Page 69 of The Blackened Blade

It flits its eyes between me and her, a mixture of a growl and hiss rolling from its blackened mouth.

Why was it still interested in Morgan?

Did she, or her blood smell good to it? And why was something like this even here to begin with, and so close to the academy?

It bares its sharp black teeth toward us, saliva dripping from its maw.

I had dealt with all sorts of creatures in the Facility before, all kinds of mutated or butt ugly beasts, but this one had to be top three for sure.

A slow grin stretches across my lips covered by my black mask.

The creature before me was big and strong, but compared to the huge beast I had met in the forest before, this one was basic. An easier prey to test out my strength and agility on.

I close my eyes for just a brief second, taking a breath and allowing my senses to take over as all the sounds and scents surround me; of Morgan's weakened breath and pained gasps, of the music still playing, and the oblivious students laughing in the distance. And of the creature just feet from me ready to make its move.

I flip one dagger in my hand, not willing to let it take one step closer toward Morgan with her frail and limp body behind me. I hear it nearing and open my eyes, just as the creature is dashing toward me, its mouth open wide and claws extended toward my head.

Its movements slow as I race forward, my speed taking over as I quickly manoeuvre into a slide beneath the creature. Thrusting my blades into its belly, I drag them the length of its torso.

The beast screams, lashing out as I pull myself up behind it. It’s sharpened tail crashes toward me, trying to hit me, but I twist beneath it and catch it with my dagger, digging the blade into its flesh to hold it in place.

It roars and flails, trying to turn to catch me behind it, but its movements only cause the large wound on its stomach to open more, its navy blood pouring out on its black claws.

I hold onto the dagger embedded in its tail, and move quickly with the creature's movements. If I let it go, it would probably catch me or Morgan while thrashing about.

Its strength begins to wane with the more blood it loses, unable to fight me in this new position.

Grabbing its tail, I push the dagger in further and twist it until the blade slides out the other end, the large chunk of tail falling to the ground with the quick movement. Another roar and pained howl pours from the beast's mouth.

Time to put it out of its misery.

I grab its flailing appendage, seeping its thick navy blood, and pull the creature backwards with my full strength. The beast stumbles back and falls, now completely off balance and losing blood too quickly. Grabbing my daggers in both hands, I jump toward the beast's unguarded back. It roars as I land on it and sink my daggers deep into its neck. Pushing them in further and holding my grip as it continues to thrash, its roar begins to quickly wane and weaken until it becomes but a low muffled growl.

After another minute or so, the fight seeps from it as it stops moving and slowly sinks to the ground beneath us. Navy blood trickles out from the beast, and coats the ground and gravel below us as the creature's final breath falls from its now gaping mouth.

Pulling my daggers out, I tumble from its back as its body slumps onto the gravel behind me. I put my daggers back into my hip straps and turn back toward Morgan. I go to reach for her, when suddenly I hear a voice shouting her name from the distance and multiple footsteps heading this way.

Turning around, I see four dark figures rushing toward us in the distance as a strange black smoke forms around us.

I glance back at Morgan, her chest rising and falling slowly.

She was alive, that's all that mattered.

The black smoke seems to rush toward me with the voices nearing us. I push through it, the feeling almost like something solid beneath me before I dash for the forest treeline.

I pick up pace once I hit the forest, the area blurring as I run and listen for anyone following.

After a few moments and once I’m sure I’ve not been followed, I take off my black mask and pull down my hood to take a deep breath. I gaze at the moon shining above me, the cold air crisp on its last Autumn night as a small light feeling fills my chest.

I saved her.

Ichangedher fate.

And if I could change hers, then I would definitely change my own.

Creeds POV

I hold Morgan's unconscious body in my arms as the others search the area. Placing my forehead against hers, I listen to the sounds of her small breaths, inhaling and exhaling weakly.

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