Chapter 151: Towards the End to Begin

Du'kki Island was vast enough that hunters of different ranks and numbers populated the place. Companions being top of the list to be gone missing. Most of them never returned, some did return, but only the hardened will to have the guts to return to the island.

Lost Companions were common occurrences, the second was the Hunters. Although valuable, most of the Hunters ranking below gold was neglected. Being a Hunter was lucrative indeed, but the Hunter's Guild Association wouldn't spare to much of resources to look for the missing. Especially if the hunter weren't even at the top of the list.

And Sasani wasn't even a Hunter, she might be a Companion herself, or joined a party of Hunters to gain experiences under the mask of Swift. She might be a porter like Ned, a runner, or perhaps a looter.

But now, it doesn't matter, the group of well-organized beasts were after them. And luckily, Twali was a servant willing enough to risk his life for his lady.

With Rickart on his back and a swollen wrist, with empty scabbard. Ned couldn't afford to fight, not at his current predicament.

The orange tree was massive, almost spanning five or six people holding hands together to form a circle. The base was hollow and dark, and empty. No Sasani.

Like a bullet eager to hit, an arrow whistled behind Ned—behind Rickart to be precise. The sound was whistling, and fast.

Ned crouched, almost letting go of Rickart. He gritted his teeth with the weight of both him and the scout.

The arrow hit a strand of Rickart's hair. Ned spun ducking, facing where the arrow came from.

It was from a tree, not fat enough like the orange one but enough for a person to hide. An arm peeked at the edge of the tree. Smooth, long, and trembling.

Clouded yet recognizable, a figure with dark hair and rounded eyes gazed at Ned. "It's me," Ned said to Sasani—she seemed delirious. "Sasani."

Lowering her shooting arm, Sasani almost jumped noticing Ned's dusky blue eyes—reflecting under the beam of the moon. "Ned?" She said, biting the bottom of her lips. "Ned?" She said again, making sure she wasn't seeing things. "What—where? How did I end up here?"

"Twali," Ned replied, pulling Rickart and preventing him from falling off Ned's grasps. "It was Twali, he came. But... "

Ned narrowed his eyes, gazing at Sasani's torn leather pants. Some parts have shown a white thin undergarment, a tiny cut from her left leg. It shows her pale skin. She wore Ned's cloak much obliged.

Swiftly, Sasani retracted her hands to cover her torn pants. "What happened?" She asked, looking at her bruises with some scrapes. "Why—" Sasani pulled open Ned's cloak. Looking under her chin, she blushed. "Who's cloak?"

"Mine."

"Then?"

"No."

Still blushing, Sasani let a soft breath. "Then, how?"

"Gogmurch—"

"Gogmurch?"

"Yes," Ned said. "The old goblin—Gogmurch, threw a quick slap behind your neck. And you went unconscious. They then... "

"They?" Sasani asked. Pulling herself out against the tree, walking close to Ned. Her hands pulling the cloak down, trying to cover the torn pants. She stepped on a stick, snapping it. Against the cooing and buzzing of unknown creatures, Ned turns his head toward the darkened area of the forest. To his right, he saw green light floating, maybe gliding, like fireflies. He was worried about something or nothing.

"They," he said to Sasani. Looking back at her. "The goblins. They tried to—" Ned stopped, trying to find the right word to not let Sasani be in shock. "They tried to toy with you."

Her hands trembled. She clasped it close to her chest, under her chin. Then reached for the orange tree to support herself from falling. Her legs quivered. "Did—"

"No, they didn't."

"But you said Twali," she said. Now worried, her eyes turned to where a quick boom echoed. It was to their west. Where Twali was.

"He said to look for you," Ned said, "and leave. He will be fine, Sasani."

No, he won't. But going back. Will make ourselves a hindrance. Ned thought, unknowingly smiling as a mock to himself. This is worse than being weak. I, a hindrance—

"Ned," Sasani said, breaking Ned's belittling thoughts. "Thank you."

Ned nodded without saying back. He wasn't the right man now to receive thanks. I wasn't. It was Twali. Yes, it is he who saved us. Not me Sasani. Not me.

