Chapter 13

  The man stands in front of the ship he has just brought down from the air himself. Amidst pouring rain and stormy winds he faces Minot. The man who has not yet revealed his name has murdered two people within minutes. And by the look in his eyes he plans on ending the lives of all the remaining people on the island and the ship. Minot's body is getting drenched in rain on the outside and sweat on the inside. He has never seen a beast like that before. And he worries that if he fails to defeat it, Iv and the others will die this day.

  Fast, insanely powerful, and looks like he has some magic, Minot thinks. In his head he is running different ideas on how to deal with all that. But nothing seems to guarantee victory. Even if he wins, he thinks further, the ship looks broken, like it can't get them off the island. One way or another they are doomed. Minot isn't much of a religious man, but here he would pray to the Deity to work a miracle.

  The man slowly approaches Minot. In a deep and threatening voice he remarks: "I've misjudged a man once today." He is unbothered by the rain. "An' I don't like erring twice." He stops and assumes a battle stance, the same Minot has seen before when he struck Carton. "Show me yar strength, boy." There is hunger in his words, like a starved predator encountering worthy prey.

  Minot's entire body is preparing for the incoming strike. His mind is fully focused on the enemy in front of him. The speed of this creature is something to be reckoned with, and by any means possible he will have to either dodge or block it. He is unsure about how to best handle it, because he has only seen it once. Thoughts of failing to react properly buzz through his mind.

  They stand off for a while, no one is making a move. The anticipation is tugging on his nerves. He is getting restless. Hands shake a little.

  Something is off. The man's expression changes. His posture relaxes. He is not looking at Minot anymore, but behind him towards the gate into the temple. Minot is confused, but after he exits his focus he hears it. Footsteps coming from the hallway. They are somewhat soft, but steady. Through the gate comes a familiar, but battle-worn face.

  "I! Am your opponent!", Hagen declares towards the stranger.

  -

  Earlier inside the temple:

  "Y're in my way."

  "Ya ain't gettin' past me!"

  Hagen stands off against the man. His resolve steeled, his posture steady, his sword pointed at the adversary. By his duty as a soldier he will not let this thing go after the others. He thinks that the best course of action is to just leave him there and escape with the Cloudbreaker. Hagen's mind is rushing with all sorts of emotions, thoughts and memories, but his time on the battlefield has taught him how to stay focused, even if it has been a while he needed to fight for his life.

  Back in his military days during the Hesfor-Lucian war, Hagen was the captain of his squad. Well respected, disciplined and ambitious. Under his command he had achieved many victories, a few had larger strategic effects for the Hesforian side. Hagen had witnessed many skirmishes, some with casualties that would never be reported. He had carried his fallen brothers- and sisters-in-arms and protected the still living. Even when the Lucians had the upper hand, Hagen fought.

  In his last battle his squad was in a losing battle with most of the soldiers too injured to fight or dead. They needed backup but their communications were down. The only way to request help was for one of them to run back to camp and bring soldiers to their location. There were only two soldiers in fighting shape, Hagen and a young man who had been in the military for maybe 6 months. Hagen ordered the man to run back while he fought off the fast approaching Lucian army.

  In Hagen's mind, this was just to send the young man back so he wouldn't die there, and the backup could collect their bodies. But his duty as a soldier was to fight the enemy, and so he did. If he were to die, he would die fighting.

  After almost 40 minutes the young man returned with backup, only to see a bloodied and battered Hagen standing amidst fallen Lucian combatants. He had suffered several injuries, the worst one was a deep slash across his abdomen. Yet the adrenaline and his determination to fight for his squad wouldn't let him fall. Once he saw backup arrive, he collapsed with a smile.

  This mentality is what got him honorably discharged. And now, many years later, he is facing an enemy that is invoking the same "last stand" feelings from back then.

  "Ya'll only leave this place on yar back!"

  "Them's fightin' words", the stranger replies to Hagen's threat. He dashes in slashing, but Hagen blocks it. The sheer power behind that strike almost knocks him backwards. He twists body, using the momentum to execute a counterattack, but the man easily evades.

  The two swordsmen fight for a while. Each clash of blades sounds like iron striking rock, but the rock isn't giving in. In fact, the rock strikes harder. The man is more agile and uses the entire environment to his advantage. He moves and dodges in the open space, he hurls stone debris at Hagen and dashes in for a slash. His fighting style hardly allows for Hagen to strike back. After each engage he dashes away, only to prepare his next agile move.

  Hagen is forced into a defensive fight of attrition. He is basically fighting a shark in open water. Still, he parries and blocks accurately and his counterattacks are precise. Those would land against any normal soldier.

  If I can't keep up with his speed, Hagen thinks, I can at least stall him until the others escape. He grits his teeth as he blocks the next attack. The strength of the blows have not diminished. If anything, his arms are growing tired from them. The man engages with a flurry of fast attacks. Hagen manages to parry them, but just barely. Some still connect with his body and slash him. His upper body is getting riddled with wounds. His breathing is growing heavy and labored.

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  "Ya have discipline", the man speaks as he strikes. "Technique." Another slice, this one hits Hagen's arm. "Speed. And experience." Slash. Blocked. "The signs of a seasoned fighter."

  "Save yar praise, ya abyssal creature!"

  "Close 'nuff". He strikes again, this time upwards and throws Hagen off his stance. "But what ya lack, is strength." A powerful horizontal slash aims for Hagen's chest. But he catches himself in time and swings his sword down to block it. The impact is so strong he gets launched back against the wall. He gasps, spitting blood while grasping for air.

  Hagen goes blank for a few seconds. After coming to he sees the stranger not aiming a killing blow at him, but picking up the lifeless body of Carton. Unbearable pain jolts through his body as he tries to get up. He spits more blood onto the white stone.

  The man puts Carton on his shoulder and turns away, walking towards the center of the room.

  "Where... do y-ya think... ya're going?", Hagen groans. The man looks back.

  After a short time staring at each other he replies: "Get stronger, or die." He then turns around and jumps up on the stone ring that is still on the pillars. Using the upside down towers he dashes upwards towards the hole in the dome. His jump strength breaks one of the towers and sends it hurling down.

  Hagen gathers all the strength he has left to stumble through the gate and into the hallway. A thunderous noise erupts inside the hall. It's so loud his ears ring. He covers his ears, but the sound echoes through his body, reigniting the pain.

  Just like that, the man defeated Hagen and absconded with Carton. He has no idea what he is going to do with his crewmate's body. While trying not to fall unconscious Hagen gets up, sword in hand, and walks through the hallway. He knows for certain the monster will go after the others who by this time might already be on the ship. He hopes they somehow escape. He hopes that, after going through the gate on the other side, there will be no ship in sight. Only Hagen, and this inhuman creature.

  -

  Blood is splattered all over Hagen's grey suit, which itself is slashed and tattered. Whatever bits of skin are visible are drenched in a dark red hue. His breathing is heavy. He is leaning against the gate's wall for support.

  Relief and surprise wash over the sailors. They are happy to see that he is still alive, but he doesn't look like he can even hold his sword anymore. He exits the hallway and goes into the rain. His gaze solely fixated on the enemy.

  The other sailors try to stop him, yelling that he is badly injured and could collapse at any moment. Hagen pays their words no mind. Right now, he has to protect them. No matter what.

  He approaches Minot, nearly stumbling on his way. Minot lets him pass in front of him. Quietly, and with difficulty speaking, Hagen says: "Take... the others,... and go... inside the temple." He straightens himself up and holds his swords with both hands. "Protect yaselves... from the rain..." Each half sentence requires a break to breathe.

  "Mate, you're gonna die like that." Minot tries to protest, but he knows Hagen won't change his mind. He looks over to the stranger. He seems annoyed, but lets them sort things out. Maybe he has misjudged twice this day.

  "I won't die", Hagen replies with a grin. Minot doesn't know if it's the adrenaline, lunacy or Rain Fever speaking. At least Hagen doesn't show any physical signs of it.

  Minot turns around and faces the others who are hiding. He points inside the temple. They understand and scurry inside. Minot also walks towards the gate, but stops near a stone pillar. He will stay there and watch the fight. Iv approaches him worriedly, but he just whispers something to her and sends her back. She nods and does as told.

  The man looks deeply into Hagen's eyes. Even at that distance the gaze feels as intrusive as if he was right in front of him. Something about those faint golden and ringed eyes feel so unnatural and evil, yet somewhat intriguing. The only bit of gold amidst darkness.

  "Stubborn seadog", he scoffs and assume his battle stance.

  "The fight only ends... when one of us falls", Hagen replies. He legs are weak and feel like he is about to fall. But only the sweet release of death will bring him to the ground, and nothing else. If I die, it'll be far away from the ship, he reminds himself and laughs in his mind. He had a habit of saying corny phrases. He didn't see it until now, but the ship is right in front of him, and partly inside the ground. Hagen doesn't have the energy or mental focus to think about that. His remaining strength is meant for this fight.

  The previous battle resumes. The stranger dashes in with incredible speeds, sword aimed for Hagen's heart. He throws himself to the side to dodge. It takes too much energy to counter attack, so he simply goes back into a defensive stance. The man looks at him with a mix of pity and annoyance in his eyes. Another dash, another awkward tumble to escape the attack. Hagen rushes in for a strike, but it gets easily blocked and countered with a punch from the man's left hand. Hagen stumbles around. Blood collects on the side of his mouth. His breathing is getting heavier and heavier. He can barely keep his sword up.

  "Yar spirit is wasted on this futile resistance", the man mocks him. Hagen's response is to stand straight again and lock eyes with his enemy. He sighs and prepares the finishing blow. Hagen knows what is coming, but he has no energy left. He can't dodge it this time, let alone block. All this struggle, only to die without even a meaningful hit landed on the enemy. This is a Hesforian soldier's greatest shame, yet Hagen doesn't mind. To him, he was protecting those he cared about. Maybe all he did allowed them to live another day. He can't help but smile, but he won't close his eyes. He will look his enemy in the eyes, until he can see no more. All he hears is the wind. The loud, ever increasing wind.

  The man dashes again. Death is approaching with blinding velocity. Hagen grits his teeth, expecting the worst pain to rend his life from his body.

  But that pain never comes. All his sees in front of him is his opponent, meters away, sword arm outstretched and aimed at him, but stuck in place. As the wind from the dash catches up with Hagen and blows through his messy hair his eyes wander lower. They see Minot, who is using his club and all of his body's strength to catch the dash such that the sword can't reach Hagen. The club is diagonally pressed against the man's body and block his movement.

  Even the man stares in bewilderment. Minot caught his strike and after he came to a halt grabbed his sword arm. He tries to strike Minot, but his grip is strong. Instead he gets knee-kicked in the stomach, struck with the hilt of the club in his chest and recoils back. Minot releases his grip in the sword arm, holds the club with both hands, yells and delivers a powerful frontal swing across the man's head. The disgusting 'thud' produced by the impact feels like it drowns out the noise of the rain and wind.

  The man takes a few steps back while holding his face with his free hand. That blow seems to have hurt. Hagen falls backwards from witnessing the scene. All the fatigue has caught up to him, and his adrenaline is crashing down. With mouth agape he stares at Minot. He doesn't have the strength for words anymore.

  "You're right. Ya ain't dying today", Minot comments. He shakes his hand. The recoil shook both his arms. "I'll tag in and deal with this ugly bonefish thing!"