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

Chapter Overview

Here is the reworked version of Chapter 3. It includes a new scene at the beginning and minor changes. Violence against monsters warning.

3 Ordeal



Meanwhile, 7 months had passed. Kai had helped me get a job in the military, where I henceforth supported the troops as a magician. The required test was easier than expected.



The training area of the barracks. Mareus: "Kai, thank you for everything." Kai: "No problem. Now you just have to show what you can." Mareus: "I'll do it. I'm not supposed to hurt him, right? " Kai: "Right." He looked at me with disbelief. Mareus: "Then I'll just disarm him." Kai: "As you think. You know he's the captain of the town guard? " Mareus: "Yes. I did not forget it." Frustrated, Kai exhaled. Kai: "You'll already know what you're doing." He went to the other soldiers to watch the fight.



Captain: "Are you ready?" Mareus: "I'm ready." Captain: "Then let's start." He raised his sword and waited for my attack. But I was still waiting. Captain: "What's going on? Draw your sword and attack me." Mareus: "I'll do it, but I will not need a sword." Captain: "Are you sure?" He did not believe me. Mareus: "For sure." It was time. I had concentrated enough mana for an attack. Carried by the wind, I rushed toward the captain. He could hardly believe his eyes. He had never seen anyone running so fast. He did not even have time to react, there I stood next to him and grabbed his right arm. I moved behind him and tripped his leg at the same time. A slight push was enough to get him out of balance. A second later, he was already lying on the ground with his face, his right arm turned backwards.



Of the soldiers no one could believe what had just happened. At least Kai now believed me. Mareus: "Is that enough?" Captain: "Yes, that's enough. You can let me go. Please." Mareus: "OK." The captain stood up and took his right shoulder. Mareus: "I was not too crude, did I?" Captain: "No. Everything OK." Mareus: "Very good. Does that mean I have passed?" Captain: "Yes, yes. You're in." He looked at me completely stunned. Mareus: "Great. You see Kai, no problem." Kai simply waved back. As I said, everything was very easy.



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. Then I took the bread my mother had made me and went to the barracks. There I should go to the commander immediately. I could see that quite a lot was going on. Something had happened. Commander Radik informed me about the situation. In the southwest giant spider webs were spotted in the forest and this could only mean that there was an Arachne there. A squad should find her and persuade her to leave the country immediately, or otherwise take appropriate action. I should support them.



It was my 3rd mission of this kind. The other two were a lamia and a small group of harpies. In both missions, we were able to persuade the Mamono to leave the country quickly. This happens every few months and the Mamono usually recognize that they are unwanted and retreat. During their mating time, however, every word of reason is in vain. The squad consisted of 10 people. Commander Radik, me and 8 more soldiers, including 2 archer. Before I left I said goodbye to my parents and Lara. They wished me good luck before I went to the meeting place.

<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 journey on horseback took 4 days. We spent the night in a nearby village before we went into the forest early in the morning. It took several hours until we discovered the first cobweb. It was huge. 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 through the dense forest. Not to forget that traps could lurk everywhere. We finally managed to find the Arachne. She had made herself comfortable in a tree. We surrounded her without knowing that she had noticed us some time ago. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Following the law, commander Radik stepped out of his hiding-place and spoke to the Arachne: "Arachne, according to the law of the kingdom of Niskara, monsters are forbidden to reside without permission within the borders of the country. So I urge you to leave this country immediately. If you refuse to comply, then I am forced to use force and execute you as necessary. " The Arachne turned around in her hammock and looked at the commander. Arachne: "Oh, that does not sound nice. You really wanted to kill me? But I was only looking for a man for me. This can not be a crime. I'm sure you must be wrong." She smiled innocently. Radik: "I repeat myself reluctant Arachne. Leave the country immediately, or you will be executed here and now. " Normally the Mamono leave the country at least now, but this Arachne remained stubborn.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Arachne: "No, I will not. Not until I found a man for me." Radik: "Then you leave me no choice. Archer fire." Two arrows shot out of nowhere in the direction of the Arachne. But she dodged with incredible speed. More arrows whizzed through the air, but the Arachne was able to avoid each easily. Grinning, the Arachne mocked us. "More you can not? I'm disappointed." Commander Radik realized that we were at a disadvantage and ordered me to set the tree tops on fire with fireballs, in order to destroy the cobwebs and force the Arachne to the ground. I concentrated and aimed at the Arachne. Several of my fireballs literally exploded in front of her nose. The commander's plan went on. The Arachne had to leave the crowns of the trees, which at least limited her mobility. We immediately took up the persecution.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">My heart was racing. This was the first time that it was serious and although I had a good training, I was not prepared for the stress and the noise of the fight. For the soldiers around me, on the other hand, it seemed to have become a routine, or at least you couldn't see something. 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. The Arachne had only been waiting for that. She quickly reacted and caught the two careless soldiers who wanted to help their comrade with the web. Now only 7 the situation became even more precarious. Knowing that Mamono are strong and experience it live are 2 completely different things. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I decided to do something myself, but the Arachne was too fast to hit her for sure. In pure despair, I fired a whole volley of fireballs towards the Arachne and one of them burned her left arm slightly. However, after this action I was completely out of breath. As strong as my attacks were, so quickly they also drained my mana. I needed a break, but the look of the Arachne said me that she would give me none.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I had hurt her and now she was angry. I was too exhausted to avoid her next attack and so one of her threads hit me and sticked me on the next tree. The fight continued, but now without me. The commander had clearly trouble to maintain control, while an arrow after another missed its target. The fact that I was bound 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 caught until only the commander stood. Both stood face to face. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">2 strings flew through the air. The commander just managed to avoid them and went on the offensive. The Arachne was so sure to hit that she now could not longer run away. Our commander forced her to fight in a close combat. One sword blow followed the next and to my surprise the Arachne had clearly problems to evade. Her massive body now became a disadvantage. Then I noticed. Her breathing was visibly strained. The chase through the forest had also exhausted her. There was still hope of winning.