[Ned.]

ICE echoed, considering Ned's emotions.

[You are being worried about nothing.]

[It was obvious.]

[Not even Sidric could fight Gogmurch.]

[It wasn't that you are weak.]

[You lack the proper training.]

[It doesn't matter what your knowledge of the past if the current you are doubtful.]

[Sooner or later. You will become strong. Your body needed proper accommodation to achieve what you desire.]

"Ned," Sasani said. "Are you okay?"

Her voice made Ned back to realization. The current him; the current time. Must survive. He thought.

"We need to leave," Ned said in response. "Now."

Sasani nodded. Ned circled the fat-tree and proceed close to where Darwyn and Erin were. Sasani followed after she gave a deep look at the forest.

"Can you move fine?" Ned asked. Looking at Sasani to his right. Water splashed as they crossed a shallow stream. Corcas and rabbis galloped in the distance to their left. They made way as the two entered another forest.

It was then that fatigue sunk into Ned. His arms strained, it felt hot. Accompanied by a prickling sensation, like needles boring to each of his muscles. His legs felt numb. But not now, it wasn't the time. How long have we been traveling? Ned thought. Exiting a forest, yet entering another one. Fifteen, twenty. He gritted his teeth.

"Ned," Sasani said, hair fluttering against the upcoming wind. "He seemed... Dead?"

She was referring to Rickart. He wasn't. I felt it. The thumping of his heart, the warmth of his breath. He was asking to be alive. Ned thought. Looking at Sasani in return. "No, he is not," he said.

After entering the forest, it was then that Ned saw Olive Zest Herb. Although numbing, he dashed even further. Making Sasani frowned.

Her frowning stopped. Her eyes widened, and in shock, she stopped on her track.

Ned stopped. Close to him was a knight with blue armor, lying upside down. "Darwyn," Ned said. He sighed, not far from them was a tree. There he laid Rickart.

The scout breath, rapid and blood seeping between his teeth. His eyes closed, neck bending. His chin and chest touched each other. His left arm hung freely and blood—although fresh—trickling bit by bit. The first aid won't hold for long.

Ned turned to the dead knight. "Gone," Ned said.

"Gone?" Sasani asked and walked close to Ned. Her hand holding the top of her cloak. Locking it between her chest.

"The bag"—my bag, Ned thought shaking his head—"the pile of monster parts, Darwyn's pouch. Everything," Ned said sweeping the surrounding with his eyes. Aside from the butrikis and swamp goblins lying dead, almost making a small hill. The rest—their quest, was gone. "And Erin too." Ned sighed.

Beside Darwyn's dead body was a trail of footprints, numbering from three and another light and shallow print. Smaller prints, that of a lady.

His body breath after Ned released Rickart. Worrying would lead him to nothing. Not until he found Erin.

But, Ned countered his thoughts. I gave him the bag, the reward was his. Ned sighed. Pulling Rickart off the ground back to his back. He spun and behind Sasani he saw something.

A black figure entered his sight. The figure then threw himself on the ground, kneeling. It was Twali with haste, his breathing was rapid—very rapid.

"My lady," he said. Catching his breath. He knelt on one knee, while his right hand resting on his right knee. The twin blade was nowhere to be found. Silver ring gleamed under the late moonlight.

Sasani jumped and spun looking at Twali with shock. "Twali!" she cried. Gripping the servant slash butler between his arm. "You're here!"

"Yes, my lady," Twali answered. He then stood without Sasani's command. His thin and dark brows knitted as if against his behavior towards Sasani. He breathed then spoke. "We need to leave, my lady."

And again, although he seemed to counter his behavior, he held Sasani's arms and strode toward the narrow passage with trees. The path was going toward the Hunter's Guild Association outpost.

Twali looked over his shoulder toward Ned. "Kid, follow," he said. "We need to keep moving."

He was worried. But not long after, it was confirmed Twali's suspicions. Trees snapped to half like twigs, ground almost trembling against the rumbling sound. It was Gogmurch. The old goblin followed them and caught them. It has been twenty minutes after they left where Darwyn's body was. Another minute or two, maybe five, they will reach the massive gate.

