The Infinite Bk. 01 Ch. 09

"Settle down, you're so indecent," Mira said with a sigh. She then turned to Oath. "Anyway, welcome to the group!" The smile she flashed at him made his heart flutter in a way it never had before.

For the next few weeks, Oath and his new friends adventured together, fighting what monsters they believed they could beat, but were most often forced to run away and tend to their wounded bodies and bruised egos. But no matter how many times they were beaten, Oath was never dejected, because it was the first time he felt truly accepted, and with people his own age, no less. True, Trevor always gave him the cold shoulder, but Beth kept the spirit of the group raised, and Mira... she was something else altogether.

She spoke with him, laughed with him, and smiled with him, all moments of confusing bliss that he drank like fine wine. He was drawn to her, pulled by a force that he could not describe. One day, after they had managed to kill a wolf, and only just barely, he and the others all collapsed from exhaustion. Mira, sitting next to him, ended up placing her hand on his. The moment her fingers touched his, it was like cold lightning surged through his nerves, a frighteningly powerful sensation, but one that made him feel more alive than the battle just moments before.

Perhaps it was just the adrenaline and the endorphins, but he looked at Mira, and she, realizing the contact between them, didn't pull away, and instead gazed at him with a shy smile and rosy cheeks. The first time Oath fought a monster, he froze up in terror, and it wasn't the last time his fear got the better of him, but at that moment, he broke through his fear, turning his hand over to hold hers. They gazed at each other, their stomachs filled with more butterflies than a meadow in summer. That was the moment he realized his feelings for her.

The next day, his father sat Oath down in the parlor of their home. With them was a gruff middle-aged adventurer with a bow. "Oath, no matter what, you must not let anyone outside of your party know this. I've just learned that a dungeon crab has surfaced nearby."

Dungeon crabs were one of the great anomalies in the world, but their mythology was thin. They were vague creatures, described as living fortresses that rose up from the ground. Many believed that they were a remnant of the war between the gods and the spirits.

Oath wasn't sure how to respond to the news, so his father continued. "Adventurers who manage to capture a dungeon crab by taking the avenium inside are granted the rank of baron or higher by the kingdom. If you and your friends can accomplish this, then there is nothing Edwin can do and my title will be passed on to you without question."

"My friends and I can barely face the monsters in the woods. We can't handle a dungeon crab."

"I am well aware of your weakness when it comes to swordplay. I'm hoping that switching to a different weapon will unlock your potential. This man is Sendal, a veteran adventurer and archer. He'll teach you how to use a bow."

Just looking at Sendal, Oath could tell he wasn't the friendliest guy, but his father wouldn't change his mind. That day, he and the archer rode into the woods to hunt, and that was the last thing he remembered. When next he woke up, he was in a goblin tunnel, racked with pain flowing from the back of his head down to the tips of his toes, but it was waning, thanks to the potion he had received.

Helping him to his feet was a young man, a bit older than him, with a girl standing behind him. Noah and Tin, he had heard those names before. They were the source of the strange rumors about the Old Wineskin, but more than that, Beth and Mira had vouched for Noah's strength. Oath was skeptical, especially when Noah declared that he was going to clear out the goblin den himself, something that was nothing short of suicidal. Despite his life being saved, Oath wasn't feeling very grateful, considering he now had to work as Noah's pack mule while he marched to his doom.

But then he saw the results. Noah slaughtered the goblins with ease, never displaying any kind of magic. Oath and his friends had repeatedly tried hunting goblins, nearly dying every time, but they fell like reeds with every swing of Noah's sword. Then, when the goblin chief revealed itself, Oath got to witness true swordplay, and the memories of his older brother's skills were painted over by Noah's battle. Had he and his friends attempted this, they would have ended up being cooked and eaten.

During the journey home, they were attacked by bandits. Tin, obeying Noah, pulled Oath into the woods before he could even grab his sword. The battle lasted only a minute, leaving Oath in awe when he saw the bodies of the slain bandits. He rode back to Clive with Noah and Tin, and when he arrived back home, his father threw his arms around him, wailing relief to see his son's return. It was the first time his father had ever hugged him.

