The ground shook and quake with a loud bang and smoke of dust and dirt lifted to the air.
At the same time, Dein was thrown to the ground by the shockwave that followed.
Then, a soft voice, one that doesn't hint of any emotion, maybe if even a little bored, whispered to Dein's mind:
[You have slain a dormant human: Elder Chosen of the Sacred Flame; Bon]
On the ground, reeling in pain that the shockwave had made him remember, Dein cough wildly. Then, his gaze fell to the now broken cage before him. Smoke still permeating it but Dein did not fail to notice the hand – one that almost grabbed him by the shoulder seconds ago – buried under the ruble of woods and bulking centipede.
Blood covering it…
Suddenly, Dein feels like throwing up, and he probably would if only his stomach, which felt like it was upside down, wasn't already empty of anything he could ever vomit.
But that said, Dein had… won.
He won…?
'No, I didn't win anything…'
That earlier was barely even a fight. It was a massacre that Dein struggled so desperately to survive.
It wasn't glorious, wasn't noble, it wasn't honorable… even the end of it was abrupt, unsightly and a desperate gamble. It wasn't a fight Dein could take pride of and certainly not victory of. Bon after all… wasn't even trying to kill him.
And yet Dein had murdered him…
'tsk, shut up. Shut the fuck up! It's for your family, you did it so you can go back to your home! They're all illusions anyway!'
Yes that's right, so what if it's unsightly. Dein cannot take pride of what he did, he cannot boast about it and he might even feel bad and shameful but it was all necessary. So he could survive, so he could return to his family and so that he could fulfil the fate they've given him.
As a Legacy scion...
Dein pressed his lips tightly together and after a while, he sighed. Now that he had relaxed a bit, the pain from all his wounds finally caught up to him and Dein was grimacing on the ground in agony and exhaustion.
Even if his "victory" was a shameful, unsightly gamble that might've just used up all of his luck, he still used his brain to come up with it.
That said, Dein wouldn't go as far as to call it a genius plan, or that he had outsmarted his enemy. It was all just basic knowledge after all.
And it all came from the when Dein finally noticed his stupidity, one that even the spell had mentioned. It was the fact that Bon, whom Dein had slain was merely a dormant human, not a dormant beast nor awakened beast but a human.
A mundane.
Initially, since when Clay had mentioned the Chosen, which includes Lei and Clara, who's awaken, he had assumed that all members would also be an awakened but as it turns out, he was wrong.
Bon indeed was just a human, Albeit not a normal one considering his massive physique and strength, but he was also slow and over time, he loses stamina. And more importantly, however, was he could be killed in a mundane way unlike those who awakened.
After all, awakened humans are peculiar beings. They grew stronger almost infinitely by consuming soul shards or ascending the ranks and along with that, their body becomes stronger too, more sturdier and more difficult to kill. Not even mundane poison could harm them.
So, Dein had thought that there was nothing he could do to kill an awakened human all by himself, no weapons and with battered body at that.
However, upon finding out that Bon was indeed just a mundane, Dein's arsenal suddenly expanded and there are suddenly ways to defeat the old man.
And Dein just chose the easiest one out of all of them. Well, not really easy but the simpliest.
It was to try and crushed him to death using the monsters in cage.
Only, there wasn't one in Dein's immediate location as he had ran south, circling the tribe at east but also not going too far away from it and all the while avoiding the giant nightmare creature at north. So, he had to send the trio towards east to find one and when they did, they sent him the location through their connected mind and Dein simply did his best to lure Bon there.
He got busted in the process but the plan still worked.
And to his luck, Clay happened to be there, a dagger on him. That was probably the first strike of luck Dein had witness in this harrowing nightmare but it was right on time.
And Dein wasn't complaining.
*****
The dust hasn't even settled yet before Dein felt it again, the eerie oddities permeating the air at the little girls' arrival. She was there again, instead of just speaking in Dein's mind the trio manifested themselves in the form of the little girl, she stood beside Dein, wearing a light smile but there is also concern in her eyes.
