Chapter 236: Fable
The golem’s master was dead, yet showed no hesitation as it lifted its claws and charged forward. While spun from the shadows itself, the creature’s flesh was real and tangible, the claws as large and sharp as swords. Saliva flung from its gaping maw in sticky droplets, and the pure hatred and joy of the kill smoldered in its eyes.
"Dyson, intercept it!" Rasce called.
His bowstring thrummed, and an arrow sprouted from the monster’s chest. The shaft burst into flames, and the monster screeched in pain, its step becoming erratic. Dyson smet its claws with both swords, strengthening his body at the last moment with a magical technique.
The air rang with the sound of the impact, and Dyson grunted, arms straining as he was pushed back. They were both fourth level, but the sheer size of the golem granted it strength far above that of a human, leaving it with a significant advantage in a direct clash. Another few arrows slammed into its chest alongside the first, and the monster’s charge finally broke.
As the golem reeled back, Dyson’s swords flashed, cutting blazing trails of light through the golem’s legs. He danced around its flailing claws, lashing out again and again with blistering speed.
Roaring, the monster’s soul glowed and it stomped on the ground, releasing a powerful shockwave. The ground heaved, and I stumbled back, falling hard against the wall. Dyson, closest to the force, nearly lost his balance. The golem struck before he could recover, sending him flying back against the wall. Blood streamed after him, trailing from a jagged wound across his chest.
"Dyson!" I cried, instinctively running toward him.
I froze as the monster rose between us, leering at me. Blood dripped from its many injuries, but it shrugged off the damage with little concern for its wellbeing.
Rasce fired a few more arrows, but the golem batted them aside. Dyson groaned behind it, coughing up blood, filling me with horror. I had seen death and destruction on a scale few in this world could imagine, but the sight of the man who had followed me through the dark and saved me bleeding on the ground shook me to the core.
Everything dimmed as the monster’s claws reached toward me. Rasce’s voice floated through the air, but it faded before the words became clear. My hand tightened on my staff as panic clawed at my heart, the fear of losing the thief overwhelming all else.
"No!" I cried, instinctively raising my staff. Even if I lost everything because of it, I couldn’t just allow him to die! "I need you, Fable. Heed my call!"