Almost the Chosen One

Season 2 - Episode 4: The Showdown

Klarvik faced off against Steve at the edge of the forest clearing. Although Klarvik was intoxicated, he looked every bit as dangerous and menacing as usual. He circled Steve, his broadsword drawn and ready at his side. Steve gripped his double bladed axe in both hands, his eyes trained on the towering warrior in front of him.

The other twelve warriors slowly gathered around, watching with great interest as the two circled each other.

My heart beat fast, watching the frightening scene playing out in front of me. Steve had learned a lot in our short time here and progressed quickly as a fighter. But I doubted he was a match for a seasoned warrior with a lifetime of battles under his belt.

As much as I wanted to jump in with a blast of magic and help my friend, I knew such a move would doom both of us. Klarvik had twelve warriors backing him up. If I got involved it just gave all of them a reason to join the fight. If that happened, Steve and I stood no chance.

Klarvik made the first move. He lunged forward, driving the point of his sword at Steve’s gut. Steve spun nimbly to the side, his axe diverting the blade with a metallic clank. The two fighters retreated, resuming their slow circle and watching each other for the next move.

To my surprise, Steve made the next move. He faked a charge, causing Klarvik to guard, then drew back. In the moment where Klarvik was caught between defense and a return to his ready stance, Steve drove in with a spinning attack, his axe swinging overhead like a helicopter blade. The move was so swift and nimble, I could barely believe it was Steve behind it.

As fast and skilled as the attack looked, Klarvik wasn’t thrown. He adjusted instantly and struck the head of the axe, sending Steve off balance. Klarvik took advantage of the moment and drove his armored shoulder into Steve’s side.

Steve flew sideways and went tumbling across the ground in a cloud of dust. The surrounding warriors cheered and clapped. Klarvik turned to face them, raising his hands in the air as if the fight was already won.

Steve rose to his knees, holding his side and coughing. A sinking feeling spread through my stomach.

Without warning, Klarvik turned back and rushed Steve, his blade lifted high above his head.

I wanted to cry out but the words caught in my throat.

Steve realized the danger as the giant man closed in. At the last moment, Steve rolled away, barely avoiding the downward slash of the warrior’s blade. Steve used the momentum of his roll and swung his axe toward the back of Klarvik’s leg.

Klarvik cried out and stumbled forward, crashing into a thick grouping of bushes at the edge of the forest.

The other warriors fell silent at the sight of their fallen leader. Klarvik cursed and struggled to free himself from the thick tangle of bushes.

Steve scrambled back to me. “How am I doing?”

“You’re still alive and you have all your limbs. I’d say you’re doing great.”

“This guy is fast. Even after all that drinking. I’m glad he didn’t challenge me sober.”

“No doubt.”

Klarvik freed himself from the bushes with a shout. “Where’s Drisk? Get over here. Fight me!”

Steve shook his head. “Pray for a miracle.”

“You got it,” I said.

As Steve readied himself, Klarvik charged forward once again. In the dark of night he seemed like some hideous combination of bear and man covered in armor.

A sharp clang of metal resounded through the forest as blade met axe. Steve and Klarvik stood toe to toe as the weapons clashed again and again. Klarvik pressed forward, using his superior strength to drive Steve back.

The look on Steve’s face was part concentration, part terror. I felt horrible that my best friend had to go through this. I gripped my staff, determined if things turned dire, I would step in, regardless of the consequences.

Klarvik continued to drive forward, his massive form towering over Steve. The giant man drew his arm back, preparing for a dangerous slash of his sword. I tensed, preparing for the impact.

Steve anticipated the strike and instead of blocking it, he ducked beneath with a low roll. He rose up swiftly and swung his axe against Klarvik’s back. The giant warrior let loose a below of pain and fell to his knees. A thin stream of blood dripped from a wound by his shoulder blade. The cut didn’t look deadly but perhaps it would be enough to stop the fight.

“Well?” Steve said. “Are you satisfied? I told you, I’m Drisk, the deadly assassin. Now let’s call it a draw and get some sleep.”

Hope rose in me that Steve had proved himself and perhaps that was enough for Klarvik to concede and the fight would end.

Klarvik glanced up at Steve, a slight grin on his face. “A lucky hit. But the fight is far from over.” His hand flung toward Steve like a cobra strike. A handful of dirt left his hand and hit Steve in the face.

Steve stumbled backward, clutching his eyes. “I can’t see!”

I stood, gripping my staff. “That’s cheating.”

“Sit down, enchanter.” Klarvik sprang back to his feet and pointed his sword at me. “You’re next.”

Klarvik rushed Steve, preparing to deal the final strike. A small, black shape darted into the clearing from the forest headed straight for Klarvik. Shafts of moonlight streaming through the branches revealed the dark shape was a crow with glowing red eyes.

The crow dove toward Klarvik’s face with a sharp screech. The crow’s talons racked across his head. Klarvik screamed and crumpled to the ground, clutching his eyes.

A multitude of cawing erupted from the surrounding trees as dozens of crows flew down and attacked the warriors. Shouts and cries of pain rang out as weapons were drawn. The clearing erupted in chaos as the warriors tried to fend off the crow attack.

Several crows dove toward me in sweeping arcs, their sharp talons leaving gashes in my arms as I covered my head. I dodged behind a tree, calmed myself and focused on my magic abilities. I gripped my staff and spun back into the clearing, letting loose a whirlwind in the air above me.

Dust and leaves spiraled up from the forest floor and swept into the sky along with the surrounding crows just above me. I glanced over at Steve to find him flailing on his back, at the mercy of half a dozen crows.

I rushed to Steve’s side, maintaining the whirlwind like a shield above us. Steve had multiple wounds across his arms and shoulders from the crow’s talons.

“You okay?” I said.

Steve blinked, trying to focus. “Do I look okay? My arms are on fire. And I can barely see. That idiot threw dirt in my eyes. What is this, the third grade?”

“Come on. I can’t keep this magic going for long. We’ve got to get out of here.”

The clearing had nearly emptied. Warriors fled through the forest in all directions, desperate to escape the onslaught of crow attacks. A few warriors, including Klarvik, lay motionless on the forest floor.

I helped Steve to his feet. “We should head into the forest. Can you see well enough?”

Steve blinked a few more times. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Good. Just follow me. I’ll lead the way.”

I plunged into the forest at a steady jog, moving through the trees and trying to gain distance from the clearing. Steve’s footsteps thudded behind me. Thankfully, he was able to keep up the pace.

I glanced back to find a crow pursuing us. He flew just underneath the heavy boughs of the trees, dodging between the thick trunks.

We reached a spot where gnarled tree roots spread out between trees, creating a tricky path forward. Steve stumbled and fell to the ground.

I turned back and hurried to his side. “Sorry. Rough terrain here.”

“Tell me about it.” Steve blinked and shook his head. “My vision is finally clearing. I think I’ll be okay from here.”

“Great. Because I think we should keep moving.”

Steve stood and brushed himself off. “Yeah. I want to get as far away from here as possible.”

A flapping of wings sounded above us. Dozens of crows flew down from the branches and spun together like a twister as they hit the forest floor. The dark shapes pressed closer and morphed into a tall, old man in a cloak holding an ebony staff.

Shafts of moonlight revealed the grim face of Lord Feskril, King Dormont’s former advisor.

“Well, well,” Lord Feskril narrowed his eyes. “If it isn’t the chosen ones. Now that I’ve taken out your warrior friends, you are at my mercy.” He grinned. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time.”