As the last drops of water trickled down my face, I open my eyes and gazed at the horror that stood behind me.
There it was, a creature so otherworldly it resembled something I had seen in a video game. It's presence ripped through reality. Where a head should have been, three dark orbs pulsing with a sickly faint green glow hovered . It's body was mesh of charcoal like dark flesh. It's hands floated free, detached and drifting from it's body as if they were held by strings like a puppet.
No legs, that's why I didn't hear it coming. It glided like a phantom.
A low, raspy ham rippled from it that vibrated through my entire body. My chest tightened as It stretched one of it's blood soaked hand towards me.
The hand drew ever closer. I was petrified. My breath came out in shallow but rapid bursts. A true reflection of the fight or flight response aiding my adrenaline rush at the moment.
(come on legs now would be a great time to move)
My legs were frozen in place but oddly trembling. Just as it's hand could envelope my head, the bushes behind me rustled. Out came a man wearing a distinct jacket with sleeves that flowed with silver and a green badge on it.
"Hey, you!" the man barked "are you the one who caused this carnage or were you the one that sent the distress signal."
I couldn't respond. My voice had disappeared as fear still consumed me.
"Hey, I am talking to you, damn it!"
I slowly turned my head and noticed that the creature had gone still, almost as if scanning me or the man. My gaze landed on him and he let out a sigh almost as if this was a common occurrence for him.
"Finally got your attention, good." he said his hand clenching the handle of his blade which released a dim light.
"Were you the one who killed them?"
My voice finally escaped my lips but was laced with confusion and fear, "What the hell are you talking about."
"Don't play dumb with me girly" he said now with a fully drawn sword, "under her divine goddess's name you are to be arrested."
Great, first a monster and now a nut job, I thought.
"Look buddy," I pleaded, "I didn't kill any of these people, can't you see the creature behind me?"
He let out another sigh, "well you will have time to plead your case in front of the goddess, now don't resist."
Suddenly, Before I could even protest, he moved like a visible flash. What was supposed to be too fast for me to see was slowly picked up by my brain. Dust kicked up in his wake and before long his sword was grazing my neck causing a drop of blood to slide down.
I looked at the man in confusion. How am I able to perceive and comprehend his movements, I pondered.
As soon as I thought of asking him about it, I noticed his face was filled with pure unfiltered dread as his eyes loomed passed me and met with the creature behind me.
He instinctively yanked me in his arms as he leapt back, creating distance between us and the the monster.
"Why is a Remnant like that here?" his voice was oozing with fear and confusion.
"oh, so now you believe me" I retorted.
"Well excuse me for thinking you are one of those psycho killers, who drinks from a fresh dead bodies bottle anyway."
I couldn't argue with his logic, even I've been wondering if my actions were my own these past few hours.
I glanced at the Remnant and it slowly begun to float back with it's edges dissolving into the surrounding as if it were made of smoke.
"Is it gone?" I asked hopefully.
"No," he said grimly, "it's keeping it's distance, so that we won't be able to see or sense it."
"Can you fight?" he asked looking me up and down, assessing my physique.
"Do I look like a fighter you perv?" I announced angrily, covering myself.
He let out a short laugh, "I am flattered that you thought I was checking you out, but you lacking in too many areas to be my type."
I pouted with a flicker of embarrassment that escaped through blush on my cheeks.
He fished a small red like ember prism from his pocked and crushed it. A faint ghostly howl escaped forming an arrow made of red dust that pointed in the direction of the Remnant.
"Get down" he ordered, his tone leaving no room for any argument.
With no hesitation at all I dived into the dirt, his blade moved passed me almost like a liquid and collided with the monsters hand that was in arms reach of my head.
It came behind us! I thought surprised.
The Remnant instinctively moved back, but this time it did not vanish.
A continuous low hum came from it this time deeper and angrier. It's three orbs begun to spin faster with each second that past like a dark cyclone with a faint green tint.
The man, not planning on giving it any chance for it to power up, charged. His blade sliced clean through its arm in it's failed attempt to block.
Before he could follow up, the Remnant released a sharp pitched cry as it began to vibrate so fast that it flickered with afterimages.
He swung, but it was gone.
"Behind you!" I exclaimed. My vision was able track its movements but my reaction was slow.
It reappeared behind him and before he noticed, his side was hit clean, the force of the blow sent him slamming him into a tree.
Snap!
His bones echoed with a sickening shattering.
The Remnant released another hum almost seemingly mocking him as he staggered.
"I really didn't think I would use this today, but you forced my hand you damned Remnant."
He lifted his sword, eyes fluttering shut as he muttered what seemed like a chant. His hair flowed and emitted a fine ember glow. Then with a roar, his sword burst into flames. Fire swallowing up his sward and part of his arm as if it were another limb and his eyes shimmered
"Better get back girly, I can't promise your safety now."