*Garths POV

Seeing the rapidly approaching monster, I feel the air flow through my body, expanding my muscles, sharpening my senses. I jet forward, making a small crater, clashing with the monster head on. I slide to the left, turning to slash at its exposed side and cutting it deeply. It swung its arm back in response, forcing me to block it. I take two steps back, the shock from the blow making my arms shake as it turns to me, closing the distance.

I jump, leaping over its head, trying to land some kind of decisive blow. I manage to land a vertical slash down its back before I landed. Taking advantage of my landing, it rushed managed to slash at my chest, I stepped away just in time, escaping severe injury.

We clash again, trying to overpower one another with brute force. It was then I saw the wounds I'd inflicted were healing at a visible rate. Forcing it back, I observe it in its entirety and see only one spot not healing. Just beneath its right arm, was a wound dripping black blood.

Seeing my new target, I change my tactic, letting it attack, trying to find an opening. It was then that I managed to see, the initial clash is with its right arm, it swings wide! Retreating once again, I watch for its movements, waiting for it to try and strike.

Seeing it cock back in preparation for a charge, I ready myself for an all in attack. It's feet leave the ground as it rockets towards me. I turn my body underneath it and plant my foot as I thrust into the open wound, driving myself forward. I saw the sword start to melt after it entered its body. Shocked, I release the sword and retreat again, almost at my limit.

It looks towards me, hatred in its eyes as it blindly charges again, faster than before. Its head falls as it charges forward and grazes my stomach, knocking me to the side. I gasp for air, having my breathing start causing me to nearly black out from pain. Still reeling, I stand and look over to the monster, lying on the ground.

Seeing no movement, I assume its dead and check my condition. Besides the wound on my chest and some broken ribs, doesn't look like a bad fight. I turn and find Bai on the ground, sword still out, unconscious but still breathing. I let out a sigh of relief while going over, curiously going over his sword.

The runes were still glowing, as if wanting something. Curious, I took the sword and stabbed it into the monster, wondering what would happen. Sadly, nothing did, the runes just glowed brighter for a second then disappeared. I sheathed the sword and looked over to Bai. I had no idea how I was gonna carry him back with both of our injuries, but I had to figure it out.

"You look pretty beat up." Hearing the voice, I brace myself for a fight, stepping in front of Bai and peering into my surrounding, trying to find the source.

"Easy there, you shouldn't move so much with those injuries, even if you think their minor." I see the ever frowning Rorik followed by Ed approach. I relax as they come over, taking in the destruction of the surroundings.

"Well it seems you were busy, and I was right." Ed shows a slight smile as he looks toward the corpse of the recently slain monster.

"Though I really wish you didn't destroy my sword in the process."

"Well, I didn't really have a choice here old man. If anything, if not for that old wound, I would probably be dead right now."

Curious, Ed and Rorik go towards the body and inspect where I stabbed into. It looks like the black blood was still there, having ate away at the sword, it was behaving like normal blood.

"What's this other stab here?" Rorik points to the spot on its back where I stabbed Bai sword into.

"I wanted to test something, so I stabbed Bai's sword in it but it didn't do anything."

Ed frowned then let out a sigh. He walked over to Bai and looked him over, while Rorik came over to me and started treating my injuries.

"How could this thing beat you up so much?" Rorik looked at me either confused or concerned, I couldn't tell.

"Maybe I'm losing my touch." Rorik let out a scoff at my words and stood up, finished treating me. I look over to see Ed carrying the unconscious Bai on his back, ready to leave. Before I go, I gather some dried sticks and leaves with Rorik and throw them on the body and light them. The fire rages in the desolate area, letting off a pungest smell as it simmers back down and we leave.

They didn't ask any questions on the way, I had to think of how a monster could make it this far north. In the best case, its just a stray... in the worst, I didn't want to think about it. Reaching town and arriving back at the inn, it was already dusk. A healing salve was applied to both mine and Bai wounds, Ed carried Bai up to his room while I collapsed in my own, exhausted.

Another day done, though that monster makes me think... what was it doing up here?

Eh, I'll think about it tomorrow, as I give in to the sweet temptation of sleep.