Chapter 3: Another Voice
It was not the morning sun that woke me, neither was it the splash of ocean waves to my face. It was pain, gut-wrenching pain that woke me. I was startled awake and a silhouette immediately entered my vision. A beast, one that I have never seen before. The figure looked mangled. Its face was like a panther's but flat. Two scorpion tails protruded on its backside. One of which impaled my chest. It pulsated as it seemed to transfer some sort of liquid in my blood. The adrenaline in my body started disappearing and drowsiness replaced the pain. My vision started spinning. My body lost all its strength and I fell limp to the ground. Just before my face hit the sand everything seemed to stop.
"Child it's not time to sleep. Your life is yet to end and you still have much to do. For that, I apologize." A female voice echoed inside my mind. "I have already granted you my power. I'm sorry, but I don't have much time left. So, please remember." The voice paused as if waiting for an answer. The voice sighed and said, "Welcome home, my little trouble maker."
Remnants of memories flashed through my mind as time continued its stream. Drowsiness faded out and clarity filled my mind. My body became mine once more. My instincts took control and without thinking, I gripped the stinger and grunted, "IN'PONO." Light emerged from my palms as the wound in my chest disappeared. The panther screamed. A wound gradually appeared on its chest. The beast's veins and flesh bulged as it readied to pounce.
The recoil from my actions came. I coughed up blood as I fell on my knees. I tried to dodge the incoming pounce, but my body fell prey to lethargy once more. Fortunately, the beast didn't move. The panther remained crouching. Blood dripping from its chest. Its beady yellow eyes looked at me with shock, anger, and fear. Thud. The beast dropped down.
I did not dare to sleep near a bloodied corpse in the wilderness. It took me a while, but I managed to drag my body to the city. The gates were locked as expected, but at least the guard should see me after a while. Without any strength left, I retired in front of the city gates.
This time it was not pain that woke me up. It was the feeling of warm soup gliding through my throat. A soft hand pushed my cheeks and fed me soup. My eyes fluttered as I tried to open them. "Algaaar! He's awake." A woman's voice rung throughout the room. Hurried footsteps resounded from the wooden floor. I saw two figures ran inside the room. 'This must be a family'
After my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw a sturdy-looking man wearing metal armor. Scars adorned his face and striking red hair crowned his head. Beside him stood a woman with a friendly smile. The woman wore a simple dress, not like noble clothes but definitely not peasant clothes. The man helped me sit up from the bed. His hands almost carried almost all of my weight.
"How are you?" the woman asked.
"I-u I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" The woman inquired very aggressively.
"Linda." The man sighed placing his hands in his face.
The woman, Linda blushed and said, "Sorry. I mean our son was around his age. You know this. After he left to study in the Capital, I was .."
"It's alright Linda. He's still sending you letters from time to time." The man said his voice containing clear melancholy. With a stoic face, the man faced me and asked, "Please forgive my wife. She's just reminiscing."
"No offense taken."
"My name's Algar. I'm the leader of the Sun Brigade and this is my wife, Linda. She's a healer."
"Nice to meet you two. My name's Solomon. You can call me Sol." I said as I stood up.
Algar helped me stand up and asked, "We found you last night near the gate. One of my men rescued you and brought you to us. I reckon your misfortune is related to the chimera near the city? "
"Haha haha" I laughed nervously. 'CHIMERA! That thing was a chimera. Like the thing on fantasy novels. I-ah sh*t...…' My mind trailed and wandered off as my breathing got heavier and heavier.
"I'll take that as a yes." Algar looked at me with worry and disbelief in his eyes. "I think you should probably rest more."
Snapping out of my trance, I exclaimed, "Oh! No, no, no, no. I was just thinking." I calmed myself and said, "Will I be punished for killing the chimera? Is it someone's property?"
"Oh no. Don't worry. That creature was from the war up North. We'll actually reward you for that." Alar said, his smile revealing amusement and intrigue.
"Oh, wow. What would I get?" Algar's words lifted the weariness from my shoulders.
"Considering how the beast plagued the merchant routes for quite a while, you'll probably receive 20 gold."
Being comfortable with Algar, I asked, "Is that a lot? I mean what can I buy with that?"
"Raksha, above! Do you really not know? You can buy a lot with that!" The man was now laughing heartily as he held his chest.
"I'm just joking." I blurted, trying to not look illiterate in front of the couple. "Where can I receive my reward?"
"Here!" Algar now laughed louder tears starting to form at the side of his eyes. Even Linda that was standing near the bed was now smiling and giggling.
Trying to save myself from more embarrassment, "Could I perhaps get that reward now?"
"Sure, sure. May I ask where do you plan on spending this money?"
"I don't know."
Algar sized me up and said, "Seeing as how you can kill the chimera with magic, I suggest you go to the Thunder Spires and inquire if you can learn magic from them. I have a good friend there that can help you."
"Your offer sounds good. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you once more." I said, trying to sound as formal as possible to not look stupid anymore. 'I'll probably need more than that unreliable 'magic' anyways.'
"No problem. Let's go"
"Now?"
"Now."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone