Chapter 6: Chapter 5 – Spectacle

Chapter 5 - Spectacle

—GROWWWWLLLLL!!!

Eyes on the scene of their fallen friend, Hypnos, Thanatos, and Nemesis let go of their screams as if they had a foolish thought that their cries could bring forth a miracle.

From the anguish in Thanatos' glance to the distress in Hypnos' hurried steps to the constant tears of Nemesis’, it wields no weight against the Chimera's oppression when the moment presents itself as a tragedy.

A stroke of bad luck, that is what it is to them.

—RAWWWWWRRR!

Alarming signals from the beast's roar became all the more silent because of the rapid beating of their hearts and their trembling bodies. 

The sheer notion of a monster and the confrontation of it all, how can these children prevent such a beast from putting an abrupt end to their friend when they're incapable of protecting anyone in the first place? And most importantly, will they manage to survive without the young child's wisdom? 

Ultimately, when the realization of their uselessness pierced their heads like an unrelenting arrow, the strain of this anguish had a negative impact on the children's mentality.

Sooner or later, these crestfallen children witness the reality in front of them with a glimpse of their pitiful friend. 

As the forlorn emotions emerge from their expressions, the nameless child etches her final smile on her face as though implying she's willing to act as a distraction to the Chimera, seemingly wishing for the three children to strive and escape from this monstrosity.

Selfless to the very end, that was what her innocent grin truly meant to the rest. And because of it, she has shaken both Hypnos and Thanatos tremendously, prompting something inside of them to stir into a vortex of an inexpressible sensation.

—SSSSSSSSHHHHHH

All of a sudden during the boys' internal struggles, the Chimera's snake utters an agonized bawl in a strange mist towards its back. 

Is it the smoke of the flame that has settled itself within this forest to suffocate every creature's lungs? And.. how come the plants that were burnt to a crisp appear as though they have withered instead?

Far from that, there is something amidst the trees and it appears the Chimera has an idea of who has wandered within this forest. In that case, the Chimera is behaving in a way that seems like it's in a hurry to flee! 

Whilst the wounded child had her glance fully concentrated on the beast, she took notice of the beast's strange behavior in an instant, as if nothing could hide behind the child's observation. But without time to ponder it all, the young child was facing something dangerous upfront! 

—CRACKKKLLLEEE!

"Nooo!!! You can't die! Please just answer me!! Anything!!" Hypnos shouts toward an area burned by the Chimera's breath of fire.

"..ha..ha.." A heavy pant.

The Chimera's breath left a cluster of inferno in its surroundings, setting the ground ablaze to suffer the heat and perish in the ashes. Yet, to all of the ashes that swirl around with the wind, none of it was...

..the child's!

Straight ahead of the child is a beast of a legend, the Chimera. Fable itself can't describe the sheer might of this monster, and after witnessing it in its full glory, how can the child not be stunned by what she was seeing with her very eyes?

"..ha.. haa.."

Amidst her repeated breathing without any surprises written on her face, the young child wanders her gaze upon the Chimera. From the angst perspective of the child, it's without a doubt a suspension as to why a beast of this multitude would miss a close-range shot...

—SCREEEEHHHH!

Not a hint of disgust towards the bloody mess that was dripping out of the Chimera's eyeball, there was an unexpected arrow that handed the nameless child a second chance at living by diminishing the Chimera's eyesight!

No thoughts as to how an arrow came to be, rather it's a ponder as to who has invaded her cruel fate and granted her a new destiny in life!

In the blink of an eye, her bewilderment which was entirely focused on an arrow manifested itself into anxiety from the foreshadowing chill shivering through her spine. 

‘That.. arrow..’

The oddity of familiarity that haunted her throughout the day, had returned once more with a tingling memory roaming inside the young child's mind.

Despite that, those unknown recollections that had startled the child all day had numbed her considerably. Even as she's disturbed by those foreign memories, she's currently in a situation where she can't afford to be distracted. 

It only takes a mistake to lead one's life astray.

—SPLASSSSSSH!

"W..water?!" Thanatos staggers into a daze.

