Several days later, after hard training between Darryn and Rowan in secret, the group was walking through the forest when a terrifying being approached them. The beast walked upright, but with a slightly bent posture. There was no facial features, only a dark void you could lose your mind looking at. The beast had four muscular arms, the body of an athlete.
The beast's void for a face opened up, showing a long-forked tongue as it roared, approaching closer. Aquila and Jesika instantly went into battle position, drawing their respective weapons, but Darryn shook his head, holding them back. Rowan shot him a confused glance. Darryn only responded by shoving him forward.
"Fight it," Darryn ordered.
Rowan's eyes widened, his mouth dropping. "Are you insane?! I can't fight that thing! It has two more limbs than the average being!!"
Darryn laughed slightly, shaking his head. "You got this. We're right here and we won't let anything happen to you. Time to put what you've learned to the test," Darryn argued, shoving Rowan yet again, this time with his foot.
Rowan huffed, turning to the beast and drawing his sword. Jesika and Aquila were gaping at Darryn.
"Darryn, what are you thinking?!" Jesika said in a panic.
Darryn grinned, crossing his arms. "Just watch. You'll see."
***
Rowan gulped as he approached the beast. He knew it as an Inanis, a common creature in darkly lit forested areas. If you were to look into the void that was its face, you would lose your eyesight. Of course, Darryn had no idea of that.
Rowan rose his sword, focusing his gaze on the beast's chest as it strode ever slowly closer. The tricky thing about the Inanis, is that while you aren't supposed to look into its face, its face is the quickest way to kill it. Rowan knew he would have to dodge the Inanis' advances and figure out how to strike its face without looking.
The Inanis let out a roar, a distorted sounding growl which gave Rowan the warning he needed as the Inanis made its first advance, all four of its arms reaching out to grab him. Rowan quickly held up his sword, blocked the Inanis' limbs. He pushed with a grunt, making the Inanis stumble back.
It swiftly moved to the side, once again attempting to grab him. Rowan lurched out of the way and swung his sword at the Inanis open side. It let out a pained roar, before turning on him and swinging its fists in a continuous onslaught. Rowan quickly evaded each hit, slowly raising his sword. The next hit the Inanis threw, Rowan evaded and cut through the arm. The sword cut all the way through and the limb fell to the ground. The Inanis let out its most pained roar yet, its face lifting to the sky. Rowan quickly took the moment the Inanis gaze wasn't focused on him to drive his sword through its face.
Blood spurted out of it as his sword went straight through. He let out a disgusted grunt as some of it got spat at his face. He withdrew his sword, kicking the beast to the ground. He grinned down at his victory, only realizing now how much his heart had been racing. He let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding, panting in adrenaline.
"Nice job, Rowan!" Aquila's voice yelled.
"Where the heck did you learn to be that good?!" Jesika yelled next.
"I told you that you could do it!" Darryn was the last to speak as the three of them gathered around Rowan.
Rowan grinned at all of them.
Aquila winced at Rowan's face. "Oh, gross, Rowan. You got creepy beast blood on you."
Rowan paled. "Uh yeah, could you clean that off for me? It can actually make me go blind if it gets in my eyes." Rowan watched the three of them flinch away. He rolled his eyes. "Stop being sissies and help me please."
Jesika laughed slightly, moving closer. She reached into her satchel and pulled out a handkerchief. She started to hold it up to his face, but Rowan caught her wrist and stopped her, glancing between the handkerchief and to her.
"I know that type, Jes. It's not cheap. Don't use that on me."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm a queen, Rowan. It's not like I'm hurting for money." She moved her hand closer, stepping closer herself. Rowan watched her as she wiped the blood off his face. "Besides, pretty sure your eyesight is important enough to protect," she added, an amused tone in her voice.
Rowan chuckled, shrugging. "That's highly debatable."
She finished and looked up at him in their close proximity. He couldn't help grinning down at her and he had to stop himself from pulling her closer.
Aquila and Darryn clearing their throats were what made them quickly move away from each other, both of them trying to hide the redness on their faces.
The four of them continued on their journey, but only a moment later was the silence broken.
"So, seriously. When did you get so good at fighting?" Jesika asked.
Darryn opened his mouth to answer, but Rowan cut him off.
"It came to me in a dream," he said, his face reddening. Darryn shot him a glare, but Rowan ignored it, speeding up his pace. "Come on, it'll be dark soon," he said back to them.
Jesika grunted, crossing her arms. "Fine, keep your secrets," she said reluctantly.
Author's Note
Wasn't sure I'd get this out, but I did! It's been a week filled with schoolwork, so sorry for the extra wait.
