Chapter 9: Brothers by Blood

As the night goes on, the crowds that once flood the streets begin to thin and the number of bodies I'm stepping over grows. The lack of wind leaves for long moments of eerie silence as the only sound is the echo of my boots against the stone or the clanking of my sword between the monster cries. I job through the almost empty streets, becoming utterly lost in the winding roads that only seem to wind in a circle. I make my way to what appears to be the town square. The large circular fountain still churns its crystal clear water as if nothing happened. I hobble over to it tiredly, leaning over the side before dipping my hands into the cold water. I rinse my face before sitting momentarily. Who the hell loses a baby this bad?

That's when I see them. A slender figure dressed in dark attire skating over the rooftops. I freeze in place, like a rabbit trying not to be spotted. The figures leap incredible distances over the rooves with little effort, their feet barely making a sound besides metallic tapping. I slowly begin to shuffle to my feet to sneak away. I begin to make my way behind the fountain. Slowly creeping out of view of the thing jumping the houses.

Tap tap tap.

The metallic noise starts behind my back. A chill shoots up my back.

"Going somewhere young hero?" A voice, more animal than human growls. I slowly turn around to face the creature. My heart races as my eyes try to comprehend what is Infront of me. It stands on two legs like a man yet it is covered from head to toe in slick black armor made from some type of metal. Through the cracks and breaks in the armor I can see the dim shimmering of a purple substance, similar to the puss from wanderer's disease. The creature's eyes are deep sunken pits of nothingness as it stares down at me. They don't act the same as the feral void wanderers we encountered on the street, these are much more human. Out of the corner of my eye, a bright flash of violet overtakes my view. The creature draws a long glowing blade from its side.

"This world is not yours to save. Nor does that weapon belong to you." The entity advances towards me, lifting it's glowing blade over it's head for a death strike. It slashes downwards mercilessly. I squeeze my eyes shut. Maybe I should have just gone back to the castle. No...

With a loud clash of blades and flying sparks, the creature is knocked back a few paces. I stand with my sword out in my hand. It glows with a dark, ominous aura. I can feel it's energy pulsing through me, it's almost as if it's alive. The creature takes notice of my weapon and leaps forward to strike me again. I swing my blade to meet theirs, it soars through the air before knocking the other blade away effortlessly.

"Just what are you?" The creature says, now more frantically as I continue to block it's blows.

"Just a business man." I smirk. The sword's energy coursing through my body more strongly with every move. In a twisted tango of swords out battle turns into a dance to the death. I let out a violent laugh. My swings getting more ruthless as the energy seems to overtake me.

"Kill." Something whispers in my mind. "You will be most powerful."

"Die." I mutter, slashing my sword down onto my enemies blade. It shatters into glass-like fragments. I smirk, dark purple flames burning in my iris' as I approach the cowering creature. Mirroring it's movements before, I raise the sword over my head and let gravity carry my hands downwards.

"I- This isn't me..." I gasp, hesitating to bury the blade in its skull. I stagger back, the blade suddenly feeling ten times heavier as I slip out of my fervor of madness. I fall to my knees in disbelief.

"Pathetic. Too pitiful to be in this world." The creature laughs, rising to its feet as it pulls two small glowing, triangular daggers from its armor. It slithers towards me like a ghost on steroids, black metallic hands eager to harm. I grit my teeth, attempting to harness the vigor of before but the sword continues to weigh over a hundred pounds. 'What the hell!' I think to myself as I watch the creature get closer.

With a dark flash and the clanging of metal, I'm knocked back off my feet and thrown into the cobblestone. The creature hisses, spitting violet fluids everywhere. It jumps onto me, carving one of the daggers deep into my chest and pulling it across. A blaze of pain surges through my chest as I instinctively try to grapple the beast off of me. It grabs its other dagger and pushes it deep into my bicep. I let out a scream. The creature begins to laugh out in pure bliss as tears well in my eyes.

I turn my head to the side, I can feel my blood sticking to my shirt. Is this really where it ends for me? I notice my blade tossed not too far from my free hand. Grappling it's heavy hilt I slowly begin dragging it towards me while the entity is distracted. The creature lifts its dagger out of my chest and puts it up against my throat tauntingly.

"Goodbye, hero." It shrieks excitably, the blade begins to push through my skin.

"Goodbye, freaky thing." I blurt out, sliding my sword over my chest between us and jabbing it upwards with the last of my strength, piercing through it's armor to reveal recognizable black flesh. Shimmery purple liquid trails down the blade as the creature gives a final struggle. It hisses and thrashes hopelessly as I only push the blade further through it's torso.

My blade begins to glow once more, the blood from the creature begins to get absorbed into the metal. I gasp as energy surges through the blade once again. It feels even stronger than before. When the glowing subsides I toss the creature's body to the ground and get to my feet. My body suddenly catches up to the injuries on my torso. I clutch my chest, my shirt is almost completely soaked in crimson. I begin to limp, sword in hand as I pass by a few alleyways. Something feint catches my ears. The sound of a baby crying. I almost collapse, holding myself up against the wall for support as I feel my head starting to spin.

'I need to find that baby.' I think to myself, staggering forward slowly as the pain creeps up my body. The crying slowly gets louder with every step I take. Up ahead on the side of the road sits a small baby in it's wrap huddled tucked away behind a barrel. I haul myself over to her, falling to my knees in exhaustion. I rest my sword down beside me, outstretching my palms. I stare at the eye marking on my palm momentarily before scooping the baby up with gentle hands. She starts to cry.

"Shhh, shhh. You're okay." I whisper, wrapping the baby in my bloodied cloak. "Your mother is waiting for you." I chime tenderly, rocking her gently as the pale shades of pink and lavender begin to tint the sky. The sun should be up soon. I nudge the wrap around the baby's head to check for any injuries. I feel a tiny warm grip on my index finger.

"Oh Emi.." I can't stop the tears from dropping down my cheeks. I wipe them away with a bloodied palm. Thank god no one is around right now.

"Come on now." I sigh, biting my tongue as I haul myself up off the ground. I begin making my way back to the castle slowly. My heart hurts more than my wounds do.

What a beautiful day.