The Giant Slayer
The tent was silent for a moment, but erupted with panic in the next.
"Calm down!" [Tida]
In face of a crisis, she was the first to gather her bearings.
("Where is the head nurse?!") [Tida]
Seeing that no one else was in the right state of mind, she decided to step up.
"Evacuate the wounded!" [Tida]
The other nurses in the tent began preparations to move, bringing with them wheelchairs or simply carrying the injured.
"P-please hurry! They're coming!" [Trainee]
As he spoke, a thunderous boom resounded in the background. Screams echoed outside along with roars of an unknown source.
"What was that?!" [Ryse]
"Don't worry about it right now! Just move Askyros for me!" [Tida]
Ryse tried putting his arms underneath Askyros, but was shoved backwards in refusal.
"I don't need it." [Askyros]
His bandages loosened as he stood up, revealing a sturdy build underneath.
"You're already healed?" [Ryse]
He wanted to ask Tida for confirmation, but she was occupied with the current crisis.
"Are there any clothes I can borrow?" [Askyros]
"Uh… let me get you something." [Ryse]
He rushed to the back of the tent, passing Tida in a hurry.
"Hey! What are you doing?! I told you to help Askyros!" [Tida]
"I am!" [Ryse]
He came running back with a thin brown shirt and handed it to Askyros.
"...A thin shirt made out of wool." [Askyros]
He slid it on, adjusting it to a comfortable position.
"I'll be back in a bit." [Askyros]
"What?" [Ryse]
Askyros began to walk out of the tent, but felt a hand on his shoulder.
"You're staying with us." [Tida]
She held out a hand and murmured something under her breath.
"Sun hilm spathi, Blessed Wield!" [Tida]
A bright light flared from her palm, conjuring a golden longsword.
"Use this. You're going to watch our back." [Tida]
The sword levitated, practically brimming with power.
"..." [Askyros]
Extending a hand, he wrapped his fingers around its handle. Giving it a small practice swing, he felt satisfied.
"It's good." [Askyros]
The roars and screams grew increasingly louder, bringing the urgency of the situation to those in the tent.
"We have to go!" [Tida]
With Tida as the lead, she guided the nurses and their patients to the back of the tent.
"What are we doing here?!" [Ryse]
"Here." [Tida]
Grabbing what seemed to be a loose string from the ceiling, she tore down the backside of the tent.
"Lets go." [Tida]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Escaping from the back of the tent, Askyros took a look behind him.
("What is THAT?!") [Adam]
A lizardlike creature the size of a two story building rampaged through the training field, its golden scales glistening with blue sparks of electricity coiled around it. It seemed to chase after a singular figure swiftly avoiding its attacks as it exhaled a strange orange flame.
("It's Sitros!") [Adam]
Sitros wielded a blue sword and dagger, seemingly constructed out of ice.
"It's a shock dragon!" [Ryse]
"As if I couldn't see it! Quit the chatter and run!" [Tida]
"But where!" [Ryse]
"There should be another base stationed east of here!" [Tida]
"We're going to be labeled as deserters!" [Ryse]
"It's fine! Only our tent is authorized to do this! Even if we- woah!" [Tida]
The ground trembled, causing most of the nurses and patients to lose footing. Looking back, they saw a standoff between the shock dragon and Sitros.
"What the hell is he doing?!" [Tida]
The two had their respective elements swirling around them, as if preparing for a decisive blow. Lightning curled up to the shock dragon's mouth while Sitros held out his sword, murmuring something under his breath.
"There they are! Kill them!" [???]
"RUN!!" [Ryse]
Armored men appeared before them, the flame symbol on their chestplate signifying their allegiance.
"For the Sovereign of Vengeance!" [Soldier]
Identifying the danger, Askyros stood in front of the group and confronted the soldiers.
"Askyros!" [Ryse]
"Go!" [Askyros]
He charged at the soldiers and they rushed forward in return. Slashing left and right, Askyros bulldozed through most of the soldiers easily.
("He's… doing it!") [Adam]
Bodies fell before him, bashing them to the ground until they hit the ground. Not too soon, they all began to retreat.
"R-retreat!" [Frightened Soldier]
"I-its a monster!" [Wounded Soldier]
They inched backwards, unable to withstand Askyros' might.
"Stand your ground!" [???]
A voice bellowed, seemingly freezing the soldiers with overwhelming fear.
"If I see any of you running, I'll have your head!" [???]
A certain individual pushed their way through the crowd of soldiers, revealing a man of large stature. His armor was pure black, the flames of vengeance engraved on his chestplate in red. He held out his chest with confidence, donning a cape befitting his status.
("Dang! Is he seven feet tall?!") [Adam]
"Who is it?!" [Caped Soldier]
His subordinates backed away as quickly as they could, leaving Askyros out in the open.
