章 7: Chapter 6 - Journey (2)
It was already the third day since the ships sailed from Boralus, sailing against the strong wind and spring tides that clashed directly to the Galley and its hull. The fleet swayed unceasingly, many, even the finest sailor was inflicted with seasickness, vomiting their guts out on the floors. The rain had also become a nuisance as it did not stop pouring ever since it started the night, three days ago. Zale continued to steer the wheel amidst the chaos, while mages of the ship's crew kept on sending flares in the sky, emitting a bright light that kept the two frigates near. Atop the crow's nest, stood a young man, his eyes scanned the surrounding water, looking for land where the ship could moor on until the weather calms down. Suddenly, a loud unfamiliar hiss sounded under him, prompting the man to lean forward and look below. It was dark at night, he could not even see a shadow of a person on deck, yet a sudden bolt of lightning flashed, and what appeared in his sight were beasts climbing the ship, covered in scale similar to serpents yet having muscular humanoid torsos and massive arms. The young man screamed in terror but was overwhelmed by the monster's screeching howl. "Monsters! We're under attack!" He yelled. The first monster boarded the deck, holding a sharp trident, it lunged towards the nearest sailor, piercing through the man's heart. Fellow sailors stared at the strange creature amid confusion, they weren't able to react until they see the pale lifeless body hit the floor.
A man donned with heavy armor roared, "To arms men! Don't let more of these bastards board the ship!" " They rushed towards the beast with swords and cutlasses, the beast fought and slew two more men before it breathe its last. The surrounding sailors then went towards the edge of the deck, shooting at the climbing creatures with their crossbows, though failing to deeply pierce through the thick scales of the creatures with the bolts. "Sergeant David, their skins are too thick to kill!" A young private complained.
"Shoot the head then, Willie!" David shouted as he aimed his crossbow at the head of a creature, and shot it to its death. He clapped the boy's shoulder forcefully and said. "Do you see that! Now move along and keep shooting!"
"We need more reinforcements! Arghh-"
David turned around and saw the other side overran by the creatures, many sailors falling to their tridents. "By the light." He unsheathed the sword stained with the blood of the first creature, grabbing private Willie and another private to support the thinning line of defense on the other side. "You two come with me to hold off the creatures." He ordered. Leaving a squadron of men to hold on to this side. Tightly grasping the grip of his sword, he fought a creature with the help of his two privates, successfully beheading it right after he took a clean hit on the abdomen. His eyes then widened when a creature far larger than its kin boarded the deck, it hailed an ear-piercing scream, its large arms slamming the head of a sailor into a mush of flesh.
"Softskins, prepare to die!"
The creature spoke in the common language, causing fear to the sailors on deck, their morale dropping instantly. Those who were near the large creature stood tremblingly, the creatures took this opportunity to slaughter them. Shouts of pain and despair rang on deck, they wailed to be saved, yet David knew they must hold on by themselves until Anduin makes his way here, it was only a matter of time; he hoped. "The creature must be killed!" He cried, his body bursting with strength through his faith. The creature heard his words, it turned in his direction, and stared right at him, he could see a mocking smile in its monstrous features.
"What can you do, softskin? You weak creature would barely leave me a scratch!" The creature mocked, tapping the floor with the sharp bottom of its trident. The noise prompted everyone to pause in their melee, the creatures that blocked the way for the two made way, everyone stopped fighting and went to huddle together, forming a standstill between the two races.
The words were heard, but David did not let it taunt him, his eyes remained ready and steady. He grinned, and took a crossbow on the ground, shooting one of the creature's eyes. It was, however, blocked by the creature.
"Your foolish tricks won't work!"
David lunged forward the moment it finished speaking, the death of the men around him drives his hunger for victory, the sword was lifted, descending into an arc. The creature laughed, easily deflecting the sword with its thick trident. The force propelled David backward, yet he planted his right foot to stand his ground. He continued again and again, aggressively and vigorously, sapping his strength with every strike that connects, his sword stained with a bluish hue, leaving the creature riddled with wounds. David knew he was dying as time goes on, and right before the creature was ready to sweep its trident to deal a killing blow, the sound of blunderbuss rang from the quarterdeck, and the creature's right face exploded, dark blue blood splattered all over David. With his last remaining strength, he turned to look at whom did the timely shot, and there stood Zale at the stairs, with a hammer and a gun.
"Steady men! We will drive these slimy seashits back whence they came from!"
The sailors cheered, but the duel was interrupted so the battle once again ensued. The wooden door leading to the cabins was smashed open, Anduin appeared holding his heavy two-edged sword, charging right towards the large creature, following behind him was Daniel, and dozens of reinforcement. David lay on the ground weakly, bleeding profusely on his abdomen, his face turning pale and cold. He could feel it. Death awaits him yet his eyes bore no reluctance, he was proud, being able to hold off until the reinforcements is worthy of honor. Proud yet reluctant; A thought crossed his mind: Not enough. Unreconciled by the fact that the creature wasn't felled by him, he wanted to stand once more as he watches Lord Anduin bout with the creature, forcing the creature into a defensive position with his strong attacks and shrewd patterns.
"Light, bring strength once more to this warrior who fought bravely in your stead. Let him hold his sword to behead these foul beasts." Came a youthful voice that belonged to none other than Daniel. Warmth filled David, and so was pain. The wound that once bleeds now vanished from his sight, he could feel strength gushing through his body, his feet once more stood on the floor, and the hands that lay weakly now clutched the sword with immense vigor. His gaze again landed on the creature, he ran forward and jumped to his utmost, crying out. "Die, you beast!" His sudden appearance caught the two in surprise, Anduin stepped backward, while the creature stood stunned in place, David's sword piercing right through the center of its head.
Blood gushed forth like a fountain, clattering on the floor, as the creature fell on the floor. Its weak eyes continued to stare at David even at its final moment. Like a deflated balloon, David fell weakly on his knees when he was sure the creature could breathe no more, giving no time for him to celebrate this glorious feat. "For Stormwind!" In David's stead, Anduin raised his sword and the men cheered, morale filling them. The tide of war has shifted. The strongest of the creatures fell to the blade of a human, and in a matter of minutes, the creatures were routed. bodies littered around the deck, and men scarred with frightening wounds from the creatures' unique arsenal.
Clerics came over from the lower decks, fatigue has driven them from the continuous healing they must provide, while Daniel slowly built his renown through his act of joining them. Though the swarms of the creatures had ended, the outpour of rain seemed to bode ill tidings, Anduin began to realize that it wasn't just the common weather, but a manmade spell. It was far too late as a large towering wave appeared from the distance, taking everyone in surprise as they gasped wide-mouthed. The wave overwhelmed and consumed all three ships, and at last, the weather turned serene after the collision.
— 次の章はもうすぐ掲載する — レビューを書く
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット