The Distorted One (2)

Clang-Clang-Clang!

He's at the same speed as me. How is that possible?

Out of everyone in my tribe, I was the fastest one.

I looked over at Noctem, who was lying on the ground. He was crawling behind the coffin, blood spilling from his legs. So he's not dead, huh? I expected him to be after what this guy did.

I was clashing with the distorted one and to think that he is on the same level as me.

No, I can tell that he's holding back on his speed. He thinks he won't need to go full-speed to beat me. Well, that will not happen. Only someone faster than me can beat me, so you're gonna have to step up your game.

I started swinging my dagger's faster, and I was starting to leave marks on his sword. Finally, some damage. Upon inspecting the distorted one up close, I noticed that his vital points are the holes in his helmet and the unprotected parts on his arms. He was wearing lighter armor than the ones we fought outside.

The distorted one attempted to thrust the end of his sword into my chest, but I dodged and attempted to thrust one of my daggers into his eyes.

Suddenly, his horn glowed.

Shatter!

What?

My dagger suddenly shattered into millions of pieces. I didn't even hit him yet, and it broke. How did he do that?

Bam!

He smacked me with his sheath, and I flew across the room, landing on my back. The distorted one sheathed his blade and started to head for me.

When his horn glowed, my dagger broke. Could that be how he's distorting the air? If I can somehow break it, then he won't be able to distort the air around him anymore.

I just need an opening, and then I'll be able to break that horn off him.

Tap-tap-tap~

Screw that, I'll just slit his throat.

I picked up my dagger and ran towards him. My eyes were locked onto his throat. I gripped my blade and got ready to swing. Then I dashed towards him at full speed.

But then, as I took my third step, he suddenly appeared in front of me and trusted the end of his sheath into my stomach.

"Gough!"

He's fast, I didn't even see him move from his spot.

He sent me scattering across the ground, and I was stopped by the coffin.

Splash!

I landed in the puddle of blood.

Slash!

I suddenly felt a burning pain in my legs.

"AHHHH!!!!!"

My legs started to bleed. How did he injure my legs?

My blood was being mixed with the puddle of blood that I landed in.

This is Noctem's blood, right? So...

I looked right then left, Noctem was nowhere in sight.

Where did he go? Did he run away?

I knew he was a coward. Just from first glance, I knew he was a coward. Using summons instead of fighting himself. Those monsters we fought just out of this room were weak and slow. He probably beat one of them by dumb luck.

Tap-tap-tap~

The distorted one began approaching me. Slowly unsheathing his blade.

It's over, I'm about to die.

I looked beside me, my dagger was there lying on the floor. Those daggers were a gift from my father before he died. I quickly grabbed it and held it close. I will not die like this, if I'm going to die, I'll take this guy with me.

I tried standing up, but my legs were weak. I guess it's really over if I'm not even able to stand up.

The distorted one held his blade with both hands. He was standing only a few meters away from me.

"Come closer so I can kill you..."

I growled as I attempted to get up again.

The distorted one shook his head as if he was giving me pity. Then he swung his blade and the air in front of me became distorted.

It's over...

But then.

Bam!

I suddenly felt someone push me to the side. I turned my head, and it was Noctem.

Slash!

An arm flew by and landed next to me. It gave out a faint blue glow.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH, MY ARMMMM!!!!!"

Noctem screamed as he looked at his arm. The distorted one tilted his head and sheathed his blade. Noctem was yelling his head off as blood was spewing out of his arm.

Wait, how was he able to move? I was sure he was immobilized by the distorted one, so how-

Then I suddenly realized that his legs had returned to their normal state.

But weren't they cut off? How did they grow back? Was I just hallucinating when I saw his legs get cut off?

So many thoughts were running through my head that I might even get a headache.

I also noticed that the cuts on his chest were still bleeding, but that wasn't as much of a surprise as his legs.

"AAAAAaahhh-h-h just kidding..."

Noctem said without a tremble in his voice. He then let go of his left arm. The bleeding suddenly stopped and then blue sparkles appeared around his arm.

Flash!

A bright light came from his arm, and then as the light died down, a new arm had formed. I looked at the arm beside me and it dispersed into blue energy.

The distorted one backed away and placed one hand on his blade.

"Oh? You're backing away? Instead of coming at me, you're pulling out already? Are you really in a haste to kill everyone outside?"

The distorted one looked at the exit behind him, then at Noctem.

Suddenly, he dropped his blade and ripped his cloak off. Then he suddenly took his helmet off, revealing a part of his face. He had a mask covering his mouth, but his eyes were revealed. Since he was dead, he had partially ripped skin. His eyes glowed a shadowy purple and his horn glowed the same color.

He then lifted his arm, and he was pointing at something.

"Oh? You ask why I can regenerate my arms and my legs, but why I'm not healing the cuts on my chest? Well, I have a reason for that."

What?

Then, Noctem quietly started speaking so that only the distorted one was able to hear. I wasn't able to hear anything except quiet whispers.

The distorted one nodded lightly after Noctem finished chatting. He then looked at me.

"I think you did enough. You should rest."

I gulped as he gave me an icy glare. I nodded and crawled away. My legs were still burning, the gashes weren't deep, but it was as if I was being attacked by that imp again.

I clenched my hands.

I hated demons. I've always had. They are evil and monstrous creatures. All they ever think about is violence and bloodshed.

So...

Why is it when I look at Noctem, he feels like a whole different being? He shows no signs of hostility. He even saved me. A demon saving me? I could have never imagined. He behaves and acts like a human. It's as... if he "is" human.

I finally reached the edge of the room, and I was watching Noctem as he approached the distorted one. My vision was getting blurry, I'm getting tired. I can't even keep my eyes open anymore.

I guess I'll just take a rest here...

And then everything went black.