All my life I've been at a disadvantage. I know, I must sound like a whining child, stomping their feet and waving their arms about how their life is sooo unfair, but I swear it's true.
"Bastard!" I said through my grit teeth, my hands clutching the wooden so tightly I was almost worried it'd splinter. My arms trembled underneath the weight and pressure of my attacker, our play swords pressed against each other forcefully, neither one of us wavering.
"Come on, Blackwater!" The boy across from me chuckled, "Show us the power of your name!" My gaze flickered up to his face, watching as he smiled and laughed, pressing against my sword harder with only one hand. He wasn't even trying. "How are you going to uphold any kind of oath like this?" The boy sneered, reeling his sword back so quickly, I stumbled forward.
"Can't even keep her balance." Another boy scoffed from the side. I turned to see who it was that had snided me, taking my eyes off my attacker for just a moment, which was much longer than what he needed to crack me upside the head with that damned wooden sword.
I don't know what sound came out of me as I fell to my knees, but I'd assume it was shrill and quite entertaining for my bullies as their muffled laughter filled my ears.
"As a Paladin, pain is necessary." His voice was as firm and cold as ever, "To become stronger, to win your battles, and uphold your chosen oath." My head was spinning as I looked up, the blood from my temple dripping into my left eye causing me to squint. "Stay on your feet." I could feel his hands wrap around my underarms and yank me up, "You will endure."
I grunted underneath the weight of the ogre's swing, gritting my teeth as I held it over my head. Endure.
"(Y/N)!" I heard Wyll shout my name, "To your left!" My eyes snapped in the direction called out, seeing the second ogre swing downward with an earthquaking roar. My eyes widened as I felt my arms shake, barely holding the first blow back with my broadsword, tasting the blood as it trickled down from my temple. Endure.
"Shield!" Shadowheart shouted, encasing me in a golden transparent light, the protection spell shattering under the ogre's swing. I let out a sigh, not even realizing I had stopped breathing, as I watched the ogre to my left stumble backwards, blinded by Shadowhearts spell. I turned my attention back to the ogre, whose weapon had parried my own, feeling him press forward as he began to overpower me. My fingers felt as if they'd snap as the big bastard pushed harder, watching me struggle against his brute strength. I could feel my own hot breath as it bounced around the inside of my helmet, making me sick to my stomach while I continued to heave and huff. My gaze narrowed over the ogre across from me. He wasn't even trying. I could feel my movements slow and stiffen as a memory from my past replayed in my head. The monster reeled his weapon back, causing me to stagger slightly and stumble forward. My blood went cold as I looked up, watching as the ogre swung downwards onto my head. Endure.
A single arrow flew from behind me, whistling over my head and plunging straight into the ogres right eye. The beast reared his head back, screaming in agony as he grasped at his fresh wound. I glanced back, watching as a certain white haired elf emerged from the shadows, shortbow in hand. His crimson eyes met mine, the faintest glint of concern. I turned back to the ogre in front of me, not missing a beat, and plunging my sword into his belly, having the blood splatter back against my helm.
"LOOK OUT!" Shadowheart screamed to my left, but it was too late.
The ogre to my left had swung his club upwards in rage that I had killed his brother, the blunt end of his weapon slamming into my chin, knocking me backwards.
Everything went dark.