"Father, there is something I need to tell you." They went into his father's study and closed the door behind them. Oath, standing while the baron sat, leaned against the desk. "The hunter you hired, he knocked me out handed me over to goblins."

"Damn him! Edwin must have bribed him to get you out of the picture. But if he handed you to goblins, how did you escape? Did you fight your way out?"

"No, I was saved by someone, a man named Noah. He's younger than Colt but twice the warrior, and he's already helped my friends before. He wiped out a huge goblin nest himself and even killed a hobgoblin."

Ivan leaned back in his chair. "If a young man of such skill were to join your party, perhaps you might be able to capture the dungeon crab."

"I was thinking the same thing."

"Bring him here. I'll talk to him."

The next thing Oath knew, Tin lay dying, and he watched as Noah slew the assailant. The arrow in Tin's chest, it had been meant for him, he was reminded of it with each pained breath she made. Crushed with guilt, he applied every potion in the house, pouring them on her wound and down her throat, but her condition didn't improve. As Noah approached, Oath braced himself for the worst. It was Oath's fault that she had died, her life ended because he had been saved, so would Noah demand his life as compensation?

But Noah didn't acknowledge Oath. He simply kneeled down and held Tin. There were no tears, not even a trembling breath. Tin voiced her final goodbye and closed her eyes, while Noah simply stared at her like a statue. Noah then departed with Tin, riding off to find a suitable place to bury her. Watching him ride off, Oath remembered the smile on Tin's face when she said goodbye, and imagined that look on Mira, the pure, honest, intoxicating emotion. He wanted to see her. He had nearly died, and he wanted to take the risk he never could have if he hadn't been saved.

To his father's protests, he rode out to the Old Wineskin, and as soon as he entered, he heard Mira's voice. "Oath!"

There they were, gathered at their usual table. Never was he so happy to see his friends. He crossed the tavern and took his seat. "Hey."

"Your father told us you were out training with an archer," said Beth. "I'm rather insulted you didn't ask me first."

"You guys aren't going to believe this, but I swear this really happened. That archer knocked me out and handed me over to goblins. I was even taken to their den."

Trevor just scoffed and Beth was likewise skeptical. "I'm actually not that mad, you don't have to make up excuses."

Mira gave him the benefit of the doubt. "Really?"

"Yeah, but I was saved by that Noah guy that you told me about, he and Tin. I watched him clear out an entire mine full of goblins single-handedly."

"Of course someone like you would need to be saved," said Trevor.

"An entire mine?!" Beth exclaimed as she bolted to her feet.

"We can barely fight a handful of them," Mira sighed.

"Anyway, listen to this." He leaned in and waved for them to all do the same. "A dungeon crab has appeared nearby." He was lucky that everyone understood that term. He didn't have faith in his ability to explain it. His friends all fell back in their seats.

"You honestly can't be thinking of trying it!" Beth exclaimed. "We'd be dead in an hour!"

"Listen, Noah has agreed to join our team and train us. With his help, I'm sure we can do it."

"We don't need some freak's advice," said Trevor.

"Did I forget to mention that he also killed a hobgoblin?"

Trevor didn't respond.

"I don't know. I think it's way too early for us. Why? Are you really that broke?" asked Mira.

"There is something I haven't told you guys. My full name is Oath Fault, son of Baron Ivan Fault. I'm his third son but I'm next in line to receive his title."

"Damn it, he's delirious! Everything he's said so far was a hallucination."

"Oath, did you eat some strange mushrooms in the woods?" Mira asked with honest concern.

For once, Trevor said nothing.

"I swear to you, it's true. I'm sure the archer gave me to the goblins to keep me from inheriting the title. When I returned home, that same archer tried to kill me, but ended up killing Tin instead."

Both Mira and Beth were left in stunned silence. While they had only met her once, the news of her death was a shocking blow. Her endless moaning had become a point of pride in the villagers, considering it a valued quirk in the identity of their home, like the swallows returning to Capistrano. Besides, they had both seen the love in her eyes.

"Yeah. Noah killed the guy and rode off with Tin to bury her. He said he would be back the day after tomorrow."

"That's awful," said Beth.

"Poor Noah," Mira added.

"I don't think we should have him with us. We can do the dungeon crab ourselves," said Trevor.

