User blog:Pollux83/Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 3

Chapter Overview

The next chapter.Warning, it contains violence against monsters. I hope it is not too much.

3 Ordeal



Meanwhile, 7 months had passed. Kai had helped me to get a job in the military, where I from now on supported the troops as a mage. Meantime Lara was shortly before her certification as a blacksmith. Only a few months. And then ... well, then our wedding was planned.



It was a day like any other. In the morning I got up, ate and drank something and then went to the barracks like every day. There already a fighting force was created and I should be a part of it. In the southwest giant spider webs were spotted in the forest and that could only mean that there must be an Arachne. The squad should track her down and persuade her to leave the country immediately. Should she refuse, she is considered as hazardous and to execute instantly.

Such a thing happens every few months and the Mamono usually realize that they are undesirable and withdraw. But during the mating season every word of reason is vain, with corresponding consequences.



The commander on the mission was Radik and besides me there were 8 other soldiers, including 2 archers. Before I left I said goodbye to Lara. She wished me good luck before I went to the meeting place. It was my 3rd mission of this kind.



The journey took 4 days. We stayed in a nearby village before we marched out into the woods in the early morning. It took several hours, until we discovered the first cobweb. From then on we all were highly focused on the task, because the Arachne had to be very close. All were silent and we moved as silently as possible through the dense forest. Not to mention, that anywhere could be traps.



Finally, we were able to track down the Arachne and surrounded her. Following the law commander Radik came out of his hiding place and said to the Arachne: "Arachne, according to the law of the kingdom of Niskara it is monsters without permission prohibited to reside within the border of the country. If you refuse, then I'm forced to use force and to execute you."

Arachne: "Oh, but that does not sound nice. You really want to kill me? I've been looking just for a man. Surely that cannot be a crime. I'm sure you must be wrong."

Radik: "I repeat myself reluctant Arachne. Leave the country immediately or you'll be executed here and now."

Arachne: "No, I will not. Not until I found a man for me."

Radik: "Then you let me no other choice. Archers fire!"

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Out of nowhere 2 arrows shot in the direction of the Arachne. But these dodged with incredible speed. More arrows whizzed through the air, but the Arachne was able to avoid each easily. Commander Radik realized that we were at a disadvantage and ordered me to put the tree crowns on fire with fireballs to force the Arachne to the ground.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Several of my fireballs exploded in front of her. The plan of the commander succeed. The Arachne had to leave the treetops what their mobility at least slightly restricted. We immediately given chase.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">My heart was racing. This was the first time that it was serious and even though I had a good training, the stress and the noise of the fight I was not prepared. For the soldiers around me, however, it seemed to have become a routine, or at least you couldn't see something.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Although she was now on the ground the Arachne still had an extremely high speed, so we were hardly kept up. Finally happened what should not happen. One of the soldiers fell into one of the traps and was unable to move. Thereon the Arachne had been waiting for. Quick as a flash she reacted and caught the 2 carelessly soldiers who wanted to help their comrade with her cobweb. Now only to seven the situation was getting bleaker. Knowing that Mamono are strong and to experience it live are 2 totally different things. In desperation, I fired a whole salvo of fireballs at the Arachne and burned her left arm slightly. However, after this action I was completely out of breath and the view of the Arachne could only mean one thing: I was her next target. Unable to react hit me one of their strings and stuck me on the nearest tree. The fight went on, but now without me. The commander had clearly trouble to maintain control, while an arrow after another missed its target.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The fact that I was tied to a tree also had something good. I could use the time to regather my thoughts and calm down. In these few minutes a soldier after another was captured until only the commander stood. Both stood face to face. 2 strings flew through the air. The commander just managed to avoid and went on the offensive. One sword slash followed the next and to my surprise the Arachne had clearly problems to avoid. Then I noticed it. Her breathing was visibly strained. The chase through the forest had also exhausted her. So there was still hope of winning.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Suddenly a metallic sound was heard. Our commander had landed a hit, but the Arachne was able to block the blow with one of her armored legs. Now it was her turn. With her powerful leg, she beat his sword out of his hand and only one moment later, he was captured just like us and lie on the ground.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Arachne: "Mmm ... you're really strong. Mmm ... should I or should I not, should I or should I not. You know, you are really cute, but you wanted to kill me and this was terribly rude. Oh, I cannot make up my mind."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The commander knew what the Arachne wanted and he was not really happy about it. But it's no use, the cobweb was too strong to break free.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Arachne: "Ah ... now I know what I'm doing. First, I take you with me and after we had some fun together we'll see."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">That sounded anything but good. I had to hurry. I focused quick and used my fire magic to burn the cobweb. The minor burns which I suffered reminded me once again that I had my fire magic only moderately under control. For the pain I had now, I had no time because the Arachne was already standing directly over Radik.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I needed a targeted attack, so I focused on my lightning magic. The moment in which the Arachne noticed the vibrating air and looked around to me, in this moment a blue white light illuminated the red burning forest. The lightning bolt hit her on the side at the level of her stomach. Badly hit she fell sideways.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Mareus: "Leave him alone, he is not your property."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Arachne: "You ... what have you done? It hurts so much." Although the lightning did not have the full strength, so it nevertheless had burned a deep hole in her body. It was a wonder that she had not collapsed yet. "You are a bad man. I really don't like you. Why you cannot leave us alone?"

