Chapter 32 ALMOST THERE

Mid-day

Kingdom of Lance

Fifth district-West section

Jerrod Rooks stood still and calm on the bridge linking the West section of the fifth district and that of the sixth, wielding his sword, peering at the veil. He turns over to his seven warriors holding torches and their swords then he gazed at Commander Darren standing behind his warriors. “Remember what I told you Darren.”

“I will Sri Jerrod”

Jerrod turned back to the veil then walked into it, which sucked him in as though he was submerged in water, the warriors hesitated in their movement but eventually followed.

Jerrod and his warriors treaded the numb silent streets of the obscure ice-cold town, carefully observing their surroundings, on getting to the town square they beheld with their eyes the bodies of the towns folk, stacked up together and the children sitting round about the pile of bodies, aside this there was a child standing before the sore sight, appearing to be dead but seemed very much alive.

“Spread out in pairs of two, cut down anything you see” Jerrod ordered “there is no living soul here.”

The warriors shared themselves evenly then went separate ways leaving one behind, “Let’s go Samuel” Jerrod ordered then they continued towards the standing child.

“He's far gone already” a familiar male voice spoke from behind them, obliging them to make a quick turn, taking a defensive stance.

“Who are you?” Jerrod asked as he beheld Elroy, holding a bloody knife and rapier

“Does it really matter, you are not leaving here alive” Elroy assured

“Stay by me Samuel, there’s something dark about him”

"Aye Sri Jerrod" said Samuel before tossing the torch aside

“The watcher was right, this will be worthwhile” Elroy spoke with a smile then charged towards Jerrod and Samuel. They advanced towards Elroy, striking at him simultaneously from various points, Elroy checked and deflected as many as he could then escaped others with scratches.

Evading a thrust from Samuel, Elroy slashed at his neck but Jerrod deflected the attack just in time. Elroy jumped backwards then took a defensive stance, but Jerrod didn’t give any opening he advanced towards Elroy with a wide slash, Elroy quickly ducked under it then evaded an immediate thrust from Samuel who sliced through his black leather jacket and inner white tunic, placing a shallow cut on his torso.

Not taking a break Elroy makes a quick turn to deflect and check the multiply slashes from Jerrod, unable to keep up he failed to discern Jerrod’s movement.

Elroy evades a slash which Jerrod took advantage of, redirecting his attack he slashed Elroy’s face giving Samuel the opportunity to plunge his sword into his chest.

Elroy laughed out with evil despair as the cut across his face healed up, stirring fear into Samuel who gazed at him with widened eyes.

“Samuel!!!” Jerrod cried out as he advanced towards them.

Elroy stabbed Samuel’s neck with his knife then kicked forward against his chest, before Samuel got to the ground Jerrod held him in his arms “Stay with me boy” he spoke gently, trying to put Samuel at ease as he choked on the blood pouring out of his mouth.

“This body is amazing” Elroy declared then pulled the sword out of his chest and tossed it aside “too bad I can’t keep it.”

Jerrod gently laid Samuel on the ground then closed his eyes before straightening up toward Elroy, glaring at him intently, pain and fury engraved in his eye.

"You are a man in his own world, I’ll give you a less painful death” Elroy assured then advanced towards Jerrod who advanced towards him also, both clashed swords as they met making a loud clang.

After an intense struggle of clashing and slashing, Elroy began slowing down, an after effect of the Behamolt staying in a restricted vessel. Noticing the change in Elroy’s movement, Jerrod deflects the next strike from Elroy then sliced his belly open; Elroy shrinks forward pressing hard on the cut as it heals up. Elroy immediately made a quick turn, preparing to block or avoid the next attack however Jerrod was already in form, he slashed Elroy’s neck with a wide swing.

Jerrod gazed with open eyes as the blade stopped half way from beheading Elroy, in that instance Elroy plunged his rapier into Jerrod’s chest, piercing through him all the way to his back. Jerrod let a slight grunt as he shrinks backwards, bleeding from his mouth, he went on his knees then sprouts out blood from his mouth; he struggled to lift his gaze up to Elroy who yanked the sword out off his neck like it was nothing, allowing the wound to heal up.

"My stay in this vessel is up” Elroy spoke frailly, blood streaming down his nose, he staggered his way to Jerrod then pats his shoulder “Eric sends his Regards” he spoke lightly then staggered away.

“Tony” Jerrod muttered under a dying breath then bowed his head

“No!!!” Elroy screamed out, stretching his right hand towards a ceiling, realizing he was lying on a bed stationed in the middle of a room, he relaxed then straightened up “Where are my?” he asked stroking his head

“Vlastisi” a male voice spoke out

Elroy turned to his rare immediately, setting his gaze on a bald, black skin man, probably in his early thirties by looks due to his lack of facial hair and his deep brown eyes giving a fixed unshaken gaze, he was clothed in the Seekers Squad vest.

“Who are you?”

“Luke Maura, Leader of team four in the Seekers squad.”

“The Behamolt” Elroy asked worriedly

“Killed by my team.”

“I didn’t go on a rampage, right?” Elroy asked, touching his head and chest

“No, I sent it to hell before it had a chance to flee”

“Glad to hear that, my teammates are safe I suppose?”

“Yes and worried about you, apart from that I acknowledge your ability and bravery, but that was uncalled for, you do not throw your life away when there’s a chance to escape. Follow command next time.”

“I’ll do that, Mira will be pissed”

“That was nice fighting by the way” Luke congratulated then straightened up “I’ll leave you with your team” steps out of the room.

Elroy took a deep exhale then stood on his feet; he held his chest with a grunt but was able to walk out of the room.

“Where are you going?” asked Lukas who was resting on the wall close to the door way of the small room Elroy stepped out from

“To find you guys”

“Bad Idea El, get back to bed before they find you awake.” warned Jake who was standing in-between Lukas and Hector

“Who?” Elroy asked curiously

“Too late” Hector spoke lightly then took his leave alongside Lukas and Jake.

“Elroy!!!” Karin yelled out as she angrily approached Elroy obliging the passing folks of the town to glare at her

Elroy turned around and met with Karin’s fist landing a blow on his cheek then a kick to his belly sent him to the ground coughing, “What was that for?”

“That’s for putting your life at risk and making Mira worried.” Karin spoke grumpily then walks away

Elroy coughed out then raised his gaze to see who was standing before him, Mira offered her hand to him, staring with squinted eyes and lowered brows; Elroy accepts her hand and supports himself up.

“Are you alright?” Mira asked softly

"Hopefully” Elroy assured

“Good” Mira responded then slapped Elroy which turned the Town folk’s attention towards them “that’s for disobeying instructions and putting yourself in harm’s way."

Elroy stared at Mira confused, gently rubbing his sore cheek, Mira turned her back against him then treaded forward, “Let’s go, my father is waiting” she spoke calmly, Elroy shook his head then followed behind Mira with hesitating steps.