17. Wounded
1111 Words
We stood still, trying to listen to any sound. Weirdly, there was nothing to hear apart from our breath.
"Invicta, whatever happens, do not let go to my hand, do you understand?"
"Mm... Yeah...?" I was anxious but excited at the same time. This is an unknown place, but also my first to visit apart from Nibira.
"I think we need to get back. This silence... I don't like it." Zariel said.
"I know right? It's like there's no sound but then someone will jump out of the dark to kill us." I said amused.
"Invicta! This is no time or place for jokes. Come on! I will do it this time. You just stay there, hold things to me and try to not think about some stupid place!"
"You suggest that this is my fault?" I shout angry letting go of his hand.
"Shh! Keep quiet! We don't know what's out here! Plus you were the one to bring us here. I wasn't thinking about anything!"
"Well, f**k you, then! If you were that smart, why did you offer to travel together to the Sacred Chamber? Why didn't you do it alone?"
"Because of your sister! I promised her that I will always protect you! That's why I volunteer for the travel, that's why I was training with you! That's why you see me everywhere you go!"
My heart aches at his words. He did this because she asked him? Not because we are friends?
"Well, then you are good to go now! I don't need your help or protection! You should stay there, with my sisters, and protect her! Not me! You love her, not me! You are not my boyfriend! And not my friend! Did you always... Whenever you will talk to me to comfort me, it was because of my sister insistence, not because I was your friend?"
"Invicta! Stop this now! We need to get back, then we can talk! And no, it wasn't because of her, it was because you are my friend."
"f**k you, Zariel! f**k you and your lies! We are friends no longer!"
I start walking in the opposite direction of his voice.
"What are you doing? Where are you going? Come back here!"
I didn't answer him. I didn't want to talk to him. All I wanted was to be alone. It seems that this is the best thing for me.
I kept going till I notice a small light. It was an entrance. Or exit in my case. We were in a cave-like pit.
"Invicta! Wait for me!"
"Zariel look! An exist! Come in hurry up!"
"Invi no! Don't go! There might be dangerous!"
Before I could give him a smart ass reply, an agonising pain ran through my right shoulder!
"Invicta!"
I look back to see who or what was responsible for this and all I see is fur!
"f**k!" I shout when I realized that there was a beast behind me that had bitten my shoulder.
Blood was streaming down my arm. I take out my spear and prepare for battle. I couldn't wait for Zariel, he was too far. I could be dead by the time he makes it here.
Luckily, my dominant arm was fine, the same as my wings.
"Come on beast! Show me what you got!" I said trying to annoy the monster in front of me. Being injured, it was easier for me if he will attack first. I can save some energy.
My head starts spinning from the loss of blood, but I didn't pay attention. My life was at stake.
"Invicta, run!" Zariel shouts from behind me. He was getting closer, but not enough to help me.
"I can't! It will kill me if I move! I can see that's faster than me! I can kill it if I stay. This is my only chance and you know it!"
"Invicta!"
I wasn't able to hear something else as the beast jumps over my head.
"f**k! Why couldn't be any smaller?" I said aloud.
The fur monster prepared for attack!
"Good! Come on! Don't be shy, I don't bite!" I said sarcastically, chuckling a bit. If I wasn't in this situation probably I will hold my tummy from too much laughter.
The monster finally attacks me. His canines were so long and sharps. My index finger was little compared to it. I was lucky to be still alive. He could just bite my head off and finish me.
He tried to cut open my stomach with his spear-like claws. But I easily avoided it, pushing his paws with my foot and using my wings to fly over him.
I landed ungraciously on the hard rocky ground due to my injury. This brainless monster was big, but this seems to be to my advantage in here.
I get up as quickly as I can and prepare for the next attack.
I watch his moves trying to find his soft spot. It needs to have one.
I couldn't see anything till he came too close to me. Under his left front paw, it was an old injury, not healed properly. This is my chance.
But I need to get under him. What are my chances for this beast to jump again?
There are two options: he jumps I can stab him in that injury or I try to get under him while in a standing position... And stab him.
Hmm...
The beast runs towards me and I wait till the last second, hoping that it will jump. But of course, he didn't. I start running as well, even if my knees were almost giving up, and I slid under the monster.
I push my spear with all the force I had left and hold on to it for my dear life.
My wings were hurting, being dragged on the rocky surface, but I didn't let go.
"Invicta! Let go! Please! You are going to die!" Came Zariel desperate voice.
"I can't! I can't lose my weapon!" I said before the beast came to a stop and throwing me few feet away. I smile as I realised that I was still holding my spear.
A loud, terrifying noise came from the monster before he gave his last breath.
"I killed it!" I said to Zariel who was running my way.
He kneels next to me and grabs my hand.
"Invi? Are you ok?"
"I killed it!" I said again in a whisper.
"You did! Now hold on to me, we need to get home. You are wounded. Hopefully this time we will get in the right place."
"Hopefully?" I said smiling before my eyes closed.
- Writer
