Chapter 15:

I sputtered, coughing violently as I regained my breath. I used healing magic to seal the finger imprints still left on my neck. I glanced at my hands, and saw they were covered in blood. The warm, seeping liquid quietly cooled and dripped down my throat, causing me to shiver. Suddenly, Gale was at my side. He pulled me into a hug, not minding the crimson stain spreading across his armor. 

“Are you ok?” 

I nodded, trying to speak, but my voice came out as a croak. Atrax must’ve damaged my vocal cords. Gale took my hand and I gave it a gentle squeeze. I pulled from his embrace and unsteadily climbed to my feet. Mirabelle stood, spear still raised. I glanced at her curiously. Atrax’s body was still standing, unmoving, dead. Wait. Was he dead? 

I realized no system prompt appeared. My face flashed with horror, and I tried to tell Gale, but my vocal cords were still healing. His body twitched unnaturally. I grabbed Gale’s shoulder and pointed with an exasperated cry. He turned just in time to see Atrax’s chest cavity split apart, and something emerge. 

An unnaturally shrill shriek flew from it as it crawled away at a speed that belied its length. It scrambled towards the tree, and Mirabelle’s face fell into anxiety. 

“Stop it!” She yelled. 

Gale rushed forward, scrambling to grab it, but it slipped through his fingers. 

Mirabelle hurriedly pulled a bottle from her belt and threw it as hard as she could into the tree. It exploded alight with flame, rapidly spreading across the webbing. As it burned away, I could see something wrapped in cocoons. Bodies. Tens of bodies of different kinds, men, women, children, all pale faced and unmoving. Had he killed them? Why?

The creature braved the flame, barely reaching the body of a child. Its legs began to burrow into the flesh. I gasped.

“Parasite!” I barely managed to call to Gale. 

His face flashed with understand, and he sent countless wind blades to each body, cutting them apart. His face curled with distaste, but letting that thing get to a fresh vessel after our battle would be suicide. It was halfway before Gale’s magic severed the connected legs, causing it to shriek. Mirabelle sprinted to the tree, and with one stroke and a flash of light, severed the trunk.

The still-burning tree fell to its side, scattering embers of wood and web, and Mirabelle moved to the creature. She thrusted her spear down, pinning it to the dirt. Blue blood bubbled from its body, the numerous legs scrambling for some purchase, before they lost energy and curled up. 

[A Hero’s Journey Completed. Distributing rewards. 

+1000 Hero Points. 

Beginner skills have been upgraded to intermediate skills.]

I sighed in relief. “It’s dead.”

Mirabelle pulled her spear free, and kicked the creature into the inferno. The body curled from the heat, before with a pop, it exploded. 

She twirled her spear, sending arcs of blue blood flinging from the blade. She turned towards us with a grin. She strode over to us, and pulled us into a hug. I was surprised, but after a moment’s hesitation hugged her back. We pulled away, each of us laughing at the feat. 

“I can’t believe that worked,” I said.

She nodded. “The two of you did well.” 

Gale smiled. “Not as well as you. Your spearwork was masterful.”

“Well” She said, “I have far more experience. I am quite impressed at your aptitude, considering your fighting experience.” 

I opened my mouth to speak when something in the distance shouted. Sounds were approaching the burning tree. I looked at the forest and activated Alter Sight. Figures running towards us, not far off. 

Mirabelle pulled her invisibility potion from her belt. “Now is the time,” She said, drinking it in one gulp. Her figure immediately disappeared. 

Gale and I followed suit, and no sooner had the liquid hit my stomach did figures rush from the surrounding wilderness. They appeared human at first sight, but with the fire’s light and my night vision I saw them clearly. They had strange features, each one different from the last. Their bodies were twisted by some strange proportions, sporting unknown limbs and coverings. 

I activated my heat vision to spot Mirabelle slinking into the forest. Gale walked in the opposite direction, so I grasped his hand and silently pulled him towards where Mira was exiting. He flinched at first, but recognizing my hand, silently gripped it tight and let me lead him. 

We walked back towards our initial exit, the rock hiding the passageway. “We’re here,” I said. 

Mirabelle looked upwards, surprised I noticed her. She quickly activated the array, and the stone disappeared into nothingness. We walked inwards, as if we’d never left in the first place. 

