Slash.
The blade aimed for the neck, but Alwyn sensed the attack and managed to duck down. But the assailant was skilled, and the blade immediately readjusted its direction. It went down, diving deep into his shoulder.
Metal scraped against bone.
The opponent then retracted its weapon and went for another quick slashing attack. The linen shirt opposed no resistance, and a long oblique wound formed on his back, going from a shoulder to the hip.
But when the slash ended, Alwyn was finally ready to counterattack.
The opponent was not protected on his right side, having just finished a swing. So, while turning around, he went for a hit with the shovel in his right hand.
The blade couldn't pierce the flesh, but that was not his goal to begin with, because he immediately charged the opponent with his shoulder, not giving the other any respite.
The two lost balance and fell to the ground.
Alwyn was on top, pressing a hooded individual under the weight of his body.
The first thing he did was to immobilize the arms.
He then took a glimpse at the weapon. It was a scythe.
He kicked it with the leg, throwing it two meters away, and only then did he study his opponent.
Black hooded mantle, grey leather armor, red belt. A plain iron mask was concealing the face and its only decor were the slits for the eyes. It was a Reaper attire.
'Filthy bastard.'
Enraged, he reached out to take the mask off, but the opponent seized the opportunity, and shook Alwyn off with the free arm.
Two entangled bodies rolled in the dirt, both struggling to gain the advantage.
The brawl lasted for a while, and when it came to an end, the roles had somehow reversed.
The hooded figure got on top of Alwyn and threw his weapon away.
"What, scared of a shovel?"
Said Alwyn in a mocking tone.
The opponent froze in shock for some seconds.
"You… are still alive?"
It was the voice of a female.
And he knew exactly who she was.
"Eline?"
***
The sun shone high on the deserted plain, but its faint rays of light were not enough to warm the five shivering porters kneeling on the hard ground.
There was a pile of heavy clothing some meters away, sullied by the soil.
Their heads were covered by black bags, their mouths blocked with cloth, and the arms tied behind their back.
In front of them were four hooded individuals.
"Can't we just kill them quickly? Rapid and painless, everybody wins."
Emotionlessly said the only girl in the group while picking up her scythe. She wore an iron mask on her face.
A man chuckled, amused by her statement.
"But that would be no fun, Eline. We still have plenty of time, we gotta savor the moment. Listen, it's your first mission, you should learn from the veterans. Right, Vern?"
A second man replied.
"Gariss is right. We never have fun, so don't even think about ending it quickly, put that scythe away. One killjoy is already enough."
Both Vern and Gariss looked in the direction of their carriage. An inconspicuous individual was still sitting on a seat, giving his back to them. He was motionless, staring at the distant forest with dead eyes.
A third man then joined the conversation.
"Don't bother, he won't reply. I still don't understand what's gotten into him. Did someone upset him last night?"
Vern sighed.
"To think he used to love these activities… He must be really mad! Should we save one for when he calms down?"
Gariss' expression darkened.
"No chance."
"Too bad for him, then. Let's get started. Who should we start with?"
A hideous grin appeared on Gariss' face.
"Eline, pick a name."
But the female Reaper did not respond.
"Pick. A. Name."
Annoyed by the distasteful request, she glanced at him with emotionless eyes, and after a brief moment of silence, she eventually replied with cold words.
"Lynn Goldheart."
***
Alwyn's heart burned with hatred, and he found renewed strength in that intense emotion.
Against any logic, his exhausted limbs opposed a fierce resistance against hers.
But unfortunately for him, no human could ever contend against a Reaper.
"Hey, stop it."
The girl tried to persuade him with her apathetic voice.
However, Alwyn continued relentless in his useless struggle. He simply didn't care for what she had to say. For what stupid excuse she would tell him.
"You can't win."
She insisted in her futile attempt to reconcile.
But she was the reason for Lynn's death. For his death. And the death of many others.
"Just give up already."
She was a sinner, she had to pay.
And he would be the judge.
"Don't you want to survive?!"
Only then did Alwyn stop resisting. The usually stoic Eline had raised her voice for the first time.
Taken aback, he could only utter a single word.
"...What?"
Seeing he had started listening to reason, Eline elaborated on her statement.
"Let's have a temporary truce. It's in our best interests to collaborate. Put aside your grudges, just until we get out of here. After that you can do whatever you want, even kill me if that appeases you. But I'm not saying I will let you."
Alwyn pondered his response. What she was saying made complete sense, but he still couldn't accept to become an ally of his killer.
"Why should I agree to that? After all, if I don't, your chances of making it out of here will decrease. What do I gain from teaming up with you?"
"I'm proposing we help each other while we are inside of this godforsaken forest. Isn't that enough? I have a mission to accomplish, and I'm sure you too have a reason for being here. So let's not complicate this already nightmarish situation."
Alwyn stared at her, visibly confused.
And then he made a smirk.
"I don't think you get my point. My only wish is for you to burn in hell. And the only way you can help me is by bringing me to your buddies, so I can gut them as well. It's as simple as that."
However, Eline did not feel intimidated by his statement.
She instead stretched out a hand.
"Then we have a deal."
Alwyn didn't know what to respond, he just stared at her in bewilderment, so she decided to elaborate.
"I'm also searching for them. Four eyes are better than two, don't you think?"
But before he could process the information, a harrowing howl interrupted the conversation, giving chills to both Alwyn and the Reaper. The Revenant had chased him into the forest.
The two immediately turned in the direction of the howl, and then looked at each other.
Only Eline opened her mouth.
"So, what do you say?"