Zach glanced to the side.
The surrounding area looked like an oasis in a dream-like world. Stunning bright-colored flowers pulsed with a strange light; below him were wet and lush grass that thrived off the dazzling sunlight pouring from above.
In the distance, something resembling palm trees leaned over, casting shifting shadows over the mirror of turquoise waters. He turned over, and Behind him was a waterfall towering over the oasis, its clear waters cascaded down gracefully into the lake behind him, sending ripples that clawed at the dry grass.
The smell of fresh flowers and the sound of leaves swaying wrapped around him like an illusion.
"I think we left one alive..."
Zach's awe quickly turned to horror as his glance shifted to two humanoid beasts standing beside a carnage.
One pointed at the human who somehow escaped the beast in the water.
In the distance were two grotesque nightmares. One was wrapped in black scales, towering over the other; its eyes slit like a snake's as its arms stretched unnaturally long, reaching its knees.
"I think we didn't kill this one properly."
The shorter one—who had a bestial grey hide and claws that curves like sickles—snickered, waving its unnaturally long tail that ended with a blade long enough to be called a sword.
_Boom_
The pressure was instant.
Zach clutched his chest, coughing up blood. His vision blurred; he felt like he was about to pass out.
Why... why didn't I see the signs?.....
He clearly heard their voices, signaling they were capable of human language. Which means... they were fiends.
As the monsters climb the ranks, they not only improve in power but also in intelligence. Thyxars who've reached the fiend level could kill Zach in an instant if they thought about it. Basically, the fact Zach was still alive was by their mercy.
"I told you to kill them properly, didn't I?" the short beastly one with the tail folded his arms and rested on the carriage.
"How am I supposed to know if they're dead or not? Those things are unbelievably squishy." The taller reptilian one hissed.
"Now one of them survives!, If we kill him now, the blood in the water will be a dead giveaway."
Wait?, are they... arguing?
Those two weren't paying attention to Zach at all.
Zach's strength was gone; his soul essence was depleted. It would take quite some time to build it up, probably a few minutes before he could run like usual.
Can I escape?...
The duo went at it as Zach looked around. The only thing he saw was lush grass and beautiful flowers.
"Fine, I'll kill the cretin!"
"Good!" The shorter one rested as the taller one reached behind its back unsheathing a greatsword.
"You've caused me trouble, boy?" The reptilian Thyxar stopped near him raising its blade.
Is this the end of me? It can't be... Zach gritted.
The greatsword came down on him. Zach closed his eyes.
Then, from the underbush, a glint flashed.
_Slouch_ _Twack_
AAAAAHHHHH!
The piercing scream made Zach's eyes fly open.
The serpent clenched its severed hand that bled on the grass.
"Oh, I didn't expect to see these vile cretins here." A voice echoed.
Zach turned to the side. A middle-aged man, wearing an armored vest, stepped through the thick range of grass with a tired expression. Wielding a straight sword.
What?... how? He was there... yet his slashes reached here?... somehow.
Zach's body was still trembling due to the the adrenaline.
"Arrgghh... what is this guy doing here?.. What about the defense battalion?" the snake hissed.
"Oh, those guys?" The man poked his ear with his pinky.
"No wonder they tried to stop me..."
The two beasts eyes flew open in shock.
"You... you managed to kill out the entire squad??" veins bulged on Beasty's forehead.
"He must be a Star knight be careful..." the tall reptilian placed his hand in the beasts shoulder.
Star knight?...
"I'm the reinforcement sent here by the Persian emperor himself." He explained, walking towards the duo.
"You think we're afraid of you?" One smirked. The reptile raised his hand, which regenerated in an instant.
"As expected... a fiend's regeneration is insane."
The tall reptile bared his blade as the shorter one crouched, ready to lunge at any moment.
The knight widened his stance.
Wait!? Have I seen him somewhere?... No, it was Zach's inbuilt memories; this guy was Sir Ingrid, an apprentice of one of the king's personal guards.
_Boom_
Ingrid dashed; his blade morphed into lightning as he moved at unparallel speeds, hurdling furies of blows as he closed the gap, the two Thyxars weren't slacking off either; the serpent used its towering blade to close the gap, while Beasty used its sword-like tail and deadly claws to launch furies of attacks in quick succession.
The battlefield exploded with movement. Ingrid danced with ethereal serenity, lashing his blade like a whip in a violent fury that shattered the ground when parried by the serpent's greatsword.
They're on equal footing!?
But it seems the knight is at more of a disadvantage in terms of numbers. Ingrid hopped over Beasty, parrying the serpent's charging blade.
His sword glowed red as he moved. Soon enough, Zach couldn't see their figures anymore due to the speed they were moving at.
Fast!
They moved like blurs; the only visible thing was the knight's glowing blade zipping past and clashing against the opposition. Sparks flew as a deafening sound of lashing whips echoed.
I can't stay here anymore... If those monsters win — I'll be as good as dead.
A bit of Zach's soul essence had returned, so Zach could at least get away from the danger.
He stood, but he couldn't run towards the forest; he could run into a Thyxar and die a meaningless death. He got lucky once; he won't test the god of luck by doing stuff that has a chance of death.
There was another way to get to the human capital located at the top of the cliff, Zach's memories were clear; hidden behind the cascading falls, there was a hidden passage that led up the mountains, only known to a few to evacuate the kingdom if need be.
And the giant serpent underneath made it the perfect escape route, so enemies couldn't get in to find it.
[29/100]
Zach dove into the lake, transforming into a salmon just before his body hit the water.
His soul essence wasn't much, but he would only have to activate it for a few seconds. Zach just needed to imagine himself as a fish to transform.
He darted towards the waterfall; a massive shadow underneath him writhed.
The serpent...
[15/100]
Zach's pace quickened, reaching the waterfall and jumping out into a cave.
Zach landed in his human form; his clothes were completely drenched with spring water.
"Ahh, what a hassle..." he sighed with a tired expression
Zach could still hear the battle going on beyond the veil of cascading waters, however he decided it was none of his business anymore.
But Zach secretly rooted for the knight.