Without a notice, a rain of waterfall has descended upon those who dwell within this aflame forest. Let alone the arrow that caught the attention of the child, the water shattered her concentration and overflowed the entirety of the trees.

Unbeknownst to them, the Chimera and the four children were pushed aside by the sheer amount of water, distancing themselves from each other.

"Grab my hand!" Hypnos cries out.

At that moment, the young child found her eyes on Hypnos, who had swum his way to her. Even though the nameless child is wearing a baffled expression, she still reaches her hand out to Hypnos, clutching his hand with a firm grasp.

"Guys! Watch out!!!" Thanatos shouts toward the two duos.

"Wha—?!" 

—BAAAAAAA!!!

Out of the blue, while Hypnos' words were cut short by a goat's shriek, the near glimpse of the Chimera breathing in the air and smoke around it sent shivers down Hypnos' spine.

‘Is it preparing to shoot again?!’ Hypnos thought.

Stuck in a state of conflict as Hypnos spares no effort in strategizing a plan, he suddenly perceives a strong grip on his hand, and with that, he shifts his frightful gaze upon the young child's hand before locking eyes with hers.

—SHRIEEEEEKKK!!!

When Hypnos saw the child's glance, a calmness came forward to ease his thought process, but without a second to spare, something appeared once more to send the Chimera into a fit of rage with its thunderous roar!

‘It didn't shoot..?’ Relieved, Hypnos thought.

‘That arrow again!’ The child muses.

At that moment, the unprecedented water is forced to be swallowed by the soil of the earth and knocked aside by the Chimera's powerful bawl, allowing Thanatos to finally arrive at the duo's side while leaving only one person remaining.

"Are you two okay?!" With a concerned voice, Thanatos spoke.

Once Thanatos is a step away from helping the child, he becomes conscious of an unknown disturbance in the atmosphere, and without a moment's notice...

"Get down!!!!!!"

—SLASSSSHH!

With an attention-seeking scream, Nemesis warned the trio of the danger coming from their front, and if it weren't for Nemesis' quick response to this phenomenon, the trio would have been sliced and diced by the claws of the Chimera!

"What the?!" Thanatos gasps at the unexpected change of offensive moves the Chimera has opted to.

"Instead of fire, it's now attacking us directly.." Hypnos comments with a grunt.

"..Guys.." 

The last voice, which isn't Hypnos nor Thanatos, but the young child's, has caused the two boys to focus their line of sight on her.

Even though the nameless child's voice is as weak as an elder's, Hypnos and Thanatos weren't at all anxious about her tone. It was her determined glance that startled them immensely.

"We can.. do it..!"

Is it because the child barely managed to escape death that she's resolved to live the rest of her frail life? Or is it the frustration of being powerless against a greater being that she intends to defeat this Chimera?

—GROOOWWWWLLL!!

No words to match the determination within the young child's eyes. That's when Hypnos and Thanatos shoved their hesitation to the side as they felt aware of how densely ignorant they were.

They should be the one who comforts the child, or at the very least, shower her with words of encouragement to put her mind at rest. And yet, why is it that the child is the one who has calmed their souls? 

Questions like these buried their minds with disappointment towards themselves. Even so, after the child has reassured them of their future once again, how can they be foolish enough to make the child doubt her determination?

All at once, Nemesis quickly reunited with everyone while her constant tears continued to blur her vision. And on the spur of the moment, something with an ominous chill came forth to where the four children were.

With a piercing from the sky, the earth was soon marked by a steady arrow before conveying an eerie sensation to the creatures in its vicinity!

While the Chimera witnessed an arrow missing its vitals, it didn't lower its guard over a misfire and was instead fearing the sinister feeling behind this arrow's dullness. It's unlike a beast of such a monstrous multitude to be expressing trepidation toward an arrow!

Not only the Chimera, but the three former slaves were also displaying the same reaction to the arrow! But before lending them the chance to comprehend this fear, the young child didn't allow herself to fall under this arrow's terror and proceeded to nudge her friends with her fragile body! 

Each push from the child to Hypnos, Thanatos, and Nemesis, leads them closer to the forest while the Chimera is in a daze as the continuous sound of groans is being repeated constantly from the young child.

