Soul Knight - Chapter 20 - Kaya (Patreon)

[Author note: I still am not feeling all that great about this chapter. I will probably come back to it at a later date and clean it up. Thanks to the Amazon release and the release of Soul Knight on RoyalRoad, I've not been able to focus well and get a lot of writing done. Thankfully, I have taken a few days off work, and should get in the lead a little bit here--at least, that's my goal. At any rate, enjoy!]

It took longer to get Nick into his new armor than it did for Eirwen to wrap the essence-soaked bandage around his shoulder.

Kaya had never seen such a strange armor before. It was an odd chain mail, that had sleek hardened sections of a light gray color.

It almost looked a little shiny like a bug's carapace, but it definitely didn’t look gross.

Aside from where he sheared through the arm guard, she could tell it was well-designed to deflect blows. The helmet looked like it was made of the same material, the shiny carapace leaving the face mostly open, but protecting the back and top of the skull.

Kaya ran her hands over the armor, tapping them with her claws, and looking over the gaps in it that he cut. “This armor seems quite good, even if a little strange. I suppose thanks to this, I can wear my mother’s old armor.”

Eirwen nodded. “Then you can go all out! Even if you do a full transformation, it’ll be fine! How did you beat your clone, hubby? What was the white light?”

Kaya looked at her hands, as she clinched them in response. She was doing much better with managing her transformation, slowly working her way up. It was all thanks to Nick that she was able to finally start building her confidence up again, especially fighting around Eirwen.

After Eirwen had gotten his wound bandaged, she had visibly relaxed. Kaya had noticed she was all business, until his wounds were taken care of–focused on her role.

Nick winced a little as he moved his arm about, but he smiled. “I managed to combine the essence stored in the blade with my soul and body essence, I guess? It said I made it to Expert Archaen Swordsmanship as a result.”

Kaya was shocked into silence. She knew he was amazing with his sword, but the Orion System agreeing that he had now reached a level near or equal her mother was truly something else.

Eirwen beamed. “Wow! Expert already? That’s amazing. Hehe–did my feelings reach and help you at all, hubby?”

Nick gave Eirwen a look that seemed to be filled with affection. “Heh, yeah. When your feelings reached me, something weird happened–and it was like my essence got stronger. So I made a vow or a promise to myself, that I would really give this Hero’s Path thing my all. It looks like I’m really all in now, the essence within me moved much better after that. I had kinda planned to fake it ‘till I made it, but now I plan on full-assing it.”

Kaya chuckled, and shook her head at his weirdness. “Full-assing it? What’s that?”

“You know. Instead of half-assing something–not giving it my all–I’m full-assing it. They don’t say that here?”

Kaya was skeptical. “Do they really say that anywhere? How’s your shoulder feeling now?”

“Course they do. It’s a little rough, but I should be able to fight with it in a pinch. I’ll do my best to take it easy. The packs of enemies will be much easier now.”

Kaya frowned. Wasn’t he wounded? “Why’s that?”

“Because I’m a real paladin now. I hit level 5. Check it out!”

Nick did something, and waves of energy rippled out in the space around them. It washed over her and Eirwen, not really doing much, but both shivered a little as it passed through them.

Eirwen closed her eyes. “Oh! I can feel that. It really feels like we’re near a hero now!”

Kaya snorted and was about to give a scathing remark about him being no hero, but she barely stopped herself. She didn't understand why she kept doing that–Nick was certainly worthy of praise. Both from his actions, but also his accomplishments and capabilities.

That he now had taken on a Pact that said he would become one, and somehow his essence stirred from his resolve should be like the world acknowledged his drive to be a hero. And now, she was the Hero’s bodyguard, an honorable role.

In truth, she had only accepted becoming his bodyguard because of Eirwen. If Nick died, so would she.

Kaya had no problem putting herself in front of danger on her sister’s behalf–it was something she was used to doing. However, she was starting to change her mind. She was starting to care for the silly man.

Her shoulders slumped before forcing a small smile, as she tried to get a feel for the Aura. It did feel like…maybe a dominating presence, or a controlling one, was near her? It was hard to explain, but she did think she enjoyed the feeling.

“I-I suppose you’re right. Still, what does that do?”

Nick looked a little proud. “I now have a domain around me, an Aura. It should slow, and over time, even freeze enemies that enter it. Even attacks like that arrow that came out of nowhere should be slowed.”

Kaya thought she could somewhat see the effect extending pretty far in front of them, even exiting the chamber–it was like a transparent dome of energy, to her. It had to be ten meters out! She was shocked.