"Is it you?! You dare go against his highness' will?!" [Caped Soldier]
"Captain Kafma, Be careful! He's not normal!" [Soldier]
"Not normal?" [Captain Kafma]
He looked up and down, attempting to get a read on Askyros.
"Perfect! Someone fetch me my sword!" [Captain Kafma]
As he spoke, Askyros' eyes were drawn to the sword on Kafma's hip. Noticing his gaze, Kafka unsheathed his weapon.
"Are you intimidated by this toy? Worry not, I will show you a real man's weapon!" [Captain Kafma]
He cast aside his blade while his subordinates struggled to bring him a large object wrapped in cloth. It took four men to hold the object and two men to unwrap it, unveiling an astonishingly large sword.
"This is what I'm talking about!" [Captain Kafma]
He lifted the sword with a single hand, leaving the surrounding people in amazement. A blade as large as the average human being, and a handle the length of an arm, it was quite the sight to behold. Kafma swung the blade effortlessly, generating gusts of wind from each swing.
("What the hell did this guy eat to be this strong?!") [Adam]
Askyros silently observed the sword, feeling an ominous aura leaking out of it.
"The Giant Slayer, a sword bestowed upon me by his highness, the Sovereign of Vengeance himself." [Captain Kafma]
The Giant Slayer had a double sided edge, ordinary in appearance, but its sharpness was not typical at all. This weapon was the most barbaric sword Askyros had ever seen.
"...This should serve as a warm-up." [Captain Kafma]
Without warning he slashed downwards at Askyros, kicking up dust from just the air pressure.
"Hm?" [Captain Kafma]
As the dust settled, Kafma's expression slowly turned into shock.
"This is a good sword." [Askyros]
Rays of light peeked through the dust, the longsword in hand shone with vigor in the palm of Askyros. Holding Tida's sword with one hand, he had taken Kafma's attack head on.
"...You're strong." [Captain Kafma]
"You as well." [Askyros]
Thinking of ways to buy time, he tried to make small talk as the Ryse and the others escaped. Taking a small glance behind him, he saw that his companions had made it a safe distance away.
"Thinking of your friends?" [Captain Kafma]
"..." [Askyros]
Thanks to Captain Kafma, the soldiers came to the realization that they're letting the enemy escape.
"Chase after them!" [Soldier]
"Tsk!" [Askyros]
Irritation showing on his face, he began to follow after the soldiers.
"Don't move!" [Captain Kafma]
The soldiers halted their advance, confused as to why they were ordered to stop. The same feeling came to Askyros. He was perplexed by the Kafma's decision, putting an end to his sprint.
"Boy, give me your name." [Captain Kafma]
He plunged his greatsword into the ground before him, resting his arms on it as he waited.
"...Askyros" [Askyros]
"Good. You're quite powerful. Men like you are rare nowadays." [Captain Kafma]
"..." [Askyros]
"I'll give you a chance. Why don't you come to our side?" [Captain Kafma]
The offer was tempting. Askyros thought back to how his country had only beaten him, but he wasn't sure how the other side would treat him.
"I…" [Askyros]
As he was about to reply, a thought came to him. An image of Ryse came to mind, fortifying his will.
"Refuse." [Askyros]
"..." [Captain Kafma]
Plucking his sword from the ground, he inhaled deeply before releasing a long sigh.
"That's a shame." [Captain Kafma]
He thrust forward, faster than his first surprise attack.
"Ugh!" [Askyros]
Having to use both hands, Askyros blocked the strike.
"Oh ho~" [Captain Kafma]
His speed increased, lugging around the enormous blade with ease. Askyros' senses heightened, evading and blocking as his adrenaline skyrocketed.
"Sky Splitter!" [Captain Kafma]
Breaking off from the stream of blows, he spun around and slashed horizontally.
("That's bad news!") [Adam]
In an instant of judgement, Askyros ducked underneath it. An ear splitting crash came from behind, and then came a shockwave befitting it.
"Ah… I messed up…" [Captain Kafma]
Askyros' eyes widened as he took in the view behind him.
("What the hell…") [Adam]
The shock dragon facing Sitros was cleaved in half, along with the mountain range far in the background.
"Men! We're retreating!" [Captain Kafma]
"But sir!" [Soldier]
"I said to withdraw!" [Captain Kafma]
The soldiers seemed unsatisfied, but they obeyed. Not a single one of them wanted to fall victim to Kafma's Sky Splitter for insubordination.
("They're… leaving?") [Adam]
Without looking back, Kafma waved to Askyros.
"Askyros, it was a shame things had to end like this. But I do believe this won't be the last time we meet." [Captain Kafma]