“People say that I got where I am today by stealing achievements from others. How mean ! You can't steal from someone who's dead. It's not my fault if the heroes don't survive their wounds. True, sometimes I'm 'responsible' for their demise. But hey, knife-throwing and archery can be tricky, everyone can miss once in a while ! And sometimes I'm just 'too late' and both the dragon and its slayers have already bled to death when I arrive to help. But hey, intentions matter ! I don't see why I shouldn't get the glory and congratulations if no one else is there to claim it. I mean, it's free honour, I'd be stupid not to take it !

-Oscar, honest hero”

* * *

Azcheron

Oscar rushed toward the two. Immediately Erin chanted something and took a low stance, while Azcheron casted a high-velocity fireball.

But Oscar shouldn't be able to dodge or stop his course in time. He didn't try, in fact. Instead, his blade brightened up for a moment and there was a brief high-pitched sound. Before Azcheron knew it, the fireball was flying in his direction.

He only had enough time to put his arm up and create a crude magic shield before getting blown away, rolling and bouncing against the rough ground. The explosion raised a thick cloud of smoke and dust.

He gasped and his eyes widened as he tried to get up.

PAIN. IT HURTS ! Shit. Oh, damn, this is true pain. Did I break my arm or something ?

“Azcheron !” Erin called out, but before Azcheron could think about answering he heard loud metallic noises. She was already fighting off Oscar.

“I'm okay !” he finally replied. Although he wasn't exactly okay. He couldn't see why because of the smoke, yet he could definitely feel he really wasn't okay. But he couldn't afford to make a sound indicating his state as he heard swords clashing – it wouldn't do to disturb and worry Erin while she was fighting blindly in the smoke.

He could hear Oscar taunting them. “Good ! When death visits you, you should always fight it ! Send it on its way back ! Resist ! Struggle ! Make it interesting, or else nobody will remember you !”

Was it a taunt, though ? Azcheron wasn't sure. The man was probably as honest as one could ever be, in fact.

“Life's all about being remembered. Or is it death ? I always mix them up,” Oscar concluded.

The Saint almost felt like laughing. He'd surely do it if Erin wasn't fighting for her life and if he didn't feel like his arm had been trampled on by a golem. As the dust cloud slowly dissipated, Azcheron looked at his aching body and grimaced in disbelief.

Shit. Shit shit shit ! My arm looks seriously weird ! What the heck ! It hurts ! It hurts ! I'm going to die ?! It hurts like hell ! I want to puke. I'm drenched. Because I'm sweating ? No, I'm also bleeding. What, from everywhere ? And what's this smell ? Is that me ? I really stink !

He took long but rough and shaky breaths and tried to assess the situation even though he felt he was about to pass away from the pain. With his eyes on the verge of tears he could now see, through the smoke, silhouettes and faint glowing streaks of light, hitting steel repeatedly. He could guess from the shadows he saw that Erin was being pushed back with every strike.

Okay. Okay, calm down, and think. I have to think. What the heck was that ! Some spell-repelling enchantment on his sword ? And now he's probably using some mana-coating to strengthen his blows. Then when he stabbed through Pat's armour, some powerful piercing-enhancement magic. Shit, how many spells does this guy have on his sword ?! Either that or it's only one damn highly advanced spell. It hurts so much I don't want to fight. What do I do ? I don't know how we can win.

It hurts so much I don't know if I can stay conscious. He's a strong spellblade, skilled with both sword and magic, it's obvious. I don't know if Erin can win against him. And I don't know how to use my magic in this situation. It hurts so much I don't want to think anymore.

I don't know if we can win.

For the first time in his entire life, Azcheron felt real, imminent danger.

* * *

Erin

Erin was on the defensive. The pressure Oscar was putting was intense. Her opponent struck fast, hard, and with an insane accuracy, considering the thick dust cloud, even if they were close enough to see each other.

Her ears were rigging from the clashing of their blades. Each blow made her arms tremble. Oscar's attacks packed too much power. And her mind wasn't focused. Is Azcheron hurt ? She kept wondering, but she could not give in to panic.

A flash came in the corner of her eyes. She dodged and the light grazed her face. What happened to him ? Something warm flowed from her cheek. Another scar ? Hey, my face isn't a cutting board... An upward blow came. Her bones and muscles creaked as she parried and lost her balance. Crap. She threw herself sideways to avoid another strike. Stop thinking, just dodge and strike. Listening to herself, she got up, avoided a slash and bashed Oscar with the flat of her sword, then kicked him away before he could riposte.

She caught her breath and glanced at the dents on her weapon. My sword won't hold with those heavy attacks. How long can I keep the enchantment ?

