Forgotten Hero

9

Katerine stares at the 5 wolf like monsters in front of her. Beyond them was Inum, who leaned against the walls. "These Forest Hounds are a bit fast. They can match any rogue's speed." Inum explained.

"Wouldn't it be better if I wasn't wearing my armor?" Katerine asked.

"You'll be fighting with your armor on. Be best if you learn to make it a part of you." Inum said. Katerine nodded as she held her sword in front of her. She stared at the green furred monsters in front of her. Their red eyes stared back.

Without any warning, the five Forest Hounds ran at her. Katerine took a step back as two of the wolves jumped on her. The weight of the wolf like monsters caused her to fall onto her back. To her surprise, they began sniffing around her body.

Katerine's body began to froze up as the wolves got closer and closer to her. She watched and waited for them to bite her. "Don't just freeze up!" Alina yelled.

Katerine snapped out of her trance. However, before she could knock any of the hounds away, one of them pulled her left boot off. She felt the breeze on her bare foot. She kicked her legs desperately, but the hounds kept approaching her.

They managed to stay at a safe distance until she tired herself out. Katerine was panting at this point, struggling to get her breath as the Forest Hounds slowly came back. Two of them were still on her, sniffing at her armor.

The elf looked up at the sky, wondering what was gonna happen. Within a couple seconds, she felt something going up her bare foot. The elf warrior let out a loud squeal as a wave of ticklishness ran up her body. She tiredly pulled her leg away, but the wolf like creature followed and kept licking.

Laughter could be heard from Katerine as the other Forest Hounds began licking away at her exposed skin. The two hounds that pinned her licked away at her cheeks, forcing a smile upon her lips. The other three licked away at her foot.

Her toes curled and flexed in an attempt to get them away, but the wolves kept licking. Laughter escaped from her lips as she attempted to push them off. The only problem came when they began to lick her toes. A new wave of laughter shot out from her as she curled her toes.

Inum watched for a couple minutes before throwing a fireball at them. The spell hit next to them, forcing the hounds to run away. Katerine spent the time recovering. Inum walked up to her and helped her to her feet. "I think it would be best to get your armor back on and try again." He said.

"Ya. I'll do my best." Katerine said as she got up and put on her boots again. Inum readied the hounds again as Katerine got ready.

To no one's surprise, the same thing happened. Katerine got overwhelmed and tickled by the hounds over and over. Inum saved her every time, becoming more frustrated each time.

However, when it seemed like a lost cause, she managed to cut one with her sword before being tickled again. Inum saved her right away instead of letting her get tickled. "You're making progress." He said while killing the rest of the hounds. "If it wasn't for your passive, you'd be dead on the first go."

"Thanks." Katerine said as she stood up. "I'm ready to keep going though." She said.

"Glad to hear. Because your opponent will be changing. Now you'll be fighting me." He said. "Unlike these monsters, I'll be coming after you with the intent to kill. You better counter me, or it'll be ugly." Inum said as he killed the last hound.

Katerine watched as he pulled out his sword from the last hound. Katerine grabbed her sword again and smirked. "You're on." She said while holding it in front of her.

"Good spirit. Hope it lasts." Inum said as he pointed his sword at her before running at her. Katerine watched as Inum ran at her. Her eyes focused on his sword as he raised it above his head. When it lowered, she raised her sword up and blocked the attack. Their swords clashed, pushing her back slightly due to the force of the impact.

Out of the corner of her eye, Katerine saw Inum raise his left leg. She quickly jumped to the right, forcing his sword to slide off hers and hit the ground. Katerine landed on her feet and attempted to stab Inum through his chest.

To her surprise, Inum raised his bare hand, casting a spell to repel the sword away from him. "HEY! NO FAIR!" She yelled.

"Fair? Sorry, but any mage will cast magic to protect themselves." Inum said as he swiped at her again. Katerine blocked the attack with her sword, noticing that his other hand was about to grab her. She put her arm into his hand, letting the armor in it get frozen.

"Cold!" She complained as Inum attempted to stab her. Katerine jumped out of the way, feeling the barrier against her back. Katerine hit the ice with her hilt, knocking a small chunk off.

She turned her attention to Inum, seeing a large fireball form in his hand. "I think it's time to end it." He said.

Katerine ran towards him, holding her sword in her unfrozen hand. When she got close to him, he threw the fireball at her. The elf managed to hit the fireball away with her sword, but Inum already had his sword at her chest. The sword pierced her chest, causing her to scream.

"My turn!" Alina yelled. Unexpectedly, Inum's sword broke where, leaving part of the sword in her chest.

Inum stared at his sword in shock. "I guess we should stop training." He said as he put his broken sword on the ground. Katerine fell to the ground, finding it difficult to breathe. She watched as Inum walked up to her and help his hands over her. Soon, the sword that broke inside her was pushed out as the wound healed.

"Let's head back to town. You can turn in the quest and we can get our stuff repaired." He said.

"Ya." Katerine said as she got up. She held onto her chest, as they walked towards the edge of the barrier. As they walked, Inum picked up the two pieces of the sword and put them both in it's sheathe. "Can't you buy a better sword?" She asked.

"I can, but I like this sword more. I've used it since the beginning, and it held out for so long. I've repaired him a couple times, but I much rather use him till the end." Inum explained. "If you have a piece of equipment you trust your life to, you start forming a bond. A bond like that can only be torn by the gods." He said.

Katerine smiled at what he said, holding her hand over the hole in her armor. She looked away, thinking to herself. "Don't worry. I'm tied to you now, you can give the sword in." Alina said.

"Thanks. It does help a little." Katerine said as they gathered their belongings and began their travel back to the city.