Eirwen beamed. “Wow! You have an ability that influences enemies in an area already? Even a bard class can only affect allies until the second stratum. Your epic class is really special!”

Nick tried to start standing up, but winced. “Let’s give it a shot? We gotta find that boss, too.”

Kaya frowned. “I’d rather wait until you heal for a little further before we move out. Winny’s books said that sometimes you stumble into an encounter, and you’re left with no escape. We may not be able to retreat if it’s too tough.”

Eirwen smiled at Nick, while holding out one of the essence fruits to him. Kaya couldn’t help but feel a little jealous about how she could be so honest and earnest with her feelings. Kaya’s were…a complicated mess.

After she realized what was happening after their kiss, she just remembered the previous betrayal. Her feelings hadn’t been all that deep, but it still hurt so much, to have such high hopes and for it to be crushed so quickly.

“Here, Nick. Have this high-essence fruit, it should help your body get what it needs to heal. It’ll have to hold you over until we have a place we can cook.”

Nick took a bite into the large grayish-blue fruit, and chewed it happily. Eirwen cut one in half with a knife, and handed a half to Kaya with a smile as well, “Here, let’s split this one. We’re going to need all the energy we can get when we face that boss.”

Kaya took to enjoying the fruit as well, the fruit sweet and juicy. The essence of it filled her, revitalizing her, granting her energy for the fights to come.

After, Kaya changed into her mother’s armor as Eirwen spent some time organizing her backpack, having to put away Kaya’s old armor.

Kaya was now dressed in the leather armor meant to stretch out around her vitals even when she transformed into a beast.

Even after just a few minutes, she could tell Nick felt a bit better. Eirwen added another Reinvigorate to Nick, as they finished preparing.

A small scuffle happened near the door, with Jerry and Jerome fighting off a small pack of the silver dogs. Kaya got to see the effect of his Aura first hand.

When one got near, it visibly slowed, as frost started climbing its extremities. It was almost like a cold wind was blowing against their bodies, originating from Nick. It appeared to be a nearly ten or fifteen percent decrease in their speed–the effect immediate.

However, after about three seconds or more under the effect, the speed of the enemies decreased even further. The creatures became sluggish, as Jerome easily bashed one with his shield, sending in flying away with shards of ice scattering in the air.

A thin layer of ice was climbing their bodies slowly, but it was definitely having a significant impact on their movements. Jerry the archer leapt away from another of the dogs trying to bite it, and put an arrow right into the creature’s face.

The knocked down dog was extremely sluggish by the time it got back up, and Jerome easily finished it off while placing his shield between the explosion of essence and where it struck the enemy.

The two servants handled the pack of five dogs without issue, through nearly no action on Nick’s party at all–he even remained sitting.

Eirwen’s ears wiggled up and down, her smile beaming. “That Aura is really neat! I can see how it can protect us against just about anything.”

She looted the enemies, gathering the Essence from the defeated foes and replacing one of the Essence Fruits they just consumed.

“Oh! I hit level three again, and I still have lots of essence to absorb. It looks like I got [Threat Down] this time. That’ll help keep me safer.”

Nick asked, “How does that work? You’ll still need protection, right?”

Eirwen nodded, then shared the ability with everyone.

[Passive Trait: Threat Down]
[Ordeal enemies are much less likely to target and attack you at the start of combat, before you become active in it.]

“It’s not perfect. It’s one of those things that more than double the survivability of an Ordeal supporter. Often, it’ll allow me to get into a safe position before I start helping, or a hidden attacker will be that much more likely to go after you two, which are better equipped to handle them.”

Nick smiled, as he got up and stretched. “It’s something. I’m all for you becoming just a little bit safer. Let’s get moving, and look for that boss.”

***

Eirwen had nearly hit level four before they actually found the boss, and Kaya finally hit level five.

She picked Flanking Strike, enhancing her blows with essence when attacking enemies from the sides or rear.

Kaya was really feeling like Nick was quite reliable. Even injured, Nick was the top contributor with his Soul Servants. She was getting a little better with the throwing knives, but her attacks lacked the precision that Nick seemed to have.

The winding tree and vine cavern was like a maze, forcing them to backtrack and make their way down several caverns as the annoying dogs spawned. Nick’s Aura made them much easier to deal with, and they eventually arrived at the boss room.

The Boss room was a vast cavern with trees scattered throughout. They couldn’t currently see the boss, but the change in scenery was so obvious that it was likely the only thing it could be.

However, the boss was not in view. They stood at what was like a large doorway, and they were sure when they entered the cavern, the encounter would start.

Nick seemed to be taking stock of the room. “We ready for this? A boss is supposed to be tougher, right?”

Eirwen nodded. “We’re as ready as we can be, really. If we spend a lot of time waiting for respawns and earning essence to level up, odds are the boss will simply be empowered along with us. Since we’re not really injured and your servants are in good shape, we should move in.”

“Wonder what kinda boss we’re gonna get. If it reflects our attacks, this is going to be a huge pain in the ass.”

Kaya smirked. “Hmm, maybe it’ll be a giant wollywompus? Think you can handle that, Prince Hero?”

He froze for a moment in his motions as he was looking around, but then gave her a winsome smile. “Prince Hero–I think I like the sound of that. Finally, you have found a name that accurately reflects my awesomeness. Good job, Kaya. You might be the best bodyguard I ever had. We’ll whup whatever’s ass, no matter what comes out, I’m sure of it.”

Eirwen laughed, her ears flicking up and down and her tail swishing behind her. “You never had a bodyguard before, I bet.”

“Doesn’t make it less true. Now, I guess it’s time to get serious. We only got one life, after all, and I am not about to get beat by no bullshit.”

Kaya was surprised, as Nick took on a commanding tone and set out how to prepare for the fight. He actually had each of them prepare some rope, which should allow them to make a decent anchor around themselves to either climb or prevent themselves from falling out of the tree and getting hurt.

Of course, Kaya could climb trees extremely well with her beastification, but Winny’s cloven hooves were not great for standing on a limb.

Their strategy decided on, the team entered the room from the corridor.

Nick sent in Jerome first, with his shield drawn. Jerry remained next to Eirwen, as Nick and Kaya followed in the middle.

Entering the room, nothing changed right away, but once they reached the first tree, a ripple of essence went through them.

The lighting from the green orbs in the trees seemed to shift, giving an ominous glint. The pathway they entered from was sealed with vines, and essence began to coalesce into a creature at the far end of the room. It was nearly fifty meters away.

“Ah, hell nah–what is that, some kind of hammerhead rhino?”

Kaya wasn’t sure how she would describe the creature, but it was like a larger version of the silver dogs. Its flesh looked even thicker, and she thought even from a distance she could see  the essence shimmering around it.

Its head certainly looked like a hammer or mallet, its mouth in the center with odd fleshy protrusions coming out the sides of its head.

The monster took notice of them, and began ambling toward them–its pace ponderous.

“Whatever it is–it doesn’t look like it’ll be too good at climbing. Let me boost you up into one of those trees like planned, Winny!”

Nick sent some magic over to his servants, his ability to order them.

Jerry immediately shot at the monster with his bow, as Jerome began to move in lock step with him toward a tree on their left. Meanwhile, Eirwen and Nick ran over to a tree to the right nearby.

Kaya held two of her throwing knives as she ran to a tree in front of them, but held on to them until the monster got closer. It was starting to pick up speed, but it was heading toward Jerry and Jerome as they headed in the other direction.

She only had fifteen throwing knives stored in the belt and around her body, so she would need to make them all count. She was only about ten meters away from both Kaya and the tree Jerry and Jerome were heading for.

Jerry’s arrows stuck into the creature’s face and body below the neck, but didn’t seem to reach very deep at all. To Kaya’s surprise, when Jerry and Jerome got to the tree, the hobgoblin archer jumped and was boosted up by Jerome, who shoved him up with his shield.

Kaya was happy that she could climb up the tree if she so needed. In general, many trees in the area had branches that were parallel to the ground and a single story up in the air.

The hammerhead rhino as Nick called it continued its approach, altering its course to crash into Jerome.

But Jerome stood in front of the tree, bouncing between his two feet. When the rhino arrived moving about the same speed as the dogs earlier, Jerome dived in a roll to the side, and the rhino crashed into the tree. Splinters of wood were strewn everywhere, the tree shaking from the blow significantly.

A crossbow bolt from Eirwen struck the creature’s odd head, and Kaya gathered her body essence, and empowered her throws one after the other. Knives struck the monster’s side, as the monster backed away from the tree–seemingly unscathed.

Nick’s knives arrived next, one after the other. The monster roared, and seemed to change its hatred over to him as it shifted its focus and began to move toward him.

But Jerome bashed the side of the creature’s head with his shield, causing the creature to stumble somewhat. It swung its odd hammer-like head at Jerome, which he was able to deflect with a sidestep. The monster bit and stomped after him, but arrows continued to rain down from Jerry.

Kaya prepared her next knives, but Nick shouted in alarm. “We got extra enemies! Some silver dogs are running through the forest!”

To Kaya’s shock, she saw Nick approaching them with his soul blade. His Aura washed over her as he blazed toward them, his strides fierce and rapid.

