Chapter Four - Mr. Ordinary

Oliver spat blood in front of him. He clutched the arrow shaft protruding from his chest.

He stared into my eyes.

"Leo...help me, I don't want to die," he whimpered, reaching his hand towards me.

I moved closer to him, tears streaming down my face.

"It's going to be okay. I got you. You aren't going to die, Oliver," reassuring him with the biggest fake smile I could muster. The sounds of battle still rang through the hills as orcs and warriors collided and magic shot overhead.

"Leo," Drew shouted, "I'll protect you, put pressure on his wound, and do NOT pull that arrow out!" I nodded and ripped part of my shirt off, putting my weight softly onto Oliver's chest. He let out a groan of pain,

blood still streaming from his mouth. I was scared, so terrified, something I had never felt before. Seeing my attempts to take care of Oliver, Drew stepped out towards the monsters, a cackle of energy radiated from his body.

"AHHHHH," he screamed, pumping himself up as he ran towards the green atrocities. The sword he had grabbed from the fallen soldier still in hand. Drew ran towards the first Orc he saw and ducked under a swing of its makeshift mace, bringing the sword up and through its skull. The air around him seemed to warp to his body; purple tendrils of electricity were scattered across his body as if protecting him. The next Orc tried its luck and swung its blade in an overhead arc towards Drew's head.

*Thump! *

Drew caught the blade in his offhand. Yes, caught. Fear spread across the Orc's eyes; the tendrils seemed to reinforce Drew's hand. Once again, Drew brought his sword in an arc leaving the Orc headless.

The warriors were stunned, blood splattered all over his clothes, the ferocity in his eyes sent a shiver down my body.

The tide of battle had changed with Drew's emergence. A wave of fear had passed through the remaining ten or so orcs as the soldiers pressed towards them.

Drew's onslaught continued. He moved like a monster. He must have gained another level because he looked faster and stronger than before. If this world worked anything like the novels I had read, that's what would happen.

*ROAR! *

The leader of the Orc group stepped forward to challenge this mysterious warrior. Drew stopped, looked up at him, scoffed, and then spit at his feet.

"Nobody hurts my friends!" he growled, raising his sword. The Orc grunted in response and charged.

The color from Oliver's face began to drain, and his breathing slowed.

"Leo.." He coughed.

"What, buddy? I'm here. It is going to be alright! Just hold on," I pleaded.

Oliver brought his hand to mine, which still held pressure over his chest.

"You know, you and your sister have always taken care of me. My life would have been a lot worse without you in it, my friend," he winced.

Tears were streaming down my face. How could I have let this happen? He is so hurt because I needed saving! How can I live with myself if he dies?

"Oliver, be quiet." I smiled, wiping my wet face. "Save your strength."

A woman in dark robes, one of the people that had been casting magic spells, ran over to us.

"I know some basic healing, I will try and help him, but without my attack spells, we will be killed. I hope you can fight like your friend there; I'll keep him safe," she said

I took one last look at my best friend, my fake smile still strong.

"I'll be back. Mr. Ordinary". I winked. Turning to face the Orcs, my smile wholly faded.

Drew was fighting the giant Orc, but this Orc was too strong. I'm not sure if monsters have levels, but this one was definitely above ours. The Orc swung rapidly, Drew rolled and dove around the attacks, but he wasn't fast enough.

*Slice! *

Drew was thrown across the hill, his head hitting the hard ground leaving him unconscious. That was enough, and I couldn't wait any longer. I had to save my friends. A current went through my body.

I ran towards Drew. His unconscious body lay between the rubble; I have never been so distraught in my life. The anger inside of me swelled and bubbled over like I was releasing a storm.

Green lightning enveloped my right hand and began cackling; power flowed through me.

*Boom! *

The sound of a lightning strike echoed throughout the hills. There in my hand was a sword glowing with a green aura. The sword was long but obviously a one-handed sword. Its black blade reflected the green

tendrils of electricity that surrounded it. Etched into the weapon were streaks of white that almost looked like hieroglyphics. The soldiers dropped to their knees. I didn't have time to admire the sword. The leader walked towards Drew, licking its lips as if it was about to have a five-star meal. I urged my feet faster. I had to get there. The Orc raised its sword over Drew's body and swung it down as hard as he could. I shot forward and swung my sword upward to parry his.

"AHHH!" I screamed as I swung, electricity crackling around my sword.

*Clang! *

The leader stumbled back, then stared at his sword in awe, where once was an entire thick steel blade was now a hilt with a small piece of metal sticking out. I had cut his sword in half. I stepped over Drew, so he was beneath me; if the Orc attacked again, I would not let my friend be hurt. I felt Drew stir beneath me. He hopped in and out of consciousness again. Fear was now all over the beast's face, it turned to run, but before it could, I swung my blade, slicing into its body. The sword began to glow and cackle. The Orc howled in pain like it was being destroyed from the inside out.

*Poof! *

It burst into green ember-like shreds. Upon seeing their captain destroyed, the others turned to run, warriors chasing after them, screaming defiantly over the hills.

I felt like I had zero energy left, and the sword in my hand dissipated until it was gone entirely. I dropped to one knee, not realizing I was still over Drew.

"Ow, could you get off me, Leo" he coughed.

"Drew, are you okay!" I scrambled, so I was next to him. He tried to get up but couldn't, so I throw him over my shoulder, stumbling under his weight.

"I got you," I stammered.

"Oliver..." he said quietly. Upon hearing my best friend's name, I ran as fast as I could while heaving Drew on my shoulder to over where I left him with the magician.

She got up, her fiery red eyes meeting my only inches away.

"I only have basic healing spells. There was supposed to be a guild with a top-level healer joining us. They could have done something... but" she didn't need to say more. I set down Drew and pushed past her.

Oliver's face was as pale as snow; his eyes flickered in and out of reality. Tears began welling up in my eyes again, and I let out a sob, one filled with so much agony even the witch started to cry.

"Hey buddy," I sat next to him.

"Leo? he said, "Did we win? Can we go save your sister now?" He said deliriously, his breath slowing.

"Yeah, yeah, we can. Just rest for a bit, don't worry." I whispered to him.

"Oh, okay. I believe in us." he smiled, looking into my eyes before closing his. He let out one last breath, and then there was nothing but silence. A void of sound.

I clutched his hand as tight as I could; Drew crawled next to me and rested his head on his leg.

"I'm sorry, Oliver!" Drew yelled, pounding his fists into the ground; blood and rocks spread across his knuckles.

I had no words, only the overwhelming emotion of agony. My best friend Oliver was gone. Monsters killed him. I couldn't save him.