She looked up to see Oscar thrusting with one hand. Erin deflected, but he threw a punch with his free hand. Stunned, she fell, sand getting in one of her eye. SHIT ! Instinctively she rolled to the side, just in time to avoid a blade piercing the ground. Alright, she thought as she rose to her feet once again. Alright. I can do this, but where is Azcheron ? She swung heavily with her right, griped her dagger with her left.

He took the spell head on. She kept pounding Oscar with her sword, but had trouble judging her distance with one eye. Damn, I don't have the time to think.

She ended up missing and Oscar elbowed her face. As she staggered, she blindly slashed at his arm with her dagger. It hit something soft, between the joints. Oscar groaned, and Erin caught the glimpse of a foot swinging. Sudden pain in her head, she dropped her sword. There was the metallic taste of blood in her mouth, dripping from her lips.

Erin came to her senses, only to defend from a overhead slash, breaking her dagger. Now unarmed, she immediately charged and tackled him, then hammered his face with her fists. How's the taste, she asked in her mind as he spat blood between each slam of her armoured knuckles. But Oscar let out a mesh of a laugh and a cough as he pushed her back. She fell and reached for her sword just in time to block a strike. They came to a stalemate, but the man soon had the advantage. Erin was stuck onto the ground because of Oscar putting all his weight on his blade, which was getting dangerously closer.

He was too strong and too heavy. Erin watched with dread as the tip of his glowing sword slowly dug into her chest armour. Clenched her teeth as she felt the cold steel slicing through her flesh underneath. Then they heard a high-pitched noise.

Oscar threw himself to the side as a massive wind blade passed right above them. The dust cloud cleared up from the wind.

“Erin, move !”

She rolled away, and a volley of magic missiles flew toward Oscar.

But he deflected every projectile with his blade. Then small pouches were thrown between the two knights, and smoke erupted from it.

Erin saw the figure of Oscar backing away, so she did the same and retreated with Azcheron. She could finally rub her eye and get the sand out. As they ran through the smoke, Azcheron dropped explosives on the sand. With his left hand, she noticed. He was probably wounded.

She heard the trail of explosives detonating behind them. More dust clouds would be raised. As they exited the powder-smelling fog, she could clearly see Azcheron's injuries. She was horrified.

His right arm was bleeding and covered in large burns. The skin and flesh had melted and he was shaking from the pain. He had bruises and cuts all over his body, probably because of the rocks when he fell.

It didn't look like he could use his arm anymore. Could she still call it an arm ? It was a lump of blackened molten flesh. She could see what seemed to be charred bones at some places. It was a wonder he was able to concentrate enough to cast the wind blade, let alone manage to stand up, refrain from screaming his lungs out or simply stay conscious.

What the heck was that fireball, Azcheron ? She glanced back to the cloud behind them. And how did that guy repelled it ?

As if reading her mind, he addressed her concerns.

“He's using some kind of complex enchantment. His blade can deflect spells and has a few other... boons. How's the melee ?”

“Looks like you're right. His blows are awfully heavy and damaging, even with my spell. I don't think I can win against him by myself. We'll need your magic, and... I know it's a stupid question, but are you okay ?”

“I'll survive. I think. The wounds, at least.” He didn't seem very sure. “Don't know about surviving that guy, though. What about you ?” He observed the blood dripping from Erin's side.

“It's a superficial cut, I can still move well enough.” It was a small lie. The wound was probably deep, but not as hindering as Azchron's. “Can you heal yourself ?”

“...I'll seriously run out of mana at this rate. I'm using magic to dull the pain a bit, but I can't afford to do more if I want to be of any use.” He grimaced.

In the distance, they saw Oscar calmly pursuing them. The smirking bastard waved.

“Right... Can you think of something ? I don't know how much time I can buy you but I'll do my best to keep him busy while you find a way to save us.”

“I wonder if that's even necessary... Look.” Azcheron pointed a shivering finger toward their opponent who was keeping a slow pace even though he could probably easily catch up to them. Oscar's wounds weren't as bad as theirs. “He's polite enough to let us discuss a strategy, at least”

Surprisingly, Oscar replied. “I'm letting you two regroup and talk because it builds dramatic tension. Makes for a more enthralling and flamboyant story, meaning more glory for me. I could just make it all up, but nothing beats reality when it comes to... realism, haha !”

“He could hear us ?” she wondered.

Azcheron frowned. “Sound magic, huh ?”

Is he mocking us ? He's acting like a villain from a novel. Taunting the protagonists, letting your opponent regroup and whatnot, that's something only people like Azcheron would do... I'd never have thought that there was be someone even more annoying than him when it comes to theatrics and crap like that.

