Loopbreaker

Francis’s blades came at the panther, who spun, ignoring the knight it had just kicked and sent tumbling across the field.

“Where is your–”

“Screw you!” Francis shouted, attacking with everything he had.

[ Power Strike ]

[ Quick Attack ]

Francis repeated that combination two more times, ignoring the strain of doing so, praying that Kels would join the fight sooner rather than later.

Curved blades came for Francis, and he activated Guarded Stance and Iron Wall. His Battle Sense was struggling to keep up with the musky scent, which alerted Francis to the panther using its ability to shift to the side.

[ Riposte ]

Pain came and Francis ignored it as his Warrior’s Resolve flared with power. A large gash across his side had come from one of the panther’s swords. Francis’ own blade managed to slice off a finger on the beast's right hand. As his blade began to draw back, Francis activated his newest offensive ability, letting the power of Warrior’s Resolve fuel the demand on his body.

[ Flurry ]

[ Quick Attack ]

His blade lunged forward, no longer pulling back, stabbing and slicing the panther’s forearm; the last cut managed to hit something that caused the beast to drop its sword.

Battle Sense went wild as those yellow eyes glowed and the panther unleashed a barrage of kicks, punches, and slashes with its remaining sword.

[ Iron Wall ]

[ Guarded Stance ]

Francis took a claw to his face, losing part of his cheek and his left eye as his swords worked at stopping the metal that tried to cut his body in half.

As the panther raised its foot to kick it, the beast stumbled forward, a pair of swords driven down through both its shoulders.

Francis spotted Kels descending from above, plunging both swords into the beast's oversized traps. One moment, the blades were plunged to the hilt, the next, the knight was kicking off backwards, roaring as he ripped the weapons free.

Taking the opening given, Francis stepped forward, thrusting the pair of swords upward into the exposed black fur that rippled with muscles.

Only because of the injury to his face was he able to summon the power he needed to activate his skills again.

[ Power Strike ]

Both blades pierced the skin, slicing through the sternum and plunging into the beast's heart.

Francis found himself pinned against the beast before he could blink. The panther lifted him upward, its jaw coming down at his face. Inches before the large fangs sank into his skull, its head lifted upward, the glint of steel appearing under its open jaw.

Struggling to breathe, Francis fought against a headless body that was still squeezing him with enough force to crack one rib already, overpowering his Strong Bones.

“One second!” Kels shouted as he flew past Francis, landing on the ground behind him. A flicker of metal removed one arm and then the next, freeing him from the embrace that had almost caused this loop to end sooner than expected.

“What were you doing?” the knight asked, pulling both of Francis’ weapons free for him. “Why did you run off like that?”

“Those mages–”

“Weren’t the things to focus on,” Kels stated. “You should know better… Even now we need to move!”

“I… You’re right,” Francis admitted, taking the swords that the knight held out to him. “It won’t happen again.”

“Don’t waste this moment,” Kels shouted, pointing toward the center of camp. “Stenson’s on his way, and it looks like the king is winning his side!”

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Francis ran after the knight, noticing the way his left leg wasn’t working right.

“You’re hurt! Find a healer,” Francis called out.

“No! No time,” Kels replied. “We’re focused on one thing, and I’ve had worse.”

Choosing not to press the issue, Francis joined his partner in slaying every beastkin that got between them and where the King was. Siege beasts were collapsing, spells from the mages who had come with the army unleashing spells upon them, destroying the weapons that were set on top.

More human warriors pushed forward, where they were, facing elite beastkin. Everywhere, the sounds of men and animals dying rang out, but for now, it felt like the battle was shifting in their direction.

When they reached the first section about a third of a mile away, they saw the two parts of a giant gorilla-kin. Both of its hands still held large war hammers in them, its flesh burnt and

Row upon row of beast-kin was slaughtered; the elite warriors who had been with Priscilla and Baxter finished off the last of the enemy army before the siege beasts.

“What is all this?” Francis asked as they ran past the human army that was finally winning a battle. “How strong is she?”

“Strong enough that she’s only using one artifact,” Kels shouted. “Surely someone told you the power she possesses!”

They did… but I didn’t imagine this kind of power. She could easily have changed the battle a long time ago. Surely she can’t be unwilling to do this… so she must be prevented from doing so.

Francis stayed close to the Knight as they made their way to where the King was fighting. When Baxter’s black armor came into view, Francis also noticed a shape that had a few healers around it.

