Chapter 09 – The pit!

We had 8 horse-mounted carriages on our caravan. Except one, all of them were filled with dried herbs, potions and medicines. The last one had spare clothing, water, meals, pots and the cook was riding in it. Ricat was stingy. He only hired 4 bodyguards including me. The other three mercenaries who were hired would be more than enough to fight off thieves or wild animals but not demons. I do not think up to that moment they have ever faced a demon or a beast man in a fight.

Skeletons had only swords as weapons. They were of moderate height. The third bodyguard, which ran up the skeletons, made a hand gesture at me to stay away and watch. They were more experience in sword fighting than skeletons. The problem was, whatever they did, however they attacked, skeletons were unharmed. Bodyguards signed for an easy job, but this one was not. They were getting pushed back. As they got close to us, I saw clearly. The eye socks parts of the skulls were burning with mana. First skeleton had red colored mana and the second one green.

It happened in a matter of seconds, one of the skeletons pushed its sword in to the stomach of a mercenary and slashed it right and left. Blood began to gush down from bodyguard’s body. Skeleton didn’t take out the sword; with an immense power it threw the bodyguard to air. Bodyguard’s lifeless body dropped few meters away from us. The other two bodyguards were in shock. Disgusting cracking sounds came off from skeletons. Were they delighted and laughing? I didn’t lose my composure. I went towards the dead body, took bodyguard’s sword by releasing his fingers from sword’s hilt. I released high amount of mana and engulfed my body in it. The sword began to resonate with my mana.

I teleported half a meter behind the skeleton and whistled. Skeleton turned back and I used all my strength to slash its skull with the sword. Skull was cut in half and blue mana dispersed into air. All of its bones got fall down to ground and turned to pebble. The second skeleton took a step to approach me, and an arrow smashed into its skull. This time red mana dispersed into air. Again all the bones fall down to ground but this time bones burned and smoke came out. I turned to right and saw a man with green and blue armor. He had a bow on his hand. He began to walk to us.

The other bodyguards still in were in shock but Ricat was in control of caravan. Nobody had run away. Man in armor came close enough to us;

[-]: I’m Alves. I’m a warrior with loyalty to Rogue’s Battalion. We are in charge of protecting the 1st bridge. There was a massive attack of demons. Few sneaked around and these two skeletons were one of some who were sneaky enough to pass by. I’m deeply sorry for what happened to you.

[Ricat]: It’s an honor to meet a warrior of Rogue’s Battalion. I’m a trader from Mehn. I’m trading medicinal herbs and potions. It’s my first time travelling by Devil’s Canyon. Taham, old friend of mine, recommended me to travel by Devil’s Canyon to increase my profit. I had told my companions of the route and its dangers. Everybody was ready to what may happen during the travel. You should not apologize to us. It is what we sign up for.

[Alves]: If it’s medicine that you trade, then may I invite you to our fort. Our potions are running low we will need to resupply.

[Ricat]: I will be glad to.

Men of our tribe were supposed to live a modest and simple life either as a shepherd or warrior. Taham’s house changed my understanding of the values that he held as a tribesman. Sending me to travel by Devil’s Canyon with a greedy merchant, knowing dangers of the travel, made me to despise the village elder.

Devil is the name of first Demon Lord. The story is that she was so bored that she killed herself. Devil’s Canyon takes its name from her. According to stories passed down by generation to generations, God created everything in 5 days. On sixth day God created demons. On seventh day God created canyon and located demons on the other side of it. Massive in width, with bare eyes you could not see from one end to the other. Nevertheless, God put 5 bridges that crossed the canyon. Why bridges? I do not know, maybe he/she is a prankster?

Devil’s Canyon was mystery in itself. Nobody has come back alive after falling into it.

We reached 1st bridge Alves showing us the way. The fort used by Rogue’s Battalion had a design that would be unacceptable by normal standards. From bird view it was like a letter “C” covering the bridges entrance. Their houses were behind the fort. No protection or whatsoever. Once you passed to the other side of fort, you would not be allowed to come back unless every single demon has been killed. Some demons could evade the fort by walking to the either extreme of “C” structured fort. That happened rarely though.

I got assimilated into the crowd easily. All of them were my relatives. I did not know them neither they knew me. I turned into a celebrity after they learnt that I was heading to Mehn academy for my studies. They went crazy as I engulfed my body in mana. Nobody had seen a person who could do that.

Ricat’s business was booming. He sold 2 carriages of medicine, herb and potions. He was smiling. We were to leave to 2nd bridge next day.

Injured warriors were carried to huts to be healed. Potions worked instantly in healing warriors; herbs took a bit more time.

I tried to learn as much as possible. Stuff like these could not be taught or experienced in any academy or school. Alves offered to show me bridge. I could pass to the other side of the fort. I had my confidence run of the roof as I had killed a skeleton before so I thought of myself as invincible. I told Ricat about the offer and he didn’t care much. It was late sun was replaced by moon. I asked Alves if his offer still stands? He nodded and put his arm on my shoulder and began to talk about his fights and how much “fun” it was to fight demons.

We reached fort’s wall. It was so high that with bare eyes you couldn’t give an approximate height size. He pointed towards the gate to pass to other side. It was made of liquid of some kind. We stood by it. He told me not to fear and step into it. He went first and I followed him. It seemed as just a step made but we were on the other side of it. He told me that when fight broke out the color and texture of the gate would change exact of the wall. You couldn’t go back until every single demon would be killed. We walked all the way to right side of the bridge. I looked into Devil’s Canyon. Nothing. Darkness.

We turned to walk to gate and in an instant Alves jumped on me. I felt an arrow pass on him. He did not lose his composure. Stood up, took out his sword and told me to stay behind. Another attack was going to happen. Demons were rushing in. Warriors began to come out of gate to warzone. Battle began. I had the bodyguard’s sword on me. Overconfident in my ability, I joined the battle.

Headless armor with a katana and a golem came at me. I think they thought of me as an easy prey. Golem had a big hammer made of rocks. It made the first move. Hammer was aimed at me, I jumped back, and it hit the ground. Golem was very agile in regards to its size and composure. I was surprised. I engulfed my body in mana. Headless demon attacked me. My sword and its katana “greeted” each other quite a few times. I had an adrenaline rush. I attacked Headless Demon; it defended and counter-attacked. I jumped back and right in fast consequential moves. I thought something was missing. I had lost the sight of golem. Maybe it had moved on and went to fight another warrior. Headless Demon began to run to close the distance between us. I used both hands to hold the sword and raised my arms to make the last move. I was too focused on Headless Demon, and the worst happened. A breeze came from the left side. My eyes turned to left; instantaneously hammer’s edge hit my ribs and threw me into air. I felt an immense pain. My ribs were either cracked or broken. Worse than that the power of golem was so big that I was thrown to far away into the Devil’s Canyon.

The darkness welcomed me. In to the pit!

Next: Chapter 10 - I don't know.