On The Edge of the Sword

Measures Seventy-three-End

Hahahahahahaaa, how long this chapter is compared to the others! :D

A thunderous roar burst out of the beast as it lurched forward, coming for them. Recalling the rest of the task at hand, the soldier tried his best to stand. 

However, the ground shook and sent him back to his knees.

The monster gave out another long, ear-splitting howl.

It took a bit of time to figure out why the ground was shaking so violently. It turned out that the beast was striving to pull itself out of the ground. 

With a heave and a ho, it would stretch. Its ugly head tossing back and forth. Licking its lips and reaching out its long arms to grasp for one or the other. 

Which one looked more appetizing? The soldier or the lovely maiden??

In the end, it had chosen to just eat both, one at a time. 

To drink out all of their blood and nutrients for its ever growing structure. 

Greedy for more since it hadn't had so much to feast on in a year. 

Remains of it's other victims were clearly noticeable now, as it opened up its humongous jaws. 

Tauntingly, it smacked it's lips. 

The sharpest thorns—his teeth— grew sharper as he anticipated these new visitors going into his forever hungry, unsatisfied stomach.

They had to think fast, or they would join those poor unfortunate souls trapped for all eternity to give their blood and lives to that beast.

"Whatever else happens," he decided out-loud, "If one of us has to go into that deep, dark pit . . . It's gonna be me."

"No . . ." she replied. Shaking her head with conviction.

"I'm glad you care enough to not see me die, but I have to do this."

"It's not that I care!" she yelled over all the noise, "It's just, I don't want to live with more than one thing on my conscience for the rest of my life. I already have suffered enough."

"You don't know what suffering is." he exclaimed. Then he drew his sword, that he had sworn never to use unless it was for the right reason and that he had almost forgotten until that moment. 

It was an excellent sword, given to him by his father before he went into combat for the first time.

"Never use this unless it's absolutely necessary, or when you are at my highest or most satisfying ranking in the army. Got it. Not until you are a hero. When you are, you may use it freely."