EMBRACE THE PAIN

Their breaths come ragged, a sheen of sweat slicking their skin as the cave's oppressive heat settles around them. 

It would be tolerable, perhaps, were they not locked in this brutal dance with Fangor, the furry beast who, with every snarl and swipe, radiates a disturbing delight in their struggle.

Four against one and yet he smiles, eyes glowing with the madness of battle, he enjoys this.

"What is wrong with this werewolf? I know werewolves are strong but this guy, he is something else", Emmet says under heavy breathes.

Fangor stands a few feet away, claws now bloodied by their wounds. He licks them, ignoring his own wounds while he stalks them like wounded prey.

"You can give up now so I can end this battle, with a quick and painless death", he says with a smile. 

"I don't have say it but I'm sure even if we gave up there is no way in hell we are getting a quick death. 

He looks like the type that would enjoy gnawing on our bones", Emmet says.

"We can test his theory and offer you as sacrifice", Kane says, "I will take my chances fighting thank you".

Fangor charges forward but falters, a grunt escaping him as Kane intercepts his path at great pace.

The werewolf's footing gives way, a stumble against the force of Kane's sudden attack.

Steel flashes, a hungry arc that bites the air inches from Fangor's fur.

The primal beast manages to dodge, only being grazed on his cheek, he spins around and sweeps Kane off his feet. 

He prepares his claws for a good dig into Kane's chest but a ball of blue light blasts him off, allowing Emmet to attack quickly to stab him in his belly.

Fangor swings his claws, a swift, brutal stroke. A crimson bloom spreads across Emmet's chest, a bloodied design.

The half-elf's scream, a ragged involuntary sound; "Embrace the pain boy", Fangor snarls, his voice thick with a feverish delight.

His voice echoes through the cave and his eyes spin abnormally, his smile stretches to the ends of his mouth, opening wide to take a bite.

"Embrace this!", Braga lands a solid punch to his jaw, letting his mouth dangle downward as his lower jaw breaks loose from its place.

Kane's blade bites into Fangor's back, a wet red line blooming on the grey fur.

The wolf, unfazed, retaliates, a brutal uppercut to Braga's jaw. His eyes, momentarily glazed, struggle to refocus.

Braga stands, a statue of stunned resolve, each muscle slowly re-engaging, a delayed reaction to the savage blow.

Fangor dives out of Braga's presence as he senses a brutal intent, but he is followed by a swift one.

Kane appears behind him to slash his back again but this time Fangor lets out his groans while a smile suddenly appears on Kane's face. A glimmer of hope.

Fangor's eyes catches the elf behind the men, Emilia, encased in lights of magic from the stone. 

He dashes past them, lightning coats his body as he moves and he charges toward her, "I will kill you first", his tongue dangling out of his mouth as he reaches her, arm stretched to deliver his will.

"You will not", his eyes widen as he hears the man's voice. Kane appears beside him and delivers a kick to put distance between them.

Fangor crashes into the walls and Emilia runs behind Kane.

Fangor growls as he steps out of the walls, "You. Who the fuck are you? Your blows have gotten better, your speed is almost at my level. I can't let you live", he says.

A crackle of raw energy flares, sheathing him in brief, blinding light.

In a flash he appears before Kane, fists hammer into Kane's abdomen, each impact a visible wince, sending him flying backwards to collide with Emilia.

Emmet bursts into view, swinging blade toward Fangor who catches it in his hand while his lightning extends onto Emmet's weapon and his body. 

The half-elf screams, losing the feels in his body as he drops to the ground.

Braga charges but Fangor is fast, he slices the back of the man's legs and thighs with his claws, forcing him to his knees. 

And in one swift move he lunges for Braga's neck, sharp teeth against the giant's skin but to his amazement nothing sinks in while Braga stares right at him.

"You are not the only one with magic", Braga delivers a blow that forces Fangor's ribs to cave in, sending him slamming into the ceiling of the cave while he spits blood.

The werewolf falls to the ground and suddenly lets out a loud roar.

"You may be tough, but Braga is tougher", Braga struggles but stands.

