The Forsaken Hero
I closed my eyes and let out a shuddering breath. My fingers were numb and cold, my arm aching where the needle pierced the vein. Something clattered onto the pavement, and I looked down to see the needle. It had slipped out of my hand. Nothingness swirled around me, bringing the first sense of peace I'd felt in my short, miserable life. There was no one to miss me, and no one I would miss. There's always someone else to beat or rape. The regulars would move on quickly. I died. Only...wasn't death supposed to be dark? And since when did 'nothingness' have so many gods? Discord: https://discord.gg/PX3xqJdZMY
Duel?
The abrupt disappearance of the gate seemed to leave a gaping hole in the sky. The morning felt unnaturally quiet without the soft hum of mana, and even the sunlight seemed dimmer without the swirling bursts of light that had emanated from the gate.
I didn't dwell on the thought for long. With a self-satisfied nod, I motioned for Fable to lower his back, allowing me to mount him. His increased size, even in his condensed form, made it a bit more challenging to climb onto his back, but it also provided a greater sense of security. Whenever he leaped through the air, I no longer felt quite so small and vulnerable. While I would have preferred to walk, the sudden vanishing of the gate was sure to cause a commotion among the soldiers, and I'd rather be gone before anyone came to investigate.
"Wait for me!" Sari cried, scrambling up behind me. I winced as she wrapped her arms around my waist, and she quickly loosened her grip. "Sorry."