The White Haired Demon Slayer (Part-19)

One...

two, three...

four, five, six...

seven...

eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen.

Why do I count?

To stay conscious, of course...

Blood splatters over the floor as blades of every kind pierce my body in a matter of a few seconds. With every hit I stumble back, until my back hits a wooden surface, smearing blood against the face of it, as I slowly slide down, unable to stand anymore.

Ah, I have the door to my back.

That won't do.

"That... won't do at all." I groan painfully as I cough blood out, trying to speak.

My vision is turning red and blurry. My body refuses to move. How would it? I can barely feel my own limbs over this pain. I can taste the blood coming to my mouth as I try to breathe. Struggling, even with something as simple as this.

But... I really want to kill...

I slowly lift my head and look up at my adversaries, only to meet with an expression I didn't expect on their ugly faces.

How amusing... "Haha... Hahahaha... AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

I laugh, I laugh like I couldn't imagine I would in a situation like this. I laugh to the point of tears even as my throat feels like it's being ripped apart. I laugh because that's all I feel like inside.

I laugh because the look on their faces makes me so happy!

They are scared...

I barely manage to stop as I once again look up to face the horde of Goblin Champions in front of me.

"My oh my... Why do you have that expression on your faces?"

Ah, this is what I needed. Nice.

I pull a spear out of my chest to use it as a crutch to stand up. "Was this... supposed to stop me?"

Hahahaha. The expression on their faces, it's even better now. They are stunned.

Haha... why do monsters have more sane reactions than me?

Ah, this hurts so much.

I sigh as I start pulling the blades out of me. Starting with the smaller arrows all over my body and ending with the sword lodged into my shoulder. Who leaves behind their sword in the enemy like that? Jeez, take better care of it.

Just as I'm done, an axe comes flying at my head, only for me to grab it with my left hand before it can make contact. As Lightbreak flies back to my right hand, I peek from behind the axe to look at the monsters with a friendly smile.

"Let's both try our best, shall we?"

.

.

.

***Elaina Evreux***

"Oh... No..."

Like a soft whisper, that's all I heard as I turned back to the girl who slowly dropped to the ground face first. I barely managed to cast soft winds around her head to avoid a concussion or a major head injury.

Swooping in to pick her up, I thanked my knee guards that saved my knees from getting scraped against the floor.

I can't afford to get injured again when Sylvie is in such a terrible condition.

Sylvie was breathing heavily as her eyes slowly sought for me, finally her gaze settling on my face. "I'm fine, just catching... my breath."

No way she was fine. We just went ahead and got terribly injured without any consideration for what Sylvie was going through, as she unfailingly kept us alive no matter what.

Not only that, she brought me back from the brink of death, which must not have been easy in the middle of enemy territory. But saving Luca had truly taken everything from her.

This is wrong. She is but a healer. We combatants are supposed to protect her, but all we do is keep getting saved by her.

I can still remember the look on her face, the moment when the giant blade slashed across her back as she tried to save me. Even then, she healed me and continued to fight.

This is all my fault. If only I were more capable, none of this would be happening. If only I were stronger, I could have protected Sylvie better. If only I were a better tracker, Luca wouldn't have been hurt so badly, and Liam wouldn't be in danger all by himself.

I am weak. I shouldn't even be here.

But no. Now is not for me. Sylvie, she needs to —

"What are you doing?"

An icy chill of death ran down my spine. My hands grew cold as I held Sylvie in my arms. The voice was familiar, just like any, but the words... the words cut like a blade with my name on it.

Ren Kaizel. As I slowly raised my head, there he stood, looming above me. Expressionless, his dark eyes searing into me.

I couldn't find my voice. Why...?

"Elaina Evreux..."

No, don't say it. I can't take it if it's not from me.

"Your weakness disgusts me."

....

Breathe... breathe... my breath, where is it? Even as I failed to tear my eyes off him, the truth was choking me.

Sylvie was calling out my name, but all I could hear were the words that tore through me.

"Your mind..."

Huh?

Ren got on his knees in front of me. His expression remained unchanged, but the words he said next...

"To become strong, you must accept that you are weak. As long as you strive to be stronger, weakness is acceptable. But never in the mind. You, my dear archer, are not one to crumble just because of one bad night."

His words no longer paralyzed me.

He smiled. What is this? Hahaha. His smile is too kind. His eyes, filled with so much warmth. What is this feeling of safety and comfort I just want to sink in?

Ren continued, "You have something to say to me, don't you? Speak."

I gripped Sylvie's shoulder tighter. Finally, I found my voice. "Sylvie, she needs rest. I think we should stop for a while."

Ren nodded. "Good. Let me take Sylvie. You get some rest as well."

As Ren took Sylvie from my arms gently, she protested. "I can walk. We don't need to stop. I'm fine..."

Even as she said that her voice trailed off in exhaustion.

But she wasn't the only one against the idea of resting. As we took our places leaning against the wall, Luca refused to sit down. "I feel fine. I'll be continuing toward Liam."

Ren acknowledged Luca with his eyes closed, casually resting his head against the wall. "You feel fine because this girl healed you. Sit down. We are resting."

As Luca reluctantly sat down, grumbling to himself, Ren slowly opened his eyes. Staring at the grainy ceiling of the hallway with a distant look in his eyes, annoyance clearly visible on his face.

"The Descendant of Light can handle himself."