"No, we wouldn't stand a chance without him. Just talk to him, you'll see."

Beth raised a beer mug. "Anyway, I'd say this calls for a drink. Let us rejoice the safe return of our comrade, toast our approaching success, and mourn a fallen friend!"

Oath wanted to laugh, but truth be told, he'd need some liquid courage.

Late into the night, the four adventurers splurged on food and drinks, until all was quiet and the innkeeper was preparing to close up the bar. Trevor had gone home, Beth was currently passed out, and now it was just Oath and Mira.

"I hope this dungeon crab thing works out," said Mira, more than a little tipsy.

"Yeah, and all the wealth from the adventurers is really going to help this village."

"With that money, I can finally pay off my mother's debts."

"You never said your mother was in debt."

Mira giggled. "I guess we both kept secrets. I never liked adventuring, but it was the best way I could make money after my father left. In a way, I'm glad I did it, but I just want a nice quiet home life."

"Well I'll become the baron of the town. Maybe you could settle here." Never in a million years would a sober Oath have the courage to do so, but he reached out and held her hand like he had on that day in the woods. "And I could make a home with you."

Likewise, never in a million years would a sober Mira have the courage to do so, but she got to her feet and pulled Oath to his, then led him to the stairs. They were both more than a little drunk, so they had to help each other up the stairs, giggling with each step. They reached the door to Mira's room, and as she fumbled with the key, Oath leaned in and stole a kiss. It was his first, as well as hers, and while he got her mostly on the nose, she touched her lips with a smile and a blush.

They got the door open and stumbled into the room, shutting it behind them. Mira lit a candle and then made herself at home in Oath's embrace. Standing in the middle of the room, they kissed once more, this time able to put their hearts and souls into it.

"Are you ready for this?" Oath asked.

"I think so. Are you?"

"I'm not sure. I don't have any experience with being with a woman. I mean... I've seen animals on the farm..."

Mira burst into laughter, which, second to her yelling at him, was the absolute last reaction he wanted at a moment like this. "Beth has told me how to do it, don't worry. Now that we've kissed, the next step is we take off our clothes."

Oath was already sporting a woody, and those last four words nearly pushed him over the edge. He took off his coat, Mira removed her cloak, and for a moment, they paused, feeling the tension as they gripped their shirts, but upon struggling to actually pull them off, they couldn't help but laugh. Mira's breasts were exposed, and Oath, a swirling torrent of adolescent hormones, was caught like a deer in the headlights. They... were so... beautiful.

"Don't stare like that," Mira said, covering herself and looking away in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry. Can I... can I touch them?"

"I... guess."

She hesitantly lowered her arms, and Oath, with trembling hands, began to caress her modest shelf. That softness, that smoothness, he was drawn to them like sugar. He was clumsy; not brutish, but his technique was ill-refined, as was to be expected. Regardless, Mira shivered and purred from Oath's touch, afraid of being so vulnerable, both her body and her feelings exposed to another, for them to do with as they pleased. Perhaps it was the presence of that fear that made it feel so good, the fear of being touched so intimately, mixed with the joy of finding someone whom she wished would touch her like this.

Massaging deep into her flesh, the way her nipples felt when he toyed with them, Oath, like Mira, was overwhelmed. The chance to explore a woman's body like this, to know it, intimately, it teased his most innate, instinctive curiosity. He was so excited, trembling like a leaf and feeling like he was going to jump out of his skin. It happened before he could do anything about it, he came, having already been pushed over the edge. Flushed with shame, he did his best to try and hide it, but to Mira, it looked like he was just getting impatient.

She lowered her hands and pushed off her trousers. Oath didn't immediately react, but that was because he was trying to gather his thoughts and his strength. When he realized what she had done, he didn't have time to think, and simply dropped his own pants. This time, it was Mira's turn to stare, as she tried not to think of when their group last fought goblins, most of which weren't wearing anything.

Mira climbed into bed, hiding herself under the blanket. "Now... you get on top of me... and I think you know where your thing goes."

Oath put out the candle, plunging the room into total darkness. He meandered his way back to the bed, feeling the covers. His hands found Mira's body and he felt her stir like a frightened animal. He slipped under the blanket and their naked bodies met, first in the form of an embrace, then in the form of a kiss, and finally...

