Siderius sat right up from his position, his right hand grabbed at the assassin’s knife tucked in his belt and drew it.
The door to the room had been smashed away and there were a group of ghouls standing outside the corridor. They were trying to get in.
Two of the ghouls jumped into the barrier only to be repulsed back by it. A bright spark of yellow flame burst out and lingered on their limbs, burning the ghouls’ skin.
The ghouls were intelligent enough to wipe off the flame and extinguish it. However, they were still dumb enough to keep bashing into the barrier.
"Damn it! I need my swords!" Bas was at the edge of the barrier, holding a chair and was ready to smash anything that could go through the barrier.
"Are you sure this thing can hold all of them off?" Bas shouted.
The noise woke up Quinlan as well. His fever had subsided and he dragged his body up.
Siderius observed the enemy. There were at least five to six ghouls outside, even more. The tight corridor allowed only two to three ghouls to stay around the door at a time.
There were twenty-four people in this monastery. Siderius had killed six of them. There were at least eighteen ghouls left and one witch.
Bas’ biceps were bulging with veins and muscles. It gave Siderius an idea.
The barrier could keep them safe but its capability was limited. They couldn’t just wait for the ghouls to knock it down. In this tight space, it would be a death sentence for the three of them.
Siderius took out a Phosphorus Projectile and gave it to Bas.
"Hold it carefully. When I give the signal, throw it into the corridor." Siderius said.
He slotted a Sticky Projectile into the sling and started to spin it. Once it had achieved enough momentum, Siderius swung the sling toward the corridor, releasing the slagpaste at the ghouls and the floor.
Bas followed right after and threw the Phosphorus Projectile into the pool of sticky slagpaste. The white light blinded everyone and the blue flame took hold.
The ghouls weren’t able to extinguish the blue flame and standing there longer would burn them alive.
The ghouls scattered away like dogs. One ghoul that got a lot of slagpaste on it was too slow. It could only run for a few steps before falling face first on the ground. The blue flame continued to burn it into a fine ghoul jerky.
"That is some nasty shit, Sid!" Bas exclaimed.
Siderius looked over to the counter and whistled. The wolverine’s head emerged from the shadow then jumped onto Siderius’ shoulder.
"Didn’t know you have that little thing with you?" Quinlan said in a weak tone. Read complete version only at novelFɪre.net
"Just a pet." Siderius shrugged. "How are you feeling?"
"A little hot but..." Quinlan looked at his hand. The wound was still there but it had a healthy pink and red color. It was no longer pale and had dark veins. "... I think I’m okay."
Siderius nodded. He threw the hunter’s knife to Bas.
"You can borrow my knife in the meantime."
"Woah! Didn’t think you would trust me anymore after I turned you down." Bas held the knife tightly. Finally, there was a weapon in his hand.
"I’m not that little of a man. Besides, we need each other to survive."
"What are we doing next?" Quinlan said.
Siderius opened the window. Dawn had arrived and the sun was emerging from the far horizon. Bas had let him sleep for quite a while and the night had passed.
Siderius’ energy was replenished. He turned toward Bas.
"Depends on how well you are." Siderius said.
"I’m in perfect condition." Bas tapped his chest with pride. "We’re spirit swordsmen have much higher endurance than the normal people."
"If that’s the case. I think we should confront the witch. Daytime will weaken the ghouls a lot. It’s the best opportunity to strike." Siderius said.
"But we don’t know where they are in this large castle." Quinlan voiced his doubt.
"It’s not that hard to guess. They are in the church. The core of the ritual circle must be placed inside the church where most of the energy would circulate from.
If the witch isn’t in the church. We can break the circle then leave this place."
"Sounds like a plan. Let’s go!" Bas said.
"I suggest we go retrieve your clothes and armor first, Bas." Quinlan said.
Siderius nodded in agreement.
Bas scratched his head. He had been wearing a makeshift robe that was actually a curtain he yanked down from a room. He was basically naked for the entire night.
Siderius sat down on his knees in front of the Firevein plant. With one simple sign, he deactivated the seal. The barrier disappeared immediately.
The blue flame was still burning outside so they weren’t too worried that the ghouls would return. Bas also guarded the entrance in case any enemy would disturb Siderius.
The Firevein plant transformed back to a dry wooden stick. Its leaves and roots dispersed into ash. Siderius took it and put it back in the satchel.
The trio left the bedroom. Bas stayed in the front and popped his head out first, looking around to make sure it was safe.
"These flames of yours sure burn long, Sid. But how are we going to get past?" Bas said.
Siderius took out his canteen and splashed water all around the corridor, creating a singular path for them to move. The water isolated the Phosphorus on the floor and extinguished it.
"Easier than I thought!" Bas said.
The blue flame wasn’t something common in this world. The bodyguard had thought that maybe Siderius would need to do some kind of trick with his hand to put it off.
"When it’s on the ground, it’s that easy. But it won’t be the same on flesh." Siderius said.
Flesh absorbed water extremely well and the Phosphorus dust could get under your skin. It would be hard to extinguish the Phosphorus flame if it’s sticking to you.
With the sunlight shining through the cracks of the castle, Bas and Quinlan were able to see his dark eyes. Full black irises with no white scleras at all.
The pair stared at Siderius’ without raising their curiosity. And he had no reason to explain to them.
The trio found their way back to the guest rooms. Bas was able to retrieve his clothes and armor. His swords were nowhere to be found. They were probably stolen away by the ghouls.
Bas’ armor was much more heavy than Siderius’ hunter uniform. Bas wore a padded gambeson on top and a thick pair of brown pants under. He had leather armor layered on top of his gambeson and pieces of steel on critical points like shoulders, elbows and knees.
Bas’ armor wasn’t a full plated armor like what knights used to wear. It also focused on mobility like Siderius’ uniform and only covered the mass target on the chest.
"Finally respectable. Let’s go kill that witch!" Bas swung his arms around, making sure his armor had been strapped tightly.
Quinlan gave his short sword for Bas. "You should have this. I won’t be as effective with it as you."
"How thoughtful of you. Then I take it." Bas took the sword then looked at Siderius. "You don’t mind me lending the knife to Quinn, do you?"
"Not at all. But I think it will be better if he sticks with the wooden pole. It allows more range and will keep him safe for longer."
Quinlan sighed. "Siderius is right. Give him back his knife. I will use the stick."