Chapter: 16 Two Creatures of the Dark

(Are these the dark forces? Is this what the saviors have told me to fight against?)

Watching the scimitar flashed before his eyes, Ben could only rely on his reactions to catch the slices and strikes as the creature ruthlessly struck at him. Brutality, merciless, and it's powerful swings emitted a surpressing aura, an aura that was unlike the feeling of death, however it contained the pure determination of fear. His sword clashed against the two scimitars, his hands were filled with red aura, struggling against the dominating strength of the dark creature. As Ben stared back at the souless green fire, it was emotionless, it simply continued to push down the scimitar with it's weight as time passed by. Ben felt the presence of the other dark creature started to creep closer to Ben as it leisurely walked towards him as if it was a midday hunter leisurely walking towards it’s captured prey.

Ben dodged the last few swings and ran once more. The creature with the scimitar immediately caught up with Ben and threw a rock, embedding itself into Ben’s left shoulder, leaving a patch of moist dirt before it fell off.

The pain spiked from his shoulder, it was as if there was a hot, blistering small pan seared onto his skin. His eyes teared up as the pain overcame him. His thoughts were messy, his eyes looking side to side searching for a way.

(How can I get out, fight, die?, I can’t run… what the hell are these.. are these the dark forces? They’re strong, they are relaxed… I can’t be a contender… what is this…)

The two creatures, no matter how far, continued to slowly approach Ben, the place he was in was an eternal-like world. No matter how far he ran, there was nothing there. Nothing to save him, distract, kill, other than the two creatures themselves and the numberless shadowless tall stalks of the trees that seemed neverending.

Ben closed his eyes once more, relaxing his muscles as he held onto the sword in his hands. The ability to stay calm and assess the situation was one of the ways to survive within the world of adventuring. Abbs once stated to Ben when he practiced with him.

Abbs: “The faster you think of junk then you’ll end up with junk, turn it to quality rather than quantity…. since your thoughts don't pay anyways.”

Abbs sat back down on his seat and laid back. He looked at Ben once more.

Abbs: "It's a dangerous world out there. Sometimes being too careful will just tire you out... never give up. If you do, you may die."

Ben once more opened his eyes as he faced off the creature with the Scimitars, filled with determination and strength. Ben grasped upon his sword with a stronger grip, watching the creature with the bow steadying it’s aim. It’s arm pulling the string with strength, paused for a slight second before letting the arrow soar through the trees, grazing the sides, and penetrating tree trunks. Ben swung his sword, making the arrow rebound off of his blade. The weight and the force of the arrow was enough to numb his hands. Shaking off the numbness with determination, he faced the scimitar creature. It hopped with vigor, slashing downwards with confidence as it hopped above Ben.

Ben rolled beneath the scimitar creature avoiding the downward swing attack, quickly getting back up to use his sword to block the sideway swing as the creature stabbed the ground and with no resistance, from the earth, swung it's scimitars through the ground unleashing it's might on Ben's sword. The impact of the force that the creature used to slash at Ben caused him to be blown into a nearby tree. The strength of the two creatures were unimaginable. They stood and simply walked towards Ben as they cackled at Ben’s futile attempts to survive. Ben beaten and battered, his back was in pain. However, some feeling of warmth prevailed around his body, the bracers were dim but it glowed for Ben.

Ben stood back up and slashed at the scimitar creature. It blocked off Ben’s attack with one scimitar and started it’s counter attack. During this motion a fierce aura blasted the creature’s face, causing it to hesitate. Ben’s arm bursted with red aura as he used his strength to knock down the callous creature’s defensive stance before it counter attacked. While the creature was out of it’s stance, Ben immediately retracted his blade and stabbed into the creature’s stomach. As Ben's sword stabbed into the creature a bright light appeared from within. The creature faced Ben with disbelief. Ben continued to stab deeper and made an exit with his sword as flame burst from it, cleanly bisecting the creature in two from the waist letting the flames escape from it's sides.

