CH11 Forced Partnership

The sunlight streamed through the dense canopy of the forest, dappling the ground with patches of gold and green. The air was thick with the scent of moss and earth, and distant birdsong filled the space between the trees. That melody abruptly ceased, the silence thick with unease as a monstrous figure emerged from the shadows. Its elongated limbs twisted unnaturally, and dark tendrils coiled and writhed like living shadows, their movements hypnotic and menacing.

Kael tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, the golden glow of its blade casting warm light across the forest's vibrant hues. He stepped forward, his armor catching fragments of sunlight as he raised the blade in readiness.

"Another Khaedral Wyrm," he muttered, his tone grim. Adopting a defensive stance, he glanced briefly over his shoulder. "Stay behind me, civilian."

Ryo, lounging casually against a moss-covered tree, raised an eyebrow and exhaled sharply. "Right, because hiding behind you is exactly what I was planning to do," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kael ignored him, his jaw tightening as he surged forward. His blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, a precise arc aimed at the creature. The wyrm hissed, its tendrils snapping back as it dodged the strike with unnatural agility. Kael pressed on, his movements a symphony of controlled power and lethal grace, each swing deliberate and devastating.

Behind him, Ryo watched, arms crossed and smirking faintly. "You know, your technique's flawless," he called out, his tone almost amused. "But do you always deliver lines like you're auditioning for a stage play?"

Kael grit his teeth, his focus unshaken. "Focus," he snapped, sidestepping a lash of shadow and countering with a downward slash that sent sparks flying.

"Oh, I'm focused," Ryo said, his sharp eyes tracking the creature's erratic movements. "You're just missing the obvious. Aim for the third joint on its left forelimb. That's a weak spot."

Kael hesitated for a fraction of a second, glancing at Ryo with a mixture of irritation and disbelief. Still, he adjusted his stance and struck where Ryo indicated. The blade connected, and the wyrm let out a guttural screech as its limb buckled, forcing it to stagger backward.

"Lucky guess?" Kael muttered, his golden eyes narrowing.

Ryo grinned, leaning casually on his stick. "Try the base of the tail next. Should throw off its balance."

Kael sighed, his frustration evident, but followed the advice. With a swift, precise slice, he severed the tendons at the tail's root. The wyrm collapsed, its body writhing helplessly as it screeched in disoriented fury. Kael wasted no time, driving his glowing blade through its skull in a single, final blow. The forest fell silent once more, the creature's monstrous form slumping lifeless to the earth.

Breathing measured, Kael straightened and turned to Ryo. "How did you know?"

Ryo stretched lazily, yawning theatrically. "Oh, you know. Years of experience doing this kind of thing."

Before Kael could press further, another monstrous shape darted out from the underbrush. Kael's instincts kicked in, and he moved to intercept, but Ryo stepped forward with an almost careless air. To Kael's surprise, Ryo's movements were fluid, his body weaving effortlessly beneath the creature's claws. With uncanny precision, Ryo's hands struck pressure points along the wyrm's body, his fingers moving with an almost predatory confidence. A sharp palm strike to its throat left the creature gasping, and a quick twist of its limb sent it crashing to the ground. Ryo finished it with a precise kick to the skull, his casual demeanor never wavering.

Kael stared, his golden eyes wide. "How—?"

"Monsters might look scary," Ryo said, brushing dirt off his hands, "but they're just predictable patterns in a fancy package. Predict the pattern, exploit the weakness. Simple."

Kael's lips tightened as he watched Ryo dismantle another approaching creature with the same effortless efficiency. Despite his untrained appearance and lack of proper weaponry, every one of Ryo's strikes was deliberate, his movements perfectly timed.

The forest grew quiet once again, the scattered bodies of fallen monsters lying still in the underbrush. Ryo twirled his stick, grinning at Kael's stunned expression.

"You shouldn't be able to fight like that," Kael said slowly. "Not without training."

Ryo shrugged. "Guess I'm just a natural."

Kael groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That was terrible."

"Yeah, yeah," Ryo replied, smirking. "But admit it, you're impressed."

Kael glared at him. "Hardly."

"Your silence says otherwise," Ryo teased, leaning in slightly. "Face it, you need me."

Kael took a deliberate step back, raising a hand as if to ward Ryo off. "I do not need you. My path is one of solitude—a burden I alone must bear. Partnerships are a distraction. Companions invite vulnerability."

Ryo blinked, then burst out laughing. "Wow. You actually believe that? You sound like the tragic hero in a second-rate novel."

Kael's expression darkened. "Mock me all you want, but I am doomed to walk this path alone. That is the price of duty."

Ryo clapped a hand on Kael's shoulder, grinning as the knight flinched. "Hate to break it to you, champ, but you're stuck with me now. You can brood all you want, but I'm not going anywhere. Besides," he added, his grin widening, "you're way more fun to annoy than those monsters."

Kael groaned, his shoulders slumping. "I already regret this."

"Too late! Partners for life," Ryo declared, giving Kael a cheerful slap on the back before sauntering ahead.

Kael sighed, his golden eyes lifting briefly to the heavens as though pleading for divine intervention. Finding none, he muttered under his breath, "Why must fate be so cruel?"

"Come on, Kael," Ryo called over his shoulder. "Try to keep up, lone wolf."

"I'm not a lone wolf," Kael snapped, striding after him. "I'm… independent."

"Sure you are," Ryo replied