Bound and Broken: An Isekai Adventure Dark Fantasy (Melas Book 1) V.A. Lewis (feel good books to read .TXT) 📖

The impact knocked Karna backwards, and he fell off the battlements. He landed in front of me with a loud thud as I stared in shock.

"Karna, are you ok?!" It was a stupid question, yet it was the only thing I could say at that moment.

He was unresponsive. He coughed out some blood and groaned in pain, clutching at his chest. His leather armor was ruined, as if three holes were burned through it. I ignored the arrow sticking out of his shoulders, and hefted him around my back.

Ack, heavy. He weighed more than he looked. There was no way I could do a fireman’s carry with him, let alone a bridal one. Luckily, I was not alone.

The other Goblin rushed over, and took Karna by the shoulder. "I’ve got it. Just run!" he yelled at me.

I acquiesced and made a break for it. The Goblin still ran as fast as I did even while carrying Karna with him. The gates of the city opened slowly behind us, as we approached the thicket.

We’re not going to make it. I did not know why I thought of the trees in the distance as some sort of safe space; they were still going to chase after us even when we got there. And with the sun out, it was going to be impossible to escape.

But it was a goal. And it being so close gave me strength. So I ran with all my might.

I heard the sound of horses behind me. They were getting close fast. I spun around to cast a spell== to maybe send a magic missile at them to slow them down— and out from the woods, a dozen arrows shot out.

The horse riders reeled as a few of them were dropped from the sudden projectiles. They raised their shields to cover themselves from the attack, when the first Monster emerged from behind the trees.

A large six legged scaly beast leapt out right next to me. It opened its massive maw and I thought I was going to die. I swung my dagger wildly at it, but the Monster ignored me. It ran straight for the pursuing guards and clashed into them.

"Wha—" My mouth dumbly hung open as I stared in shock. Then I saw more creatures run past me. Unlike the first, these were not Monsters, they were animals.

I saw horses, deers, boars, and even some smaller animals skittering about between them. They fought alongside the Monster, and attacked the horse riders and the other guards that came to support them. They were all different, yet they had one thing in common. One thing I would recognize anywhere.

The stench of death.

They were… undead. Zombies. Ghouls. Dead things that were raised back to life by magic. By Necromancy. And there was only one Necromancer I knew.

"Melas," a deep voice spoke out to me. A massive red man walked out of the woods, and up to me. The Orc placed a hand on my shoulder. "Come. While they’re distracted."

Behind him, I saw Goblins hiding behind the trees, firing a hail of arrows down at the pursuing guards. "I— where did you guys come from?" I asked stupidly.

"I heard that you went with Karna. That was a mistake, Melas. Something could’ve happened to you."

The Orc led me deep into the thicket, until the sounds of fighting were far behind us. We were safe now; I wanted to sigh in relief, but I looked at him worriedly. "Thank you. But— Karna’s hurt. You’ve got to help him."

Gerritt inclined his head to the other Goblin carrying Karna around his back. "Hrmph, I see that. We need to bring him back to the camp quickly. He will die if we don’t get him a healing potion soon."

"Soon? How soon?"

"I’m not sure. His injuries are grievous. Even if we gave him a healing potion right now, I’m not sure if he will survive." The Orc’s voice was steady. His inflections did not change. And yet he stared solemnly as one of his best men bled out.

I felt my hands going for something at my waist. I hesitated. But only for a moment. Then I reached out and pulled the potion from my belt. I held out the vial of glowing red liquid.

"How about this? If I give this potion to Karna, will he live?"

Gerritt raised an eyebrow incredulously.

"Well, yes. That’s an incredibly potent healing potion. But isn’t that for you—"

"Good," I spoke over the Orc.

I marched over to Karna who was being tended to by the Goblin that was carrying him. He was trying to stop the bleeding.

"Excuse me," I said, and uncorked the vial.

"Wait, that’s—"

I ignored him, and started to pour the healing potion onto Karna. I saw the insides of his body slowly mended together. His flesh grew anew, covering the injuries on his chest and shoulder. But I didn’t stop pouring.

I kept pouring the potion and my heart sank as I watched the liquid slowly disappear. But I never stopped until all of Karna’s wounds were gone. Because I knew if they were left half regenerated, they would very easily be torn open again, and he could bleed out. And by the time all his injuries were healed, there was only a tenth of the potion left in the vial.

I poured the remaining drops over on my face, but nothing happened. So much for that. I tossed the bottle aside, and looked back down as I heard a grunt.

"Y-you," Karna whispered. He looked barely conscious, and he struggled to speak. "You... saved me."

Thank you Captain Obvious, the stupid quip crossed my mind, and I sighed. "Yes, I did save you. But I didn’t do it for you. I just saw Sena die, and I didn't like that. So I did