The Powder Keg

The Host Returns

So? How much PTSD did I trigger last chapter?

Powder Keg was leaning on the balcony. The singing was still burned into his mind. The fear in his heart, the cold pain in his chest. It won't go away.

Even the mightiest hunters balk and run at the thought of them. They have the right, Powder Keg isn't sure he can face it. He fought dogs on fire, gods, and his idol.

Yet he's afraid of a small thing like that. How absolutely ironic, his hand was shaking. Sword Maiden entered his room. Powder Keg heard her come in and walked to the bed. He wore this time his Executioner set, with not helmet or hat.

His hair like flames was passed through by the breeze. "What's wrong? Do you still hate me for who I associate with?" She asked. Powder Keg shook his head.

"Have you ever felt, fear? Fear of something smaller and should be an easy fight. Because you faced more grandiose monsters?" Powder Keg asked.

Sword Maiden took off her blindfold. Showing her silver eyes, not quite blind. "Those Goblins, ten years ago I was ambushed. Separated from my comrades. I was in their cave, begging and screaming like a child. I'm one of those who defeated the Demon Lord, yet goblins terrify me," she replied.

"There is a monster from Yharnam in the catacombs. I've fought bigger and more personal foes. Yet, I've never killed a single one of their kind. It scares me, I always run away whenever I hear it's singing," Powder Keg replied.

"We have quiet a bit in common. If I may ask, have you found love?" Sword Maiden pressed. She slowly put her hand on his.

"Once, she was older than me, and prideful. Yet she was beautiful, dark skin and strong in body. I never got to tell her how I felt. She was killed, and I couldn't save her," Powder Keg explained.

"Could you ever love again?" She asked with a tiny hint of red on her cheeks. "Perhaps, I am sympathetic in nature," He replied getting up and stretching.

"I'm sorry for all that I said and did," Powder Keg apologized and left the room. Sword Maiden squeezed her ample chest. Her heart pounding, and blood rushing to her face.

Powder Keg met up with the party and they all began to eat together. Him, Dwarf Shaman, High Elf Archer, and Lizard Priest. Are going to keep scouting down in the catacombs.

A young church boy walked the streets with his mother. His red hair and naive blue eyes stared in wonder. Amelia held onto her son's hand.

"[REDACTED], I heard you wish to be like Ludwig some day. It's a noble goal sweetheart," Ameila said as she bent down on her knees.

"Mom? Do you think they'll find a cure for my sickness?" He asked a bit shyly. "There is a cure in Yharnam, but hopefully you'll be cured by then," Amelia replied.

"I love you, my little warrior...."

The party walked through the dark hallways. Powder Keg gave Goblin Slayer a sturdier Hunter's Lantern. "What's this trouble you mentioned?" He asked Lizard Priest.

Singing and squelching now reaching their ears. They walked downstairs to see every Hunter's bane. A Winter Lantern paced in the room.

"What is that?" Goblin Slayer asked. "A Winter Lantern, a huge pain in my ass. Going near them will cause you hemorrhage. Then, they'll kill you with those large arms from those heads of theirs," Powder Keg explained.

"How do you kill it?" Goblin Slayer asked. "I don't know, I've never been able to kill one. Everytime I fight one, I always end up dead. I don't know it's weaknesses at all," Powder Keg explained in disappointment.