"It was my fault, I didn't step in because I was glad to finally see him dependable." Aeloria stared at Hanon as she spoke. "If I had stepped in sooner, then none of this would've happened. But it doesn't matter anymore. Black, blue or whatever stage you've reached, all is meaningless in the face of the Cannibal." Dargo had charged in for a killing blow, but when he heard the introduction of the maiden, he halted and leapt back on instincts.
This was the first time Aeloria had accepted and introduced herself as the Cannibal. Because right now, she needed to be what the rumors described and more.
"The Cannibal? Did she just say Cannibal?" Dargo whispered to his companions.
"I knew something was off from the start, but I didn't think things would be this far off." Kromel said as his body shifted in the dark cloak.
"The Cannibal?" Krazel whispered as he recalled how he had tried to make a move on her. He swallowed hard, his fear of the Thornsleepers replaced by the fear of the rumors about Aeloria.
"I had hoped I was wrong, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all. But somehow, I don't think she would harm us. I hope." Zilel looked at the fingernails of Aeloria extended at an unnatural length.
"The Head Captain of Runevale, Aeloria the Cannibal. Your name has spread far and wide, but, this has nothing to do with you. Please step aside. We don't want to make an enemy of Runevale. However, if you insist on standing in our way…" he didn't finish his speech.
Aeloria charged forward, slashing diagonally from the right.
Kromel lifted his hand to block, confident in the abilities of the black cloak. Aeloria's claws ripped through the cloak and his flesh, leaving a deep claw wound on his left arm.
The other two did not only watch, they were already in motion. They attacked at different angles. Dargo aimed his poisoned blade at her left side and Moseah aimed his at her neck. Both attacks connected. However, the Cannibal did not stop. She slashed again from the same angle towards the same opponent, this time severing his already wounded arm off completely.
The two attacking from her sides pulled back, staring at her in total disbelief.
'The dagger is coated in lethal poison prepared for months, a single scratch is enough to end a person's life in a heartbeat, yet I've stabbed her three times and she didn't even look my way.' Moseah studied the dagger in his hands. 'Could it be that maybe I brought the wrong dagger? No, I'm not that careless.'
'Her wounds heal almost immediately, the rumors didn't do her justice. It's three against one, yet it's so one sided in her favor.' Zilel watched, his confidence in Aeloria rising with each heartbeat. Kromel was on the defensive, and the other two have yet to earn her attention, the battle was already decided.
"She's actually winning. We may yet survive." Krazel watched as Aeloria slammed her foot into the torso of Kromel, sending the man flying and crashing into the oak.
Then, as if to betray his hope, they heard a voice.
"Honestly, what is taking you so long? There are three of you, yet you can't even take down a single woman?" This voice, it was all too familiar. Aeloria didn't need to look at the speaker to know who it was.
How could she forget the voice of one of the kidnappers that took her when she was pregnant with Lira. The one that left her at the barren Lands of Squora.
'When did he get here? I was on high alert since I'm vulnerable thanks to the pill effect, yet I couldn't even sense his presence until he spoke.' Zilel's face was a mask of horror as he stared at the man who pointed his dagger at the throat of the unconscious Hanon.
Aeloria turned slowly, ignoring the Thornsleepers who took the moment of distraction to stab her vital organs.
"You were a Thornsleeper? No, that's not what I should be asking. Tell me, was it Ramai who sent you?" All the questions she had bottled up started playing inside her head as the three men continued their attacks.
'Does she know him, don't tell me she used to be a part of them.' Krazel watched as the situation turned from bad to worse, and he could barely keep up. He moved his limbs with all his might, but his body remained still.
"Well, well. Would you look at that? I didn't know you were the one everyone called the Cannibal. Tell me how did you manage to survive? I wasn't able to get the full wage because you survived. Well now that I think about it, It doesn't really matter anymore. I can take it after I kill you today." He said, pressing the dagger to the Protector's throat, the force broke Hanon's skin, drawing a trail of blood.
'If I rush in, I won't be able to make it in time. Once he stabs through, it is over. Am I going to lose him too?'
"Goodbye, Black demon." Hearing those words, Aeloria charged in with all the strength in her lower limbs. But it was too late.
Before she could cross half the pace, the man pushed the dagger deep into Hanon's throat. That was his intention, however, the dagger made it only a finger nail's length deep.
A foot slammed into the side of his face.
His reaction was instantaneous, however, the force of the kick sent him skidding backwards.
Aeloria stopped in her tracks. She was certain Krazel and Zilel were in no condition to move, who then had helped her?
Every eye turned to the direction of the attacker, the same question ringing in their minds.
In their line of sight stood a man in his healing robes, pulling the dagger gently from Hanon's throat.
He then threw the dagger away, tore a piece of his fabric, and wrapped it gently around the wound to stopp the bleeding.
He stood, stepping forward as he bowed towards Aeloria.
"Royal soldier Migard offers his greetings to the Head Captain." Aeloria quickly snapped out of her haze, ignoring Migard and rushed towards Hanon.
She knelt beside him and checked his pulse. 'Though faint, he's still alive.' She then observed the wound on his neck for any signs of infection.
"I'm hurt that you ignored me even though I came all this way to help look for you. That aside, you needn't worry. He'll be alright, though he needs immediate attention. I suggest we finish here quickly and take him to an oakliner." Migard spoke for the second time.
'Did he say his name was Migard? I've heard of him from Yoru. According to her, I fought him with my title on the line while he staked his life.'
"There are quite a lot of unwanted guest today, it's starting to get really annoying." Kromel spoke through gritted teeth.
"Allow me to take care of those three rats while you handle that coward who takes hostages." Hanon suggested as he pointed at Kromel and the others, then at the new figure.
Aeloria still ignored him. Her target was already decided from the moment he pointed his dagger at Hanon's throat.