Capítulo 13: Arrival of a Beast Tamer
They sacrificed a few seconds for silence. Nero clenched his fist, forced to glance backwards. But he saw nothing. No one was there. That meant the speaker probably hid or was moving stealthily behind him.
'A Necrot. One of those damned evil creatures in this kingdom.'
Necrots were creatures believed to emanate from darkness. In magic, like beasts and humans, these beings existed in hierarchies as well. Nero wasn't a fan of history or its related concepts.
But he was certain of one thing which everyone else, other than kids, in the world knew. It was a common rumour that someone more powerful than most high practitioners combined created the Necrots in the Shadow Legacy.
That was just what he knew about their source. But the kings and prominent officials in the kingdoms probably knew who the great practitioner was.
To Nero, it was strange that the creature grew silent since after making those cryptic words. Taking his courage at both sides, he turned around.
The path he had taken with ease earlier now seemed like a dead, but alive abyss. Sweat huddled around his neck. His posterior felt unsafe. Likewise his clear frontal view felt too exposed too.
The creatures always strive desperately for what they want. Same as when they first attacked Frosthaven in a pack. They caused the destruction of lives and properties.
This kingdom wasn't how he knew it was anymore. It used to be a vibrant and alive type, matching closely with Eldengrove in comparison. There were tarot shops, weapon stores, restaurants, feed mill and so many more.
The Necrots were creatures tied to the history of the world and magic itself. And Nero understood the fact that they had for long existed before he was born, not to talk of when he came to Frosthaven.
Knowing those minor details, it had always astonished him whenever he thought about it why it was this late that the creatures not only attacked the kingdom.
But also began lurking around, just as if in search of something. Like the time he imagined this plight, he would bring into consideration that, perhaps, they were in search of something.
Necrots and beasts alike reportedly targeted Eldengrove, as it was the most influential and outstanding kingdom. It had many treasures and potentially had something that the evil creatures could benefit from.
But Frosthaven, now being on this list of targets, wasn't just about creating more havoc or feeding off more human souls. No. Only a fool would think that way.
To begin with, they were creatures of power, intelligence and definitely the purpose of existence. Beasts might play a different music when considered, but to Nero, the latter somewhat had a purpose for staying that long in Frosthaven.
Just at that moment, he heard a forced crunch behind him. A shiver ran through him. His heart raced under his chest. The creature… it was behind him!
His leg quivered as he made a gentle turn. "For fuck's sake… why did I take this route today?" he cussed. He finally turned to his initial position.
Tension gripped every part of his body as a tall shadow stretched from the corner near the distant, cobwebbed counter. The shadow was a mid-umbra, brightened a bit by the silvery moonlight.
Every noise around, especially nocturnal ones, seemed to warn him of the impending danger. They told him he had to survive, the sole thing he had focused on till date. He must. He had to survive. For himself… as Nero Norman.
In that mean moment, he spotted a half-metred pestle resting on the railings of a blue-painted house on his left. He looked between the pestle and the emerging shadow.
He might pick the tool up before that damned creature would show itself. But just as he took one step, suddenly, the air wafted, bringing a metallic scent to his nose. His brows furrowed – he sniffed the air repeatedly, now getting a clearer scent of things.
He gasped in fear. His legs dropped backwards, in four feet. Eyes widened, he stammered, "Did… did that creature kill someone now?" Tension gripped him like a clawhammer. His breath grew ragged. He yelled, "You damned asshole! Show yourself! Stop hiding around like a coward, and fight me!"
Something hardened underlaid his voice. But another thing relenting danced faintly in it. "I know I'm not a Marked One who can wield magical energy at will!
But if you think that's a weakness of mine, dream on, asshole! I have survived the harsh world to where I am on my own! We're not weak by our incapability to do something, but due to…"
"Weak? Incapable? Well, well, interesting," the feminine voice echoed again. Nero's eyes glued at the shadows that instant, attaining a combat stance immediately.
At least his punch might make him seem a bit determined. And unwavered. But those hardened fists loosened as the shadow's owner came into view. His jaw dropped.
"What? How come… it's you?" Nero imagined aloud. He looked at the person from head to toe. The noses of their shoes dug forcefully into the pebbled surface.
Nero pointed his finger at him, said, "You… it's you. That guy whom I called an ingrate. Yeah, you're the one I saved from the villagers. You're him."
Zmey limped forward. He felt weak all over, a tightness in every part of him. But that he kept on walking without finding his desired destination didn't mean he would give up.
He mumbled faintly, his legs pulling back, but he forced them on, "I will die either way. If I kill myself, or I fail to. I might find a raised spot soon, and that would be the end of the story."
He had turned down his head, eyes half-closed too. He passed by Nero's side without even noticing anyone.
Nero turned, watching as the ingrate walked on without giving him an eye. How coincidental was it that this guy was here at this kind of moment? Nothing was coincidental.
'He has got to be the Necrot,' he thought. Just at that moment, he noticed something else.
There wasn't even a flicker of any light on him. Like the villagers himself, but unlike the tamers and exorcists in combination with the Necrots, the guy's body exuded no light.