“Is that Priscilla?!” he called out.

Kels grunted and looked at where Francis pointed. “We can check, but we don’t have a lot of time!”

When they got closer, Francis saw the burnt corpse of a different kind of beats-kin. Over a dozen were in different states of having been burnt to death. He could see the circular ring of fire that had traveled about fifty yards from where who he assumed, was Priscilla, lying on the ground.

“What happened?” Kels asked as they slowed down.

“She’s dying,” one of the healers said. “I can’t cure the poison that afflicts her. All of our healing is for naught.”

Francis moved to kneel beside Priscilla, seeing over a dozen different holes on the front and side of her torso. She looked like someone had pierced her over and over with daggers.

“What happened?” Francis asked.

“Lizards… invisible… they–” Priscilla coughed, blood leaking from her mouth with each breath.

“Rest,” Francis said, reaching out and squeezing her hand. “You had your moment. I’ll make sure you’ll get another chance to do it again.”

“How can you give her another chance?” the healer asked. “She’s dying! Do you–”

“Don’t,” Francis growled. “For now, just keep her as comfortable as possible. Kels.”

The knight nodded, and they both began racing toward the area where they could see Baxter killing beastkins.

“My King!” Kels shouted as they drew near.

Baxter spun around, his eyes red and glowing, the man taking deep breaths over and over. A crazed look was upon his face as the King stared at them for a moment.

“King Baxter?” Francis said slowly. “Are you okay?”

“The battle lust has him,” Kels whispered.

The oversized man let out a roar that washed across the area, and Francis felt power wash over him.

A couple of breaths later, the King’s eyes dimmed slightly.

“You two… thank you for not coming closer,” Baxter said. “I couldn’t save Priscilla, but I have killed two of the ones you told us about. Both were–”

As the king spoke, roars came from off to the left, toward the last of the army that had no fighters like Stenson or Baxter.

“It would appear we’re about to find the last two,” the king said, smiling. “We’ve lost many, but we have almost secured victory. All we need to do now is–”

Francis blinked. His eyes struggled to see what he was looking at. Slowly, his hand touched his face, and he felt nothing. There was no wetness to his cheek. One moment, the king had been there, talking with them. Now his lower half crumpled to the ground, the top half of his body gone.

“Kels?” Francis said, his voice squeaking.

There was no reply, and when he tried to turn, it was then that Francis realized his body wasn’t working as he had expected it to.

Notifications had scrolled by, but Francis was trying to figure out what had happened. Trying to use his left arm, Francis found it was gone. His vision was starting to fade, and he saw that half his own torso was gone.

Warrior’s Resolve was keeping him standing, and Francis was certain he would be near death in a few seconds. Straining, he scanned the battlefield, trying to make sense of what had just transpired.

From the edge of the line about a hundred yards away, a beast in long robes stood. A staff of some sort was pointed at them, and everything between it and Francis was basically gone. Human, beastkin, it didn’t matter.

“What the…”

***

The sound of the morning bell rang, and Francis sat up slowly.

"It's earlier than usual," Michael grunted as he sat up. "What gives?"

Francis said nothing, ignoring the words his brother sent his way, his eyes focused on the notifications.

[ Magic Resistance Increased - 53 ]

[ Magic Feedback Increased - 21 ]

[ Warrior’s Resolve Increased - 5 ]

It killed us so easily… a single spell.

“Hey! Francis!” Michael shouted, clapping his hands as well. “What’s going on? Why are you… OH MY GOD! What the fuck happened to you? You’re huge!”

Francis blinked a few times and frowned. “Sorry… I uh…” He paused, not wanting to lie but also knowing this wasn’t the best moment to have this conversation. “I uh… had a dream and the gods said they wanted to use me… It appears they have made certain I can be used.”

“Why would they pick you?” Michael asked. “I mean… How… or… I… I don’t even know what to say!”

Francis stood, moved to where his brother was standing. As with all the loops since his body had evolved, Michael’s eyes were wide like a full moon.

“Listen, I’m going to tell you everything. But first we need to go outside, I need to kick Malcolm's ass, and then we’re going to take our time walking to town.”

“But Phillip… I mean… Malcomb does deserve a beating.”

Laughing, Francis hugged his brother and pointed at the door. “Come on, let’s go scare Phillip after we get a little revenge.”