She continued throwing her knives at the boss, seeking for any kind of vital as Jerome danced around the tree, trying to keep the rhino’s attention. Unfortunately, she didn’t really see how even if they used a hundred knives and arrows, how they could actually kill the crazy thing. Its skin was just too thick.

Eirwen’s bolts reached a little deeper than Kaya’s throwing knives, but Kaya thought she would run out before the monster lost enough of its blue blood to even matter.

Looking back at what Nick was doing, she was surprised again. He used his superior strength and speed to kick and elbow them to the ground, before stacking another enemy on it an piercing the one underneath. The explosion of mirror shards simply struck the other enemy, causing it significant harm.

Combined with a couple throws of knives from his offhand, he made quick work of them, immediately picking back up his throwing knives.

Kaya had to admit it–Nick was clever, and talented when it came to fighting. He was a pillar of strength, and now, he walked the Hero’s Path. Serving as his follower was an honorable path–one that perfectly aligned with the Beast Warriors of her heritage.

Then, when it came to making Eirwen happy, Kaya had never seen her so happy. Perhaps not even when Kaya’s mother was still alive. She would do anything to protect her dear sister, her dear friend, so perhaps it was time.

Nick wasn’t the only one who was half-assing his intended role before. She too was half-assing her resolve when becoming his follower.

Her feelings were conflicted about becoming one of his wives, but with his promise both to Eirwen and himself down to his very essence, she thought he was worthy of a Beast Warrior’s service. She could feel it in her instincts…along with other things she’d rather ignore for now.

She sheathed her throwing knives, and took off running toward the boss. Kaya began her breathing, as she stirred her Body Essence within.

When she cultivated, she used the whirlpools just as she taught Nick. However, her mother taught her the Beast Warrior’s method of using it. Visualing a drum beating from her body core, it took on the cadence of her own heart. It sent waves of essence into her body, as she stirred her ferality.

Her body shifted, as she was covered in fur as she grew larger. The energy flowing through her body shifted as well, the pulses from the beats of the drum sharpening as they swirled around her body.

Kaya’s muscles were strengthened, as she leapt at the boss. Barreling into the rhino’s side, her claws dug into the monster’s flesh as she caused it to stumble.

Shards of mirror exploded from near her point of contact, the punishment for using melee with her attack. But her ferality swirled like angry claws around her body, deflecting much of it. Small shards still pierced her armor and into her skin, but they were just small wounds–easy to ignore.

She roared as she shoved the boss more and continued clawing into it, its odd head swiveling to try to hit Jerome still as it twisted and shifted its large body with its ponderous steps.

Another bolt and arrow struck into the boss’s side, and Kaya worked toward trying to claw the creature in its neck–but then, it roared.

Essence ran through its body, filling its odd hammer head. Kaya ducked under its head as it spun much faster around itself in a circle, and it swung in a powerful arc at Jerome.

To Kaya’s shock, body essence also billowed from Jerome, the reddish energy filling his shield as he planted his feet. The boss moved too fast for its size, as it slammed into Jerome’s shield.

The base of the tree shattered, sending shards of wood and a cloud of dust in to the air, and Jerome was sent flying to the side. The tree seemed to lurch as it tilted, but enough of the base remained that it didn’t begin to topple.

Nick’s Aura washed over the creature, because he was fighting near enough for it to finally reach it. He was running around the battlefield, killing more of the silver dogs that seemed to spawn in the area. Kaya wasn’t sure why he focused on the creatures instead of on the boss, but she assumed he knew what he was doing.

She kept her breathing slow and measured, her heart beats like a calm drum as she moved forward. A sense of purpose overwhelmed her instincts as she drew her short sword, rolled under the monster’s odd head, and slashed deeply into its throat.

Kaya twisted her body as the explosion of shards peppered her back, piercing deeply–the cut was deeper than her claws had gone, and it seemed the melee reflection had to do with this.

She was mostly under the creature now, and it tried shifting its body and stomping on her and kicking her. She dodged and rolled as the monster twisted, and added two cuts to its underbelly. Blue blood was dripping onto the ground, as Nick’s frost was climbing the monster’s body.

It rose up on its hind legs, its head twisting oddly to its side–presenting the hammerhead to slam down onto Kaya. But she stirred her essence, leaping off to the side just as the hammer came down where she was standing.

Nick shouted, “Run it around the tree,” from the other side of the monster–it seemed he wasn’t far, though she couldn’t see him.

Properly having the monster’s attention, she listened. She ran around the tree as it now ambled after her, as more arrows and bolts stuck into it. The monster seemed to roar in annoyance as it bumped into the tree as it chased her, but it was somehow gaining on her despite her speed.