It was all about the energy fields. He recalled a day when he crossed paths with one beast tamer when he took the villagers' letter to the outer part where the superiors were.
That he met someone among the group that everyone hate wasn't what made him never forget, but that he discovered something about himself. He saw a fiery light all over the stoic man. I
t was a strange experience. Getting back into the deep section of the kingdom, he made enquiries from a trustee, and he learned about what he had.
He was among the minority that had an acute perception, allowing them to view energy fields of people with bare eyes. This way, he could unravel a person's position in the hierarchy system. And the magic type.
But this guy… he had no light whatsoever on him.
"The Necrot is somewhere else!" Nero whispered under his breath, glancing around. "The guy… he should…"
Suddenly, a swinging sound echoed up. And Nero saw a sword rolling from the air towards the guy.
"…GET DOWN!"
He screamed, sprinting towards him. He reached him quickly, able to grasp his arm, and threw the both of them rolling over the ground to the left. Zmey moaned, and Nero's back ached.
But he quickly composed himself. Or simply that he withstood the pain. Getting to his feet quickly, he wrapped Zmey's hand round his neck. Zmey gasped for breath, his weight pulling downwards. Ignoring the weight and his own despair, Nero forcefully dragged him.
"Nero Norman… don't you know you're putting your friend in danger? I won't kill you, but I can kill him."
Nero's spine coursed with dread at hearing the warning. But he didn't stop. He gritted his teeth. The creature definitely could use stealthy; thus, it was very impossible to know how far she was or how near.
They were practically the ones at a disadvantage. His mind screamed at him to move faster.
Just at that moment, the air shifted. Nero gaped; eyes widened as his legs froze. He looked down at the guy he was rescuing again, but he was already unconscious. His mind raced – did this guy faint?, what if he died instead?!
His chest tightened as he glanced back at the front. Sweat trickled down his forehead, locking eyes on the ominous figure before him. He knew it — doom had located them! Both of them!
"So, now, do you understand me?" the familiar soft yet eerie feminine voice asked slowly. Pebbles crunched, the loudness getting higher with every attempt.
"I value only you. You can surrender him to me – I will use him well after our own business is done."
Nero couldn't afford to keep on looking at such a horrendous sight. But he couldn't keep his eyes closed in this kind of situation!
The feminine Necrot, in her otherworldly stature, approached him seductively. She smiled easily. Who would take that as one? Who would allow himself to be swayed by someone like this?
Her eyes were completely black with shimmering silver specks. The air rushed to Nero's face as her hairs swayed. It was dark as midnight, with a sense that it moves on its own as if alive – long and untamed.
The overhead moonlight reflected her translucent, sharp, and angular facials, with high cheekbones and a well-defined jawline. Dark veins pulsed vibrantly beneath her skin.
Nero gulped down.
The ominous woman extended her arm at him, as if demanding something. "Surrender him now. We will discuss our business later after that."
Nero held Zmey tighter, as if his own life depended on the guy's survival. He couldn't say anything, though. Words hung in his throat. He could only act in the slightest manner, but was too overwhelmed to do anything else.
The woman chuckled faintly. "You don't want to…?"
"Crystal Projection…!" came a silent voice, much of a whisper. It came out of nowhere.
Silence fell on.
The feminine Necrot and Nero glanced….
Suddenly, the air grew hyper cold. Nero's ribs froze as he unconsciously took a breath. The next second, a rain of ice fell from the sky towards the woman.
Her dark eyes widened as the ice approached, and she instantly flew backwards, landing a few inches from the counter. Nero's eyes scanned around, and just at a moment, he spotted someone flying down the sky.
Looking closer, he saw a fiery light burning around the figure flying down. A man it was.
The Necrot, balancing on her feet, looked in the same direction. At that moment, the man land in between her and the other young guys. Nero stared at the man.
He unconsciously uttered 'wow' in his imposing posture. He had a wide back, dressed in black all over.
Every single thing about this man was fascinating to Nero. But one realisation stood out. This man had the same
He grinned widely. "Eh… it's a Beast Tamer!" A wave of relive and confidence flashed on him.
The man glanced over his shoulder. He saw the expression on Nero's face. He creased his brows. 'Why's he indifferent from what I know about the villagers here?'
Putting that thought aside, quickly, he said in an authoritative tone, "Take the backward route. You must know your way around this area. Get away from here and treat your friend. He seems…" he pulled a long glance at Zmey, an edge to it underlaid with something, "… terribly hurt."
"Yes, yes, okay. Thanks so much," Nero appreciated him. Then, quickly, he turned, moving the both of them towards a far corner.
Everything was fine now that a Beast Tamer was there – he could be a relief now. Somehow, he trusted the man.
When he reached the mouth of the corner, he glanced back for one second. And he smiled as his eyes locked with the tamer's. He held up his fists, "Fighting," and he whispered.
The man gave him a dismissing, haughty look before he faced front.
Nero thought, 'It's nice that someone like him is here. Thanks. I won't be able to make more money tomorrow if not for you showing up.
I appreciate this. Even though I can't join you guys in your endeavours, I would do the best I can on a day that demands such. As long as I won't die while helping.'
Status de energia semanal
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-- Pedra de
Poder