This is a mini chapter today, guys! Merry Late Christmas!
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"You know the city guard captain?!"
Aaron laughed as he walked down the street. "Yep!" Alex waved his hands around. "Like personally? Not "Oh, we pass each other sometimes," but personally? Aaron nodded. "Yeah, we used to be partners back when we both were city guards. Everything from slaying monsters to walking a teenager home after he snuck out." He let out a breath as his eyes scanned the buildings on the verge of falling over. "The kingdom was in better shape, and the people were happier. We were never the richest kingdom out there—far from it—but even carrying an old lady's bag felt like you were on top of the world, and it felt better when you had someone to watch your back." He shook his head, his smile returning to his face. "Though I remember the first mission, we truly clicked."
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Flashback
A younger Aaron stood in front of the gate, leaning on the wall, he scoffed, "And he was telling me not to be late..."
"I'm not late. I just told you an early time so I wouldn't have to wait." Aaron turned his head, staring as his friend walked through the gates as calm as ever, a smirk on his face. Carrying his war hammer as he slowed to a stop. "ARE YOU SERIOUS, ANDY?! YOU HAD ME WAITING FOR AN HOUR!" "Oh, quit being dramatic, Aaron—it was only 45 minutes." "CLOSE ENOUGH!" Andy chuckled as he walked ahead, Aaron falling into step beside him on the way to the wagon. "It's not my fault you are always late—I swear, sometimes it looks like captain wants to tear you to shreds." They hopped into the wagon, and Andy signed that they were ready. As the wagon started to move, Aaron sighed dramatically. "He might as well—I mean, come on, an outer village? With only us? He is plotting for us to be tired when we get back. Having to stay up all night doesn't sound like the most fun." Andy leaned back. "Well, instead of complaining, you should be getting some shut-eye while you can—I got a feeling it's going to be a long night."
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After arriving, Aaron and Andy settled into their post. The night dragged on, with each routing patrol around the village. It was the dead of night when Aaron yawned. "Guess it's my turn again..." he mumbled, stretching. He grabbed his spear. "Be careful." Andy said, "Aw, you care about me." "Shut up." Aaron laughed as he walked out.
Patrolling the village outskirts felt like a breath of fresh air as Aaron walked.
Snap
Aaron whipped around, his hands gripping his spear tight. Just then a bunny hopped out of the bush. Aaron blinked, a sigh falling from his lips. "Ah...it's just you..." He lowered his guard a little bit before hearing a snarl. He brought his spear up once again. "That definitely wasn't you..." His eyes scanned the tree line, the bush, and any open space. It was silent before something ripped through the forest, aiming straight for him. His eyes widened. "Vampire—!"
Aaron rolled on the ground, slicing the vampire's stomach. The shallow cut healed quickly as the vampire ran again. Aaron stabbed straight through him before slamming him into a tree. Aaron's breath picked up as more and more vampires revealed themselves, eventually overpowering him. Aaron was thrown to the ground, barely rolling in time to miss a claw, but just then one pinned him. Aaron had his spear to the vampire's neck, keeping him back before throwing him off. He stood only for him to nearly scream in pain as a vampire's claw raked through his leg. Just then a war hammer came down on said vampire's head, crushing him. Aaron looked up, eyes wide, as Andy taunted a vampire to charge, only to receive a blow to the head. "You always know how to find trouble, don't you?!" He yelled over the chaos, "GET THE HELL AWAY!" Just then arrows rained down. Behind the fence archers that normally hunt were screaming profanities as they shot their arrows.
Aaron grinned as Andy and him fought back-to-back, moving around each other's hits. Andy's eyes scanned the battlefield—performing feints and pulling Aaron out of the way in time. Aaron fought expertly with his spear, not a trace of fear behind his eyes as he stabbed, pinned, and raged through vampires until there was nothing left. They stood there side by side before a laugh tore through Aaron's throat. "HAHAHA—that was just what I needed!" Andy looked at him. "You're insane, you know that?" "Might be—I'm still alive though!"
End of flashback
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Aaron grinned. "I haven't sparred with him in so long! I'm ready for it!" Milo cleared his throat a bit. "I don't know if he will be in a sparring kind of mood..." Aaron blinked. "Eh? What do you mean?" "Well, he's been...stressed out lately..." "Which is why a spar would be perfect! Come on, slow pokes!" Aaron shouted as he once again ran, causing the group to groan.
"Not again!"
"AW COME ON!"
"WAIT FOR US!!"
"I'm not gonna even try."