1.6

The fine line of suicidal and heroism

It didn’t take long before Hiro realised why the windows at Owain’s house were barred. This tavern was freezing rapidly. Even the street wasn’t this bad. The buildings must have funnelled cold wind in which caused a rapid decrease in temperature. But when they first entered, the bar was normal.

The owner also noticed the problem. He opened a chest next to counter to reveal that it was full of coal. He then placed some in the basket and put them beneath the counter. There must be a furnace or something down there. Soon enough, the temperature started to rise again.

Momo-chan: [Come to think of it, it doesn’t really smell here]

Hiro: {Look up, then you will know why}

Momo-chan: [… You do realise I can’t move right]

Hiro completely forgot about that. Nevertheless, technically he could just say it but the young man decided to look up. Attached to the roof was a glass balls similar to one at Owain’s. This one, however, was lighting up the place.

Hiro: {It’s the same outside as well, these balls are all over the place}

Momo-chan: [Then how come I didn’t notice them?]

Hiro: {Probably because of the crowd, you were too busy looking at them}

Momo-chan: [Even if that is the case, I don’t think I will miss a bunch of glowing balls!]

Hiro: {Don’t worry, I nearly miss them as well. Those serve as street lights here. Similar to what we have at home so we zoned them out}

But still, those balls weren’t light bulbs. The ones at Owain’s home didn’t work, they were filled with fluid. If you looked carefully, these were the same. The liquid was glowing quite brightly, but how? The light was consistent as well, just like a light bulb.

Oh well, he didn’t need to think about that now. It must be due to magic or something.

Before Hiro could take another sip, however, the place was shaken by a monstrous roar. Owain and the tavern owner were as clueless as the young man. Everyone ran outside to take a look. There was something in the sky, circling the small town.

It was the most hideous of monster. A combination of animals, mashed together then enlarged, a Chimera. With an alligator head that could swallow a man whole, the creature flapped it wings, looking for prey. Consumed by hunger, it dove down toward the pedestrians. It tried to grab someone with its bird leg but clumsily failed. The thing accidentally used its lion leg instead. The monster’s preys managed to dodge into the buildings. The creature, enraged, smashed its disproportionate head into a wooden house only to find it didn’t even budge!

Momo-chan: [How?] Hiro: {How?}

That place was just made of wood, yet it could endure such a blow. That or maybe the monster may not be terribly strong.

The thing hadn’t given up though. It continuous clawed at the roof, trying to crack it open. A difficult process seeing that only two of its legs had claw and they aren’t even on the same side. Still, the building started to crack, it wouldn’t be able to hold out for long!

Momo-chan: [Those people are in danger! We… have to do something!]

Momo-chan said, not knowing what to do. His host, however, had already made up his mind. Hiro charged toward the monster.

“OI, I’M OVER HERE!”

He screamed out at the top of his lung and threw his cup at the creature which missed… for quite a bit. Nevertheless, the monster looked at him, confused by the source of disturbance. One look was enough for the thing to find its new prey. Without any pause, the creature dove toward Hiro.

“Oh crap”

The young man jumped into an alley nearby, dodging the assault at the last moment. Its head was too big to fit in here but he couldn’t rest yet. If this thing kept trying to get to him, it would knock down the surrounding sooner or later. Taking a deep breath, he once again broke for a sprint.

Momo-chan: [What are you even doing!]

Momo-chan yell felled into deaf ears. His host was too busy trying to stay alive, for now. Hiro managed to reach another small alley. Miraculously, the monster managed to miss him, somehow. Letting out another roar, the creature was determined to find its prey.

Hiro: {My lungs feel like bursting!}

Momo-chan: [What are you even doing!]

Hiro: {Geez, do you have to yell that loud, my ears are already ringing from all the roaring}

Momo-chan: [That’s because you kept on ignoring me!]

Hiro: {Well, I was trying to, you know, not dying}

Momo-chan: [Then why did you even run at the thing to begin with!]

Hiro: {To save those people, that building is giving out!} Hiro also starts to yell

Momo-chan: [By throwing yourself out recklessly like that! I am you, I also want to help them. But even I, who is supposed to be younger, know that you should at least think of something first!]

Hiro: {You seriously believe that I would be that stupid?}

Momo-chan: [Eh]

Hiro: {Look at that thing, it’s movement is too awkward. It can’t even use its legs probably. Ever since the thing landed, the wings haven’t moved since even though it is much easier to pick at me from the sky. As an amalgamation of animals, that thing can’t even coordinate its different parts properly. Heck, it even missed me, its only target!}

Momo-chan: [… That]

Hiro: {I do remember my teenage self to be smarter, and even more reckless than this}

Momo-chan was speechless. Of course, he noticed all of that, but most of the thing Hiro said were only apparent after the thing chased them. True the monster was awkward when it first appeared but there could be many reasons for that! Maybe it just woke up, or maybe it was still tired. There was no guarantee that the thing would remain as clumsy once the chase started. Besides, that building could still survive for quite a good while more. There was no need to charge in that early. Yes, Momo-chan was from a particularly hot-headed period but even he noticed that.

