The Knight and His Sword • Dainsleif x Diluc fanfic

A Deal Fulfilled - 9

Warnings: Violence, blood, killing, slight swearing

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I left the Dawn Winery with great haste. I had almost entirely forgotten about the deal I had made with Andrius. Today was the last day, if I fail then I don't know what will come of me. The information that Diluc provided was helpful. Although, that story didn't give me any additional information. It still opened my eyes to what has been going on. I ran all the way as fast as I could towards the outskirts of Wolvendom. I stopped once I had found myself in an open field. There were few trees and bushes around. The moonlight shone through the trees and on the grass. I surveyed the area. I spotted what I thought was the Abyss wolves and then quickly hid behind one of the bushes. After getting a closer look at them, they definitely weren't your average looking wolves. Some would teleport back in forth between the far side of the field and the closer side of the field. These were definitely the Abyss wolves that have been causing trouble. I waited in the bushes for the perfect moment to strike. One of the wolves had teleported to the side of the field that I was on and slowly made it's way over to me. I took my sword out and gently pulled it out of it's sheath. The wolf passed me by, and I took that moment to strike it in it's weak spot and then retreat to my original position. One down, five more to go. I slowly made my way towards another bush, trying not draw any attention to myself. I grabbed a rock from the ground and threw it farther away from me. It distracted a few of them while the other were smarter and headed in the direction that the rock was thrown. Are the Abyss making more intelligent enemies? I don't doubt Lumine's ability to genetically modify a specimen. But I'm still not sure she'd be able to make something like this. I prepared my sword and calmed my breathing. One was directly in front of me, and the other was investigating the other side of the bush I was in. The one that was in front of me could sense that I was there and it was just about to notify the others. I quickly silenced it before the wolves farther away noticed. However, the other one that was here noticed. It growled and then quickly tried to strike me. I dodged and lunged forward to strike it. It teleported as I lunged at it, in which I ended up falling and rolling over. I quickly regained my stance; the wolf was now in front of me. It howled to let the others know that there was a threat.

"So, we're going to do it this way, hmm? Fine, have it your way." I said, the wolf lunged at me. I tried to dodge backwards but there was another wolf that happened to be behind me. I knocked into it and it stuck it's large claws into my shoulders. I screamed in pain,

"Shit!" I grimaced and elbowed the wolf which gave me a chance to break free. Another one lunged towards me, I dodged and retaliated its attack. Four more left. I can do this. Two teleported behind me, and I carefully dodged the attack. One of them still managed to graze my arm slightly. I took the chance to slay the one closest to me before it could teleport away. Three more. Instead of waiting for them to attack me I charged at one of the wolves and killed it. Which left me with two. All the sudden I was starting to feel weak and drowsy, it's only two left...why do I feel weak all of the sudden? Maybe I should use my power for the last two. I don't think I can swing my sword anymore... I backed away and put my sword back in it's sheath. I held out my arm to activate my power, which was able to grab both wolves. I won't be able to hold them for long. Hopefully it will be enough to kill them. I usually have more strength than this but, these wolves seem to have infected me in some way. I was losing strength fast; I fell down on one knee. Still keeping my power flowing. Just...a...little longer... my hand started shaking, I was reaching my limit. Finally, my power had consumed them and killed them. I collapsed on the ground and tried to catch my breath. My power alone always takes a lot out of me, but this time with even less of my strength present, made it all the more difficult. Using my power meant that I would be in a lot more pain later. As the saying goes, 'with great power comes great responsibility.' As annoying as it is. This is one of the many consequences of my curse and corruption. I hardly noticed the pain of my other injuries. Adrenaline was running through my veins, making it difficult to feel anything at all. I waited there in the grass for a little longer. I need to make it back to the Wolf of the North's battle ground to complete the deal. I finally regained enough strength to stand up and slowly make my way over there. I put pressure on my left arm which had the more severe injury. The skin of my right arm is harder to penetrate, considering what's left of it isn't even human. Because of that, there wasn't much to speak of on my right arm, a little bleeding from how deep the cut was. Other than that, it was the same as it always is. My left arm suffered the most damage. My sleeve had been ripped, and my arm was deeply wounded. I held my right hand on my left arm to apply pressure as I walked. I finally made it towards the battle ground and walked towards the engraved wolf head. It lit up as I approached it.

"So, I see that you fulfilled our promise. Barely. You got rid of the imposturous wolves and brought peace to Wolvendom for the time being. Reluctantly, I offer you my gratitude." Andrius spoke,

"You're welcome. I can't guarantee that they won't be back. I'm afraid that's all I could do." I responded,

"As expected as a mortal such as yourself. Either way, I am impressed you lived. Then again, you bare the immortality curse. Pain is all you can feel, death will never be given to you."

"Rules that I am already quite aware of." I said half-heartedly, he growled,

"Watch your tongue! You may have proved your innocence but that does not give you any right to speak as such." He paused, "I no longer consider you a threat to Wolvendom however, don't you think that you are off the hook from me. Leave now!" I nodded and the wolf head began to fade once more. Now, to get back to the Dawn Winery. I tried to run but that brought too much pain. So, I was only able to walk and take the path which took significantly longer than my usual shortcuts. As I got closer, I could see the grapevines and lanterns that illuminated the Winery. This poison, or whatever it is, had been left by the wolves seemed to only get worse rather than better. I was hit at least, twice, which isn't all that much. But whatever substance seems to be on their claws is strong. I approached the front doors of the Winery when I began to feel even more drowsy. I just have to get inside. I approached the front door and I weakly lifted up my arm to open the door. Once I opened it and stepped inside, everything started to feel numb. My vision was fading, and I collapsed on the ground.

"Master Diluc!" I heard Adelinde call out before everything went dark.