Chapter 11
As the humans emerged into view, I swiftly and thoroughly assessed their demeanor and equipment. My eyes took in the mix of warriors, scouts, and soldiers, noting the precision of their formation and the quality of their gear.
"Let's proceed with caution," I advised, my voice firm and authoritative. "We will determine their intentions."
I watched the humans with a measured gaze, my eyes locked on their leader. Vivian stepped forward, her posture confident and assertive. "Greetings," she declared, her voice clear and commanding. "We mean no harm. State your purpose."
I stood vigilant, Johan at my side, our eyes scanning the humans for any signs of weakness or potential threats. The silence followed was met with our unwavering attention, our senses on high alert, ready to respond to any provocation.
The soldier dressed in his uniform with a beret moved forward to converse. "Are you coming from the cave?" he asked, his voice firm and commanding. "Yes," Vivian replied, "we just came out." "Is there anything inside?" he asked, knowing the answer already. "Yes," Vivian replied, "they are monsters there." "Monsters?" The soldier's tone was laced with skepticism. "But we met none on our way." He thought to himself, "If they are, by now they should be on their way. Did they kill them or escape?"
"Unfortunately, they won't be coming," Johan replied boldly and alarmingly.
"Why is that?" the soldier asked, almost furious.
"We killed them," Vivian replied timidly.
The soldier's laughter was laced with mockery, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he towered over us. His rugged features and battle-hardened physique commanded attention, but he was condescending, betraying a lack of respect. "You killed them?" He repeated, his voice dripping with incredulity.
I stood tall, my gaze unwavering as I met his challenge. A young scout (more of an assassin), clad in a dark, tattered cloak that seemed oversized for his slight frame, glared at Vivian with eyes that burned with an unnatural ferocity. His agile body tensed, ready to strike, as he gripped his double daggers with determination.
The young scout lunged at Vivian, I reacted instinctively, my sword flashing in the dim light. The scout's double daggers clashed with my steel, the impact jarring but controlled. Johan sprang into action, charging towards the scouts and warriors with a fierce determination.
"Why?" Vivian demanded, her voice laced with frustration and confusion as she struggled to free herself from the scout's grasp, now foiled. "Why are you doing this?"
The scout's response was cold and detached, his voice devoid of emotion. "You don't need to know."
"Vivian!" Johan's voice rang out, authoritative and urgent. "Move to the back and prepare!"
Vivian's eyes widened in shock, her gaze darting between us as if unable to comprehend the situation. I could sense her turmoil, her mind reeling with the reality of fighting with fellow humans. I too, felt a pang of recognition, but my focus remained on the boy, my sword still locked with his daggers.
The scouts and warriors were swiftly overwhelmed by Johan'd superior skills, their movements frantic and disjointed as they struggled to keep up with his lightning-fast strikes. Meanwhile, the young scout in the cloak proved to be a formidable opponent, his reflexes honed to a razor's edge as he danced around my attacks.
I sneered at him, dashing forward with a speed that left him stumbling to react. My sword sliced through the air, leaving a crimson trail on his face as he belatedly tried to defend himself. The gash on his chin would leave a lasting scar.
Vivian jumped into the fray, her attack swishing with the wind as she fought alongside Johan. Just as Johan seemed poised to finish off the remaining opponents, his gaze locked onto the soldier's form, and he hesitated.
The young scout's eyes widened in horror as he touched the gash on his face, his fingers coming away stained with blood.
"No, no, no… I just got cut on my face," he muttered his voice laced with shock and outrage.
"I see you've taken a personal mark," I remarked, my voice firm and detached. My gaze never left the young scout's face as I continued, "You should be grateful I chose not to kill you. For now."
With a swift motion, I sheathed my double sword, the sound of steel sliding into leather echoing through the cavern.
The scout's rampage commenced, and I anticipated his downfall, my sword poised for the kill strike. "Pathetic," I declared, my voice laced with disdain. "You can't defeat me in this state."
But before I could deliver the final blow, the soldier intervened, unleashing a ferocious counterattack that sent me flying into the wall. The impact was jarring, my vision momentarily blurred. As I struggled to regain my footing, I assessed the situation anew. The soldier's power was undeniable, his movements a blur of speed and precision.
Johan's valiant charge ended spectacularly, with the soldiers' bare hands proving more than a match for our swords. The force of the punch sent Johan flying, but the soldier closed the distance with inhuman speed, delivering a crushing blow that sent him crashing to the ground. I watched mesmerized, as the soldiers' raw power rewrote the rules of combat. This was no ordinary veteran - this was a warrior forged in the crucible of battle, his strength bordering on the superhuman even amongst the superhuman.
With calculated precision, I launched myself at him, my blades clashing with his bare hands in a mesmerizing dance of steel and shadow. Though he held the upper hand, I reveled in the challenge, my senses electrified by that battle's intensity. A cold, calculated smile spread across my face, a manifestation of unyielding determination.
Vivian's incredulous gaze bore into me, her voice cracking with desperation. "How can you smile in this situation?" she pleaded, her words lost on me as I poured every ounce of skill and fury into the fight.
My blades sang their deadly song, weaving an intricate pattern around him. I coated them with a glowing aura, unleashing a noxious cloud that obscured his vision. Seizing the opportunity, I struck with precision, my blades biting deep.
Though my attack failed to deal significant damage, I pressed on, relentless in my pursuit of victory. The soldier's words, delivered with detached interest, only fueled my competitive fire. "You look more battle-oriented than the others," he observed, his tone a challenge I eagerly accepted.
With fluid motion, I shifted my attack, my blade clashing anew as we danced across the cavern, each strike echoing through the darkness. The battle raged on, and I was alive, every fiber of my being attuned to the fight.