Grizzled

Episode 14

“Lang, you want a different scenario?” I still run in any direction. I don't know, this time we traced the twelve IPS corridor, the middle building.

“What do you mean?” ask Eagle.

“We will not hide, we will go to the front gate,” I replied pausing without lowering vigilance.

“What's in the front gate?” ask the eagle again.

“Still remember when I was locked in class this afternoon?”

“Yes, you want to be locked once again?”

“No, but that's how we are now, locked in this strange world. Have we ever thought about going to the front gate and unlocking it?”

“How could I think so if in the middle of the road we are directly attacked by monsters?” reply Eagle.

Sticky brown mucus dripping from the roof. The eagle also gets the same droplets.

“Don't look up, Shir,” whispered the Eagle, but late, I looked up and was greeted with the roar of a monster hanging from the ceiling. My screams are off reflex. The eagle raised his sword which turned into a spear. He didn't think his attack would miss. Before he knew it, a big kick hit his chest. He bounced a few meters, crashing into a wet field.

I screamed in panic. The Eagle's spear was picked up by the monster, barely being pushed back, but as if it knew its owner, it disappeared and reappeared in the Eagle's grasp.

“Lang! Lang, wake up, Lang!” I shook his shoulder. He groaned slowly, then got back up. I saw a blood patch on the corner of his lips.

“We'd better run!”

“Be quiet, Shir,” replied Eagle.

The spear turned into a kind of double stick weapon —a pair of metal cylinders connected by chains. I've seen it in the movies and was surprised to find out that the Eagle was skilled at using it, turning it here and there and hitting the monster several times. It was indeed a very effective weapon for melee combat, but if I were to use it, it would definitely hit me more often.

Somehow, the chain of weapons that had been only one inch long, now grew longer, wrapped around the battered monster's body, making him roar furiously.

“What are you watching? We have to go!” exclaiming Eagle awakened me who had just been stunned.

“Eh? But your weapon ...”

The eagle immediately pulled my hand, went away.

“Where do you think we should go?” tanyakanya.

“Front gate,” I replied steady.

“Are you sure there's an exit? We haven't even confirmed a reply message in that ancient book!”

“I think we should try to see it first, Lang!”

“Maybe you are right. The first time I reached this place, my position was in the lobby near the front gate. If I go in from there, maybe there is also the exit,” replied the Eagle.

“Well! Is that true what I said?! Let's quickly go there!” seruku enthusiastically. The shadow of being free from this world has been raging in my head.

Unfortunately, a little more towards the exit, we came to a halt in front of the lobby. The eagle spewed blood that was not small. His face was pale for a moment. Just this time I was very worried about her situation.

“Lang! Lang, hang! The gate is not far away anymore! We'll be out soon!” my words convinced him.

“Before, Shir ... My chest hurts so much,” he replied that was still dazed. Well, not-don't because of the kick that hit his chest earlier? What if there's a broken rib?!

“Come, Lang! You must be strong!” I said again then wrapped his arm around my shoulder, helping him walk. He sizzled softly. It's okay, the exit is in sight! This suffering will soon be over.

When I began to optimistically think so, the sound of a roar that we did not want to hear was not far behind. The creature returned, free from the gunshot. I'm clucking bitterly. Even the Eagle who was still in pain tried to walk rather quickly. However, looking at the speed of the monster's steps, it seemed like in just a matter of seconds we would be overtaken.

“I'm sorry, Shir, you better go alone,” said the Eagle.

“This is not the time to argue, Lang! I don't give a shit! Come out or not, we can't be separated! Sakti said so!” my answer.

“Alright, what is the monster's weakness?” tanyakanya.

“Eh? I don't know!” my answer. I've never seen the monster defeated other than with the Eagle's weapon now not in his hands.

“Then what are the advantages?” ask Eagle. The monster started to cross the lobby. My brain is spinning fast.

“Um, hearing! He has a keen sense of hearing!” answer me, “eh?! Why exactly ask about its advantages?!” my many. I have absolutely no idea what the Eagle will do. What was clear was that I was already preparing to say goodbye when the monster was five steps away almost grabbing us both.

I closed my eyes unable to see it. Unlike the Eagle who grinned satisfied to then coughed violently.

“I'm fine, Shir,” replied the Eagle while wiping the blood on his lips. How could something like this be said to be okay?!

“I'm surprised, the effect can even kill. That's so cool! If I knew this, I would have used the whistle a long time ago,” said the Eagle was able to stand stably.

“So what whistle?”

“Now, I don't know for sure, which is clear the whistle has a very bad voice. For us it might be just like the sound of a broken microphone, but for a creature with sharp hearing it would be excruciating. Just so you know, that thing is also not mine,” explained Eagle.

“You always find useful things, Lang.”

“No, the thing itself came to me,” replied the Eagle. Eh? How could? Ah, I don't know, I'm not interested in talking about it. Is it important to know the origin of these things? Better to be grateful, for without them we would not have come before this gate.

