The Start Of My Day Was Successful. Quite Successful To Be Honest. 'Discovered' Some (most Probably)

I pondered over what he said for quite a while I'd be not the only one that dies... What does he mean with that? Is he saying that he'd die too...? Or someone else? But why would someone else die because of my death? And how would he know that? No... that doesn't make sense, he must be talking about himself. But... why?

Night was falling over the forest. The fire had extinguished some time ago, not leaving a single ember. Which meant two things, I was beginning to get used to the cooler air, and I didn't have to worry any more about extinguishing the fire myself.

I found a suitable branch for sleeping on quickly. I guess my latest experience has loosened my demands to such branches a bit, but it did seem stable and fairly comfortable. And the climb up to it didn't seem like much of a hassle either.

As I had reached my chosen sleeping place I sat there just watching the moon for a while. How it curiously looked as if it had a face and was watching me... or rather all of the forest... or even more.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I waited in the bush

Maybe he didn't notice me but just heard a sound here

He came closer, about a dozen paces in front of me he began growling.

Hê såw yøü hahaha

I know. Shut up. What now? Run or... don't run...? run or not...? run or not...!?

The hound was just a few more steps from me, I had to decide... NOW!

Run!

I swiftly turned around inside that bush and began running as quick as I could

Is it at all worth to try running? Guessing from the guy on the horse this hound is trained for hunting, such a large one probably for deer or stags, I can't outrun him. Gotta outwit the dog somehow.

I ran for my life, not looking back once. I heard the hound still running after me, and I think I heard some hooves a bit further back too. I tried focusing entirely on running, to not stumble over roots or similar, but I felt that I didn't have any chance to outrun him, I really had to outwit him somehow.

Outwit a hound... outwit a hound... come on, I need some good ideas now

I tried looking around while running, but no ideas came up, just trees everywhere, and this quite shallow beck that the hound would just run over like I'd do.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

There was it again, that sound.

What could this be... and why are they so spread?

It was clear that simply couldn't be one singular being making this, not because of the difference in sound and tone, but because of the distance, because of where these sounds came from.

I looked at my arm shortly I'll have to find out later what that was, surely won't fall off for now

...Ss$ûrræ he he hee

He surprised me, and that comment of his shortly filled me with fear What could he have done? How could he have? But I calmed myself nearly immediately again No, he couldn't... just trying to get some revenge... stay calm

So again I focused on the... on whatever was around me.

I was still in the safety of the bush, so I took a moment to listen The water was calm, the wind was calm, the birds were mostly calm too, a few panicky ones from one of the direction I heard that sound from.

Hooves!... deer? No... to heavy... and just one... it's coming closer... barking?... hounds?... why out here?...

It was just about to run by me I opened my eyes and looked into the direction I expected it to run by in a moment.

A horse, with a rider, quite plump man, quite fancy hunting dress too. Right behind him came two big grey hounds.

One of them stopped

and looked right at me

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

What Attack?

Prepare for the Onslaught

Rrëmêmbêãrr zê ãttâck?

There it was again. What attack? It all flushed back into my mind in an instant. I was there again.

'...Survive' She yelled. I ran out back. Suddenly she started crying 'Leave me be, please. I don't want to die' 'Like I give a shit. It's all on the king's orders' Hahahahaha

That laughter. I knew it from somewhere. She started screaming. Louder and louder. You could feel her pain in those screams.

I turned around and ran. Ran to the forest. I didn't turn back anymore, I just ran. Ran for my life, hoping I never have to feel the pain I heard in those screams

Picture Burning House by Nemo-Li

Music Prepare for the Onslaugt by Epic Score

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Whø ëls$ê shøµld håvæ döné ìt?

Errh... I don't know

Æxåctlý

But still, why?

Årë yøû såýìng yôu'd råthër bê dæd nøw? Håd räthêr gôt chøppéd òf yøµr hëâd bý thîs såd ëxcú$sé ôf å swørds$smân?

