"Cough! Cough!" The bruised old man slowly got to his feet. He wiped the bits of blood from his lips and, without looking at either of the two, said hoarsely, "We can't beat this thing."
" you too are giving up?" Snappy was disappointed at the knowledge. He paused before saying, "Are we just gonna let it kill us and the villagers, is that what you are implying?"
The Hitter took a step as he took in air and said, "I don't recall saying am giving up on anyone. With my faculty of lightning manipulation hindered by those glowing rings, I was only accepting one part of our situation."
Idel and Snappy raised their heads. Above was a black glistening glass, extending from the rings. It covered the stormy sky, whilst shimmering from time to time.
The old man saw the duo's faces fall. He remained silent before he said, "No need to get worried though. For one, the beast is unlike the mother. It's like a child throwing a tantrum; otherwise, if this weren't the case, it could have ended us without breaking a sweat.
And due to this child-like persona, we will win this battle." He slightly raised his head, looking at the falling trees—an indication that the nightmare was near. Then he said, "Both of you are to leave this forest and go back to the village and evacuate it. Then by using one of the ships in the mine plains you are to go to Mazi City." He took another step and rolled his shoulders. "If anything goes wrong just hide in the mine plains."
'Tsk. Another guy wanting to play hero.' Snappy fought the urge to argue with the Hitter, but eventually he controlled himself.
Who was he to argue with the old man?
This was the fucking Hitter. Not only was he a legend of Voldmoth Kingdom, he was also a man who was known for his words.
So if he said that they would win this battle, then he knew what he was talking about.
Idel was about to say something when Snappy shot him a stare that made him keep his mouth shut.
"Go now." The Hitter gave his last command as he felt the ground slightly shake.
And just like that, they left.
"10 years later, life has finally come to collect its due." With blood covering most parts of his wrinkled face, he chuckled dryly.
' The fire in the outsider's eyes reminds me of Benu in his early years. Always trying to help, no matter who needed it.
'If only I were brave like them.'
Dismissing the thought, he focused on his core and, with a great deal of pain, released an enormous surge of lightning. The bolts curled around his body while at the same time ripping away his flesh.
The 7 ft nightmare, with its red glowing pupils, appeared. It turned its eyes to the direction where Idel and Snappy had gone, obviously sensing their energy.
"Over here, beast!" The Hitter called out casually.
It turned to find him.
He spat out blood with a grin.
"Let me teach you a few lessons your mother never taught you." He took a combat stance.
It opened its mouth, revealing its monstrous dentition and roared as it ran towards him in a fit.
He too ran forward.
"I end you here!"
Boom! Boom! Crack!
…
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Despite the noise behind them, the duo kept running through the black smoke caused by the nightmare and the burning forest. They had to respect the old man's last command. He was facing a literal demon one on one, and with nothing but the will and desire to protect his people.
'The old man's actions exemplify the spirit of a true warrior. Truly remarkable.' Idel expressed his adulation in silence.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The smoke appeared to be getting thicker and thicker, plus its smell made wending through ever more difficult. On more than one occasion either of them fell and had to be helped up by the partner…of course, Snappy at first did not like being helped up; he was more comfortable doing it, and did so with a certain arrogance in his tone.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Due to both being physically worn out, especially Snappy, it took a while when the narrow river , a few meters away, met their gaze.
"Come on, the Hitter is doing his part. Let's not waste it." Idel urged the tired Emontarion who was behind him. 'We made it. Just have to...'
'Wait.' He stopped in his tracks. He had expected the anger Emontarion to answer back in his usual tone, but that was not the case. He was just quiet. Even more baffling, he had stopped running.
Idel turned and looked over. Snappy had his head lowered as he took in huge amounts of air.
"What are you doing?"
"Tsk, you still think am stupid." He replied with ragged breaths.
"What are you talking about?"
He raised his head. "The old man's energy is slowly fading. He's dying, and you know it too. stalling the bloody monster alone is impossible. "
Idel paused for a moment, then he spoke sincerely, "I know, but we must do our part. If we could just hurry, we might be able to hide in the mine…" Idel subconsciously stopped talking.
"Mine, what? Speak your thoughts out."
Idel remained silent.
The exhausted and annoyed Snappy walked over and grabbed him by the collar.
"Say it. Tell me your plan! No, don't even bother; it is futile. Isn't it?
Not even your calm, astute mind can come up with a solution to this."He paused for several seconds before chuckling awkwardly.
Then he said in a low tone, "This is how we first met, isn't it?
Me shouting in your face like an intoxicated fool while you weren't the least bit concerned. You really irritated me then, and you still do."
He released his grip and turned around.
"And now we repeat it, but this time it is an entirely different scenario. We are not facing off because of some girl, but rather over fifty Emontarions." He took a step forward." And perhaps unlike then, you are the one who misunderstands the situation. My way will at least give you and the others a chance."
"What do you plan on doing?"
"Be the flame of hope," he said succinctly. "Go now. It's gonna be blistering here."
Idel did not say more; he turned.
As he took a step and prepared to run, Snappy called out in a shaky voice, "Wait… what is your name?"
"Mr. Freak."
Snappy chuckled.
"Couldn't even blame your father for naming you that if it were true. You are a freak. One who doesn't know when to give up."
"And you are?"
Snappy paused for a while before he said in a calm voice, "Raynes."
"I bid you adieu, Raynes, flame of hope," Idel said and left.
"Likewise, Mr. Freak." He muttered to himself with a slight tremble.