After a few minutes a bustling city soon came into view, and in front of me lied the towering gates. The horse stopped as we got closer.
"Alright we're here Camellia" said Nuvem
I gently dismounted the horse
"May I ask one last question of you will?"
"Sure go ahead" he said frankly
"Why are you doing all of this for me? A stranger who you just met and don't even completely trust?"
"Heh, rather audacious of you to speak about that, now that you're here."
I gave him a wry smile and scratched the back of my head.
Nuvem let out a chuckle
"I jest, I understand that you have your reasons, but well so do I right? Y'see I came here to recruit you."
Recruit me? What does he mean by that...aren't I just supposed to be a nobody here?
After my look of confusion he must've picked up on it and continued after a slight pause.
"I know exactly what you're here to do."
His look suddenly became stern, he looked deep into my eyes as if staring into my soul and said. "You have two options from here on out, and it will determine what actions I will take next. Answer me provident of Anemone. What exactly is your goal in the land of Hortus?"
I...I have to be honest here. I get the feeling that anymore hiding will do me more harm than good.
"Alright, you are correct I am a provident but, I don't know who this Anemone is."
"She's the god who sent five other people like you called providents. Their goal being-"
I interjected him, completing his sentence
"-to wipe out every living being... *sigh yes indeed that should be my goal but... I don't really have it in my heart to kill someone."
Nuvem quietly eyed me down like a hawk and after a short pause.
"Currus, kill him" As he said those cold parting words he turned his back to me and started walking towards the gates whilst the horse started neighing loudly and contorting in an abnormal manner.
"W-what is happening..."
"Sorry but, I don't trust you. It seems like negotiations have failed."
After a few seconds the contorting horse took the shape of a human. He wore rough gray clothing and a big furry mantle covered with blood.
"Keh it never is a clean operation transforming back huh? Got blood all over me now tch. Can't you just walk next time Nuvem?" He spoke in a rather rough and vulgar manner.
Nuvem whose back was slowly disappearing into the distance sighed and told him to just finish his job and walked away.
"What did I even do wrong...I didn't lie did I?
"Keh doesn't matter when you withold truthful information now right? Had you been truly willing to join us, you should've shown us your boon from the goddess."
"Boon huh... The providence that she spoke of. I haven't received it yet. When I came to be I awoke all alone on top of that plateau."
"Well too bad buddy Nuvem ain't here anymore and I don't got that truth hearing bulls*** of his. All i know s'that I've been given an order and so, I shall follow with due diligence." He gave a malicious grin towards my way and as if brandishing a weapon he revealed his hands...no, it looked more like claws akin to a bear. I couldn't even take in how a horse just now transformed to a human and now this... Was I truly going to perish here...
He charged swiftly in my direction, still with that sickening grin and motioned his arm in way meant to pierce through my abdomen. But, like adrenaline coursing through my body. I felt a cold rush flow to my hands.
"Geh! Tch. You really gonna put up a fight now? Weren't you just some powerless sod earlier! Well doesn't matter to me!!!" I deflected him with a shield of ice i conjured in my palm but due to the awkward placement of it, it broke immediately.
He charged at me again but this time I consciously channeled this cold sensation to my palm and created an object in my mind as if materializing it.
Clang! A loud sound reverberated when I blocked his swiping claws. I had created an icy long sword, this time sturdier than the shield from before.
"I didn't want to resort to a fight... But if it means defending my life..."
The man's carefree eyes turned into a glare.
"Don'tcha be like that now. I hate puritans like you! Acting all holier than thou, as if you're better than resorting to violence kehehehe BULLS***!!! I know you f***ers will resort to that the moment you get cornered so don't you dare act all preachy like that!!! Sours the fu**in mood!"
He started clashing with me, albeit in a clumsier manner than before making me able to keep up despite his heavy strikes
Tch! The sword I held shattered under the pressure. Once again I tried to form another weapon but I was too slow.
"Enough playin round here I'm gettin tired!!"
His arm pierced my stomach like how a pencil pierces through a sheet of paper
"GAHHH f*** that hurts like a b****!"
"Heh serves you right."
He crudely pushed his hand back to himself leaving a giant gushing hole in the middle of my torso. Blood began to crawl out of my mouth as my consciousness began to fade.
"Everything's getting so dark... Why would this happen to..."
I fell on my knees and fell face down. I could only here the fading thuds of that man's boots.
Then I heard a gentle voice.
"Great job wastin a life buddy!"
How odd... despite it's gentle sound the words that came out of their mouth were in complete juxtaposition...
My five senses finally dulled and what was left was all but an empty shell.