"Go.. let's go..!" The child coughs with a pant.

"We… need to leave.." 

At this very sight, the three children felt overwhelmed by the nameless child's actions yet again.

"Hey." Hypnos utters. "Pay more attention to yourself, will you?"

Thanatos joins in. "Yeah. Tell us instead of troubling yourself."

With a nod from Nemesis, these three left the nameless child speechless and in awe of their heartwarming words. Even though she was in a situation where she must never let her guard down, this moment gave her a chance to beam a genuine smile rather than a terrified grin earlier.

"..Thank you.." Her words and her smile…

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It's enough to say that it was something that resonates with everyone deeply. And because of this simple grin, both Hypnos and Thanatos nodded to each other as if they instinctively had an agreement to protect the young child for the rest of their lives.

—SHRRIEEEEEKKK!

Without a second to spare, the Chimera unleashes an unanticipated booming roar far more abominable than its previous ones. 

"Quickly!" The child cries out.

There wasn't a sight of fright on everyone's faces, as though they placed all of their concentration on the young child rather than a disastrous Chimera that the children once feared. Although the horror of this beast remains in their consciousness, they have forcibly braced themselves to get their lives together and survive to see another day with everyone!

Their future is rooted in their eyes, the needed strength and commitment inside of them now rests in their legs, leading up to a grand escape from their predator!

—RAWWWWWRRRR!!!

To sprint relentlessly; to ignore the terror behind them; to prevail over the fear that none of their age can ever hope to achieve, all of these is what these children are doing at this very moment while the Chimera roared without a halt!

—SPLASSSSH!

All of a sudden, none could predict what was about to happen behind them. When one would think the Chimera was chasing them, it wasn't in fact what had transpired.

Instead...

—SPLAASSSSSHHH!

The unknown torrent of water has appeared once more to engulf the entirety of the forest...

—CRAAACKKLLE!!

Along with the water flow, a descent of thunder crashes down to where the Chimera stands, striking the beast to the point of agony.

—SCREEEEEEHHHHH!!

What could these phenomena be? Why were there noises that overshadowed the Chimera's? Curiosity strikes these children hard after it becomes difficult to avoid it. And thus, a glimpse of their behinds turned out to be the savage ways a Chimera could perish.

"What is... What in the world..?" Thanatos wonders.

"Do not.. worry too much…" The child responds with intense exhaustion.

"We're.. finally safe.." She continues.

No matter how inconceivable the situation behind them is and how they can't grasp how dangerous those unnatural weather-ish occurrences are, the three children carry on placing their trust in the child without a change to their minds once all of this subsides.

After all, Hypnos, Thanatos and Nemesis are now safe after helping the young child walk and run at their best capabilities. And it's thanks to her that everyone manages to live another day.

"Finally, we're safe!" Thanatos looks at Hypnos.

"Right, why don't you close your eyes and take a break? We'll take care of everything for you, so you should relax for now." Hypnos comforts and urges the child.

"..hm..?"

"No need to be anxious about something happening. After all, didn't you say we would be safe?"

"..um.."

"Is she sleeping..?" Nemesis quietly spoke.

"Shh. I think she is. Probably." Thanatos guesses.

"I think she's drooling." Hypnos let out a soft chuckle.

Hearing the pleasing chuckle from Hypnos, both Thanatos and Nemesis follow along and laugh among themselves. To them, their waves of laughter are a way to release the fear and tensions that built up during their time against the Chimera.

"I guess it's only natural for her to be like this after everything that has happened." Said Thanatos.

"Yeah, I guess so. Let's find a good place to rest. The Chimera is still behind us and it'll get to us in no time, so let's hurry." Hypnos whispers to the two children.

In the end, the grasp of death and the flame of the Chimera's breath can't submerge their feelings of safety and peace. Even as the claws of a beast daunted them, they managed to overcome it all.

..And that's enough for them.

—-------

Far yet near to the scene of a grisly creature, there lies a group of humans who seem to specialize in the ways of the sword as they have their swords unsheathed, wielding it not to fight…

..But to protect certain people from harm's way. Seemingly like knights who swore their loyalties to defend someone, it is a riddle as to who has these knights' loyalties within their grasp.

