Beneath the endless deep indigo sky , lies a desolate graveyard shrouded by fog seeming untouched by time . The faint whispers of wind can be heard through the overgrown - with each gust the dying trees danced , forsaking their last remaining leaves . The overgrown weeds consumed the tombstone of the unfortunate , only to be remembered by the grieving moss- covered angelic statues , the damp air clung to you like a child to its mother , bringing with it a haunting silence . The gloomy shadows loomed over the uneven ground , seemingly bringing figures eager watching their next move .
The rusty gates creaked as they swung it open , the ground was riddled with gnarled roots and hidden hole , a icy chill seeps into Gabi bones , she swallowed hard , frantically her heart beat, growing louder and louder , louder than any other noise , she had never dreamed of her first quest being in a graveyard , the raw terror made her legs weak and her heavy - but she had faith that''ll turn out okay ,maybe it was David''s presence . She hadn''t noticed how tightly he had gripped his sword , and just staring into blood-lusted crimson eyes of the beast that stalked them .
The figure emerged from behind the mausoleum - spreading it''s massive leathery wings , enveloped the little light the moon provided , covering in a total darkness . Smelling the fear leaking from them , monster''s lips form a sadistic smile , stretching from ear to ear . '''' I am eternally grateful to you for saving me the hunt , as your reward you may play with my sons and daughters '''' , All those thought to have been in eternal slumber , returned in a ghoulish manner , someone decaying corpses with rotten flesh hanging from their once youthful bones , others raging skeletons reading for battle .
Gabi''s eyes started to water , her throat dried up with every step on the horrific creatures , her knees had buckled giving in under the overwhelming fear , she had never seen such horror before , '''' Gabi , just focus on releasin'' enough holy mana to keep them away '''' He looking down at smile at her softly . '''' Leave the rest to me '''' . The growls of the undead rumbled a low , ''''grrroooaaarrrr '''' as they shuffled closer . He leapt toward the horde , effortlessly slicing through their undead bodies . '''' They wont stay down '''' he said , panting heavily, slowly he raised his sword again reading to clear the horde . One of the zombies leapt at him vigorously , sinking its rotten teeth into the his steel shoulder plate . But instead of tearing through the metal plate , the impact of the sickening crunch , followed a violent explosion .
It''s skull shattered , showering the surrounding undead in blood and bone , its lifeless corpse collapsed onto another of it''s kin . The vampire lunged with a unnatural speed at Gabi , before David could react to stop him , the beast retreated . It''s pale skin burnt a putrid brown , it hissed in pain , David rushed it readying to slay the beast . In the nick of time he moved out the way , David''s blade landed on a tombstone, shattering on impact . His muscles tensed as he lunged forward , swinging his blade at the vampire , '''' Foolish knight , you a thousand years too slow '''' it said , dodging the blows effortlessly , he closed the gap between him and David , landing a devastating blow to David''s stomach .
He is sent upward , with an insane speed , his limp body flew right through tombstones . '''' Sir Gideon !! '''' she yelled .
'''' dammit i got careless again '''' he says , struggling to get up . He desperately hung onto consciousness - as his vision became blurry , his strength started to fail him . Before Gabriela''s mind could catch up , her legs moved , running to heal David . '''' No , no … please don''t die '''' She frantically said , trying her best to remember the words to perform a healing hymns . He gritted his bloody teeth , he knew several his bones were broken but staying down would only get them both killed , he noticed that the mana that radiated around was slowly disappearing .
Every muscle screamed in protest as tried getting up , his fingers trembling - clawing at the ground for leverage . With all her might Cora tried lifting him , his armor was way too heavy for her slender arms , tenaciously the dead walked toward them in great magnitude . '''' Blood , i need blood to heal '''' the unholy creature proclaimed , once more is sprouted it''s enormous wings readying to fly to Stoneveil . David had grinned under his blooded helm - it had fell for the trap they had set up the previous day .
{ " Why are we planting these strange objects ? '''' Gabriela had asked , holding the cold metallic object
'''' Remember last nights plan of trappin'' our guest in own house '''' he replies before handing the rest of silver rods .
'''' Do you need me to add holy mana to them ? ''''
'''' Yep , we gonna place the buffed up rods all around the graveyard ''''
}
He flew straight into the barrier , the raw power of the enhanced holy mana engulfed the one side of his face , searing his skin . Faintly a thin, curling smoke rose from his skin , dragging along a sickening stench of burnt dead flesh . The monster hit the floor with an insane speed , crashing into the mausoleum .Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
''''Can you still buff me ? ''''
'''' but what if I can''t.. I''ll — ''''
'''' Remember how easy it was for you to use mana earlier , just do the same thing - I promise to get us outta this mess ''''
She had no response , but it was another matter of life or death - mustering the little courage she had, she placed her hand on the back off his armor , golden - white mana started glowing from her hands , she boosted the his bodies the natural amount of adrenaline his body could produce, boosting his movement speed and strength . He effortlessly sliced through horde , he sprung backward back to Gabriela - he pulled her closer , one arm firmly around her , it not being to harsh but just precise enough to ensure he safety .