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Noah, Oath, and Beth sprinted up the winding staircase towards the exit of the dungeon crab. They were covered in blood, sweat, and dirt, and had countless untreated injuries. Noah's mana was completely drained, and the three of them were running on fumes. They couldn't tell if the monsters were still chasing them. After all this time, the chorus of roars repeated in the back of their minds no matter what.

Finally, when their bodies felt like they'd fall apart like sandcastles, they breathed fresh air, and felt the sun shine upon them. They burst out of the top of the crab's shell, collapsing near the doorway. For the three of them, it was like a religious experience. Beth crumbled, tears pouring down her face, a mix of happiness, misery, relief, and mourning, and as the sun rose, Oath stared like his soul had left his body, turning him into an empty husk. As for Noah, he dropped the knight sword he had been using and gripped the earth with shaking hands. How long had it been? How long had it been since he last fought that hard for his life? How long had it been since his survival instinct pushed him that far? No, when it was more than just his survival instinct pushing him? The fear, the adrenaline, the endorphins, the pain, they flowed through the folds of his gray matter like a flood across a desert.

"Get up, on your feet."

Noah looked over, seeing Oath standing with his sword pointing at him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Noah muttered.

"You heard me, get up and face me."

"Oath, you're kidding, right?" Beth asked.

"No. You and me, Noah, right here, right now."

"You ungrateful little brat. After all I did for you, you have the nerve to point your sword at me? The sword I gave you?"

"You didn't do this for me. I was just a prop in whatever deal you struck with my father. Now Mira is dead and I was robbed of my chance to settle things with Trevor. We never should have gone in there, but you kept pushing us. We never should have let you be a part of our team."

"Oath, it's not his fault! You also wanted to keep going! Just put your sword down and we can all go home!"

"No! I have to do this!"

"You're right," said Noah, getting to his feet, "you were just a prop, but I'm still under contract and not allowed to kill you. Once we're back and I've gotten my reward, then I'll put you down as hard as you want."

"No! I'm done listening to you! From the moment we met, you've run my life. I was supposed to be the one to seize the avenium, to seize my own destiny, not let you take it and accept whatever scraps you toss my way! I couldn't avenge Mira, I couldn't beat Trevor, and I couldn't even conquer the dungeon crab! I can't go home this way! I refuse to live like this! But if I beat you, that'll be enough."

Noah gripped the hilt of the knight sword, and the sensation he got back was far from ideal. His body was at its limit, he could barely even stand. He was out of potions, they all were, so there was no way he could quickly recoup his strength. At least Oath was in the same situation. Despite his anger and bloodlust, he was on the verge of passing out. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was another story. If Noah fought him in this state, even the smallest wounds could prove fatal, then his deal with the baron would be out the window.

"I'm not going to indulge you. If you want to get yourself killed, do it after we get back. I want to live long enough to cash in everything I've collected."

"You can't talk your way out of this!"

Oath charged with his sword raised, attempting his signature cleave. Noah stepped to the side, nearly falling over as he did so. Rather than a slash, he struck Oath in the stomach with the handle of his sword. Oath nearly retched, but regained his footing and punched Noah. He tried to dodge, but was still grazed and staggered back, drawing his sword completely.

"Stop this, you two don't need to fight!" Beth pleaded.

"Tell him that!" Noah argued.

Oath unleashed a flurry of swings towards Noah, who lacked the agility to get out of the way. Instead, he had to block and parry each swing. They locked blades, pushing against each other in a shoving match.

"You chose to go into the dungeon crab," said Noah. "You chose to follow me, despite knowing how dangerous it was for Mira. You put your pride and your nobility over her. I killed Trevor because you were too weak to get it done and you would have woken up that monster with just three steps. You don't get to blame your incompetence on me."

"You're a heartless bastard! You couldn't even shed a tear for Tin, no wonder you didn't care about us!"

"Grow up!"

Noah let go of his sword and punched Oath, sending him staggering back. Noah touched his hand to his eye, casting his invisibility. He only had enough mana to remain hidden for a few moments, so Noah tackled Oath, disarming him and knocking him to the ground. Three solid blows to the face left him unconscious.