"Mister, you okay?" The girl asked.
Meanwhile, Dein who lay limply with his back on the ground, grunted. He looked up, and met the eyes of the little girl, one that he couldn't even tell what emotions held.
Finally, Dein clicked his tongue. He's still suffering from the aftermath of the earlier event and every part of his body screamed in pain and to be honest, speaking was the last thing Dein wanted to do as right now, it felt like a too much of a chore to do.
However, if not for his eyes caughting a glimpse of the lump of blood and Bon's crushed body…
He groaned, feeling sick again.
After a while, he spoke. "So, who am I speaking to now?"
By the sound of it, it seems Dein was speaking to the one he believes was the real little girl. Not the serious one nor the crying one. But still, with how bizarre this whole situation are, it wouldn't hurt to ask.
Sure enough the little girl answered with a tilt of her head, which somehow only made Dein more confused. "You're speaking to me Mister"
The word echoed on Dein's mind. Me? Doesn't she always refer to herself as they/them? Counting the two alongside her existence?
What is she talking about?
Not wanting to prolong the conversation, Dein goes straight to the point. Coughing as he asked.
"Where's the other two?"
"They asleep" She answered.
Asleep? Dein was just about to open his mouth to asked what she meant but just then, he heard a footsteps coming from not so far followed by a shocked, terrified screamed.
The voice of course came from Clay.
"El-elder! Wh-" Clay ran, haphazardly towards the cage, circling it, his expression shaken and terrified while also confused and bewildered and if a bit concerned. Before he could finish speaking however, he caught sight of Dein who sprawled on the ground, chest heaving as he breathed heavily, blood and burned marks covering his lithe darkened flesh, a pained expression on his bestial face.
Dein of course, saw him too though he failed to meet his eye, to exhausted to move even his head. In almost a blink, Dein found Clay staring at him from above. He still looks shaken and hint of hesitation permeated his eyes but after a while of him seemingly contemplating, he knelt down.
Clay's action surprises Dein.
After what he had done, killing one of their tribe's so called "Chosen" and even using him as a way to stall for time before stealing his weapon, Dein couldn't be any less sure Clay would hate him. After all, he always strikes Dein as some kind of zealot by how much he admiringly spoke of his tribe.
So… what's going on?
[Probably just wanna thank you or something]
A voice erupted in Dein's mind coming from the serious guy. 'And why the hell would he do that?' he retorted but suddenly, he realizes something 'And aren't you supposed to be asleep!'
[Hihi, I woke him up] A voice of a little girl sounded in his skull.
Woke him up? What the hell does she even mean! And why do they even have to sleep! A bunch of irritated questions flooded Dein's mind but refused to voiced them out, cursing only in his mind.
To his surprise, a crying voice answered.
[That's a secret you dimwit! Hurry up get better already! We have to move, those guys are coming, I can feel it, I can just feel ittt!]
'Tsk! Can you give me some privacy you meatheads!' It seems Dein can no longer hide anything from this bastards. Even his own brain wasn't safe!
That made him wonder though, what the hell even is this bastards. Are they connected to him or to this monster he's inhabiting? 'Surely to this monster right? Yeah, there's no way I'm actually schizophrenic…'
He heard the little girl let out a laugh again which made Dein grunt a little but nevertheless he ignored it as Clay finally let out a heavy sigh while palming his face.
"Did you… do this Dein?"
"I did" He replied without hesitation, his voice low. More to Dein's surprise, Clay did not show any indignant to his confirmation, only a tired, long, disappointed sigh.
"I see…" he replied.
"Why aren't you mad?"
Finally, Dein decided to voice his concern, after all, why not? For all he knows, this might be the last time he'll be able to spoke with Clay so he might as well ask for his reason. And Dein is also quite curious.
