Chapter 57: Getting Better
The fight was over much faster than any of his previous encounters with Nightreavers. Arthur steeled himself and managed to impair the beast’s wing on its second attack, from there he was quick to finish it. The creature’s movements had been predictable—a lunging strike followed by an aerial sweep that Arthur had anticipated this time. As the beast swooped low for its second pass, Arthur pivoted at the last moment, his blade catching the membranous wing and slicing through it with a sickening tear.
The Nightreaver’s screech of pain echoed across the rose field, a sound like metal scraping against glass that made Arthur’s teeth ache. The beast tumbled, its flight path disrupted, crashing into the bed of roses several feet away. Arthur didn’t hesitate. Before the creature could right itself, he closed the distance with three rapid strides and plunged his sword into what passed for its head. The blade sank deep, meeting resistance for only a moment before the creature shuddered once and went still.
Luckily, Arthur walked away with no injuries. You can call it luck, or maybe he’s just getting better at killing these things. The darkness that had once seemed so threatening now felt almost like an ally, enhancing his senses, strengthening his limbs. Each encounter with these nocturnal hunters was teaching him something new—about them, about himself, about survival.
Arthur was pulling the blade of his sword out of the dead Nightreaver as Aziel walked up with a rather bored look on his face. The sword made a wet, sucking sound as it slid free from the creature’s body. Black ichor clung to the metal, viscous and gleaming in the moonlight.
Arthur looked at Aziel and concern began to blossom in his chest at his companion’s expression. Something seemed off about the usually energetic youth.
"What is it?" Arthur asked, his voice still slightly breathless from the exertion of battle.
Aziel yawned and stretched his arms, the gesture exaggerated and dramatic. "I’m bored... I didn’t get to fight anything."
Arthur’s face went from concern to unamusement real quick. The tension in his shoulders released as he realized there was no actual problem. ’Right, I forgot this guy was insane.’
Arthur sighed, letting his sword disappear. "Well, how did I do?" His tone carried a hint of eagerness beneath the attempted casualness. Despite himself, he found that he craved Aziel’s approval, wanted confirmation that he was improving.