"How?", Fangor coughs as he struggles to his feet, "I have been champion of the arena for years. Slaying beasts is not new to me". 

They charge and lock hands again but this time, Fangor lets his lightning go wild, sending pain through Braga's body while sparking against the cave walls.

"I will kill you all and I will enjoy every…", he suddenly stops talking and spins, throwing Braga against the walls.

He moves away from them and pauses, "Damn it, damn it, damn it", he screams and slams his fist into the wall.

"You are lucky this time. We will meet again, I promise you", Fangor says and dashes off into the darkness.

Bruises bloom on their skin, a tapestry of injuries earned in their fight.

Kane shifts, a wince twisting his features, yet his gaze remains sharp.

"Let's get out of here", he rasps, each word a testament to his pain.

Emmet, his own breath shallow, pushes himself up, "The smartest thing you've said all day".

Emilia's eyes suddenly go blank and she begins to float, "We must go forward. High Town is near", her voice echoes like a thousand voices escapes her lips. 

She falls and Kane catches her, her body soft in his arms while he ignores the pain of a another's weight upon his bruised flesh.

Emmet and Braga move, a slow, deliberate circle that closes around the two figures.

Their gaze soften upon Emilia's weakened state, "After all this", Emmet says, his hands settling on his hips, "We are going to have a long talk.

You need to really explain what's going on".

"I like you but I'm getting beaten for no reason", "I agree White Death, you have some explaining to do but first, we must leave this cursed cave".

"You heard her, we have to keep going. High Town isn't far", Kane stands, struggling to assist Emilia as well.

"Come", Braga carries Emilia like a child, "But you are injured", Kane worries, "I have been through worse. Let's leave before we find ourselves facing worse things".

MERDONA

In a small chamber, seated on a table of status with the King at its head alongside members of the royal court.

Dorathy and Duke Clarion stand before them as the king oversees the meeting on topics of the nation.

His rubs his rough chin, staring at the blind duke as he stands with a smile, one he hardly wore when he had sight, not that he did not smile but this smile is suspicious, fresh, almost innocent. 

"Duke, I have assimilated the information you relayed to us and we have had discussions on this matter", the king says with a deep voice, burying the creaking sounds of his wooden chair.

"You disobeyed a direct order to carry Merdonian men as your escorts and you have turned up with no useful information apart from saying a dragon took the fucking moon. 

Of course we have sent men to confirm your story, luckily for you, it is true. 

But your failure to secure this relic and your present…", he pauses, "… predicament has made it quite difficult to see your worth".

Clarion grips his cane tightly, "Your majesty, let's not forget that the duke has served us judiciously over the years. 

He may be blind but he is still the duke", a young lady beside the king speaks.

"Daughter, we all acknowledge the Duke's efforts in the past but we look onto the future", he says.

"Princess, your heart is in the right place but the king is right. What use is a blind man bald man?", a scrawny man with a long goatee speaks and the members at the table laugh.

"Come then, say that to my face. If you have the balls, any of you", Clarion says, his features wriggling while gritting his teeth. 

They stare with raised brows as their laughter slowly vanishes.

No one takes any steps toward him, "I am still duke, I earned my position your majesty. Dorathy here will assist me in my duties" "I hope you understand that your blindness will not be an excuse for incompetence", the king says.

"With all due respect, the incompetent one in this room is the skinny goat who's sit was given to him by his father's money".

The scrawny lord slams the table and stands, "How dare you insult me you fucking bat?", "Calm down Foreman", the king urges as his dark eyes stare deeply at the Duke. 

Brows furrowed, Foreman sits, fists squeezed.

"I may be blind but I am still Clarion and my capabilities are beyond any of your imagination", "Calm down Duke, we get your point", the king says.

"In the absence of anything else, may I take leave your majesty? I still have the rest of The Ravagers to catch", he says.

The King waves for them to leave and Dorathy directs the Duke towards the doors. 

They exit the room but she feels his tight grip in her palms and sees the veins across his forehead, "They will pay for mocking me. This I swear".