It was just like that time when Suiren tried to kill them. Hiro remained so callous, even joking around right before their consciousness faded away.

It wasn’t bravery then and it wasn’t now.

The young man already knew it wasn’t a dream then since his back was hurt. He already accepted this reality. Actually, he accepted everything too easily. Including Momo-chan, while it was the truth Hiro bought into that almost instantly. That and his seemingly indifference about being in a life death situation, in a completely new world. He didn’t even mention home even once…

Momo-chan wondered, what happened in that six years between them.

Meanwhile, the monster finally realised that it had wings. It soared up in the sky painfully, looking for the prey. Hiro still kept eyes on the beast, it seemed like the thing hasn’t noticed him yet.

It didn’t take long for the creature to spot someone which it charges at with great ferocity.

“Who!” Who could be wondering outside like this!

The monster was completely mindless, the hunger, the pain were all too much for its primitive brain to bear. It wanted to consume, it wanted to destroy, it wanted to ravage the land, for what reason it couldn’t understand. Unfortunately, its target was no prey.

The Legionnaire took a deep breath and ready his javelin. It was a pilum, used by the Roman army. This weapon was designed to fight man, against a monster this size the thing probably couldn’t even graze its bone. But the man holding it was no mere human. He was a centurion, the pride of the Roman army. Now upgraded to bring down a nation.

Digging his feet into the ground. The masked man took aim. For a moment he could hear sound. They were his men, his family, his country cheering for him. With a roar that pierce the heaven the Legionnaire launched his javelin through the night sky.

The creature was surprised, what was that sound. Was it made by that tiny speck of a man. How could a thing that small made a noise like that? It hesitated and then there is only pain.

The javelin had pierced through the monster left eye, hitting its skull. It tried to dig the foreign object out to no avail, the iron shaft had bent awkwardly to prevent easy removal. In desperation, the monster accidentally used its claw, tearing into its flesh even more. With a painful roar, it fell into the ground, a greenfield.

The Legionnaire himself was stunned with both anger and confusion. His aim was perfect, the pilum was supposed to go through the brain, killing the thing instantly. Instead, the creature hesitated and that saved it life, for better or worse. As a man of perfection, he cursed himself for that miscalculation.

But in his mind, there were still questions. Where did that strength even come from? It was true that the masked warriors, especially the captains, had their body enhanced. But never to such degree. And also, how did he even know about it, that the pilum could be that powerful. Was it because of the cheering? Those ghostly voices that had been haunting him ever since he failed to kill the strangers.

There was no doubt about it, he was corrupted, just like #2. But the man decided not to report to his superior. This strength, or a flash of it, wasn’t here anymore but that didn’t mean he couldn’t muster that again. If they wiped his mind once again then it may go away. It was best if he kept quiet about this, for now.

___

Hiro was petrified, not out of fear but surprise. Someone had taken out that beast with such ease. Even now his roar still rang in the young man mind. Suddenly, he could feel a cold hand on his shoulder, calming him down.

It was the knight, who signalled that he will check on the monster. He then pointed at Hiro then at the tavern, telling him to go back there.

The young man refused, however, he needed to see what happened. Seeing his eagerness, the knight handed him the shield that once belonged the masked man in red. But not the axe.

Holding the item in his hand, Hiro could feel confidence swells up within him. The two made their way toward the monster which eventually led them outside the town. The young man could feel a strange breeze. It’s salty!

He looked to the side to find… the ocean.

This town was seaside all along. Both Hiro and Momo-chan were speechless, they had never seen the sea before. Yes, for more than twenty years of his life, the young man had never been to the ocean. He had only known it through books and televisions. Now to be faced with the real thing so suddenly especially after such an adrenaline rush. It was strangely calming.

He then looked back to find on the outskirt of town there were people everywhere. Like him, they were also curious. ‘Hm, how come they all look so horrified?’

The knight grabbed Hiro and turns him around.

The frail young man found himself facing a very much alive and pissed off monster. All the blood streaming from its eye only made the creature even more threatening. With its remaining eye the thing looked straight at Hiro. It didn’t know why but there was something about him that was different from all other.

Such a primitive brain couldn’t comprehend why though. It only translated to one thing only. The person in front of him here would be more delicious than everyone else.

And after all the pain, the creature surely wanted a treat.