noticing until I was right in front of it.

Eventually, I came across another black figure, which I guessed was also a demon. Different from the other ones, this one had two horns and was not only taller but much bulkier than me. It was carrying a giant stone saber that was strapped on its back.

The demon seemed to just be walking aimlessly. It just kept a slow pace and was slowly navigating the forest.

I wondered if I could take it down. Since it was only one I decided to be a little risky and try it.

WIthout an expression, I followed behind it. The demon was only casually walking but it was not far from the speed I was approaching it. This made the process quite long, as I was making very little distance.

It felt like I was behind him forever. I guessed that over 10 minutes had passed and I was still over 10 meters away from him.

I did not quicken my pace, I remained patient, just like when I was under the earth earlier.

Slowly... Slowly...

I got close enough that if the demon turned around while I was switching between trees I would be found no matter what.

But I did not quicken my pace.

I got closer.

I was close enough that if the demon decided to turn around and slash, the saber would be able to hit me.

But I did not quicken my pace.

I got closer.

At this point, I could reach out and touch the demon.

But I did not quicken my pace.

I got closer.

If I took a breath too hastily the demon would feel it. I could even feel the body heat emanating from the demon. I was right behind him.

I did not rush my actions, I slowly raised the stake.

I swung down and right before it hit, I cast Alyx's spell.

While the demon started screaming and convulsing I was able to pierce the skull. I took it out and then stabbed the neck as well.

At this point, the demon had regained control over itself. It turned around and took out the stone saber. It did not seem to care that it was bleeding heavily out both the back of its head and neck. It prepared a large horizontal swing.

I thought of dodging, but I quickly realized that the demon was no pushover. The sword was coming over quickly. I instinctively used the tunnel spell.

As I submerged into the ground I felt the sword cut some of my hair. I decided to slow my breathing and feel the earth. I was able to visualize where the demon was by the tremors and made a bold move.

I used the tunnel spell upwards right next to the demon.

I burst out of the ground holding my stake tightly. I hit the chin with such great momentum the demon fell onto its back, but I also lost my stake as it got stuck in its chin.

The demon tenaciously stood up again.

I started to back up and the demon chased me. I realized that it was casting a spell I didn't recognize. I decided to run but be prepared to dodge.

The demon cast the spell very quickly. Before I realized it, the demon was done casting the spell and in a few moments raised its foot which was glowing white. The foot almost instantaneously hit the ground.

I saw as the ground quickly became ice. The ground under me quickly became ice, I couldn't outrun it even if I wanted to.

All of a sudden a loud tremble occurred and there was a tall wall that caged me with the demon. The cage was not too big so I had limited dodging space.

The demon swung recklessly, I was barely able to dodge them but I eventually came to a corner.

Even though the saber was huge, the demon wielded it like a feather. It raised the saber high and quickly swung it down on me.

At this moment I felt the savagery and hate in me awaken.

I caught the saber with my hands, but I could not stop it. The saber started to pierce my shoulder, breaking the bone and proceeding to break some of my ribs.

The demon tried to lift the saber but I held it in place. I stared right at the demon's eyes as it struggled to free its sword.

I did not budge. I watched as the demon continued to bleed out slowly.

His struggling became weaker. Then he let go of the saber and fell to its knees...

...No longer moving.

With great difficulty, I pulled out the saber from my shoulder. The blood sprayed everywhere and I almost blacked out right there and then. I quickly cast the healing spell and felt a gentle touch that greatly reduced the pain. I felt bones move back into place and my wound stopped bleeding.

However, the gash in my shoulder did not close up. I laid down on the floor, casting another healing spell while doing my best to endure the pain. After a few minutes of arduous torture, I was able to cast the healing spell and finally close up my terrifying wound.

Though the injuries were gone, I felt incredibly dizzy. I looked at the saber, and considered taking it, but it was far too heavy. Reclaiming my stake, I jumped up to catch the ledge of the ice walls around me.

With ragged breaths, I turned back to look inside the ice cage.

I calmed my breaths, then I disappeared in the forest, like a ghost.