Chapter 2: Healing Light
1137 Words
Cheers erupted from the onlookers as White Mask descended, a symbol of hope for the people from the threat of the 3rd Chief Class Scorpion. Black spheres materialized around the creature, gradually morphing into menacing spears, casting an otherworldly glow that sent shivers down the spines of those witnessing the spectacle.
White Mask extended a hand towards the scorpion, not uttering a single incantation. The spears responded autonomously, launching towards the creature with uncanny precision, leaving the spectators awestruck.
The scorpion, anticipating the attack, raised its colossal pincers in defense. To the amazement of the onlookers, the black spears adjusted their trajectory, mirroring the subtle movements of White Mask's hand.
The scorpion dropped its pincers, for thinking his attacks missed and this was exactly what the man wants. The spears, following the stranger's guidance, surged forward, targeting the creature's exposed chest. Each spear found its mark, piercing the scorpion's heart and rendering it lifeless.
The people erupted into cheers, gratitude resonating through the air as they chanted the name "White Mask." The mysterious savior, having vanquished the monster, remained silent and unfazed by the acclaim. With a swift departure, the figure ascended higher into the sky, leaving the kingdom's guards arriving belatedly.
"White Mask! I want to be like you!" Hebrew's shout echoed, a fervent declaration of admiration that lingered even after the figure vanished from sight.
White Mask became an enduring idol for Hebrew, a symbol of heroism and proof that not all wielders of dark magic were malevolent. The admiration grew with each appearance of White Mask, fostering in Hebrew a sense of awe and respect for the mysterious figure.
"What are you staring at there? He's gone!" Beau said to his friend, smiling as if he were a bit crazy while looking at the sky.
"Did you see what he did? He's so powerful! I didn't even hear a single chant from him," Hebrew said to Beau.
"I was here, of course I saw everything. And he's wearing a mask; the mask might have the ability to lower his voice," Beau explained, though he is also wondering the same thing.
"You might be right. But why do you look so exhausted?" Hebrew asked.
"I helped a lot of people evacuate. Unlike you, who just watched," Beau replied, with a hint of irritation, causing Hebrew to scratch his head.
"f**k! I'm going to die! I'm going to die!" The argument between the two came to a halt due to a loud scream.
It was the human from earlier, stung by the scorpion on his thigh. He was now writhing in pain while his guards tried to calm him down. The female beastman slave, on the other hand, he expressed his anger and pain by pulling at her hair.
Twisted in pain, the girl couldn't complain, being just a slave.
"You should be the one dealing with the scorpion's venom! You're absolutely useless!" the man shouted at the woman.
Unable to tolerate what he was witnessing, Beau approached them. Hebrew was confused about his friend's intentions but decided to follow him.
Beau couldn't simply dismiss the man's enslavement of the female beastman, but now, he had a way to rescue her from suffering.
"Why? What do you want, kid?" the man challenged Beau when he noticed him.
"I can heal you from the scorpion's venom," Beau said to the man, surprising him and his companions.
"What are you thinking, Beau! Come on! Let's go!" Hebrew pulled Beau away, but Beau remained where he stood.
After a moment of silence, the man and his guards burst into laughter.
"You? You have the ability to heal? Are you joking, kid?" The man's words caught the attention of the people around.
The man stopped laughing when he saw Beau's serious expression.
"Beau! Think about what you're doing! Let's go!" Hebrew said angrily. But Beau remained unfazed and didn't heed his friend's advice.
"It's better to do something than to die doing nothing. And there's nothing to lose, right? If you're worried that I might have ill intentions, why would I harm you when you'll die shortly anyway?" he explained to the man, making him ponder. "I don't intend to scare you, but it wasn't called an 8-minutes Scorpion for nothing."
"Fine, I agree. But what's the catch?" Beau smiled in response to the man's question.
"It's something easy for you to do. Set your slave free," Beau replied, surprising both the man and the female beastman.
Displeasure was evident on the man's face regarding Beau's condition. Just as he was about to speak again, Beau spoke up.
"Considering your words that your slave is useless, you might as well set her free. And when I heal you, you can find a new slave instead of that girl who brought you no good," he persuaded, gesturing towards the female beastman.
The man smirked at Beau's statement, and the girl just looked down.
"Fine, I agree. I hope you really have the ability to heal," he said, and Beau immediately approached the man.
"Hebrew, are you sure about what you're doing?" Hebrew asked, but Beau didn't respond, indicating his determination.
Whispers of awe and curiosity rippled through the gathering crowd as people approached, eager to witness Beau's purported healing ability firsthand. The air buzzed with anticipation as they encircled the young healer.
"I'll begin now," Beau declared with a calm assurance, placing his palms over the man's wounded thigh. A radiant white light emanated from his hands, weaving a magical aura that gradually expelled the venom from the man's body.
As the venom dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief, the man couldn't contain his joy. His thigh, once marked by injury, now bore no trace of harm.
"It's true! You can really heal!" he exclaimed, jubilantly leaping around in delight.
Amidst the jubilation, Beau issued a gentle reminder, "Remember our deal."
"I know how to keep a promise," the man affirmed, taking out a device and pressing the button. A subtle hum filled the air as the chain around the female beastman's neck unraveled.
The female beastman, eyes glistening with gratitude, cast a longing gaze toward Beau. However, the commotion around them restrained her from expressing her emotions in a more tangible way.
The crowd, now abuzz with fervor, closed in on Beau, each individual harboring their own pleas for healing. Requests echoed through the air, a chorus of desperation and hope.
Beau, cognizant of the rarity and potency of his abilities, willingly extended his healing light to each person without seeking anything in return.
Yet, as the crowd witnessed the wonders of his healing, Beau couldn't shake the realization of the danger looming. The revelation of his extraordinary abilities, once a well-guarded secret, now rendered his safety uncertain in a world where the extraordinary often sparked intrigue and fear.
- Writer