Just as she thought she would have to turn around and face it, a blade of white light snaked around the tree, and severed one of the monster’s legs. The explosion of essence was sharp and powerful, but Nick hid his body behind the tree.

Kaya was somewhat shocked at the tactic–it was a clever usage of the environment as a shield.

The monster fell on its face as it lost its balance, sliding across the ground. To Kaya’s surprise, Jerome leapt into the air and struck with his axe at the monster’s neck from the side. An explosion of essence cut deeply into his body across his neck and chest, but he merely took the blow and swung again.

Taking advantage of the monster’s weakness as it stumbled to get up with its rear leg severed, Kaya joined at the monster’s side, cutting into it above its shoulder into its flank.

Shards of essence cut into the skin all over her body, causing her to roar out in pain. Drawing her other blade, she pierced and cut into the boss with her two blades. Her swings were vicious, powered by the strength of her ferocity.

Her feral energy began filling her body and mind as her senses were overwhelmed with pain–the reflected attacks harming her even through her feral Body Essence.

She tried focusing on her breaths, focusing her will, her resolve and purpose on the drum beating. But she couldn’t stop the tide of the wild energy, her instincts taking over.

Her mind blanked as she knew her body now mostly drove itself, her body being filled with cuts as she likely dropped her swords and cut into the boss. Pain filled her mind, but suddenly–a warmth filled her.

The feral energy invading her mind was slowly being removed, a light being emanated from Nick. A small amount of clarity was restored to her thoughts. Was this…that Affliction Removal spell he learned?

A warmth filled her heart, and she was filled with determination. Nick truly removed all her fears, conquering them. She moved with renewed purpose, as she once again slashed into the creature’s joints, stirring her feral essence to guard against the reflection.

The monster’s attention shifted to Nick, but he danced away from its attacks easily, the loss of one of its limbs reducing its movement significantly.

She noticed ice creeping up the monster’s leg, the frost slowly covering its body. She did in fact drop her blades–so she went after the partially frozen limb with her claws. To her surprise, when she sliced into the frozen section, no retaliation from the essence occurred.

Kaya called out, “Target the frozen areas!”

Nick sliced into its other frozen leg, the creature roaring in pain as it fell to the ground, toppling to one side. “Good call,” he shouted from the other side of the monster.

More of the silver dogs charged in, as the boss flailed on the ground. It swiped its head side to side in a scything motion, deterring attacks with its movements as it crawled at Kaya. Jerome had gotten taken out during her rage, and it appeared Jerry ran out of arrows.

Eirwen’s bolt struck it in the body, but the creature continued its angry charge.

“Look out, Kaya! This tree’s coming down.”

The tree started to fall, and Kaya had to roll out of the way, to prevent herself from being crushed–it looked like Nick cut through the remainder of the tree, now that the boss could hardly move.

The large tree landed on the rhino’s body, battering it into the ground. The boss wailed in pain, and its two feet scrabbled for purchase, unable to move effectively. Jerry managed to roll onto the ground, and began grabbing fallen ammunition in the area and fighting off the dogs in the distance.

Nick called out, “Just deal with the dogs, let’s let the boss flail about a bit.”

Her mind intact, Kaya thought she understood. They would let the Aura freeze over the boss, then deal with it after they cleared out the silver dogs.

They did just that, Kaya working along with Nick to kill the dogs. There were nearly a dozen of them, but Nick dashed around kicking them into one another, and Kaya did her best to follow suit, throwing her knives at others.

Nick stabbed into a group of several stacked on top of each other, his blade brightening as he did it. Perhaps, that’s how he could use the white light?

Having finished a dozen of the silver dogs, Kaya could see Eirwen up in the tree, her harness Nick made keeping her up in it.

Eirwen fired yet another crossbow bolt into the boss, which was now barely moving. It had scrabbled itself from under the tree, but its wounds were dozens all across its body, and nearly frozen over.

It stirred its essence within, but Nick’s Aura seemed to have taken over. The loss of blood prevented it from moving much more essence.

Nick walked up to the creature casually, and pierced it in the chest near where its heart or core might be. The boss froze as it wailed, but then all life left it as it fell to the ground, motionless.

[Boss Defeated. Conditions of next floor grant a special Rest Area. Trial will open in 24 hours.]

[4th Floor: Party Reward: Beast Warrior’s hand axes.]

Now that the enemies were dead and the excitement of battle wore off, Kaya felt a bit light-headed. She had lost a lot of blood. Kaya fell to her knees, and Nick just barely caught her, bringing her to the ground slowly.

She passed out, drifting to sleep in his arms.