Chapter Four - Mr. Ordinary

Chapter Four

Leo

Oliver staggered forward, blood bubbling from his lips. His hands clutched at the arrow driven deep into his chest.

His blue eyes locked onto mine, wide, terrified.

"Leo," he gasped. "Help me. I don't... want to die."

I caught him as his knees gave out, dragging him into my arms. His fingers scrabbled weakly at my sleeve.

"It's okay," I lied, my voice breaking. "I've got you. You're going to be fine."

Around us, the battlefield raged, steel against steel, screams ripped by magic and fire.

Oliver's chest hitched. His breath rattled in his throat, shallow and fast. Blood soaked through his shirt in dark, spreading pools. His hand trembled against the arrow shaft, too weak to grip it anymore.

"Stay with me," I begged, my tears falling freely now, streaking down my blood-smeared face.

"Please, Oliver, just stay."

"Leo," Drew shouted, "I'll protect you. Put pressure on his wound, and do NOT pull that arrow out," l nodded and ripped part of my shirt off, putting my weight softly onto Oliver's chest. He let out groans of pain, blood streaming from his mouth, flowing down his chin and dripping onto his clothes.

I was terrified, something I had never felt before.

"I knew it, I knew it was a bad idea for you to come. Please don't die, I’m begging you," I whispered.

After seeing my attempts to take care of Oliver, Drew wiped a tear from his cheek and stepped out towards the monsters, his boots crushing the bloodied grass beneath him. The air shifted, thick with something heavy, something wrong.

Then—crack.

A bolt of purple electricity danced up his arm, then another, like veins of lightning crawling beneath his skin. The air around him hummed, distorting like heat waves off pavement.

"Arghhh!" Drew screamed as he ran towards the green atrocities, pumping his arms back and forth. The sword he had grabbed from the fallen soldier still in hand, Drew held it with a strong grip.

Drew ran towards the first orc he saw and ducked under a swing from its makeshift mace, bringing the sword up and through its skull. The air around him seemed to warp to his body; purple tendrils of electricity scattered across his body as though protecting him. The next orc tried its luck and swung its blade in an overhead arc towards Drew's head.

Drew caught the blade with his other hand. Yes, caught! Fear spread across the Orc's eyes as it let out a confused whimper. I don’t blame him. The tendrils of purple electricity were now reinforcing Drew's hand. Once again, Drew brought his sword in an arc leaving the orc headless.

I could feel the morale boost to the warriors around us, Drew’s ruthlessness had invigorated a new

sense of adrenaline through the ranks. Blood splattered his clothes, and the ferocity in his eyes sent a powerful shiver down my body. I couldn't recognize the boy who was my friend. He seemed so used to the taste of battle.

I would be lying if I wasn't absolutely terrified.

A wave of fear had passed through the remaining ten or so orcs as the soldiers pressed towards them.

Drew's onslaught continued. He moved like a monster, gaining speed and strength with each monster that he fought.

The leader of the Orc group stepped forward to challenge this mysterious warrior. Drew stopped, looked up at him, and scoffed. I watched Drew spit at the orc chief's feet... my jaw dropped.

Okay, my friend is either stupid or incredibly badass.

Drew raised his sword and pointed toward the chief, "You won't leave here alive, you hurt my friend and the price for that is your head,” Drew growled.

Cool.

The Orc grunted in response and charged.

A small wheeze brought my focus back to Oliver. The color from Oliver's face had begun to drain, and his breathing was slowing.

"Leo.." He coughed as I wiped the blood from the side of his mouth.

"What's up, buddy? I’m here. It is going to be alright. Just hold on, okay?" I pleaded. Oliver brought his hand to mine, which still held pressure over his chest.

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"You know, you and your sister have always taken care of me. My life would have been a lot worse without you in it, you were my best friend. Don't tell Drew," He winced.

How could I have let this happen? He is hurt because I needed saving! How can I live with myself if he dies?

"Oliver, be quiet." I smiled, wiping my wet face. "Save your strength, and how many times do I have to tell you, that my sister is too old for you."

I felt a soft hand clamp on my shoulder, without thinking I reached for the sword beside me and got ready to attack. A woman with light brown hair, fiery red eyes, and black robes took a step back, her face filled with fear and pity as her eyes went back and forth between Oliver and me.

"I... I know some basic healing” she stammered, "I can try and help him”. I hesitated for a second before slowly handing my best friend over to her. Oliver was looking towards the battlefield.

“Was there ever a time Drew had sword training? Or are you sure that is our Drew?" Oliver whispered.

"I have no idea, I don't think I've seen him this way before," I replied as I gently took my hand away from the wound.

"Go help him out, this pretty lady will take care of me” Oliver attempted to laugh but instead spit some blood. As much as I wanted to stay, Drew couldn’t last out there forever, I could see his movements slowing.

I took one last look at my best friend, my fake smile still strong.

"I'll be back, Mr. Ordinary." I winked. Turning to face the Orcs, my smile wholly faded.

Drew was fighting the giant Orc, but this Orc was strong. I'm not sure if monsters have levels or ranks, but this one was definitely high. The Orc swung rapidly. Drew rolled and dove around the attacks, but he wasn't fast enough.

The edge of the sword slammed against his side, tossing Drew across the field a few meters from where I stood. I watched him hit his head against a tree, and land face-first on the dirt. My blood stood still for a moment; he wasn’t moving. That was enough. I couldn't wait any longer. I had to save my friends. A current went through my body.