The scimitar creature’s body immediately faded into the scene as it’s shadow dispersed within the air, followed by a ghastly scream. The ears of the other creature with a bow, lifted up violently as if it searched for it’s companion within the air. It’s mind seemed to be in disarray, as its head twisted and turned to look for the other. Ben faced towards the other creature who was 20 feet away and slashed his sword towards the distracted creature. Flames sparked from his sword and flew towards the creature. It fell without a fight as it’s figure burned into non-existence.

Taking out the creatures, the scenery around Ben turned. The lake and the statue once again in front of him. The dying trees were once more visible to his eyes as the orange leaves fell onto the ground.

Ben looked back at the statue and examined it once more, the right eye of the statue was cracked and black liquid leaked from it as if it were crying or in pain. Two dark shades in a form of spheres were in front of him. Ben looked at it with curiosity, within the two shades were some sort of shadow that held no shape.

(Strange… it’s still within the statue’s influence, it’s best to leave it alone.)

He walked backwards and left the two orbs as he turned his back towards the statue once more.

******

The camp that Ben made was a modest one, a small campfire and a sleeping bag on the ground. His sword at his side and some trip wires around his camp. Ben followed the basic guidelines of the adventurer’s code to camping that Abbs taught him. Ben cooked a soup base made of potatoes, tomatoes, and some carrots, accompanied by wheat bread. The soup, with potatoes being soft to the touch alongside the carrots are assisted with the tomato that is within the backdrop of the soup, highlighting the soft brittle potato. A light course meal that allows the person to eat enough to fulfill their stomach, yet Ben felt somewhat unsatisfied with a this meatless meal.

Ben set down the empty bowl and started to store the equipment into his bags. Slowly snuffing out the fire with some rocks found on the ground nearby. The light from the fire slowly succumbed to the dark moonlight shadow. The bag shoved against the tree, Ben snuggled up to it and looked at the moon.

“... those creatures… if they were simply the minions of the dark… that the flower has spoken of. Then…. how am I supposed to fight against it? What powers do this role of a Savior have?”

Ben looked at the bracer he had on his arm. Recalling the words of the flower, Ben’s face pondered on it’s words. An easy flow of understanding flowed between the spirit and him.

“Do you… need help?” The soft tone of the spirit echoed whispered within his mind. Whom he had already become accustomed to the sudden words of the spirit. However, since it volunteered to appear in front of Ben, it would be in his best interest to learn what it has to teach or tell.

“... can you… describe what Grant’s job was?”

“Grant… the Berzerker, holding the power of strength… a unique aura granted through mentor and students… host to host… death to life. A being granted it’s role and retirement from the saviors themselves. The past saviors… whom failed.”

“... could you tell me?”

“I can only help you… by which Grant has experiences. For my power only flowed through Grant during his journey from beginning to the end of his life.”

The saviors, six beings that were called upon the goddess of this world. She sought for help, she knew something was wrong within this world. Something had happened that interfered with the natural order of the world. The creatures grew stronger while the human population dwindled. The six individuals agreed with the goddess, however, something happened. As the six individuals must be reincarnated with the world’s system to enable their full powers, the evil god Lothgar… his minions or servants of the dark managed to interrupt this plan. Each reincarnated savior was split off, their memories severed from the goddess, each gone through a trial set by Lothgar’s minions and the goddess’s own trials.

“When I joined Grant, giving him the power to resist. He was already with one of the saviors. The red savior, Zane, an angry human I must add. Grant gained my trust through his thoughts, clear and decisive choices, a reason for honor to protect his brother, to sacrifice his own well-being for his brother, and … to help Zane in his revenge.

“Revenge?”

