Chapter 102 - Richards Trial (1/2)

”Richard! You really need to get it together.” Ben scolded his reticent comrade as they hurried down a chaotic backstreet, heading towards the noble district of Säravast.

It was nothing but pure pandemonium unfolding all around them, no matter where one looked there was madness. People were fighting in the streets, using any weapons that they could get their hands on as they bludgeoned each other. Once beautiful storefronts that displayed fine clothing and expensive wears were now shattered, felonious opportunists running inside and hauling away anything that wasn't bolted to the ground. Gut-wrenching screams filled the air as the entire city seemed to be falling into a state of unbridled debauchery.

The three students clung to each other as they carefully weaved through the fighting and frenzied hordes of people. Richard, with his timid personality was having the most difficulties out of the three of them, his apprehension acted like a beacon to those that had less than wholesome intentions. Ben and Laura had just broken through a group of thugs blocking off the street, demanding a ridiculous toll to pass.

”I'm… I'm sorry, I just, they're people.” Richard stammered, ashamed of himself for not helping the others even as the group of men attacked them with lecherous eyes directed at Laura.

”They're not people anymore Richard. Just look around you.” Laura pointed to all the irrational people around them, her voice gentle but firm. ”I don't know what's going on, but they aren't in their right minds anymore.”

Richard nodded his head as he let out a breath he'd been holding, it would be hard for him to view human beings as anything other than that, but he also knew that now was not the time to hold back. They would need to work together to be able to make it into the noble district, there was no telling what they might run into.

”Good.” Laura said, seeing Richard's affirmation. ”Let's keep moving, I think we're close.”

They continued on at a hurried pace, taking back alleys and smaller roads, actively avoiding the more populated areas. As they approached the noble district, they began to notice that less people were fighting each other and instead were running as quickly as they could away from the district. After a few more minutes they discovered what they were running from.

”What is that thing?” Ben asked no one in particular.

”I… I don't know.” Laura said, her voice wavering.

The three of them ducked behind a building just after rounding a corner heading down a back alleyway. Further down the dim alley was a man, crouched down, biting, and clawing at another man that was feebly struggling to crawl away. The man cannibalizing the other had his back toward them, so they were unable to see his face, but they were able to hear the pleading screams the other man was making.

”C'mon, we need to do something.” Laura said with conviction as she stepped out into the alleyway.

Reciting a short chant, Laura sent a spear of earth hurtling toward the human turned monster. The three-foot long spike drove into the monster's back, sticking out the front of its chest. Except for the monster jerking from the sudden attack, it seemed completely unfazed as it whipped its head around to glare at Laura with its hungry, black eyes. Opening its mouth in a muted shriek, the monster abandoned the dying man and sprinted towards them.

Laura, due to the experience gained during the calamity that befell Swayzee, quickly weaved another spell. Realizing that she couldn't kill it quickly enough, she directed her spell at its pumping legs. The unpaved alleyway suddenly turned into quicksand, swallowing the rapidly approaching 'thing' up to its abdomen and causing it to bend at the waist violently, slamming its face into the hard ground in front of it.

Recovering quickly, the monster thrashed around, desperate to escape the trap and attack the three students. Laura, Ben, and Richard all hesitantly approached the monster, being careful not to come within arm's reach.

”We should hurry up and kill it.” Ben stated, not wanting to take the risk of it escaping.

Richard, as timid as always, hugged himself with his arms and stared at it with wide eyes as the monster gnashed its cracked teeth. ”We should go back to the inn. Professor Kal said we'd be safe there.”

Laura rolled her eyes so hard they hurt; she was coming to her wits end dealing with her classmate's cowardice. ”Fine. Go ahead and go back if you want, we won't stop you.”

Richard looked to Ben who just shook his head before pausing for a second, deep in thought. Looking between Richard and the struggling monster, Ben proposed an idea. ”Kill it, Richard.”

”Wh…what?”

”I said you should kill it.” Ben said, more of an order than a statement. ”That's the only way for you to toughen up. Either kill it, here and now, or we're going to leave you behind.”