Nono... Just wonder why you do help me

Ëâsy, yøû'ré nøt thè önlý ønë thât dïê$s

...Wait... what?

Yøû hærd mê, nów léàvê mê bë

No! If I die, you die too? But you're just some... thing, you'd just go back to where you came from.

He didn't answer anymore. What he said really left me wondering. If I'd die, he'd do too. But that shouldn't cause any problems for him. He's just some... I don't know what he is, but I can't imagine dying being of any concern to him and his like.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

...Nightmare?

Underground

After that everything was black. But not the usual black like coal. It was... empty. It had this feel of... nothingness to it. Like there would never come anything afterwards. And there never did.

Suddenly I got the feeling that something was there with me. I saw it in the corner of my eye. But when I tried to look at it, it was gone.

Ssø yöû fînãlly cãmë tø mê

What? 'Who is there?'

Ha Ha Ha Ha Î'm ssûrrë yøu wânnä knøw zät

Suddenly something jumped on my back. I couldn't move so I fell. I had no idea where up and down where but I knew I fell.

Picture source unkown

Music Underground by ◄-NATURE-►

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Maybe a lil warning for those who... don't like blood, there'll be some of it in this episode :D

To everyone else Enjoy :D

And another. Pox!! Why can't I hit him?! I'm the best swordsman of Father's sons!! I even beat the tutor!!!

I sent another powerful swing in this maggots direction.

How dare he jump out of the way. I AM Bhaltair, son of Eoghan!! NO ONE insults me and gets away with it!!

I noticed Hector running towards him from the side. Jumped at him. And bit him in the Arm!! Getting what you deserve you scum!!

Good boy, defending your Master.

He looked at me, and I looked back, into his eyes. I could see the fear, finally he acknowledged who was standing before him. That I, Bhaltair, am better than him. That I will bring justice upon him!

Suddenly Bryn appeared behind him out of nowhere and bit into his other arm.

Bryn? That means Roderick must be near.

Just as I thought that, I heard a sharp hiss, a 'wet' thud and the felon fell to his knees.

Right! Kneel before me, Bhaltair!!!

As I looked up, behind the outlaw, brother Roderick stood a dozen paces behind him. Sitting on his horse, lowering his bow. He came towards me.

Suddenly the hounds whined, loosened their bite and backed away from the guy.

I inspected him for a moment, something was off. There was blood... no... flesh on the ground right in front of him. I knelt down to inspect it more closely. Took up a bit.

Flesh... but so warm.

I looked up, at my captive. All of sudden he raised is head and screeched at me. His eyes were black as night. His face was like the insides of an animal. His teeth long as daggers.

I fell to my back, crawled away.

W... W... Wha... WHAT!?!

Slowly he stood up, flesh falling from his limbs as he began to move them. Long black claws came out of his hands.

“Hector...? Hector...?! HECTOR!!!”

I didn't see him anywhere near. Damn dog. No loyalty towards his Master!

That thing was just standing there, watching me. Was it waiting for something?

Suddenly Roderick rode by it. With a swift move it sliced into his horse and chopped of one of Roderick's legs. At first it seemed like neither even noticed they had been hurt. Then the horse fell and Roderick began screaming.

Another swift move from the abomination. Moments later Roderick stopped screaming. Then...

Rod... Roder... h... h... h... his... he... head...!!

It just fell off. Blood was coming out of his neck and flowing onto his steed.

I... i... i... is this still this felon?

Suddenly he turned around and towards me. I began crawling backwards again. After a few steps a tree stopped me. It came slowly closer, taking his time.

I closed my eyes...

Oh please lord, do something against this demon, I don't deserve to die.

...as I opened my eyes it stood directly in front of me. On all fours. Eyeing me down with those eternally black eyes. Drooling all over my legs.

“Please... please... spare me. I... I do not deserve to die... I have done nothing wrong. I'm sure you want stuff, don't you? Right! I can give you everything you want. Jewelry, Clothes, Food, Women. Everything! Just please spare me. I didn't want to hurt... y... you? Or Him? I didn't want to hurt this scu... eh... Bjork... no... Bjorn! I didn't want to hurt him. Just please please spare me.”

