CHAPTER 45: VAGABOND.

I keep running, gripping my sword tight...too tight.

I feel a sudden vibration. I stop running, halting with the wind. My breathing is ragged and loud.

The rocks around are crackling. I can feel the vibration beneath my feet. Where is it coming from?

From the distance, I can see the cave crumble to rubble. Is Arya still inside?

I immediately shrug the thought off. She is a traitor - the cause of everything.

I turn on my heels and keep going. My feet skim over the endless rocky landscape with a distant feel - like I’m not actually touching the ground.

The wind washes over my face and makes my skin feel cold as the perspiration on my face begins to evaporate.

I’ve lost my focus completely, I’m not sure I would be able to face my nightmare with my usual stoic confidence.

I stop running and rest my hands on my knees to catch my breath. As I am hunched over, I see a shadow move through the gap between my spread legs.

I dash away and unsheath my sword, putting enough distance between myself and my prospective enemy.

To my utter shock, I see Arya standing there. She looks exactly the same, except that her eyes are black and lifeless.

She looks angry, indignant...hateful. For a moment, I am almost fooled.

[I believe that your level of fear has exceeded the limit you flagged. I kindly advise that you run]

I almost can’t believe my ears. The System is advising me to run?

Her hand slowly morphs into a long double-edged sword with several pointy spikes on both ends. She drags it along the ground as she approaches me. The sound of metal grinding along stone makes me shiver.

If only Arya can see how creepy my nightmares can be, she’d take back her words.

Her lips start widening into a creepy grin. My blood runs cold. I can feel my hands shaking. I weigh the two options I have in my head. Should I run? Should I fight her?

Nightmare or not, it will hunt me if I kill her.

I turn on my heels and start hopping from rock to rock. I barely spare any second before I hop to the next rock. She, however, is running on the ground and avoiding the rocks.

She makes no sound, no grunt, no panting or exertions, just calculated and intimidating silence.

Nightmare Arya is hard at my heels. I can’t see much of an escape.

Her sword turns into a huge bass hammer and she swings it at my fleeing back.

From my side eye, I detect the attack and dodge just in time.

The hammer pounds into the ground and the ground splits. It splits in between my spread legs and I watch with horror as it widens beneath me.

I can’t hold my stance. Before I can jump up, she swings at me again.

Her hammer slams into the side of my head and I slip into the crack.

Before I fall completely, I manage to grip one of the protruding rocks on the surface.

Her hammer morphs back into a sword soundlessly and she swings it at my hand. I quickly retract my hand and I slip deeper into the crack.

The sleeve of my coat is caught on a coarse rock surface.

She stoops down to look into the crack. All I can see well is her white teeth, glimmering like pearls in the darkness.

[Count down sequence initiating].

My heart nearly stops. Then it starts beating faster with hope. Once the count down ends, my nightmare is over.

Seven.

She sticks her sword into the gap.

I dodge to the side, using my left leg to push against the rock and balance myself.

Five.

She pokes at me again. This time, I can’t move easily. My body is resting heavily against one side and my sleeve is still stuck to the rock.

Her sword grazes the side of my abdomen.

I grit my teeth to prevent myself from grunting in pain.

Three.

She leans in lower to get a better reach. I realize that I’ll lose because I haven’t defeated my nightmare.

I grip her hair with my free hand as she is stooping and burn her face with heat generated by my lightning. She starts to turn into a pool of black sloppy liquid, but the timer ends before I watch her get finished off.

---

I appear in my bedchamber in the Vault. I made it back.

The System appears and deposits 2000 coins in my account.

My eyes widen in shock. The highest I ever earn is 1000 coins and some additional bonuses.

Why am I being awarded 2000 coins? Is it because I killed Arya in my nightmare? Is this some sort of joke?

Or is it because I used my powers? I’ve exposed myself. Fang must have been watching.

Or could the extra be for last minute survival techniques?

"System, break down my coin earnings".

It shows ’processing’.

[Information not found. I assume you have been given a raise, Master].

I dismiss the System with a brisk wave of my hand.

I touch a hand to my wounded side. It still hurts badly.

I purchase a white lotus and eat it. It instantly reminds me of Arya, when she forced the damn thing down my throat. I shake my head at the thought.

The wound disappears completely, but my garment is still slitted in the spot where the wound had been.

I hear the slow sound of calculated movement approaching me. I immediately jerk my head up.

Fang is standing there, a hand on her waist, looking grim and angry.

I don’t flinch, I meet her gaze right on.

Her mouth is a thin line.

What does she want? I’m angry enough right now to go one-on-one with her, or anyone else for that matter. Even Claw.

"Surrender to me. I’m willing to fight you".

I blink in shock.

Where is her sudden desperation coming from all of a sudden?

She elongates her claws and spreads her arms.

Is she trying to test my capabilities now that she has seen a glimpse of my power?

I quickly glimpse at the oak door behind her. No chance of escape.

"I gave you my conditions. Fighting you was not part of the bargain".

A sly grin tugs at the corner of her lips. She walks forward until she is a hand’s length away from me.

"New rules. If you win, I grant one of your requests. And if I win, you’ll be mine forever".

"How do I know you’re not lying?"

"Because I’m making a vow to you. Not just any vow - a Binding Vow".

Binding Vows are unbreakable. They seal souls, and if broken, can result in disastrous situations.

I scoff. Her words are still weightless.

"And if I don’t agree to spar with you?"

"You can’t. I’ve already bound you in the Vow".

What?

"How is that even possible?"

She steps backwards and starts circling me slowly. She doesn’t answer my question.

I reach for my sword, but she waves it away from my grasp with a slight movement of her hands.

"No weapons".

She charges forward, her red eyes glinting with danger.

She is trying to break my external defence with physical attacks. My electricity forms an impenetrable aura around me, preventing magical attacks, but not physical attacks. It crumbles when I am physically weak - which is what she is trying to do.

I dodge her attack and hold her hand. Her nails grow long enough to pierce my hand, making me realize my mistake. I immediately release her and stare at the five painful slits on my arm. The slits slowly begin to blacken.

She waves a slash of wind at me and I fly backward, crashing roughly into the bookshelf. The books immediately start raining on me due to the impact. I grunt, a barely audible sound.

"Why aren’t you fighting me?"

I remove the books on my head slowly and look at her. A smug smile rests on her arrogant face.

I grip the rug and pull it from under her feet. She slips slightly. As expected, she is taken off-guard.

I use the opportunity and strike her with my lightning bolt. I push myself forward as I summon all my energy during the attack.

The impact sends her flying across the room and through the wall. The wall shatters on impact and the other room is exposed to my view.

I can see the red tapestry and velvet drapes.

I shove the remaining books off my body and rise to my feet.

My heart starts pounding wildly as I approach the hole in the wall. I keep my breathing controlled.

I’m not surprised when I don’t see her lying on the floor. There’s no trace of her, just a clustered reading desk and a well-made bed.

I start charging another lightning bolt between my fingers. I watch it grow between my hands as I wait for the perfect moment.

Within the twinkling of an eye, she touches my forehead.

The lightning I had been charging leaves my hands and explodes.

Then, everything goes dark.