Before she could even finish their gasp , her world began to blur - as color became no more that flashing streaks . Each step turning into a leap , by the second his movement speed greatly increased - the wind rushes past her , holding onto to her pearly white dress . He maneuvered through the gravestone with a dancer''s elegance , effortlessly dodging the dead , dashing toward the mausoleum . The monster lied on the ground , impaled by the crypt''s spiked cross - beside him was an ocean of his own blood , the monster was almost slain .
'''' You repulsive mortals dare look down on me '''' he growled with the little energy he had , cough blood in the process . '''' Where … is the End …Fortress ? David asked , '''' You are a.. fool among fools , mor.. tal '''' he replied , with a brunt , blooded smile - before finally dying .
David''s body went limb , hitting the ground with a thunderous thud - the adrenaline wore off and the gravity of how much damage he and the fatigue crushed him . He tried moving a muscle but it was all in vain , thoughts of this being the end was circling his mind - he desperately tried clinging to consciousness , maybe Gabi''s terrified cries could help , but that too , yielded no fruit.
***
The bright morning sun glowed over the horizon with a serene warm, golden light , amid the sunrise an array of soft reds and pinks spilled, casting an ethereal beauty over the town Stoneveil . The air quietly awakened, bringing alongside it a drifting gentle breeze . In the distance a shadow figure road toward the village , she was adorned in all black leather , save for her large fur cloak and gloves she wore . Peaking out behind her was the bundle of arrow she had collect and the giant wooden monstrosity she calls a crossbow . Ripping the through the harmonious chirping of the early morning bird , was the echoes of her proud steed steps .
'''' Of all the places , he choose to go to the coldest one '''' she thought - the cold , with its icy love , kissed her on its her cheeks and nose , reddening it for the world to see . The corners of her mouth lifted , forming a smile of relief - when her laid eyes on what seemed to be a silhouette of a town in the distance , ''''At l-l-last, I s-s-shall be f-f-free of this wretched c-c-c-old. '''' . With efficiency she drew her crossbow .
The rustling of the bushes beside her abruptly brought her joy to a momentary halt , startling her and her horse . '''' Calm down , boy '' she utters , tugging on his lead line - creating more space between them and the unknown threat approaching them . She quickly drew her weapon to her face , '''' Reveal yourself at once !! '''' she yelled , reading to end any beast daring to ambush her . What revealed itself was not a monster , but a heavily fatigued Gabriela dragging a injured David on her back . Every muscles in Gabriela body yelled in torment and anger , but she rebelled , her determination overwhelmed her desire to fall . '''' Must .. get .. to .. town '''' she muttered , barely audible .
Elara just stared at her , amazed at her resolve , David was almost twice her size but she relentlessly carried his unconscious body for several hours . Her vision became blurry - but she knew when she saw her village in this distance , that her mission was almost complete - all she needed was one final push then she would finally have done it , her body had reached its limit , all night''s walking had finally taken its toll on her .'''' Just a little … further , Gabi . You cant let him… down too '''' before she could collapse , long slender arms caught . ''''It is alright—you have done more than enough '''' Elara said , greeting her with a warm smile . Gabriela could barely see the face of her savior - but the sincerity of the smile was all the confirmation she need , and with her last energy , she too greeted her with a smile .
Elara lifted and placed the two on her horse , their combined weight posed no problem for him - it was one of the finest horses in the capital , one she watched grow from a foal to a mighty stallion . '''' You two are, without a doubt, cut from the same cloth." she thought looking at David and Gabi''s unconscious bodies - they rode for the town . When they arrived in the town , a elder man was sitting on his porch , lost in thought . His trance was shattered when he heard the rhythmic clip-clop of Elara''s horse . '''' Morning young visitor , Welcome to Stoneveil '''' he says , his adorned with a polite smile .
'''' Good morning, sir. Might there be a healer available for these two? '''' she replies , smiling awkwardly . His eyes widened greatly when her notice it was Gabi , with all the energy his old body could muster he ran toward the horse , '''' Gabi , please be okay . What happened to you ? '''' , he says , searching a wound , '''' She must hail from this village'''' Elara thought ,
''''No harm has befallen her. Look—her chest still rises with each breath. ''''
'''' sleeping ? like this this ? look at her it looks like she - ''''
''''- collapsed? Indeed, exhaustion seems the likely cause. She hauled David''s body from the battlefield they had fought upon. Judging by his condition, he is in dire need of medical attention'''' she replied , she the elder the dried blood by David''s nose . He let''s out a sigh of relief , '''' she ''s always caused me trouble from the day i found her on my doorstep '''' the old man says , smiling. '''' I''m sorry to inform young lady , that right there was our Healer ''''.