So, should we keep running ? But Azcheron doesn't look like he can manage a faster pace, and there's no saying when Oscar may decide to attack.

Azcheron froze suddenly. Erin turned back and sent him a quizzical look. Why was he stopping ? Why here and now ? But the Saint wasn't looking at Erin, he was looking far in the horizon. Cold sweat ran on her nape.

“Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking. Please don't tell me it's them.”

From here, Erin could see not only Azcheron grimacing, but also Oscar, looking in the same direction. Frowning and gritting his teeth.

No doubt then.

She glanced to the side. Yes, she expected to find a golem or two in the distance. What she caught sight of was much worse.

Dozens of them.

* * *

Azcheron

Did the battle attract them ? Perhaps it was the explosion from yesterday ? Maybe Oscar did something to draw them here ? No, he doesn't look too pleased either. He'll run out of stamina and mana if he fights for too long, he's still human after all.

Azcheron's tired eyes darted back and forth between the golems and Oscar. He wasn't moving, he just did the same as Azcheron, observing both groups and thinking. How did he get here anyway, didn't he have a horse ?

Should I try to make a deal with him, something like a truce to let us fight off the golems together ? But then what ? No way he'd let us escape since he still has the advantage.

He then stared at the incoming stone giants. They had at least a few minutes before they arrived. But once they were here, it was over. No horse, no hiding place. He glanced at Erin, seeking help. But all he saw was the fear in her eyes.

That was unusual. Those pretty golden eyes. There wasn't that kind of expression in them, before. Even when she was surrounded by bandits or by nightmarish bats. Even when they encountered dragons and golems for the first time.

There had never been despair in her eyes.

Should we try to flee anyway ? But I can't do it with my injuries... even without Oscar, this place is dangerous as hell.

Azcheron closed his eyes and sighed. But Erin could make it. Should I go with the altruistic hero route ? He wondered to himself. I can probably buy her time. Something flashy... I'll sacrifice myself with a cool line for instance... If I can stall for time, she can do it. If it's Erin, yes. She can survive this shit-hole.

He looked again at Erin. He must have been making a very sad expression, because she answered him before he even made his suggestion.

“I'm not leaving without you. I'm not going back. Not without you.”

Azcheron simply smiled. Many thoughts surged in his mind, but for now there was only one that mattered.

“To the death, then. Unless we figure something out.”

She nodded.

No despair left in the golden eyes. Was it even here in the first place ? They seemed radiant now. Azcheron made up his mind. He'd live another day, and many after that, to be able to see these golden irises, again and again.

With his valid arm, he wiped the blood and the sweat drenching his face.

Think. Think. Think. What do I have, what can I use ? I have Erin. I have my magic, even if not much is left. I can have the golems if I want. Yes.

Azcheron made a mental image of the golems. He tried to think about the direction they were coming from, the area he and Oscar were.

Right now, we could use the golems. Depending on how we play it, they'll either be our doom or our lifesavers. If we can't kill Oscar, then make the golems kill him. If we can't escape, then use them as a distraction. It'll be easy to mess up though, and we'll die. I should concentrate on Oscar for now. If we can beat him before the golems arrive, we have a chance. Leave him half-dead so that they'll rush toward him or something.

He locked his eyes on the enemy knight.

Okay, once again. What do we know, and what can we do ?

We have numbers on our side. It's the most basic strategy, but numbers are always important. Even Oscar would have trouble dealing with two enemies at the same time. Shit, I would have killed the guy twenty times already, made the whole area explode or something, if only there was mana in this damn desert ! So the question is, how do I make myself useful in these circumstances ?

Azcheron's gaze wandered on the enchanted sword. Dancing around the pummel, the grip, the blade, searching for anything that could help him.

He only triggers his enchantments when his sword hits or blocks, as to avoid wasting mana. Meaning that in the long run, compared to me who has already spent quite a bit, Oscar will win, even if I should have a larger mana pool than him. He also looks like he has abnormal eye-sight and reflexes, so we might assume he could have another enchantment on him.

Now eyes closed, he pictured what little he had witnessed of Oscar's ability. The magic being countered, the fight he glimpsed at through the smoke, the retreat.

He'll easily dodge or deflect my magic no matter how accurate my spells are. I could cast a powerful enchantment on Erin's blade, but I don't know what will happen if Oscar blocks it with his own repelling spell. Actually, there's no guarantee it's only limited to his sword... For all I know he could use this thing like a regular spell, and he's just tricking us into thinking that it's an enchantment on his weapon. I see you ! Sneaky bastard ! Think you can outsmart the damn Saint !?

