Chương 37: Bog

At least my hand isn't cut open… Clinging to his left arm, Eric gritted his teeth against the pain. He still couldn't understand how his Phantom Hand could be severed while his real one remained completely unharmed. Whatever linked the two only carried sensation. He fell down on one knee and struggled to get up. His heart was beating louder than a tower bell while his mind was all over the place. I have to get up. They are coming. Come on! Three, two, one…

Eric drew one deep breath, forced his legs beneath him, and pushed himself upright. Fortunately, the pain was temporary. The unfortunate part was that the commander and his squad circled overhead and descended after a few seconds. Cracks and debris surrounded the axe that severed Eric's Phantom Hand. Its owner was eager to get it back.

"Riders! We land now!" The commander shouted. Four gryphon riders descended first, spreading out until Eric stood at the center of their formation. The riders pulled hard on the reins, bringing their mounts under control as the beasts growled. These things weren't so angry the last time we met. Someone set them on me. Patience, Graham! I have to think clearly before doing anything. One bad move and this whole circle closes in. Breathe. Staying calm was getting harder with every rider that landed.

Kayle greeted them with a quick hand signal. They returned the gesture and looked above. The commander rode a bigger, more imposing gryphon. Eric supposed that he would have a different steed, but seeing it up close surprised him a little. It looked more like a reptile, with scales and horns sticking out. As it landed, its powerful wings stirred a blast of wind that sent dust and debris flying. Four clawed feet scraped against the stone first. Another pair unfolded beneath its body and gripped the floor.

It lowered itself so that its master could dismount. The axe was by his side. He glanced at Eric before reaching out for the weapon.

"Did you like the taste of my weapon, worm?" He spoke with a low, resonant growl. Wrenching it from the ground, the commander didn't say anything else. Eric's silence made the muscular giant frown.

"Answer me!" Eric fixed his gaze on his foe and ignored the rest of the group. They stood in the middle of a ring formed by the squad. The squad could step in at any moment, but they were more interested in watching the fight instead of participating.

"I answer to nobody. You should be grateful I didn't finish that spell…"

"Ash!" Eric slowly turned toward the raven. Really? Now? A low chuckle rumbled in the commander's chest before erupting into booming laughter.

"The bird thinks otherwise! I think it just saved your life. You should listen to it more often." The man slung the axe over his back and slowly got off the reptile. With each heavy step of the commander, Eric's grip tightened around his summoned dagger.

"Let's not start with steel. Not yet." I'm not feeling good about this… Eric stood still and lowered his weapon, despite his mind screaming to attack. He glanced quickly to the side and tried to scan the area. Keeping a distance would give him more time to react, so he thought about teleporting.

"Do not feel threatened. I have other plans for you, if you cooperate," the towering man said. Hesitant, but with no other options, Eric answered and tried to hide the fear in his voice.

"Why should I trust you?" The commander chuckled.

"You shouldn't. That doesn't mean we can't make a deal." In the moments of silence between them, a barrage of thoughts moved through Eric's mind. Now what? Should I fight? Escape? Somehow lie and try to get Kayle to help? A glance toward her confirmed she wasn't willing to help. She's protecting her cover. So I have to talk. Carefully. His internal monologue was interrupted by the commander reaching and removing his helmet. He had red hair of medium length and a square jaw.

His most striking feature was the scar that split his face where his missing right eye had been. The socket glowed with the power of a thousand suns and almost blinded Eric.

"My name is Alric. Warlord once, now a damned soul. The Shattered gave me another chance." He clenched his fists, and two blue ghosts appeared. They were wearing a spectral version of his armor and carrying a heavy axe.

"They brought back my barbarian army, every warrior that I watched die. After we conquer this realm, I'll return to Earth and hunt those that killed my men." Alric opened his hands, and the ghosts disappeared. His attention returned to Eric.

"I don't know what you seek, but your actions seem to cause problems for the Shattered," he said. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"It's none of your business why I'm here. Your sob story doesn't change anything." The warlord tilted his head to the side.

"Brave words need a strong man to defend them. What gives you such confidence?" Eric summoned a Phantom Hand beside him and called his dagger into his real hand. Ash hissed and spread its wings.

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve." Alric's eyes widened. He stared into the open space, and his mind drifted away.

"So… you are Death's Champion. I still remember the day he came for me." His fingers curled around the handle of his axe.

"A man called for divine intervention, just as I was about to chop his head off. He pleaded to the gods and offered his life in return. The sky parted, and a glorious winged figure landed. It touched the man with her hand, and scars filled his whole body. Fire rained from the heavens, and a flaming spear landed at his feet…" Alric frowned and spoke with anger in his voice.

"That's when I saw him, right behind the man. The Pale King, my final witness. He said nothing and leaned on his scythe. My memories faded as the flaming spear pierced my head. My men were screaming around me as everything went dark." He paused.

"I could still hear Death coming. The sound was getting louder and louder until it was the only thing left. The hooded figure swung the scythe and soon… my world ceased to be." Why do I keep inheriting Grim's enemies? Eric watched as the determined gaze of Alric landed back on him.

"Death didn't kill you. The man with the spear did," he said.

"Even so, why did he take me?" Alric's voice rose.

"Wasn't I worthy of becoming his champion? He could have given me the power to defeat my enemies, and yet, he decided to collect me?! I was sent to Hell! Eternal pain, torture, and punishment. The Shattered decided to give me a chance. I'll destroy this realm, and I'll start with Death's Champion." The warlord whistled through his fingers and signaled to his squad to fall back. His lizard steed flew away, and the riders widened the circle, clearing a space between the two men.