It was loud, Gogmurch's bellowing. He wasn't just angry. He was fast and furious toward Ned. The ground shook as if it was having an earthquake.

Twali leads the path, Sasani behind him. Ned followed with Rickart slung like a bag on his back. He must endure. They could see the top of the iron gate. Torches shone against the night. Hunters walked back and forth atop the massive wall.

Every second was a thump. Gogmurch was catching to them. He should with ease, as he shoves trees so massive yet so tiny against his arms. It snapped, then snap, and snap. Trees snapped and bent like a king passing by. Gogmurch then jumps, ignoring the towering trees.

A light then burst above the gate. It was the Hunters, they were alarmed by the massive goblin.

With the light making the forest and the path visible, Ned and the rest ran even faster. But it also gave Gogmurch a chance to see the fleeing humans. With his thick arms, he hurled the giant war-ax toward the party—no, to the human who tore his arm. To Ned.

Sasani looked behind, her eyes widened. She stopped and cried: "Ned!" She then pointed toward the coming ax.

Along the way, just like his master, the war-ax cut trees in half like a hot knife pressing against a butter. It spun with ease.

With haste, Ned evaded the war-ax. It went passing him, Sasani, then Twali. The ax boomed against the massive wall, stopping and cracking. The ax was stuck against the thick wall.

Under the moonlight, a massive shadow was cast on the ground—where Ned has been standing. Gogmurch leaped a dozen meters away toward his target.

"Ned," Sasani cried once more.

A quick blue light entered Ned's vision. Behind him, clang and bang resounded. It was Twali blocking Gogmurch's massive punch, he was pinched with his back bending against the massive force. "Go!" Twali cried without looking to Ned and Sasani. Veins popping on his forehead. Jaw marked with lines against his gritting teeth, and eyes bore the old goblin with an intent to kill.

Ned dashed toward the gate, leaving Twali against the massive and old goblin.

Hunter ran in the distance, some cried with a hint of happiness. They should, it was Gogmurch, a Unique and Evolved kind of goblin. He must worth a fortune.

A blur came running beside Ned. Black suit and black vest, it was Twali holding his blades. He went straight to the wall. A boom echoed, dust flew, rocks were thrown. Twali was thrown or punched toward the massive wall. He fell unconscious.

Ned gritted his teeth, he spun then put Rickart to the ground with haste. He then ran to his right, making sure to lure Gogmurch away from the two.

It was a success, Gogmurch followed Ned. Eyes bore Ned with great intent to kill. He leaped, fifteen maybe twenty meters high above the ground.

Before conjuring the last of his spell, Ned cursed. Lifted his right hand, it felt hot, but Ned ignored the pain. He muttered. Gogmurch on ten meters. Distortion came into view at the end of his palm. Gogmurch at eight meters above. Fire sparks, Ned gestured. Gogmurch at five meters above. Ned cried and successfully conjured a spell. Gogmurch at two meters above. He can't evade midair, and so does Ned.

"Eg"—Ned clutched his right hand with his left—"nious!" He bellowed.

Injecting all his mana down to ten. A massive fire spell was conjured. It went throbbing to his hand then flew with a spark. It went boom. Hitting Gogmurch at point-blank right on his old and crooked face.

The surrounding roared with the fire spell. Hunters stopped and stood with awe as the spell enveloped Gogmurch. Sasani cried Ned's name. The trees bent with the wind pressured away from the point of blast. A massive part of the front gate shone like daylight.

Smoke and a smell of burnt flesh encircled the surrounding. Gogmurch fell after the spell. It wasn't clear if he was dead, but one thing was right. His face deformed with fire, black smoke churn with green liquid seeping out his mouth.

Ned stood still like a statue. His breath was steaming against the heat. His face turned red, and his body oozed with steam. Yet, he seemed to be in dazed, confused, or unconscious. He pulled his hand back to his side. Across him was the old goblin in a fire. Ned fell on his knees, the display went breaking. A sound then chimed inside his thoughts.

[Egnious leveled up.]

Ned's display turned black with a click and shut his eyes.