Hemira and the Six Companions

Chapter 11

With all my strength, I plunged one sword deep into the side of Serpiant and the other into its opposite side.

“GAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!” it shrieked as the blades pierced deep. I pressed them in even further. “GAAAAAAAAHHHHH!” Its cries intensified, echoing through the air.

I dashed forward again, the blades still embedded in its body. As I sprinted, the skin split under my movement, and its blood gushed out, painting the ground crimson.

“GAAAAAHHHHH! STOP!”

When it lunged for me again, I ducked low, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws as its head flew past me.

Regaining my stance, I dashed toward its head, untouched by the attack. It swung blindly, but I was already high above it, pulling both my swords free and leaping into the air.

Serpiant's confusion was my ally; it snapped at its own body, convinced I was still there, providing me with the perfect chance to slice through its long, writhing tongue. “HAAAAAAAHHH!” I shouted, cleaving it in two just as it clamped down on itself.

“GAAAAAAAAHHHH!” Serpiant screamed in agony, biting down on its own body in a frenzy of confusion.

My body spun through the air before I landed gracefully on the ground, the severed tongue hitting the earth with a heavy thud. My two swords dripped with its blood, a dark reminder of our brutal struggle.

“GAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!” Serpiant’s roar was deafening as the area erupted in flames where it had bitten itself. It rolled and thrashed, devastating the surrounding forest.

I knew I had to escape quickly; the creature’s massive form loomed dangerously close. As I dashed away, I was startled to see Nyebe, still carrying Eriza.

Urgency propelled me forward. I sprinted to them, quickly unfastening Eriza from Nyebe’s body and cradling her in one arm. “Hiyaaahhh!” I shouted, urging Nyebe to gallop away from the chaos.

Serpiant’s colossal form was mere moments away from engulfing us, demolishing everything in its path.

Suddenly, a group of Shadowvipers appeared, ready to ambush us. I tightened my grip on the rope around Nyebe, my heart racing.

The white horse halted, braying in fear. “NEHEEEEEEEEEEE!”

I glanced back, dread pooling in my stomach as I saw Serpiant bursting through the flames, its massive body towering over us.

To my relief, the surrounding Shadowvipers were also caught in the blaze, and I felt as if a thorn had been pulled from my throat.

I had defeated Serpiant and her kind.

Kobal was finally free.

Joy surged within me, a smile spreading across my face at the thought of returning the hoblins to their home. But as I looked down at Eriza in my arms, my smile faded, replaced by sorrow for her loss.

Memories of the other hoblins flooded my mind.

I knew they were waiting for me, a bittersweet mix of happiness and sadness churning in my heart as I bore both good and bad news.

I held Eriza tightly and urged Nyebe to run faster toward the hoblins.

We raced out of Kobal and into the neighboring forest where the hoblins lived. Nyebe halted abruptly, surrounded by a crowd of hoblins, their faces alight with anticipation. When they spotted us, a cheer erupted, their joy palpable as they celebrated our return, convinced I had brought good news.

Dismounting from Nyebe, I still held Eriza in my arms, my head bowed low.

The crowd fell silent as they noticed her. All eyes were on me as they parted to reveal Elder Orum, his face glowing with happiness. But when he saw Eriza cradled in my arms, his expression shifted to one of shock. “E-Eriza!” he gasped, hurrying toward me, struggling with each step. “W-What happened to her, Hemira?” His eyes widened, filled with concern and worry.

Kneeling, I gently laid Eriza on the ground, the weight of sorrow pressing down on me.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd as they realized she was lifeless.

“I’m so sorry. I couldn’t protect her,” I whispered, bowing my head in apology, my fists clenched in despair.

I could only stare at Eriza’s face as she lay on the ground, still and lifeless.

A profound emptiness settled over me. I felt no trace of her spirit, and deep down, I knew she would never awaken again.

“She followed me into the Kobal Forest, but Serpiant caught her. Its tail wrapped around her so tightly… I managed to cut it off, but it took too long. Even in her last moments, with just a flicker of strength left, she told me how to defeat Serpiant. Then she breathed her last. I’m so sorry.” My fists clenched tighter, my heart heavy as I spoke those words.

Silence fell over us.

Not a single one of them uttered a sound.

“You’re mistaken, woman—no, I mean, Hemira. Your name is beautiful, just like you,” I heard a soft voice say. I shut my eyes tightly, recalling Eriza’s vibrant spirit. If only I had acted sooner, if only I had severed Serpiant’s tail before it was too late…

Now, the realization of my weakness crushed me further. I had failed to save Princess Ceres, who had been so close—within arm’s reach—yet I had stood frozen, powerless to act as she vanished into the sky with her captor, Abellona.

If I couldn’t save a hoblin like Eriza, how could I ever hope to rescue the princess herself?

“Eriza…” My gaze lifted as Elder Orum suddenly began to weep, cradling the lifeless Eriza in his arms. “M-my granddaughter… my granddaughter!”

Confusion washed over me.

Eriza was his granddaughter?

His grief echoed through the clearing, a sorrowful melody that resonated with the other hoblins, who joined in, their cries piercing the stillness. “Eriza…” Their wails filled the forest with despair.

“Umbo (Big Sister) Eriza…” A frail young hoblin boy approached us, his eyes brimming with tears as he fixed his gaze on Eriza, held tenderly by Elder Orum. His three tufts of hair stood on end, and he had only one tooth peeking through his smile. His clothes were ragged and dirty, but like Eriza, his cheeks were plump.

He was Eriza’s younger brother!

Elder Orum gently laid Eriza down and handed her to the young hoblin. “Umbo!” he cried, enveloping his sister in a desperate embrace. “W-wake up, Umbo Eriza! Please open your eyes!”

“I’m so sorry, Salom. I brought your sister to her doom.” Elder Orum bowed his head in shame. Salom’s eyes widened, and he stopped crying, looking up at him in disbelief.

I felt compelled to listen.

“She asked me earlier where Hemira was going, and I foolishly told her how Hemira would confront Serpiant for our sake. I never imagined she would follow Hemira because of what I said.” His tears flowed freely, an endless river of sorrow.

The hoblins wept even louder, their grief echoing through the trees.

Unable to contain my grief, I wrapped my arms around both hoblins, my heart heavy with sorrow. “I’m so sorry, Salom. I couldn’t save your Umbo Eriza. I failed you both… I failed as a warrior.” I shut my eyes tightly, tears streaming down my face. How could I have let this happen? I felt so weak, so powerless to protect her sister.

I felt Salom’s arms tighten around me, matching my grief.

Our shared wails enveloped the area...

“Haaaaaaaaahhh!” A sudden loud gasp from my embrace startled me, breaking the tension and causing me to release my hold in shock.

Salom jumped back, retreating to hide behind me.

The other hoblins scattered in confusion, unsure of where to go.

A heavy breath shattered the silence.

Slowly, some of the hoblins peeked out from their hiding spots.

I turned to see a hoblin woman standing up on the ground, clutching her chest, gasping for breath. “You’re hugging me too tightly, Hemira! I can’t breathe! Are you trying to suffocate me?” she shouted.

Stunned, I stared at her in disbelief. “E-e-eriza?!” I could hardly comprehend the sight before me.