It was over. The dust around him cleared to reveal Ulfar, still standing with his hand on the greatsword’s handle. His blade was impaled into the ground, offering him support so that he may stand through the gust of rubble and rock.
But his back hurt, as if he had been thrown around and landed on his spine, even though he had managed to stand still and brace through the blast wave. He didn’t know where the pain was coming from, as nothing had happened to his back. But it still hurt, and he couldn’t guess why it was until he turned around to see Eila on the ground. Ulfar pulled his blade from the soil and went over to her.
“…Fuaere… abandoned crypt…” Eila was muttering as he helped her up.
“Your back is hurt, I can feel it too.” Ulfar said.
“I know what is happening.” Eila began. “Everyone here must get to Fuaere so that we may- “ Her words were cut off by a gasp of pain as she tried to stand up. She settled on the ground and looked up blankly at Ulfar, who was hardly troubled by the pain they now both felt. “…I’ll stay here for a bit.” She said.
“I heard it too.” Ulfar turned to where the giant beings had appeared. “Whatever this is, we’re not going to get involved.”
“I’m going with them, no matter what.” Eila said. She didn't sound defiant, or even determined. It was as if she was stating a normal fact, and she stared ahead blankly. “But if you wish to stay behind, you may.”
Ulfar looked at everyone around the point. Humans, an orc, a goblin… a dwarf. Some of them seemed tough, while others needed protecting. Some of them didn’t even look trustworthy to begin with. Leaving the girl with them was no option. If anything happened to her, Ulfar would share the same fate. Even now, his own back hurt in correlation to the girl’s. If she died, it was obvious that he would, too.
Eila spoke up again. “That Alunei… her wounds must have re-opened.” Her voice and face both lacked emotion, as usual.
Ulfar noticed it as well. “It’s none of our business.” Then he dropped the bag by Eila.
“Careful.” Eila whispered as the bag hit the ground. But her words were barely loud enough to be heard. Ulfar had already begun walking towards the point. People were converging on the center.
There was murmur around. One man had already crouched over the Farrg, checking for a pulse.
’Can’t believe I’m getting caught up in this mess. Ulfar thought to himself.
To him, it all seemed like the perfect trap for a group of would-be adventurers. The giant beings that had appeared were probably illusory tricks by the old Faarg. It was even more likely that the rest of the group was about to walk into some sort of an ambush. If everyone else was naïve enough to fall for it, it wasn’t up to Ulfar to save anyone but Eila.
“Hoy.” Ulfar called out to the people. “Didn’t you hear what the giants said? Let’s pack up and go already. The world is in danger. ” He ended the last part with a snide puff from his nose.