'How long are you going to stare at your friends die, you coward? All they have done is save you, and you can't even stand up for yourself. You do not deserve their friendship, a weakling like you,' These words rang in my head.

I ran towards Drew, his unconscious body lay between the rubble; I have never been so distraught in my life. The anger inside of me swelled and bubbled over like I was releasing a storm. I turned and focused my eyes on the monster. I don’t have a weapon but the rage I am feeling was too much to make smart decisions. I could feel my body tensing as I walked towards the Orc, its face contorted into a sick smile and my anger overflowed into every fiber of my body. It felt like a hand was reaching deeper and deeper into me in search of power. Like a bucket attempting to get every drop of water from a well. My right hand started to burn like a small fire had been lit directly in the center of my palm. Even I couldn’t ignore that, my attention slightly diverting to my hand.

Green lightning enveloped my right hand and began cackling; power flowed through me. And a deafening sound wave hit my ears as I closed my eyes. The sound of a lightning strike echoed throughout the hills.

Ouch! My hand hurt like crazy.

Something felt heavy in my grasp; my eyes strayed away towards my hand. There in my palm was a sword glowing with a green electric aura. I brought the long sword closer to my face and stared at it. Its beautiful black blade reflected the green tendrils of electricity that surrounded it. Etched into the weapon were streaks of white that almost looked like hieroglyphics.

The soldiers around me dropped to their knees. Before I could say anything, I noticed movement at the corner of my eye. I didn't have time to admire the sword as the Orc leader walked towards Drew, licking its lips as if it was about to have a five-star meal. I urged my feet faster. I had to get there. The Orc raised its sword over Drew's body and swung it down as hard in one quick swing. I shot forward and swung my sword upward to parry it.

The sound of blades clashing against each other was so loud, I could feel my arm vibrate from the aftermath of the clash.

The Orc leader stumbled back, staring at his sword in awe. He let out a confused “Hunnhh?” Where once was an entire thick steel blade, was now a hilt with a small piece of metal sticking out. I had cut his sword in half. I positioned myself over Drew, so he was beneath me.

“You won’t hurt my friends again.”

I felt Drew stir beneath me as he popped in and out of consciousness.

He was definitely going to feel that tomorrow.

Fear was now all over the beast's face, its eyes were not looking at me, but at the green aura that came along with my new weapon. It turned its eyes towards me, it knew I was afraid and I couldn't wield a sword. The orc charged forward, but right before I swung for its head he dodged and sent its fist to my gut.

The force was so much that I slammed my back so hard against a tree. I wheezed and almost passed out from the impact. Drew couldn't stand, if I passed out here; it would be the end of us. I forced myself to my feet and got ready once more. The Orc Chief’s roar ripped through the battlefield. He lunged again, fast. Too fast for something that size. His broken blade whistled through the air, aimed straight for my head.

I dodged, barely, feeling the heat of the blade slice past my cheek.

No time to think. No time to breathe.

The sword in my hand screamed with energy, green lightning crackling as I swung wildly, and desperately. The blade collided with the orc’s arm, severing it at the elbow in a burst of burning embers. The Orc howled, staggering backward.

Then, before I could blink, it charged again. I rolled underneath his attack, bringing my sword firmly into its chest.

The sword began to glow and cackle. The Orc howled in pain like it was being destroyed from the inside out.

It burst into green ember-like shreds and left a small green rock at my feet. Upon seeing their captain destroyed, the remaining Orcs turned to run. Warriors are chasing after them, screaming defiantly over the hills.

I felt like I had zero energy left. The sword in my hand dissipated and the pain subsided from my hand. I dropped to one knee only to be interrupted from my moment of victory.

"Ow, could you get off me, Leo?" he coughed.

"Drew! Drew! Are you okay!?" I crawled toward him, so I was next to him. He tried to get up but couldn't. I could barely move myself, every bit of me screamed as I tried to move. It hurt.

"I got you," I stammered.

"Oliver..." he whispered quietly. Upon hearing my best friend's name, I stared in the direction I left Oliver with the Wizard lady? Magician? "I don’t know."

I watched her walk towards us, I tried to read her face but got nothing. She stood right above us, her fiery red eyes meeting mine only inches away. Tears had gathered on the edge of her eyes.

"I only have basic healing spells. There was supposed to be a group with a high-level healer joining us. They could have done something... but" she didn't need to say more. I forced myself to my feet and pushed past her.

Oliver's face was as pale as snow. His eyes flickered in and out of reality. Tears began welling up in my eyes, and I let out a sob. One filled with so much agony even the witch started to cry.

"Hey buddy," I sat next to him.

"Leo? " he said, "Did we win? Can we go home now?" He said deliriously, his breath slowing.

"Yeah, yeah, we can. Just rest for a bit buddy, don't worry." I whispered to him.

"Oh, okay. I believe in us." He smiled, looking into my eyes before closing his, "I know I didn't stay long enough as I wanted to, but... I'm glad I came," Then Oliver let out one last breath, and then there was nothing but silence. A void of sound, but it echoed across the hills.

I clutched his hand as tight as I could. Drew crawled next to me and rested his head on Oliver's leg.

"I'm sorry, Oliver!" Drew yelled, pounding his fists into the ground until blood and rocks spread across his knuckles.

I had no words, only the overwhelming emotion of agony. My best friend Oliver was gone.