12 Yargoth, pt. 1 (2/2)

He couldn't allow that to happen. Not due to this yargoth, not due to any beast.

He grabbed his sword, which lay nearby, and stood. To the north, the beast was chasing down Viscerin and Goljin once more. The spot where it had cast its flame spell had burned away, but the fire was spreading. Smoke was rising in the air, threatning to block out the light that shined down on them.

Jin ran forward once more. However, this time, he had something in mind.

Previously, the same area where he had attacked, had been hardened. That was the tip Jin needed. he stared at the beast as he moved, and noticed something he hadn't earlier. The textures of its body seemed to adapt to whatever it was facing, as right now, its front looked far stronger than its back.

No, rather, it was adapting to what the yargoth was aware of! It knew Viscerin and Goljin were in front of it, so it hardened its front on purpose! The fact that its back was left uncared for, meant that it could, most likely, only harden one area at a time. So, in order to defeat this thing, Jin would have to catch it unawares.

As he neared it, he smirked. He'd figured its game out, now he just needed to...

Goljin raised his axe, and for the first time, he attempted to attack the beast. The yargoth, exhibiting a terrifying intelligence, ducked, and allowed Goljin to strike its head. As Goljin went to do so, the yargoth used its hardened head to propell Goljin up! Launched into the air, the short man landed just beside Jin.

The yargoth looked back quickly, and in the span of seconds, launched another flame spell. This one, however, was different. Instead of one orb of fire, several beams of flame-like light sprang out towards the two of them.

They each managed to jump away, but the very earth crumbled where they had just stood. How powerful is this thing!? Jin thought. He looked towards Goljin for a moment. He could see the dread passing by the poor man's face. He didn't hold Goljin in high regard, but he still felt pity.

Jin himself however, no longer felt that same fear from earlier. Why? He realized, it was because he now saw a path to victory. It was a lesson Elizabeth often told him, when they were in the middle of those mystical woods, hunting small game.

”The strongest will wins the day.” She'd often repeat.

Jin knew there was nothing to fear, as long as his desire to survive was strong enough, and so, he stood and placed his blade in front of himself once more.

He knew he could not face this thing up front, but he had to act as though that was his intention until the yargoth gave him an opening. He charged forwards, but he was surprised when the yargoth turned its back on Jin. Jin saw why in an instant, two arrows stuck out of the yargoth's back. Viscerin had attacked it just now.

As the yargoth went to attack Viscerin, Goljin emerged, and tried to hack at the yargoth's legs with his axe. Instead, the yargoth kicked him once, sending him just behind Viscerin.

Jin could see the scene before him, and so, went to help. However, the yargoth had been expecting Jin to move, and quickly launched another flame spell in his direction. This time, it was but a basic [Fireball]. Jin could tell, that was the only spell he knew, he'd recognize it anywhere.

But, just because he knew what it was, didn't mean he was fast enough to avoid it. The attack came so suddenly, that Jin's stagger back was too slow, and the flame engulfed his leg. He screamed in pain, it was a pain he'd never experienced before.

He scurried a few meters away, trying to snuff the flame out with something. Anything. But there was nothing there. Eventually, the flame went out of its own accord, and Jin tried to sit up as tears exited his eyes.

However, the sight in front of him pained him more than any spell could. Goljin and Viscerin were both standing in front of the yargoth, still valiantly fighting, but they hadn't figured out its weakness yet.

Jin felt his leg feeling slightly better. He looked back, and saw Thompson straining himself, aiming his hand towards Jin. His forehead's vein was bulging. Whatever he was doing though, was aiding Jin.

But yet, he didn't have it in him to be thankful. He was desperate. He wanted to attack the yargoth now!

Instead, he was forced to watch his allies fight the beast themselves.

The yargoth reared back, and swept its wing towards Viscerin, who stumbled back, just barely dodging a slice that would have carved her face off. The yargoth moved up, and tried to charge Goljin, who rolled towards Viscerin.

Only then did Jin notice, that at some point, they had made it close to the road. The battle had shifted quite a bit. At first, the implications didn't register in his mind, until he saw Goljin's expression.

Goljin was looking at the road as well. Why? He should be focusing on the yargoth.

Ironically, the yargoth seemed to agree, as it roared at them. Jin noticed his strength returning, and managed to get on his feet.

He had to go to them. To help in any way he could.

However, as Jin stumbled forwards, he paused.

As the yargoth was about to attack, and surely end their lives, Goljin's eyes shifted from the road, to Viscerin and back. What was he thinking? Jin was utterly confused. What was going on?

Suddenly, Goljin pushed Viscerin forwards, and began to run along the road, back to the village.

Jin's eyes widened, and in that instant, the yargoth brought one of its claws down on the cinnamon-haired girl. Viscerin tried to turn and run away herself, but the attack caught her.

Jin's sight was still fuzzy, but he heard Viscerin cry out in pain, and he saw her body fall.