Writer: Me (Obviously)
Editor: @Bloxfruits568
@TheLilbluecreeper @StaffMeeting
“COME AT ME, COWARDS!”
One of the bandits charged at me blindly, clearly emboldened by his size. I tightened my grip on the katana and dashed forward at an incomprehensible speed. In an instant, I appeared behind the bandit, watching as slashes materialized on his front. He collapsed, coughing up blood.
I had no time to marvel at my own speed. Two more bandits rushed at me, but one had the sense to draw a weapon. "Alright, I need to prioritize the armed one first," I thought. I feinted towards the unarmed bandit, then suddenly dashed sideways. My newfound power and skill were a mystery to me; I wasn’t even conscious of my actions enough to remember basic swordplay.
After the feint, I ran forward at full speed and unleashed a powerful slash. The bandit’s cutlass, locked in place to meet my blow, flew backward and stopped just an inch from his nose. The initial impact almost overwhelmed him, but his strength eventually outmatched mine. I was in trouble. I couldn't move because disengaging my sword from the blade lock would leave me vulnerable. I had to act quickly as the unarmed bandit was nearly upon me. I braced for impact.
His fist collided with the side of my head, sending me flying into the wall. My vision darkened, and I felt my consciousness slipping away. Trembling, I rose, my head and spine aching from the impact. Fury empowered me, allowing me to ignore the pain. Blood streamed from my nose as I raised my blade again. The armed bandit charged toward me in sync with the unarmed one. I tensed my arms and, in a final burst of strength, dashed forward with insane speed. A large cut appeared on the armed bandit’s chest as my blade flashed. The exertion was too much; my vision darkened again, and the adrenaline rush left me. I tasted blood in my mouth, realizing the day was lost.
The unarmed bandit approached, radiating fury. His two friends had fallen, and I could almost understand his anger. I tried to say a consoling word to Dagor, who I knew was somewhere nearby, but only blood escaped my mouth. The door suddenly opened, and the last thing I saw before losing consciousness was the air itself slashing at the bandit, cutting him to shreds.
I awoke with a start and attempted to sit up, but a cracked rib and throbbing head forced me back down. Once the pain subsided, I felt the floor rocking slightly as if we were at sea. I took in my surroundings: a small wooden room with chairs and barrels, dimly lit by dirty lanterns. I lay in a corner on a mattress, bandaged up.
Lying silently in the gloom, confused and scared, I wondered about my friends' fates. A creak interrupted my thoughts. A trapdoor above a group of crates opened, and a man jumped down. He looked about thirty, with dirty blond, wavy hair and crystalline blue eyes. He had a cutlass strapped to his waist, wore a dark leather tunic and a beige sailor’s jacket, cotton leggings, and fine boots. He didn't seem hostile; after all, someone with ill intentions wouldn’t lay me on a comfortable mattress and bandage me up.
“I heard you cry out. Are you okay?” he asked, his tone deeper than expected.
“Just…pain,” I managed to say.
“Well, I’d give you something for it, but I’m low on medicinal herbs and need to save them for real emergencies.” He motioned to leave, but I piped up, which hurt.
“W-wait… did you… see anyone else… li-” I was interrupted as he nodded.
“Yeah, two of them are on the ship, Dagor and Ossary, I think their names were… they don’t know you’re awake yet. Oh, and the rabbit. Before I left, I saw her mother; she said she would take care of her.”
I was far from reassured.
“B-but, what about the rest of the… bandits?”
“I dealt with them,” he said casually. I couldn’t believe a single man had taken out an entire unit of bandits, but I felt slightly more assured.
“We’re leaving because it’s not safe for you to stay there anymore. Don will have noticed what happened by now; he must have sensed the death of one of his captains. The town is evacuating as well. Go back to sleep now,” he said.
I did.
