BOOM.
An explosion?
Pratik had created it as a distraction to escape the spot.
He concentrated his Dark Energy Reserves around his arm wound.
He couldn't regenerate his right arm, but he could at least stop the bleeding.
Pratik(thinking): My eyelids are growing heavier...
Pratik(thinking): How long can I keep this up?
He continued travelling through the woods.
Before he could jump onto another branch, it suddenly broke.
While falling, someone punched Pratik from above.
The impact sent him crashing through several trees.
Pratik quickly jumped back to his feet.
He created a magic sword and held it in his left hand.
[Pratik]: This sword brings back memories.
Soon, several Dark Dragolings reached the area.
Suddenly, Pratik sensed the real danger approaching.
Pratik(thinking): Is that the leader of this particular unit of Dark Dragolings?
As soon as he realised it, he lunged toward his opponent.
It was clearly one against forty-eight at first.
Then one against fifty-eight.
And the number continued to grow.
Yet Pratik was still holding his ground.
Soon, everything around him started to blur.
Several wounds covered his body.
He was barely conscious.
All this time, he had only managed to knock ten Dark Dragolings out of the battle.
The others simply stood around him with evil smiles on their faces.
Then their leader arrived.
Enimo.
His size dwarfed the others.
Pratik clenched his sword and rushed forward.
Pratik(thinking): If I can distract them even for a while, I might make it to Lila and the others.
Pratik(thinking): Once I reach Lila, she can treat my wounds.
Pratik(thinking): I might be saved...
Pratik(thinking): No!
Pratik(thinking): I shouldn't do that.
Pratik(thinking): I can't let these monsters reach the towns. It would only endanger the lives of the survivors.
Pratik(thinking): Their lives are more valuable than my health.
Pratik activated Range Shiftling: Convergence.
He focused the entire extent of his attack solely on Enimo.
At the same time, he used Divergence to ensure that any possible attack from Enimo would be redirected away from him.
Pratik(thinking): My stomach hurts badly...
Pratik(thinking): Grahhhhhh! These maniacs!
Forgetting every other pain, Pratik's sword reached within striking distance of Enimo.
The plan was otherwise perfect...
Except Pratik had forgotten one thing.
Dark Dragolings specialised in space manipulation.
Enimo amplified the force of Pratik's attack and redirected its trajectory.
The sword was suddenly turned toward Pratik's own neck.
A sharp jolt of pain ran through him.
Pratik collapsed to the ground.
His injuries and exhaustion had severely limited his lethality and opportunities.
Had he been in perfect condition, Pratik's own space manipulation could have nullified the redirection.
But he wasn't.
[Enimo]: So this is the infamous Dragon Slayer? The one with that ridiculously high bounty?
Enimo looked at Pratik with disappointment.
[Enimo]: Does that mean I am rich now?
The other Dragolings praised Enimo.
Even the ones Pratik had defeated earlier had recovered by now.
One of them approached Pratik's fallen body and kicked him.
[Dark Dragoling]: This is what happens when you try to fight against great Dark Dragolings, you puny human.
He kicked him a few more times.
Pratik, meanwhile, was barely conscious.
His life seemed to be fading away.
Yet he didn't seem sad.
What remained on his face was a small smile.
Pratik(thinking): Grimori, Mala, Kel and Lila must have guided the civilians out of the towns.
Pratik(thinking): I dragged these monsters far away from the towns...
Pratik(thinking): Deep into the Large Forest of Guwana.
Pratik(thinking): They won't reach the civilians anytime soon.
Pratik(thinking): This means...
Pratik(thinking): My efforts weren't wasted.
Those thoughts made Pratik feel at ease.
Seeing Pratik smiling, Enimo became angered.
He unsheathed his sword and struck Pratik.
A final scream escaped Pratik before everything went silent.
The others cheered.
Some laughed.
Some celebrated.
Enimo withdrew his sword and disappeared.
The others had already set up their camps and started a campfire.
Everyone believed they would receive higher honours for their achievement.
Pratik's body, lying motionless, was thrown away from their camps.
Who would have thought...
That the calamity would begin this way?
The eyes of Pratik opened.
His irises were red.
His right arm had regenerated.
Every wound had healed completely.
He slowly stood up.
Something was different.
Something was terribly different.
The person standing there...
Wasn't Pratik anymore.
For now...
The Massacre of the Dark Dragolings would begin.
Haidoro had successfully taken control of Pratik's body.
The Dark Dragolings were completely unaware of the tragedy about to fall upon them.
They enjoyed their campfire.
They laughed.
They celebrated their victory.
Meanwhile...
Death was already walking toward them.
And it wore Pratik's face.
To be continued...