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Mareus: "No. I will not allow you to take this man."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Arachne: "You are really annoying. I will just catch you with my cobweb again, but this time you will not be able to escape so fast."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The whole time the Arachne tried to get up, but the lightning had paralyzed her body and it was manifestly difficult for her. In the meantime, I had reached the commander and now stood between him and the Arachne. Her teetering was downright pathetic. But I felt no pity for her because of what happened, but because of what I would do next.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I hesitated for a moment, but then I raised my right hand and turned away my eyes because I knew exactly what was about to happen. A short cry could be heard before the flame jet burned her body completely. The Arachne was dead, the fight won, but I could not be happy about it.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I freed the commander and had to sit down after all that had happened.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Radik: "Hey. Are you okay?"

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Mareus: "I'm fine. You can free the other soldiers."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">He nodded briefly and then went on his way.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Fine. Nothing was fine. My whole body was in a state of shock. My hands were shaking, I could hardly move and my stomach felt anything but good. All the time I had to think about what had just happened. I had killed someone for the first time and I was not sure what was worse: The fact that I had just done it or that it was so easy.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I had to think of the training in the academy, where we were taught how we must fight and kill these monsters. But the "killing" of exercise objectives is only a poor preparation for the reality that I was now clearer than ever. ... Oh yes, the academy. Even if I had not been watching, I knew exactly what my flames can cause.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The commander came back to me.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Radik: "You look terrible, you know? This has probably taken you more than expected."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">He sat down beside me.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Radik: "Let me guess. This was the first time that you killed someone."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Mareus: "Is that so obvious?"

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Radik: "Definitely." He smiled slightly. "I'll tell you something now. The whole thing will not be easy, even if you are in the course of time, become accustomed to kill. For people like you and me, it will always be difficult."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I looked over at him. The speech was not necessarily promotional in this moment and then also penetrated the pungent, irritating odor of burning flesh through the air. Thereafter, I finally felt bad and I quickly disappeared behind the nearest bush.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Because the smoke of the still burning forest burned in the eyes and increasingly obstructed the view of us commander Radik ordered the retreat to the village. Since I was still feeling bad, 2 soldiers expressed their willingness to carry me.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Soldier 1: "All right, it'll get better. And thank you for saving the commander."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Soldier 3: "Exactly! Hooray for Mareus, who saved our commander from the clutches of this Arachne."

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The soldiers cheered and clapped, but for more than a little smile I was not able.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Radik: "So enough of it. You can continue to celebrate when we reach the village. And now go."

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We reached the village in the evening. Arrived at the inn none of us had longer enough energy to celebrate, because we were all too tired. Some soldiers drank one or two beers and told what happened. For my part I preferred to lie in my bed as quickly as possible. The use of so much magic had worn me out completely. As soon as I lay on the soft bed, I was already asleep.