“The loss of his loved one… a story of how powerless they were… when I happened upon Grant. He stood in front of the burning house, holding Zane back within the forest. I granted my power to Grant afterwards, finding him within the alleyway outside of the shack that he managed to get from an elderly couple from the slums. He stood within the alleyway, tears in his eyes as he held down the door, preventing Zane from coming out… seeking revenge on the ones who killed their parents, their friends, and their lives.

“...”

“As I watched over them throughout the years, the more stronger they’ve become. Zane, one of the saviors, managed to remember his duty as he happened upon the temple of the goddess. He grew stronger once he remembered, he held Grant’s hand and urged him to follow him into the outside world. Away from the town that they lived in. Grant was uncertain, however his decision to follow Zane changed his life.”

“...”

“As they journeyed through the lands, day by day… weeks by weeks. Zane grew stronger as time passed by. Surpassing Grant’s own strength by miles. They met other people who had similar powers as Zane. However… there was one thing that Grant knew within himself… Zane… was no longer a child or the little brother that needed to be protected… As Grant slowly released his grip on Zane, he found someone he loved… his guilt towards Zane when he helplessly fell in love. His loyalty to Zane and his duties as his older brother surpassed his own needs, however Zane. He foresaw this and had already arranged everything for Grant's own life. Grant tried to resist with his undetermined words, he was indecisive. However, if a final push from Zane, Grant was able to leave Zane to his life and Grant to his own...then you should know the story afterwards.”

“I see…but how did Lothgar’s minion manage to hold power…. was everyone careless? Or were they just that strong… and what are Lothgar’s minions? Humans corrupted by evil or simply his minions that come from his side?”

“Both of the scenarios occurred… Evil came from the darkness, hidden from the light. Growing slowly as the people of good were afraid to confront this unspeakable horror. From the fear of villagers to the fear of nobles and eventually into the heart of the royal capital of Lanners... and now the evil that Lothgar breeds... it spreads across this world that even I as a spirit have noticed."

“Hmm… do you know anything about this world?”

“From what I’ve experienced through the righteous warriors of the past, all of them perished due to one thing.”

“Err… what would that be?”

“Powerless… weak…. overwhelmed… and love.”

“.... aren’t your hosts usually strong?”

“They are strong, however as time passes and Lothgar’s power rises the monsters that inhabit these worlds also grow in general. Just like the battle that Grant took, and the bandits that were easily killed by mere goblins. The evolution of the goblins, the mere thought of the weakest creature being able to use magic is beyond the norms of this world. The ones that I had followed in the past were numerous, now there are but a few individuals who are able to bear my mark with confidence."

(Abbs did say the attacks are becoming more and more frequent… there was a knight’s order there as well… and the bandits… there was an entire pile of dead bodies there. They easily outnumbered the goblins.. yet they failed to protect themselves.)

“How are they getting stronger?”

“That… is what the Saviors are searching for. For I do not know the answer to that question. Other than the idea that the dark god Lothgar is behind this.”

“Right… thank you.”

“Become strong young one… you are still weak in comparison to the ones I have guided, however… you have promise, strength and… maybe resolve. I’ve connected to your aura enough to be called when needed. I am Rose, I will protect you the best as I can… however you must find the second part of my spirit.”

“Second part? You have another part?”

“Anvil, remember the insignia from the castle? Humans worship our two symbol of strength and honor, for we interact with the humans the most compared to our other spirits. Anvil is missing due to the lack of hosts."

“... I’ll try and find Anvil if I get any clues to where it's abouts.”

“I will tell you when Anvil is nearby… that is if I can sense his aura.”

“So… if you don’t mind me asking. What do you do?”

“If you haven’t realized it, your pain on your shoulder is gone right?”

Ben felt his shoulder, the place where the rock embedded into his shoulder had disappeared, not a scar was left behind.

“Regeneration… huh.”

“It’s one part of it, the other part is to strengthen yourself. As you’ve always done.”

“... interesting. so this is what Grant had granted me after his death…”

“Indeed… rest young one, I sense that in the morning you’ll have some aching muscle pain”

“... what…?”