Alric drew the axe from his back and slowly walked around Eric.

"The rules are simple. You and me. No outside help, no reinforcements. That includes your winged creature and mine," he said. Eric looked at Ash and gave it a reassuring pat on the back.

"I'll handle this. Just stay out of it, okay?" The raven didn't say a word and flew to the edge of the forming arena. It landed beside Kayle and stood still. Alric lifted his axe and pointed at her.

"Woman! Summon a battlefield and separate us from the rest. I want them to watch!" Kayle nodded and got to work. She raised six fire pillars in a hexagon. A wave of flame connected the pillars and formed the arena, sealing off everyone outside. /——————————————\ New area unlocked! Warning: You entered the area Barbarian's Bog as part of a Boss Challenge! Boss entities in the area deal bonus damage. \—————————————/ Would've been suspicious if this place made anything easier.

The world beyond the hexagon changed completely. A stone arena stood in the middle of a sizzling bog. Sounds of bubbling and boiling liquid interrupted the silence, and the smell of sulfur lingered in the air. The bog was in the middle of an old forest with rotting trees. What is this place? Where is he? Steadying his breathing and preparing his weapon, Eric moved in the center of the platform. Alric's hand emerged from the bog, gripping the arena.

Climbing on it, he laughed and pulled his axe from the boiling pond. Both men faced off. They didn't need any more words. It was time for their weapons to do the talking. For the first time, Eric's blade transformed into a scythe. That gave him a boost in his confidence, but it also puzzled him a little because he wasn't used to fighting with it. I didn't want this! Why did it transform on its own? I have no idea how to fight with this thing. Alric froze at the sight of the weapon that had once taken his life.

He wielded his axe with both hands and charged forward, letting out a harrowing scream.

"This time you will die!" Eric dodged to his left. The barbarian's smash cracked the ground, and a small fountain of acid seeped onto the arena. Alric turned around and tried slicing in a wide horizontal arc. Eric teleported several steps back just before the axe passed through where his ribs had been.

"You're running away. Champions don't run away!" The barbarian warlord rushed forward with his axe held high. A big jump followed his offense. His weapon vibrated in the air, and a powerful overhead smash came down like thunder. Except that was just a setup. After he landed, Alric threw his axe, predicting where the young reaper would be. Eric didn't have time to dodge. Following his instincts, he shielded himself with the shoulder plate. The axe slammed into Eric's shoulder plate.

Stored energy from the impact radiated outward. The blast wave was so powerful that it tossed Eric to the edge of the arena. His pauldron returned a beam in the opposite direction and hit Alric in the chest. He flew back and landed on the other side of the battlefield. Both men faced off, just like before. The exchange gave each a taste of their abilities. Both were hunters, and only the weaker of them would be the prey. The warlord smiled and wiped the blood dripping from his mouth. He got up and cracked his neck.

He doesn't know all of my spells… yet. Eric ran forward. He raised the scythe and hurled it like a boomerang. Alric was caught by surprise and quickly shoved the young reaper away with his axe. In that moment, Eric teleported in place. His body vanished as the shove passed through empty space., then it reappeared almost exactly where he had been standing. That wasn't enough to fool an experienced warrior. A fast front kick from Alric launched the young reaper backward.

The scythe returned and sliced open a gushing wound on the barbarian's arm. Streams of blood hit the ground and mixed with the acid. The vapors reminded Alric of his own death.

"Smell of defeat. Never again!" Eric's weapon returned to him. Now what? He expects the scythe. Time for something new. The barbarian could hardly contain his surprised look. His enemy hid the deadly scythe and rolled up his sleeves.

"Let's settle this like real men. I'm sure you wouldn't mind." Eric brought his fists up into a boxing stance. I'm definitely losing my mind if this sounded like a good idea.

"Ha! Your body finally expelled your fear and welcomed courage. I'll crush you like the worm you are," Alric yelled. Two Phantom Hands formed around Eric's fists like oversized spectral gauntlets.

"I don't think so." Alric swung first. His punches were slower, but each one carried enough force to stir the air. Eric slipped outside the first, ducked the second, and drove a spectral fist into Alric's ribs. The warlord changed tactics and tried closing the distance by lunging for Eric's waist. Receiving an elbow to the face proved that it was a bad idea. The more agile reaper danced around the strikes of his opponent and attacked with body shots. An opening after a haymaker from the barbarian revealed itself.

Eric delivered a lightning fast hit to the liver and ended with an uppercut. Right before impact, he made his spectral fists bigger. Alric crashed onto his back. He summoned his axe and growled.

"Is this what you call courage?" Eric recalled the scythe into his hands.

"Silence!" Alric charged forward again, but his rage was blinding him. The telegraphed overhead swing was easy to dodge. The young reaper sidestepped it and executed a forward slash across the barbarian's exposed side. Alric's eyes flashed with rage as he tried to get up, one hand clamped against the wound as blood poured between his fingers.

"Take my life, just as your master did! You're no different!" More blood dripped from his mouth, and he coughed.

"Grim didn't kill you." Eric gripped the scythe with both hands.

"I will." The scythe passed cleanly through Alric's neck. The barbarian's head rolled on the floor while Eric breathed heavily, covered in blood. Adrenaline in his body began to fade, and he fainted into the puddle of blood. Thankfully, it wasn't his own.