Further from it, it appears one of the knights has begun to speak in formality to their rightful masters.

"Your highnesses! There it is! The Chimera!"

That said knight has pointed his finger toward a Chimera surrounded by a storm of fire. Not only is the knight unfazed by the situation, he also feels the need to compliment the person who has shot an arrow straight through a Chimera's eye.

Such a feat was outstanding.

"Your archery is r-remarkable, your h-highness!" Spoken by a knight in a nervous stutter.

"There's no need to flatter me. There seem to be people in this area. Make sure to take care of the Chimera." 

This commanding voice belongs not to an adult, but a boy instead. Moreover, he's clutching his luxurious bow while his quiver of arrows is held by a knight.

A bow in the palm of his hand as the near sight of it can lead one to foolishly be lured by the elegance it emits while being unbeknownst to its deadly aura. 

For a human boy to wield such a weapon is truly out of the ordinary, yet nobody within the area is refuting the unpleasant chill leaking from the boy's bow.

In reality, trepidation carved itself into the knights' faces as the slightest tremble could be heard by their clattering armors. To the boy's unturned glance, he heard the noise of those armors, but it wasn't significant enough to conceal the angst of their expressions.

Not a moment to waste, the boy pays the knights' fear no heed while his viewpoint aimlessly wanders off on its own. Without leaving a chance for him to rest his glance on the Chimera, he has suddenly taken a glimpse of the aforementioned people.

"Children..?" Despite also being a child, the boy mutters with clear distrust in his own eyes. 

"How did they manage to get here?"

Even when the unanswered questions enshroud his head wholly, the boy only has one thought in his mind during this unprecedented circumstance.

 

..And that is to save those people!

—SPLAASSSSSHHH!

Suddenly, a stream of water rushes out behind the boy to torment those who are close to the Chimera's location.

—CRAAACKKLLE!!

To add to that, ear-splitting thunders are lashing down upon the unfortunate beast, furthering its torture after being soaked with water only to be electrocuted in a matter of seconds.

—SCREEEEEEHHHHH!!

"Your highnesses! Please refrain from putting a bigger burden on yourself when you're using your Blessings!" A knight warns without any regard to the pitiful Chimera.

Inordinate circumstances had presented themselves one by one to the eyes of the boy with the eerie bow. Be that as it may, he wasn't at all amused by the disturbances, and in fact, he had rested his gaze upon a certain child.

—Whooossshhh!

It's a glimpse that distracts him from his duty while not realizing his arrow that he has unintentionally shot and missed its target without his archery guidance in place.

Who might that child be to cause a stir within this young boy to the point where he can lose focus of his aim?

A shade of red and magenta which perfectly resembles a pomegranate, is the color of the child's lengthy hair. And the boy, who was looking eye to eye with the child, felt her emerald irides deluging deep inside the boy's soul.

As if it was fate that the two of them met, the boy couldn't brush aside the impression he felt during that very moment. Yet, the chances didn't set forth to their end, ensuing a precipitated climax where the boy is witnessing the children fleeing the Chimera.

Within a second, the boy can't afford to be in a daze because of the unforeseen, which prompts him to hurry to where the children are fleeing. 

—SHRRIEEEEEKKKK!

But in the end, the Chimera came forward to put an abrupt pause to the boy's plan, and frustration became clearer than ever on his face.

"All knights! I order you all to slay the Chimera immediately! Do not show it mercy!"

"Y-Yes, your h-highness!"

The boy's desperate voice to remove the Chimera from his path caused an uproar of anxiety and fright to the knights, causing them to charge at the beast without sparing a second!

All of the boy's efforts in firing a constant volley of grisly arrows at the Chimera's vital points to bring forth a chance to witness that child once again...

…is all for naught.

—Swooooshh~

The ashes that are gushing through the wind into the boy's face aren't what he was looking for.

In that fleeting moment, the muddy ground that painted his boots in a nasty mess didn't have a single strand of hair from the girl whom the boy had laid his eyes on.

…Only the corpse of a Chimera remains in the vicinity.

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