Ch 31: A Resolve Unfettered

The passage is littered with slain goblins, a soft pant could be heard as Scarlett runs through the passageway with a spear in hand.

Scarlett: (Ben... )

Scarlett looked upward at Ben’s battle with Silvers. Its speed was overwhelming to Scarlett, the abilities that Ben has to dodge its attacks are remarkable. Someone who shouldn't have the ability at that age is squaring off with a physically enhanced monster, B ranks. Yet, Ben… is not using any auras, is not using any magical enhancements, items.

Scarlett: (Where did you get those powers?)

Ben continued to stare at Silver’s massive body lunging at him. Ben’s eyes narrowed as a flash of flame burst from his sword. Ben’s sword sparked with light, the flames burst outward as Ben swung his sword onto Silver’s body. The blade caught onto Silver’s body as the flame quickly crawled onto Silver’s skin. Pain could be seen on Silvers as his body was thrown to the side as his instincts immediately made his body flinch against the sudden pain.

Silver’s body fell upon the dirt. He quickly stood up and lifted his hands off of his wound. The skin was bleeding, the flames had shaved the skin as if layers of onions were peeled off.

Silvers: “This pain, this fire… what magic do you have?”

Ben adjusted his sword, his face is serious. Red aura formed around his arms.

Silvers: “Hmm auras of the humans.”

Ben rushed quickly with his sword out, as he slashed at Silvers. Hands blocked the flame blade, however, an indention had appeared on Silver’s palm. Silvers realized that his steel skin was giving way, cracks formed, pieces of skins fell apart as Ben pushed further into Silver’s palm.

Silvers backed up, however, his retreat had a coward’s price as several of his fingers were sliced off by Ben’s sword. Silvers gripped his hands into fists as he eyed his missing fingers with rage.

Vein appeared on his forearms as Silver’s gripped his fists even harder. His neck started to bulge out with veins and his throat expanded as he yelled at Ben.

Silvers: “I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU! AND I WILL CHOP YOU TO PIECES!”

Dust is flown out as Silvers hog rushes Ben, tossing stones that he grabbed from the ground. Each stone thrown was sharp as an arrow. Ben dodges and destroys the ones that would pierce him. Dust and rock pebbles shattered from the destroyed rocks, and at that moment a fist appeared from the fog. Ben shifted his shoulders and arms to block the fist as it caught onto his arms, branches of rose and thorns appeared on the gauntlet. Wrapping itself onto the fist of Silver’s before it smashed Ben. Ben was blown back, and the roots of the branches easily tore off.

Ben regained his stance as he effectively caught himself falling by doing a backflip. Turning to look at Silvers once more, the branches that lingered on Silver’s arms were torn apart easily leaving small scratches on his skin.

Ben: “Thanks, Rose.”

When Ben tried to move his right arm, a crack could be heard from his bones. Pain shot up towards his brain once more, he quickly knelt down and held onto his arm gently.

Ben: “Ugh…”

I couldn’t block all of it… if only anvil was here.

Ben: “It’s alright… I can manage…”

As Ben tried to stand up, the pain continued to numb his entire arm as he fell back down on his knees once more. The jolt of pain shot up as he realized his body was in shock.

Your body needs time to heal…

Ben: “I know, but…” Ben looks up from his injuries and sees Silvers preparing another hog rush.

Ben tried to move his body, however, due to the constant moving and fighting his body had come to be exhausted and a certain feeling of death slowly crawled into Ben’s mind as he saw Silvers start to charge at him.

Ben: (I can’t move… I can’t fight, I can die…)

Ben gritted his teeth as he tried to move, however, the pain from his forearms kept him in check as each movement he made only made him more unwilling to move.

Ben: (DAMN IT!!) with sheer willpower, Ben’s legs started to stand and his throat roared with a yell, his left arm formed a fist as he let go of his right arm to form a fist against Silver’s fist. Red aura pulsed out as they came into contact. Bones cracked from within Ben’s fist as the red aura burned onto Silver’s fist.

Ben yelled with ferocity as pain swelled on his arms, but he knew he had to force his way through regardless of the pain. Yet the body of a human compared to a hobgoblin’s strength was outmatched, even with the power of the red aura. Ben’s arm started to bleed and Silver’s fist pushed Ben’s fist back.

However, a spear flitted across the skies. Silvers immediately dodged out of the way, releasing the pain and suffering that he had inflicted on Ben. Scarlett’s spears continued to chase after Silver’s body as scratches appeared throughout his body. Each strike came with a dark black aura, a slash was made by Scarlett as a deep red gash appeared upon the hobgoblin’s body.

Silvers: “IMPOSSIBLE!”

Scarlett kept Silvers at bay with her spear as she continued to press onwards without fear. Her eyes were fearless and emotionless as she continued to slowly wear down her opponent’s defense. In a lapse of a few seconds, Silvers was riddled with small wounds. Scarlett decided to strike and quickly pierced Silver's thighs, so easily, as if Silvers’ thighs were the wet mud on a rainy day.

Retrieving her spear back with ease, Scarlett stabbed once more only for the hobgoblin to take the stab into its right hand. His other hand chopped the spear off from the wooden shaft. Causing Scarlett to lose focus as the sudden commitment had taken her off guard. Silvers took advantage of that and backhanded her with his left hand as he readied for a punch.

Scarlett twirled around and faltered back, her defenses shattered as Silvers prepared to punch once more. However, a blast of earth from underneath the ground smashes upon Silver’s face.

Regis: “Ben now!”

Ben upon hearing Regis struggled and began to walk with his sword in hand. Branches formed a sling around his shattered arms, and a faint green light could be seen from within. He tried to run towards Silvers, he gripped his sword even harder. Gritted his teeth as the pain has yet to fade or weaken. Silvers was still unconscious as Ben approached.

Ben paused for a moment as he stared at Silvers on the ground. One of Silver’s eyes lifted up slowly as its pupil dilated and readjusted to the light once more. It shifted its gaze at Ben.

Silvers: “... what are you waiting for?”

Silver’s face was smashed from the rocks and sharp stones. Lips were torn and one of his eyes was caved in. Yet he continued to talk to Ben as if he just woke up.

Ben: “How can you speak perfectly?”

Silvers’ eyes blinked.

Ben: “When you initially came out of the forest you spoke in broken human, now you speak perfectly?”

Silvers’ eyes trembled a bit before returning to form.

Silvers: “Memories…”

Ben’s eyes widened a bit as Silvers spoke of memories. He turned to look at Scarlett, who only shook her head.

Ben: “What do you mean by memories?”

Silvers breathed in heavily as if to taste the last of his life.

Silvers: “Memories of being… alive.”

Silver's hair turned to black, his skin turned to green. The sneer he usually had, slowly disappeared in his death. As if in one cue, his entire body fell limp.

Upon the death of Silvers, the goblins scattered in fear. The human defenders roared with happiness and savored the hope that they had wished for. Yet, Ben simply stood there in front of Silver’s body. Contemplating the reality of this situation. Ben’s hands moved on his own as it inched closer to Silver’s body.

Ben: (Perhaps)

As Ben’s finger touched the forehead of Silvers’. Memories processed into Ben’s mind.