20 Damage Control (1/2)
”F*ck Yela... I don't plan on dying today.” I complained.
*Cough!* *Cough!*
Blood spilt into my cupped hands as I covered my mouth.
”Ha! You look like a mauled chicken!”
”You don't look too good yourself...”
”Yeah right! Says the guy with a broken arm.” She grinned cockily.
I hate it when she's being a smart ass.
”If Sir gets as much as a scratch, I'll kill you!”
”Yeah, yeah.” She waved away.
My mind flew into a daze, as I thought of questions that remained unanswered.
”Where have you been?! Everything is in knee-deep sh*t!”
”I aided Madame with some trouble.”
That explained her roughed up appearance, I guess one mystery solved.
”So it's true then?”
I stared at her with concern.
”Madame got attacked by a Bailiff, chances are they already knew of our plan.”
”T-Then?”
”Rats running around the Liberators.” She said sternly.
Then all of this would be for naught, a lot of lives would be lost--All this thinking made my already troubled mind fall deeper into disarray.
”Ack!”
I grunted in pain as the numbing rush provided by adrenaline simmered down.
”Get yourself healed! There's a squadron a few blocks down from here, I passed by them.” She added.
”W-wait! Where's Madame!?” I shouted.
*Woosh!*
She flung an arrow that forced the giant stammering away from our senior.
”I'll explain things later!”
She fled towards the Battlefield.
It took a few moments before my mind settled, the once foggy view had finally cleared. I saw her slender but petite figure turned against me, the bright golden hair that shined with confidence. We've both been quarreling since our recruitment days but I trust her.
Her skills are worthy of ascending into a better position in the Liberators. I knew that she was better than me in every possible way, although I don't acknowledge it yet; I admired her.
*BANG!* *CRASH!* *BOOM!*
The heated situation escalated, flying arrows and magical projectiles could be seen everywhere. The shock-waves that came from clashing of two opponents could be felt from this distance. I watched in awe as the synergy between Yela and Bardel was absolutely stunning.
I guess the difference in roles had done wonders to their unbelievable teamwork. Yela served as cover-fire that gave way to Bardel and his undaunted attacks. I'd only be a burden if I join them with my current status; Wish I could fight along side them...
*SHRIEK!* *BANG*
”I need to get going, how do I stop that thing...”
I stared at the ever bright being floating in the sky. The helpless voices of the people forced me to limp towards the nearest squadron Yela mentioned.
”I'll find a way...” I whispered to myself.
If I could get enough strength I'll be able to help the people, while saving Yela and Bardel from those monsters.
Soon I found myself in front of the vanguard that took in wounded refugees. Luckily, I somehow found my way through the ensuing chaos. I wasn't in the right mind as I felt a little light-headed.
After the brief introduction they took to aid my broken arm and other wounds. They placed a splint on my arm to help stabilize it while the Medic chanted a healing spell.
My arm slowly reconnected the separated bones, every inch and fiber within it felt like hell. I bit into the already saliva-dampened cloth as the burning pain seared into my arm. The crackle of bones was unbearable, muscles pushed aside in the process, scraping the delicate insides of my arm.
”It's done, May I suggest from further straining your arm.” The Medic said.
”It might've strained my mind instead.” I thought to myself.
As the person left to tend the remaining wounded, I called upon the highest ranking officer in vicinity. We collaborated a plan that would hasten the evacuation process further, ever since the Seneschals got busy, everything turned for the worst.
Unruly knights are left to handle the unprecendented situation, while some are reduced to a confused state. With the help of a Telepathy-specialist scout, I made sure that every single personnel was informed of the scenario.
Now that was over and done for--I took my trusty shield, I'm surprised that this was still intact after that monster blasted me away.
”Dented...”
*Sigh*
After I inspected it, almost the whole entirety of the round shield was caved in and cracked at the edge. The Liberators emblem had been partially erased, it served as symbol of freedom, peace and equity among men.
I wore this proudly on every mission, as a weapon, a decoration but most importantly a reminder. Saddened at the sight of my favorite shield, I still hanged it behind my back with pride. It eased my mind as I remembered our talented Blacksmith back at the fortress.
Quickly, I snatched a nearby shield as a replacement although it's shape was rectangular and larger than that of my buckler.
”OI! THAT'S MINE!”
”I'LL BRING IT BACK!” I answered with reassurance.
”COME BACK!”
As I made way from the encampment, the entity left a destructive trail of breadcrumbs. The path of demolished stone and wooden beams made it particularly easy finding my way towards it. Not to mention it's bright physical being that lit every nook and cranny that it passed through. It was flying at least fifty meters above ground, the direction it headed for was the center of the city.
”THE CITY GUARDS!” I exclaimed.
They might be able to help with our situation. Their numbers would prove useful in maintaining peace within the Black Market.
*Gleam* *Gleam*
”What?!”
I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, the entity and the Large corr that spanned thousands of meters in middle of the city; gleamed. Pulsating light, with rhythmic pauses at the exact same time. Was it connected to it? No, it felt as though it was communicating...
”LET US IN!”
”CONTACT THE AUTHORITIES PLEASE!”
”THERE ARE MONSTERS IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA!”
”HELP US!”
”MY CHILD! SAVE HER AT LEAST!”