A Blinding Power

The glow of my sword bathes my surroundings in a layer of the brightest blue. Even the beast seems transfixed for a moment. Regaining its rage just as quickly as it had lost it, it rears back and lets out a massive scream. Is it trying to intimidate me?

I sense movement behind me. Elizabeth is still alive, but for how long? She can't take another hit from this monster.

She's the only friend I've had in centuries and she saved my life. I won't let her die like this. Wielding her weapon with both hands, I stand my ground in front of the mass of fur. I imagine that it's still dripping with the blood of my - Stencil's - parents.

Deep breath. Two goals.

Keep Elizabeth safe. Aim for the eye.

Putting all my strength into my legs, I push off the ground at full force, and jump off to the beast's left. Get it as far away from Elizabeth first. She can't get caught in the crossfire.

The greater monster roars and twists its entire body in my direction, barreling straight at me. I guess there is an easier target than a leaking pool of mana, after all. Its eyes are fixed on the glowing sword as it races toward me. Seems like it doesn't have to worry about ultraviolet light destroying its iris. I'll just have to destroy it instead.

The full force of the monster slams into the guild building as I slide beneath its body. Heavy rubble falls onto the creature's body, unsteadying it for a second. I was hoping to destabilize it enough to get a hit in, but its chaotic movements make it nearly impossible.

I can't keep fighting like this. I'm not tired yet, but I can feel Elizabeth's light fading. I need to get her to a healer as soon as possible. If Elizabeth arrived early enough, they might have managed to evacuate, in which case they can't be too far. I have to get rid of the greater monster, one way or another, even if it means I can't kill it now.

Wait. Hold on just a second.

What did I just think? Its eyes are fixed on the sword?

Of course. The perfect distraction.

I hold the sword as high as I can. I see the greater monster's rage-filled eyes center on the sword, the bright blue glow reflected in its eyes. It pulls back, readying another full-force strike. I do the same, aiming the sword off the side, so the beast can't miss its light. The monster rushes forward and I throw the sword as hard as I can.

It's dangerous to let go of my only weapon, but I don't need to kill the creature. I just need something that can hurt it enough to make it run away. Like, for example, if I were to plunge the short sword stuck in its neck, into its eye.

The monster's neck tracks the glowing sword's arc perfectly, and its body turns to aim directly at it. I reel back, setting off at full sprint after the massive beast. I'm not as fast as it is, but I don't need to be. The blue blade digs into the ground right outside of the cathedral. I didn't intend on talking to Gaia anytime soon, anyway. The creature slams into the cathedral walls, and parts of the building come tumbling down onto its body.

Coming in behind it, I set off hard, leaping high into the air and landing on top of its body. I grab ahold of the short sword sticking out of its neck and pull it out.

Gripping its thick fur, I climb the greater monster's head. The giant beast rears back on two legs, like a horse, trying to throw me off. I hold on as tightly as I can, my young muscles tensing up from the effort. I clench my teeth hard and pull back the arm carrying my short sword.

Swing. Plunge. A scream of pain like I've never heard before. The splattering of blood.

The beast thrashes around madly, nonsensically, its claws and head whipping in every which direction. I get thrown to the ground and get the wind knocked out of me.

As I stumble to my feet, I know I've done it.

The monster is fleeing, barreling across the plains as fast as its injured body can carry it. Clawing its way to the forest, mounds of dirt, grass, and plant life are ripped from the ground. It leaves behind a trail of destruction with every movement.

Involuntarily, I let out out a deep sigh. I must have been holding my breath, though I'm not sure for how long.

The first thing I lay my eyes on is the sword. It's not glowing blue anymore. The blade is just sticking straight up out of the ground, a pale gold.

It's a magic tool. I've been aware of that for a while. Normal tools don't glow blue. But this is so much more than just a magic tool.

I put my hand on the handle and the blue glow returns to it, bright as ever.

It glows bright as the sun when I hold it, but almost always a pale blue when Elizabeth holds it. Almost. When she saved me from the greater monster 6 months ago, it glowed much brighter. That would have been only a few seconds after my mana store burst, and I had just used a powerful barrier spell. In other words, we must have been flooded with my mana.

If this sword uses the mana from its closest surroundings to fuel its power, it would explain a lot. If I'm right, this is quite literally the perfect weapon. A weapon that controls my mana for me, turning into near-limitless strength? To think that such a perfect weapon was so close to me for so long. Where did Elizabeth even get it?

Oh. Right.

Elizabeth.