Somewhere in those sentences I began crying. I didn't want to die. What had I done wrong? Justice was on my side. My will is justice.

It came closer to my face. Hissing fiercely at me. Drooling more and more on me.

“please... please... let me live... you've taken my brother... isn't he enough?”

It changed it's weight on it's hind legs, moved its claws to my chest.

“...please...”

Then I felt this pressure on my chest, and saw his claws disappear within me. Blood soaking my clothes. Then an unbelievable pain began moving through my whole body.

“...p...p...please...”

It pressed to the sides and ripped Bhaltair apart. Blood spurting all over itself and the surrounding. Both his horse and the hounds had run away a long time ago.

It just climbed on top of a tree.

Hid there.

And fell asleep.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Note from the Author

Ok, this one got a lil bit longer than usual but I thought it'd be fun to show you guys some stuff Bjorn doesn't really witness. And I guess if I have any further chances to do this I will, it was defintiely fun to write.

Thanks for Following, Thanks for reading & Thanks for your feedback (altho I'd love to get some more of that)

After completely focusing on my arm for some time I had back my own arm and hand. Skin, five fingers, nails, hair and all those small marks.

I ate what I had left, emptied and refilled my flask twice. By the time I was done the sun was high in the sky. My stomach was grumbling and I sensed that I was far from my usual state. I usually wasn't the guy to go jumping through the woods because he was overflowing with tons of energy, but now I was near to drained.

It was time to preserve my energy as good as possible, to think twice about it if it's worth running after some prey. Naturally I had to take some risks, but even those had to be close to a bet I'd surely win.

I left all unnecessary stuff at the tree, including my shirt and shoes.

It was rather warm and the air stood still, so it was much more pleasant to run around with just pants, bow, arrows & a knife. Might have been a good idea to take some rope with me too, to set up some traps in case I found any good spots, but didn't really think of that then. The Idea was more, fast & much. And traps usually weren't the fast way of getting prey.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Awakening

Mystic Moods

I woke up.

Hasty I looked around to see where I was, but my vision was blurry. There was a slaugthered animal right in front of me. But even that I couldn't see clearly. My hands were deep inside of its lacerated stomach.

I pulled my hands out. But instead of fingers, I had claws. Four of them on every hand -- if you could call them that. And all of them Razor sharp.

Then I saw something, in the corner of my eye. It stood out from that blurry mess, nearly shining. What was that? And where was I? I went towards this gleaming thing. Why is it so big? Wait --- I'm walking on all fours?

That gleaming thing -- was it a human? It looked like it. Two arms, two legs, head, body & it was definitely standing on it's legs. I tried saying something but I couldn't. The only thing that came out was a screach.

The Human threw something at me. It was long and the tip was warm. And suddenly it disappeared. Only the warmth stayed, this burning warmth. As I looked back up again the human was gone.

Where am I? Why does everything look so weird? What happened to me?

Picture James Heller's Claw Arm Sculpt by Prototype 2

Music Ambient Fantasy - Mystic Moods

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

At first I didn't hear him at all I was still scared of myself

What am I doing? I do hate this guy for what he did but Just a moment ago this hate consumed me I was only this hate for him no more, no less

I was afraid of it where did this all consuming hate come from and how could it take control over me like that

Many questions, no answers only the idea, the conclusion, that it came from IT somehow through the claw.

But how?

I wanted it gone but I couldn't focus enough not enough to get rid of it again

''Hey! Boy! We're done here! You can go on.''

I looked at him shortly and in him I saw a solution only a temporary solution but better than nothing

''Hit me''

''What?''

''I said Hit me! Like those hundreds of times before''

''But-''

''Just do it for fucks sake''

Note from the Author

Thanks for reading, for following, for liking. It's good to get some feedback, and even better if it's mostly positiv.

Merry Xmas to all of you ^^

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016