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<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 could block the blow with one of her armored legs. She stared grimily at Radik. Now it was her turn. With her powerful leg she slapped his sword out of his hand. And only one moment later he was captured just like us and laid on the ground.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Arachne: "Mmm ... you're really strong." She came closer and stroked his chest. "Mmm ... should I or should I not, should I or should I not? You know, you're really cute, but you wanted to kill me and this was terribly rude. Oh, I just can not make a decision." The commander knew what the Arachne wanted and he was not really happy about it. But there was no use, the cobweb was too strong to free oneself. He could struggle as much as he wanted. Arachne: "Ah ... now I know what I'm doing. I'll take you first and then we'll see ... after we had some fun together." Her lustful gaze did not please Radik at all. Analyzing the situation he looked around, but all the soldiers were unable to fight. Radik: "Let me and my men go immediately or you have to bear the consequences." Arachne: "You like to joke? What do you want to do to me now? I caught you all in my webs and now I can do with you what I want. " Radik: "Then you will not give up?" Arachne: "No. And now be quiet. "She gagged him.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">What I did not know then was that he bought time for me. He knew my skills and hoped I could turn tables. But I only tried to free myself as quickly as possible. The net was much too strong to rip it. I had only one choice and I had to hurry. I concentrated and used my fire magic to burn the net. A very dangerous venture. I focused on the web and it began to cokeing. The minor burns on my arms reminded me that I had only moderate control over my fire. I did not have time for the pain, because the Arachne could take the commander with her at any moment. <p align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I needed a clean shot, so I concentrated on my lightning magic. I raised my right hand and aimed. I had trained this 1000 times, but never with a living target. The moment the Arachne noticed the crackling air and looked at me, at that moment a blue-white light lit up the red-burning forest. The lightning beam hit her at the side, at the level of her belly. Badly hit she fell sideways.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Mareus: "Leave him alone, he is not your property." Arachne: "You ... what have you done? It hurts so much." Although the lightning did not have the full strength, it had burned a deep hole in her body and paralyzed her. The pain had to be indescribably strong. She was completely dazed and could hardly think clearly. It was a miracle that she had not collapsed yet. Mamono were really incredibly strong. "You're a bad man. I really do not like you. Why you cannot leave us alone?" Mareus: "I will not. I will not allow you to take this man with you. I will not let you abduct our commander!" Arachne: "You're really annoying. I ... I'll just catch you with my net again ... but this time you will not be able to free yourself so quickly."

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The whole time the Arachne tried to get back on her feet, but the paralysis caused her to stumble back and forth. In the meantime, I had reached the commandant and stood between him and the Arachne. Her tumbling was almost 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, then raised my right hand and turned my eyes away, knowing exactly what would happen. It was my duty as a soldier. I was trained for this almost half my life. A short scream was heard before the flames burned her body completely. The Arachne was dead, the fight won, but I could not be happy about it.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I freed the commandant and had to sit down after all that had happened. Radik: "Hey. Are you okay?" Mareus: "I'm fine. You can free the other soldiers." He nodded briefly and then went on his way.

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<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 style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I had to think about the training in the academy, where we were taught how to fight and kill these monsters. But the "killing" of practice targets is only a bad preparation for reality, which has become clearer to me now than ever. I had to think of the accident of that time. Even if I had not looked, I knew exactly what my flames can do.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The commander came back to me. Radik: "You look terrible, do you know that? I think you have taken more than expected." He sat down beside me. Radik: "Let me guess. That was the first time you killed someone." Mareus: "Is that so obvious?" Radik: "Definitely." He smiled slightly. "I'll tell you something now. The whole thing will not be easier, even if you get used to it over time. It will always be difficult for people like you and me." I glanced at him. The speech was not necessarily helpful at this moment. People like him and me?

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I had no time to think about it. The wind turned and the piercing smell of burned flesh rose into my nose. Thereafter, I finally felt bad and I quickly disappeared behind the nearest bush. Because the smoke of the still burning forest burned in the eyes and increasingly blocked the view, Commander Radik ordered the retreat to the village. It was time. Everyone needed a break. We gathered together and since I was still feeling bad, 2 soldiers agreed to carry me. We went off while the flames behind us slowly went out.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"All right, it'll get better. And thank you for saving the commander." "Exactly! Hooray for Mareus, who saved our commander from the clutches of this Arachne.", who saved our commander from the clutches of this Arachne." The soldiers cheered and clapped, but I was not able to do more than smile a little. Radik: "So enough of it. You can continue to celebrate in the village. And now go." <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

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