It was a tense, long silence as we climbed out of the sewer and back onto the street, all the while feeling the distant sounds of battle. When we emerged on the surface, I took a deep breath of relief, and turned around to help Gale climb out. I took the liberty of going first, having been invisible. I couldn’t stand the scent another minute.

Mirabelle climbed out last, gazing around quickly, before moving the grate back into place. “Do the two of you have somewhere to stay for the night?”

I shook my head, but remembering my current state, said, “No.”

“You are welcome in my home, then. It is the least courtesy I can offer.” 

Gale’s voice rang out. “We would appreciate that, thank you.”

I followed Mirabelle, still holding Gale’s hand silently. No people were out - it seemed like the city was deserted, had I not heard the whimpering cries of those hidden behind their doors. The distant sounds of battle were diminishing, but were ever-present. 

Mira led us to a district I could never hope to rent in for three lifetimes. The houses became more ostentatious, until it became more accurate to call them mansions. By the time we had reached her door, the potions wore off. I didn’t let go of Gale’s hand. He didn’t seem to mind.

Mirabelle showed us in, and my jaw dropped at the splendor of it. It put every rich-lady mansion I’d seen in media to shame. She set us up with adjoining, but separate rooms, as well as a room sized bathtub. She asked if I wanted to bathe together, but I declined. She shrugged, and let me wash myself first, being the guest. I retreated to my room while the others took care of their business. 

I laid down in silken pajamas, cushioned by the softest bed I’d ever laid on in my life, yet for some reason, it felt cold. I shifted a few times, fluffed my pillow, and sighed in annoyance. My thoughts drifted to Gale. His feelings, his actions. I blushed. I suddenly wanted to talk to him, so I stood, and walked to my door. I flinched when I opened it; Gale was standing there, hair wet and hand raised, ready to knock. We smiled awkwardly at each other, and I invited him in. 

We sat on the bed next to each other, atmosphere strange and awkward. I opened my mouth to speak, but found he had done the same. “You first,” I said. 

He rubbed the back of his head. His face, sporting an awkward smile, suddenly crumbled into guilt, and he looked down. “I’m sorry.”

I was confused. “For what?”

“Making you feel… uncomfortable. I know you don’t feel the same way, but… I can’t help but…” 

He came to a stop, his face flushing red. He began to stand. “I should go.”

I reached out and grabbed his hand. “Wait,” I said.

He looked at me surprised, hopeful. I could see the tenseness in his face. 

I scooted closer to him. Our knees touched. His face turned red, but not in shame. It was cute. 

I bit my lip, looking down. “I don’t think,” I began, “That I’m…against it.”

His eyes widened. “What…?” 

“I’ve been thinking a lot. About you.” I scratched my nose, suddenly finding the room to be hot. I thought of Gale, always present, kind, caring, funny, smart. Handsome. The last one took something out of me as I admitted it. I wasn’t sure if I felt uncomfortable with it. I liked that I liked it, and that confused me. I thought to the past. Gale was the only person in my past life that saw me as more than a blip. The only one that cared about me. I suddenly realized he was the only one that I cared about. For the man who saved my life, I could do this much. 

“I don’t think I’m ready for anything…” I put a hand to my blushing face. 

“We can take it slow,” Gale said. 

I scooted closer. The heat of his body shot a thrill through me. His hand reached out, resting on my knee. I didn’t want him to move it. I looked at his face, his verdant green eyes. Mesmerizing. I could still remember the fireworks dancing in his irises. I suddenly realized how close our faces were. Gales lips were less than an inch from mine. I leaned in, letting them touch with the lightest of brushes. It was electrifying. His warm breath tingled my face, and the smell of mint washed over me. I looked at his lips, suddenly having the urge to bite them. 

Gale’s hand tightened around my knee, before climbing upwards. The other lightly combed through my hair, his breathing quickened. With a slow, deliberate movement, he moved my face towards his. I didn’t pull away. Our lips met. My brain melted, and Gale moved his hand from my thigh to my back, pulling me to his chest. I grasped onto his shirt, feeling him through it, pushing my weight on him until he fell backwards, our lips never separating. 

I pulled back for a gasping breath, and felt his hands slide towards my chest, sending shivers through me. I grabbed them just short, hesitating. “I don’t think I’m ready.”

He smiled. “It’s ok. Just what you’re comfortable with.”

“You owe me for this,” I said. My face heated, and I leaned in again.