6 Ch 5: Steady Bones (III)

Paul was inside the pantheon trying to find his way out. His mind was hazy and he only remembered that he nearly died inside this place last time.

However, this time he walked along the right side near the wall. Inching ever so slightly over to the blade, his eyes fixated on the glow. It was unknown how long had passed by but Paul felt safer to move in a steady pace rather than rapid succession. When he finally arrived at the other end, his eyes left the greatsword and stared directly towards the statues.

It was a fact that Paul was stupid and ignorant, but he was never dumb. He learned his lesson from the first mistake. If he ever so slightly leave the statue from his line of sight then the skeleton monster would kill him. His hand grabbed the blades handle and lifted it up, it felt light yet heavy at the same time. Paul was about to check the design of the sword when a spear's blade nearly pierced his neck from the right side. From the sudden stimulus, his arm reflexively swung the sword and parried the spear away.

Paul wielded the greatsword with both hands and turned to face his attacker face to skull. It was the same as last time, however, Paul wasn't going to make the same mistake as to let his opponent escape his line of sight.

*Swoosh*

With great speed, the skeleton swung it's spear diagonally down. Paul couldn't see the spear striking his word but he needed to back up. His feet was firmly placed on the ground and his posture was lowered to prevent himself from losing balance.

*Clang*

The spear and sword met, a large sound of metal hitting each other echoed throughout the hall. Paul slightly jerk from the impact his arms received but instead of dropping the sword, his grip tightened. He pointed the point of the blade towards the skeleton while he raised the handle near his head and thrusted towards the skeleton. It was completely unheard of, the skeleton was faster and stronger, attacking straight towards it was suicidal. However, before the skeleton could point or strike his blade, Paul stopped his thrust and instead used it to scoop the skeleton's hand upward. He resumed his posture and continued his thrust.

The skeleton was surprised and amazed at Paul, now it only had one option of attack, it was to strike down vertically. It would not be able to connect as Paul protected his head with the blade by raising it upwards. His saving grace was his strength, the skeleton could eliminate Paul by breaking his defence with sheer strength. Unfortunately for the skeleton, all the forced was absorbed by Paul's arms, to his back, down to the legs, and dispersed back to the ground. It was a simple technique, he found it from boxing and ufcs.

*Scrape*

Paul continued his thrust even with the spear above his head. It pierced right through the skeleton's armour and destroying whatever inside it had. However, an undead was still an undead. The skeleton retrieved it's spear and jumped back. It lowered it's posture and leaned back along with it's spear, until it jumped and thrusted it's blade straight towards Paul head. Unlike before, the skeleton no longer held back and indulged Paul, now it truly used everything it had. The attack was faster than what paul could see, he didn't even perceived it.

Just like that, he died once again. However this time victorious. He may have died but he left a wound at the skeleton. The green light of the sword followed him and surrounded his mind with it's enchanting glow.

****

Lucius was in bed, he check from left to right and found no one other than himself. He carefully check again and found that this was not his bed nor a bed he recognized. It was smaller and less comfortable.

Rolling from side to side, Lucius found that the bed was indeed less comfortable than his. It had a slightly less firmness and had more focus on softness.

*Creak*

A Doctor walked in from the side and sat right next to him. Lucius and the Doctor had no exchange of words from the beginning to end. He left just as he appeared.

The door opened once again and found a hooded man walked in and kneel after meeting his eyes. "Im sorry young master Lucius, we had failed to clear the threat and endangered you." He spoke humbly and respectfully.

'Ah! He must be fang huh.' Lucius thought. He was aware that a fang was with him and he really couldn't blame him. They were powerful, fast, and efficient but under the circumstance of a stampeding aether beast herd, they were practically useless. There was no other way that they could've saved him. It was either let him stay inside the carriage, which was practically modelled with heavy protection similar to an armoured car, or carry Lucius and let the aether beasts hunt them down.

"Has my father heard of this yet?" Lucius asked in a cold tone while sitting up. Was he angry? Yes. But not because of the Fangs rather to his father. How could a large herd of dangerous aether beasts enter his domain without him noticing.

"Yes, young master. He is currently investigating the problem. For now, you may please rest."

"How is Laurence?"

"He is safe young master.... his body was heavily bruised and most of his bones were fracture however, we were able to bring both of you to safety." The Fang was hesitant to tell Lucius. When he stared up, he saw Lucius frown. His cold eyes and nearly expressionless face made a frown and caused the Fang to drop his head in shame.

"You may leave." Lucius returned to his expressionless face. He felt guilty for Laurence's injuries. If only Laurence hadn't cushion him then he would have less problems, but he sighed and gave up. This was the best outcome, Even if Laurence hadn't cushion the impact then both of them would have been heavily injured.

It was better to let go and follow the flow rather than fighting the current. His mind was a bit confused and painful from a slight headache but he could still think somewhat straight. He needed to clear his thoughts snd focus on the now, not the then and the next.

Lucius stood up and searched for his clothing. He was currently shirtless and he felt a slight cold. The blankets were not helping him with his decreasing temperature at all. Luckily he found his clothes neatly folded to the side of the room.

"All done." Lucius had a small smile on his face while raising one of his brow. Turning left and right, carefully checking if any fang was inside the room. Thankfully there were none. He turned to look at mirror hanged above the nightstand, "Looking good handsome." his hand was on his chin as he indulged his narcism.

"Wait, wheres my ribbon." It was only then that he had not seen his precious ribbon. Rechecking the place he found his clothes, he found nothing.

"Fang, are you listening?" Lucius shouted. He knew that the fang was outside, and he prayed that the fang didn't hear his remark on himself.

"Yes young master!" The fang responded.

"Who prepared my clothes?" Lucius walked out the room and entered the hallway.

"We are currently on the mansion on Grineherd City, young master. It was one of the apprentices of the head maid." The fang was nowhere to be seen however his voice close to Lucius.

"I see. I may need a word with them then, i rather not lose my precious belongings." A headache was brewing inside Lucius' hid as he traversed the long hallways.

He had a long fondness for that ribbon, it was nearly an obsession. The ribbon was proof that his new life was new, this was the most precious gift he received from his new parents. It had no real value as it was only a long piece of cloth, however, it made him feel warm and happy. Things he never received from his first parents.

It didn't take long for him to arrived at the front doors of the mansion. He called one of the knights on guard and ordered him to call the head maid, the knight happily obliged.

When Lucius walked outside the front doors, he once more saw the real beauty of the old architecture from the books he used to read. The mansion was near the center of the city being protected by large walls and a gate.

He was just admiring the view of the mansion and the streets outside the gates when something caught Lucius attention. A young boy at the same age as him was strolling around the fountain in fron of the mansion. He even had a light green ribbon tied around his collar.

'Peace was never an option.' As Lucius walked towards him steadily, the young boy started to notice Lucius.