Though I have no evidence about what he can or can't do, eh.

Something came back to his mind. Or do I ?

He spoke to Erin with sound magic, not wanting to risk Oscar eavesdropping.

“Is his armour enchanted ?”

“Err... I don't think so. It looks like a normal plate armour to me. It's his sword and his own enhanced body we have to be wary of.”

Looking at the horizon, he assumed they had maybe two or three minutes before the golems arrived.

“Can you beat him if you don't have to worry about defending ?”

“I don't know... Do you have a plan ?”

“Yes. Focus on offence, I'll support you with spells.”

“What ? Aren't you afraid he'll deflect everything ? Do you have enough mana left anyway ? And what about the golems after that ?”

“There's no time. Do you trust me ?”

She nodded.

“Then go. If the golems are here before it's over, well...” He shrugged and gave a wry smile. “It'll indeed be over.”

Without saying a word, she charged toward Oscar. He noticed her immediately and took a stance.

Earlier when I threw a wind blade he opted for dodging instead of blocking. So at least that means his armour can't do shit against magic. Then why did he release Erin and dodged ? Is a large wind blade harder to repel because of its wide area of effect ? Or is it because it would be a waste of mana ? Either way that would be convenient for me. I need a spell that he'd rather dodge, I don't want my magic being deflected and hitting Erin.

The Saint stopped dulling his senses with magic, because he needed all the mana he could spare. The pain from his arm became once again abominable, but he had to endure it. He had to concentrate. Thankfully, he wasn't going to cast any difficult spell.

Azcheron took a gamble and created two small wind blades. It was one of the most basic spells, not requiring much from the user, so it was the perfect magic for this situation, because he had to keep his last bits of mana for the golems after that.

The two spells reached Oscar before Erin came in range. It was hard to judge the size of a wind blade, so the hero would probably have no time to realize these ones could be easily repelled. And if he did, he'd think it wasn't worth it. As Azcheron hoped, Oscar dodged.

Good. This is it. We can do this.

The man regained his footing just in time to receive Erin's attack. It made him stagger, and she kept hammering him. But she was wounded and tired, and it got weaker and weaker.

He blocked every blow and was about to riposte, so Azcheron casted another blade. Oscar stepped sideways, and Erin thrusted, aiming for the head.

Oscar avoided it by a hair's breadth, but once again had to dodge a wind blade just after. He succeeded by twisting his body, but as a consequence it seemed he lost his balance. Erin followed with a heavy strike. He tried to defend, but it must have been too much for him. His weapon was sent flying as he fell on the ground.

Oscar grimaced as he grabbed Erin's sword with his hands, before she could bury it in his face with a downward slash. Her blade was dulled and somewhat blunt, and Oscar's gauntlets were thick, but even then, with the weight and the speed of the blow, it was obvious that he broke quite a few bones in his hands and fingers with this stunt.

Erin glanced at Azcheron, she probably hadn't much strength left. The instant he saw them locked in this position, the Saint casted the fastest spell that came to mind. A high-velocity fireball, ironically. Erin backed away at the last moment, and Oscar raised his arms to protect himself.

“Nnngggrrrh !?” he groaned as the sudden blast of flames tossed him away, rolling on the ground.

What's that sound ? It's dear Oscar. How delectable. The whimper of pain from the man almost made Azcheron forget the agony from his own hideously wounded arm.

Once again, the explosion created a thick, dark cloud, and Azcheron threw a small volley of wind blades in it, for good measure. Then that was all, he now had only enough left for a few golems.

He called out to Erin as she went into the smoke. “Is he dead ?” Though she would probably have trouble knowing because of the poor visibility.

There was a metallic sound and a moan. That was Oscar. Another clashing noise. “Shit !” That was Erin.

Are they still fighting ? This guy, why won't he die !? We don't have all day ! Azcheron turned his gaze to the horizon. ...Right. There's no time for Oscar anymore. We have to disappear regardless.

“Erin, we're leaving !”

Soon enough, Erin came out of the smoke. “I think he escaped by now. He managed to find his sword. But he must be wounded, that's for sure,” she finally said with a tinge of anger.

As they ran, Azcheron glanced back, and noticed something exiting the smoke. It was Oscar, indeed fleeing in the other direction. He was struggling to keep a fast pace, and looked very injured. One of his arms was charred black, and part of his armour had melted. He wasn't smirking anymore.

Serves you right, hehe. Damn bastard.

But Azcheron's glee was short lived. There was no time to rejoice, their battle wasn't over yet.

The golems were here.