A Favor

Another lightning bolt struck Soul, knocking him backward and causing him to hit his head against a cabin. Dazed, he tried to get up but was momentarily stunned. He lost his balance and stumbled forward, grabbing a tree to support himself. He needed to fight back, but revealing his blood magic wasn't an option. He had to come up with a different plan.

Ur's champion used the same spell again. This time, Soul managed to dodge out of harm's way. He created a small dagger from his own blood, ready to defend himself.

Soul dashed toward the stranger, creating a small rift above him. The stranger, seeing the rift, transformed his body into lightning and reappeared behind Soul. The tentacle that emerged from the rift retreated as the rift closed. Soul didn't have time to turn back and defend himself. He knew he had to absorb the damage.

"Threatening a god?" the stranger scoffed, hurling a lightning bolt. "Unwise, blood mage!"

'Here it comes…'

The bolt struck Soul's back, burning his shirt. He dropped to one knee, panting heavily.

"Create rifts. Use your blood magic. Run." The stranger shook his head. "Whatever you do – you will die. My Lord, Ur, ordered your execution."

"Ur tortures people. They make them pray in his name for –"

"I know. Who do you think is gathering the unbelievers to his temples?" He pointed to himself. "Me. Because it's his will."

"Where's 'your' will at?"

The stranger turned into lightning again, appearing behind Soul and kicking him in the back of the head. The force sent Soul face-first into the mud and stunned him for a moment.

Two rifts opened above the stranger. One tentacle reached out to grab him, but he ducked just in time. The second tentacle from the other rift also attempted to seize him, but Ur's champion turned into lightning, making the tentacle grasp at empty air as he reappeared behind a rock.

'I don't want to destroy this village. I should keep the leash short…'

The stranger closed in on Soul, delivering a series of punches and kicks. Soul could barely defend himself, each blow driving him further into the mud. The champion laughed, mocking him with every strike.

"You're pathetic, blood mage. Is this all you've got?"

Soul struggled to rise, only to be knocked down again by a brutal kick to the ribs. Pain shot through his body, each breath a sharp stab. The stranger circled him, a cruel smile on his face, savoring the moment.

"Look at you," the stranger taunted, raising his sword high. "All that power, and you can't even defend yourself. Time to end this."

The blade descended menacingly, ready to deal the fatal blow. Soul put one hand up, creating an invisible blood barrier that would deflect any type of physical damage.

Just as the sword was about to strike, a shout pierced the air. "No!" Darrin rushed in, his face a mix of desperation and fear. He threw himself between Soul and the descending blade.

Soul managed to shove Darrin away, but not before the sword pierced through his right palm. Blood flowed from the wound, pain flaring through his body.

"Don't you have a kid, you idiot?" Soul said, glaring at Darrin. "Shouldn't you be living for her?"

The blood didn't drip to the ground; instead, it flowed back into Soul's body. He kicked the stranger, freeing the sword that was plunged into his palm. With cold eyes, he raised his hands, and a massive rift tore open the sky. From within the rift, seemingly infinite tentacles lashed out at the stranger.

Ur's champion managed to dodge the first few tentacles – one, two, three, four, five. But around the tenth attack, his stamina faltered, and a tentacle ensnared him tightly, preventing him from using his lightning magic.

Another tentacle smashed into his chin, dislocating his jaw and leaving his lower mouth hanging grotesquely. Then, another tentacle forced its way into his mouth.

"Say hi to Ur," Soul said in a bored tone. "Tell him I'll come for his heart next."

All the stranger could do was look at him, his eyes filled with fear and anger.

The tentacle that had entered Ur's champion's mouth snaked its way through his insides and tore out his heart. The creature then presented the heart to Soul like a macabre prize.

Darrin, who had witnessed the entire scene, stood in shock. "What the fuck are you, a blood mage?" he stammered, eyes wide with disbelief and horror.

"Got a problem with that?"

"Were you the… the one that killed those poor souls in the Quarry! You fucking asshat!" Darrin yelled, his voice trembling with rage. "You murderous bastard!"

"It wasn't me. It was another blood mage who was controlled by some idiot."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Yes," Soul replied calmly. "I do. Why would I try to lie to you instead of just killing you and keeping my secret?"

"You…" the stranger hesitated, realizing the logic in Soul's words. "I… you're a blood magic user?"

"No, he is not," Ōkora, the champion of Nierman, goddess of lust, revealed herself from the shadows. "You will forget everything here. Okay, honey?"

"Y-yes," the man's eyes flashed purple. "I will forget everything."

"Ōkora?" Soul asked. "What are you doing here?"

"My lady herself sent me to assist you. But – looks like you didn't need it. The whole part where you said, 'I'll go for his heart next'? Made me… soaked." She licked her fingers. "I bet you know how to manhandle a woman, Soul."

"Hmm," he sighed. "You can go now. I don't need you."

"You break my heart, Souly."

"Souly?"

"It's cuter. Souly."

"Hmm…"

"Hey, Souly Souly. Can you use those tentacles in bed?"

"No. I'd rathe –"

Soul, sensing the presence of someone casting an invisibility spell, sidestepped and readied his dagger to counterattack. He couldn't tell exactly where his enemy was because they weren't close to him yet.

"No, Miro," Ōkora said calmly. "Let him go."

"But – you want him!" Miro said, ending her invisibility spell. "Why are you letting him go?"

"It wouldn't be satisfying," the champion smiled. "I'd rather him come to me."

"Hmm," Soul muttered. "Right… so I'm free to go now?"

"Of course."

"Great," he replied, walking toward the small tavern.

"Bye-bye!"

"Hey, actually –" He stopped. "I'd like to ask for a favor…"