Civilization

I can feel another heartbeat pumping alongside mine.

A slow and steady heartbeat.

Ba-dump.

Ba-dump.

Ba-dump.

A warm sensation flows throughout my body. It felt like I was being held in my mother's arms again. At the same time, it felt like time had stopped.

Neither the monster nor I moved. I stood there enveloped in a slow yellow glow gripping my knife tightly in my hand.

Kill it.

Kill it and find a way to help Sylvia.

The only thoughts running through my mind were ways to attack the monster but I couldn't move.

Something felt off.

Looking at how the fight panned out we should have died to one or two strikes from the monster but I am still here. Albeit bruised, exhausted and slightly out of breath I didn't feel like I was about to die.

The only deadly strike it did was against Sylvia where it was able to pierce her body with its tongue but since I cut that off it lost one of its weapons.

I can do this. Its punches and kicks hurt but they aren't to the point where it is deadly so long it doesn't hit my face.

Time to start the fight again.

One step at a...time?

I only took one step but I'm already right in front of the monster. I can practically hold him. Snapping out of my thought I quickly slice upwards towards its throat. Realizing the danger it swung its head back dodging the knife by a hair. It leaped backward gaining some distance from me.

Did going activating Golden Ascension increase my speed by that much?

It really only felt like I took a single step but I had moved close to the monster in that one step. It also felt like I was attacking faster so how did the monster get out of the way so fast? Was it just Instinct?

No, it does not matter.

I am faster. I am stronger. I can do this.

Again!

Just try again.

Stab forward at the chest. Slice upwards for the throat. Slice at the legs. Stab its arms.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Don't let it have a chance to move.

Don't give it a chance to retaliate.

Don't stop moving.

Green blood sprayed and splattered everywhere. Pools of green blood start to form everywhere.

I cut its limbs off one by one until It was just the head and torso. Its eyes, full of confusion and hatred remain staring at me.

I breathe out heavily.

Stabbing the knife into its head.

My hands tremble on the knife's handle. Shaking uncontrollably. My breath becomes ragged. I can't feel the air entering my lungs.

What is happening?

A side effect from using Golden Ascension?

I should have known it was going to be bad.

My eyes start to get heavy.

My knees give out first landing in a pool of green blood next to the monster's corpse.

I feel the world spinning around. The ground and the sky flip sides.

The warm green blood splashes over my body as I collapse into it.

I let out loud coughs as I grip my chest.

I try to stand back up only to fall again into the blood covering myself in it.

Is this it?

I kill one monster and try to destroy an encampment. At the cost of my life?

No. I can't let it end here.

I slow my breathing, taking deep long breaths.

Closing my eyes and only focused on my breathing.

Once my breathing slowed to a nice rhythm I took a deep breath.

I open my eyes and see the shining moon in the middle of the dark night sky and I let out a loud howl.

Like always it responds back.

Washing the pain away with its soft silver moonlight.

While I'm not completely healed it was enough to slowly get to my knees and then my feet.

The two girls on the side were staring at me in a daze. Next to them was Sylvia.

She was still unconscious but it seemed like the girls had bandaged her up, wrapping the wound in cloth.

"What are your names? And what do you plan to do now?"

The girls look at each other and gulp nervously before looking at me again. The blonde girl took the initiative to introduce themselves.

"I am Solar and this is Stellar. We were captured by Kronos's minions and then brought here as food for the monster. We were going to die...But then you came. I would like to follow you. There is nothing else for me to do. My home is likely destroyed by Kronos already…"

"Me too...Both of us are elves, although I am a dark elf. Let us come with you. We can help heal the girl. It will be slow but slowly she will get better."

"Okay. My name is Luke. Please heal Sylvia as well as the wolves. Let me tell you my plan. I decided this not too long ago but I feel like I need to get stronger. Without strength, the people I care about will die. I plan to destroy every encampment around and inside the forest. Will you two join me?"

"We will."

Ian, do you think I'm on the right track?