Half A Hero

5

Ghwyr was still fighting for his life as his body froze on the cold floor. But the more he tried to move his body, the more he realized he wasn’t able to do anything. His heart was beating violently as the sound of the razor-sharp nails came closer to him.

He became more anxious when he heard the two alternating sounds of the claws from two directions. There was more than one of it and now, he might be eaten by the two monsters. Unable to do anything about it, he closed his eyes and prayed once again, in hopes that the monsters would end him quickly.

He could hear the other one growling just a few feet away from him. It sounded angry, as it should be after what he did. It screeched and hissed before hearing its footsteps charging towards him. Just as he was about to be mangled by the monster, he felt someone grabbed him by the shoulders.

“Light force shield!” The voice came sounded like a woman. “Your turn, guys!” She shouted enthusiastically.

Ghwyr was able to slightly open his eyes and to his surprise, he saw three men jumping towards the silhouette of the monster. He couldn’t see them as much, but as far as what he saw, the man in the middle towered the other two beside him.

“Oh, Lady Dian Ceto, I open up my heart to thee.” The woman laid her hands on Ghwyr. “Take pity in your creation and show him your generosity. Heal.” She uttered the prayer completely.

He felt a warmth spreading inside his body. It felt like a mother’s hug, but it was so much more. His faltering eyesight became clearer once again. The heaviness and pain he felt all over his body was slowly alleviated. He tried moving, but his body was still under the effects of the poison.

“Hold still, good ser.” The woman said. “We need to clear your body of the poison, and I won’t be able to help you if you keep on moving around.” Her voice sounded sweet even if she tried her best to sound stern.

“W-who… a-are… you…” Ghwyr asked in his husky voice.

“Stop, asking questions for now… good ser.” The woman answered. “But if it pleases you, my name is Frejr… Frejr Summerchild. Now, please, relax and close your eyes while I heal you.” She said calmly.

Ghwyr didn’t ask anymore questions. He closed his eyes and feel the sensation of the warm light slowly healing him. About a few minutes into the healing process, he felt his stomach flipping again. Disobeying the woman, he turned to the side and vomited the remnants of the vile liquid that he accidentally drank earlier. After doing it, he felt better than he was earlier.

“Alright, I think you’re all healed.” She said enthusiastically.

“Thank you…” He turned around and was speechless for a moment.

The woman who healed her was so beautiful, it had him speechless for a moment. Her golden hair flowed freely down her shoulders. She had golden eyes that shimmered brightly along with the golden light she emitted earlier. She had an oval face with an aquiline nose, and full, pink lips that added to her unearthly beauty. Ghwyr might have seen a few beautiful women while being on the capital, but their beauty couldn’t compare to her.

She wore a breastplate over a blue robe that exposed her arms. It was a weird choice of clothing, but it suited her well. That you wouldn’t notice how awfully weird it truly was.

“Are you still hurt?!” She asked while putting her warm palm over his forehead.

“N-no… I am doing… well.” He shook his head and answered as quickly as he could. “W-why are you here?! There’s a strong beast—”

“Don’t worry about me…. Well, about us…” She smiled. “You are in good hands. We were sent by the King to investigate these sewers and kill a rogue mon—” Before she could finish, another woman appeared from the shadows and smacked her head.

“Ouch!” Frejr exclaimed.

“Shut your trap, Frejr… you know this was supposedly a secret.” The girl in a stern and cold voice said.

“Oh, sorry… Narjuna! I almost forgot… hehe.” She turned around and smiled at the other woman.

The other woman she called Narjuna was enveloped in the shadows. There was only a portion of her face that unveiled, and even then, she had her face covered in a violet velvet cloth.

“A klutz as always.” Narjuna rolled her eyes. “Is this halfling fully healed?” She asked the golden-haired woman.

“Yes, he is fully healed.” Frejr nodded.

“Good.” The other woman slowly nodded. “Now, tend to those guys!” She pointed at the other three men battling the monster.

Ghwyr turned around and saw the three men, fighting the monster. The monster seemed to be having difficulty against the three men, especially the towering, muscular one who wasn’t using any weapons other than his fists.

“Bjorn! Are you sure you want to continue with the wager?” Narjuna shouted. “Your hands seemed to be bleeding.” She teased.

“Ha!” The big man’s voice boomed. “I wouldn’t let you win, Narjuna!” He said while punching the monster on the gut then connected a cross on the face.

Looking at the overconfident man made Ghwyr wince. The monster was far too powerful for the bunch of them, how much more with only three men fighting it?

“Ha! You missed!” Bjorn evaded its claws and kicked in on the chest. “And I though this was dangerous.” He scoffed.

The monster tumbled to the floor where the other two men made their own attacks. Both of them cut off the monster’s tails making the creature screech in pain.

“Was that all that you got?” The big man said. “I am still not sweating! Come on, do your worst.” He taunted the monster.

The monster stood up once again and screamed at them before lunging at them. The big man smiled and caught it by the neck, before smashing it hard on the stone floor.

“There you go, ya freak.” The big man grinned. “Lemme finish you off!” He held the monster with his other hand while his companions secured its appendages, stabbing their swords on each arm and leg preventing it from moving.

The strong man effortlessly yanked the monster’s head out of its body and smiled to him.

“There you go, kiddo.” He tossed the head towards him. “A souvenir for your troubles.” He said.