This old gate of fragile wood was completely different from my school gate. From here I can see the black atmosphere out there. For some reason when only darkness I see, I remember the creator of this place. Why am I suddenly afraid to step outside?

“You first, Shir,” said Eagle. I still have doubts. This is what I've been looking for all this time. I have to get out of this place! So I tried to convince myself. I extended my hand forward, slowly to the extent of the elbow through the black air outside the gate. Suddenly my hands seemed to be eyes and ears, seeing and hearing clearly what was behind this gate. Reflex I pulled my hand back.

“What's up, Shir?”

“Not here, Lang! Not here! The danger! Quick go!” answer's dismembered. The horrifying sight inside really made my brain go wrong.

Not yet exhausted my shock, a pair of stocky hands pierced through from behind the black air, flailing about trying to catch us. The eagle raised his hand into the air, the weapon that had been left somewhere again appeared in his hand. This time it turned into a sword, cutting off the disgusting hands earlier. Then the entire monster figure appeared, again roaring ferociously, not accepting the loss of his pair of hands.

Two other monsters appeared. The eagle blew the whistle again. The three monsters before us roared ferociously, closing their ears in pain. Had thought we would succeed like before, but unexpectedly, other monsters also arrived. Quickly huddled closer to me and the Eagle.

“Lang, why are they getting more and more?!” manya panic.

“That means, they want a firmer blow. You also close your ears, Shir!” said the Eagle excitedly blowing the whistle. The sound of noise is getting less and less. I can't even bear to hear it, let alone these monsters. One-two began to fall with their heads exploding, but the rest were still strong advancing, further pressing our position.

I don't know if one of the most powerful monsters turns out to be behind me, pulling my shoulders rough then dragging me around like trash. I'm trying to make a revolt. The Eagle's attention was split, he was chasing after the monster who dragged me trying to stab his sword in the belly of this monster. However, it seemed like the monsters here were getting smarter about dodging his attacks. With a single kick, the sword in the Eagle's hand bounced. Thankfully the sword was able to quickly return to the Eagle's hand.

Now the sword turned into a huge mace, smashing into the head of the monster dragging me, making it stagger. Upset with a heavy blow, this monster slammed me furiously then turned towards the Eagle. Somehow it explains how the crumbling of my body is thrown with all my might until the ground around me slips so many inches. I can't even moan anymore.

I heard the eagle screaming in worry. But what is more to worry about is himself. Look at how the monsters swarmed around him who was only alone. I really feel useless letting my friend fight alone against them. The weapon is indeed great, but the condition of the Eagle itself is already concerning. His weakened physique made him occasionally let off guard, allowing one-two punches to hit his stomach. Enough already! I can't bear to see the tormented Eagle accept it all. Trying to get up, at least I wanted to be by his side. At least we're not separate.

A monster growled low, heading towards me. The eagle that had been lying back up, shouted furiously, throwing its sound before this monster injured me. As a consequence, other monsters attacked the Eagle mercilessly.

“Stop! Stop that! Stop hurting! I said stop!” my screams cried out intensely, especially as they began to drag down the Eagle that had already fallen limp. The cudgel that had been thrown back was attached to the Eagle's hand, turning into a sword. However, one of the monsters stepped on the Eagle's hand forcefully, making the Eagle once again groan in pain. Ending already, there would be no use for the weapon if the Eagle's hand had been crushed.

To where? Where are they going to take the Eagle away?! The eagle must not be caught and end up here! I won't let it! With the rest of my strength I got up and tried to catch up with them through the black air behind the gate, but someone had held me back first.

“Let me go! Release him! I said let go!”

“Shira! Shira, awake! It's danger!” said the voice that I recognize belongs to Sakti.

“Leave! Let me go! The eagle is in danger too! We have to save him, Sakti! Hurry up before anything happens to her!”

“Shira, relax! The most important thing is you! Eagles are destined to be so!” kata Sakti's.

“What destiny, Sakti?! What do you know about destiny? If you believe that then no one will be able to survive this place!” I refused his words. He just fell silent.

“Who has the power to determine destiny? Not you! Not that old story! Nor is it the demon who created this place! We will see destiny after trying!” I said once again. I can't help but cry. The shadow of the mercilessly tortured Eagle did not want to get out of my head. Something will happen to him and I can't be quiet.

“I have to catch up with him, Sakti. Whatever the risk,”, I still sobbed, then turned around, rounding my resolve through the black air outside the gate. Sakti held me back, hugged me tightly. Instantly an unusual sense of warmth spread, making my emotions gradually subside.

“I understand how you feel. Of course we will catch up with the Eagle, but not now,” whispered Sakti shriek. I'm back thrashing, not liking being tamed like this. No one can prevent me from catching up with the Eagle!

“Soaring, Sakti! Don't block me! Release him! Let go of me!”

“Yes, Shira! I knew! You need to calm down!”

“No want! You're just blocking me!”

I was getting louder, more thrashing, but Sakti locked my movements so strongly. With just a small pinch at the base of my nose, he made me fall unconscious.

“Sorry, for a while, you need to calm down first.”

.Seriate.