Meanwhile, Clay seems to be taken aback by his question and he flinch a little. A moment later he stood up, walking somewhere else with another sigh as he spoke.
"There is… actually no reason for me to be angry. If all I know, Elder Bon lost and died to a fight…" At the mention of a fight, Dein couldn't help but grit his teeth. Then, Clay continued.
"He died trying to fulfil a mission, I don't know about you but for us, that is the greatest honor, it could even mean for a great celebration…"
Every word that left Clay's mouth sent a pang of pain and anger in Dein's heart, not for anyone but for himself and he felt extremely ashamed. Clay paused again as Dein heard him cutting something before picking it up.
Before he knew it, Clay was near again, walking towards him.
"…Also, you are a monster Dein. Escaping your cage, starting chaos, and killing someone is all within your capability. So nothing really unexpected happened here."
With that, Dein found Clay standing before him again, a long rope he had cut from one of the monsters cages held in his hand.
It seems Dein… had greatly misunderstood Clay's personally.
At first he appeared shy, naive and cowardly, a kind talkative guy who's curiosity is high. But now, he looks like a completely different person.
That said…
'I guess I had it coming'
Though all Dein had said was still true, he had greatly disregard the fact that Clay lives here in the middle of a forest along with a tribe of warriors and spends all of his days dealing with monsters. Something like this shouldn't have been a surprise to him and the tribe considering how many nightmare creature they cage here.
At least one or two of them probably manage to escape throughout all this years.
Really, how stupid can Dein be to be so shocked when he sees Clay – a guy born in a tribe full of warriors and monsters – act accordingly.
Still though, to think that Dein's first plan of convincing Clay to let him out of his cage back then would have just been a futile endeavor even if he stayed.
Dein sighed. "I see… now what?"
His words made Clay blinked for a while. "What do you mean? Of course I'll do my job and capture you" he said, flexing the rope in his hands.
"Haa, knew it."
Dein could no longer move his body, well maybe he could he try his best but right now, he's just in a world of pain. Resisting would be futile, he doesn't want to be captured again but… well, what can he do?
In his mind, a voice cried out.
[Whattttt! After all that and you just decided to get us captured again! I can't do this, I can't take it! I knew we should've run earlier when we still was a chance, it's all because you keep on whining about your wounds you brat!]
Dein let out a resigned grunt. At the same time, the serious guy sighed.
[Shut up your annoying. Being captured is better than dying from this kid's wounds.]
[Wha–] The crying guy almost retorted but he was cut off by the little girl.
[Yeah yeah, and Old Mister is also kind so I'm sure we'll be fine]
In the end, Dein did not have to go do the exhausting endeavor explaining to the voices in his head why it's better to get captured again than die from blood loss, if he could even die from that.
Instead he closed his eyes as Clay do the work of tying him up.
From afar, the fog moved and from somewhere in west the forest burned.
And just then, not even halfway through the process of being tied, Dein's body suddenly erupted in burning pain and he let out a scream which startled Clay.
It felt like he was about to die, like his body itself was being doused in flames. Immediately, Dein found himself shivering on the floor, not from cold but from heat.
[Wh-what's wrong Mister?]
The little girl questioned, followed by two more voices.
[Are going be attacked again?]
[Wa! I knew it! I knew we should've run already! Protect me, please protect me! I don't wanna die!]
But Dein couldn't answer them, he was too weak to even form a thought.
Right now, all he knew was pain and as well as the fact that he had to escape, he had to run! Protect himself!
Grrkk.
Dein grinded his teeth, both in pain and irritation.
As much as he hated the annoying bastard crying in his brain, he knew he was right it's just that, there's is no way to run…
Just then, Deins gaze landed on the guy beside him, Clay. A thought quickly formed in his mind.
Hostage.
Yeah, he could take Clay as a hostage! The tribe probably wouldn't be too heartless as to let one of them get killed for no reason right?
Yes he could do it, even with his weak body he still has his sharp fingers that resembled a claw, he has his teeth too.
A hostage, yeah, that doesn't sound like a bad idea...
"D– Dein, what it happe–"
Before Clay could finished speaking, Dein's hand reached towards him, moving inches away from his neck with his fingers stretch.
Then… an arrow suddenly pierce through Dein's palm as he loomed over Clay who fell on his butt in shocked.
Meanwhile, Dein screamed loudly. Low curses repeating over and over again along with the voices in his head.
"Get away from him!" A feminine voice erupted from somewhere.
What followed then made Dein's eyes contorted in grimace. Shadows, lots and lots of them, started appearing behind the trees and quickly Dein was surrounded.
Dozens of spear and arrows pointed at him.
'Shit. Fucking dammit! Are they gonna kill me? After all that?'
Are they for real?
When the shadows finally revealed their faces, Dein could only frown deeper.
As expected, the people who surrounds him were of the tribe, some wearing a grim expression, some of disgust, and others of indignation and anger.
Their eyes switching to look at Dein and the dead of their elder, Bon.
He also couldn't help but saw Klen who stayed further behind. His guise unreadable if not a bit shaken.
The most notable of faces however, was that of those that stood far behind him. One was a woman, the one who shouted earlier with panic in her tone, Clara.
The other a man, one full of bandages in his face and a distainful look in his burning eyes. It was Lei.
Next to him was another guy, already in his thirties and his very demeanor strikes of a battle hardened warrior, he was serious and stern, a messy trimmed beard on his hardened face. That one… was probably Quin.
Another one of the Chosen like Bon, Lei and Clara.
This time, Dein's gaze landed on a woman, the only one wearing a smile on her face. She wore a white priestess clothing and each of her step towards Dein screamed of confidence and nobility. Gi's appearance down to her personality definitely does not belong in this forest tribe and yet somehow, she made the tribe look presentable.
Finally, Gi reaches Clay and Dein. Her sight first lay on Clay's still in shock gaze as he sat with his butt on the ground. Gi gave her a nod with a gentle smile.
"Thank you for your hard work child"
The hell? Why'd she suddenly became kind! Dein would've shouted that if only he care but fortunately, he doesn't. Instead, he bit his lips, unconsciously trying to shrink his presence at the sight of this many hunters.
Just then, Clay answered. Stuttering as he did.
"I… uh… n-no, ma'am–priestess. It is all thanks to Elder Bon who weakened this monster."
"Ah, yes..." Her scrutiny went to Bon, whose body lay beneath a ruble of broken wood and sleeping centipede. "…A pity indeed. May the lord protect his soul."
Then, leaving Clay who sitted himself right up and looked down in respect. Gi's eyes next went to Dein.
She simply sighed.
"As for you, monster. Hmm, I find it hard to believe that you have defeated Bon and have produced this much trouble for the tribe. However…"
She paused again.
"…What done is done and I do not commend you for what you did. As the fire burning in the west is still at its peak and is growing with each passing, our time have been limited."
She then stared up. Dein had not noticed the sky for a while but now that he did it was somehow… darker and deeper than before.
Gi finally continued. This time she spoke not only to Dein but to everyone present in this part of the forest. They all shifted at her voice.
"As such, the ceremony shall begin early even without our lord's participation."
At her words, Dein couldn't help but feel both afraid and relief. He wasn't going to die yet – not in this second at least – however, the mere thought of the ceremony or ritual whatever they call it, sends shiver down his spine.
He doesn't know what is going to happen at that ritual but he and the voices in his head feels like it's no good.
But for now, he has no choice but go along with it.
Just as Dein thought the conversation was over, Gi spoke again. This time solely to him.
"That said, I cannot present you to the sacred flame defected."
She said as suddenly, her eyes shone green and her pupils became focused on Dein's limping broken arm. It too shone green and in less than ten seconds, the fractured bone mended themselves and Dein could move his left arm again.