The Forgotten Slayer-Chapter 17: Ambush

The intersection the ambush was located at was in the shopping district of Avalor. Clyde left most of the traps for Lapis to take care of because he knew Avelyn taught him properly. The horde shouldn't arrive for several hours. Considering the state Clyde was in, he decided to get some rest on one of the rooftops that the ranged slayers would be at.

After an hour Clyde was awakened by Lapis.

"Something is wrong, I've looked ahead to where the horde was supposed to be and they are gone."

"What do you mean gone? No traces or anything?"

"I'm not completely sure because I didn't go very far. It's possible they were delayed for some reason. Maybe a fearsome creature dealt a significant enough blow to their forces that the rest were picked off."

Clyde closed his eyes and scratched his head.

"On one hand that's good news, however something that strong that could take them all out alone is frightening. Even more so if the horde contained an alpha. I say that we wait for another hour and if there are still no signs we group everyone up and head back."

"Sounds good to me."

As Lapis left, Clyde looked down at the road and then the area of the city he could see. In the dark it was difficult to see a great distance and even more difficult to trust your instincts.

'Lapis was right, there is something very wrong here.'

Another hour passed.

'Well damn.'

Clyde moved toward the slayers that were on the roof with him.

"Get your things, we're leaving. I'll see you guys down on the street."

Making his way down some stairs and passing by tempting free food, Clyde met lapis at the entrance of the store.

"I was just about to come get you. Since you're here can you get the group on that clothing store."

Lapis had a dark look.

"No I can't. In fact I'm returning from there now. Nobody was in or on top of the store at all."

"That doesn't make any sense we would have heard and attack or known if they left."

"I agree but with no evidence I'm not sure what to think."

"Where is your group?"

"I have them bringing their equipment down as we speak to meet us outside."

"I just told the people above the same thing."

Lapis and Clyde stepped outside in silence.

There was a bench nearby and Clyde took the opportunity to sit down. Lapis did not follow his senior and stood solemnly.

Clyde's group made it down after several minutes.

'Lapis's group should've been here by now.'

Looking over at Lapis, the boy had a cold look.

"Should we check on them?"

"It might be a good idea."

Clyde turned to the people behind him.

"We will be right back, do not let your guards down while we are gone."

Clyde had another bad feeling walking across the street with Lapis.

The two entered the building. The store had many small figurines for sell which made Clyde reminisce. Lapis led Clyde to the stairway where they both made it to the roof.

No one was there. Neither was any of the equipment brought up by them.

For the first time Clyde saw Lapis have an emotional reaction. His eyes widened and his mouth slightly opened as if he was about to say something. He closed it seemingly changing his mind.

"Lets return."

"Wait."

Lapis walked over to the edge of the roof and looked toward Clyde's group below.

"They're gone as well."

This time it was Clyde's mouth that opened.

"What do you mean? Can you even see them from here?"

"I can see decently in the dark because of my power, it is more challenging without the light of the moon but I can tell you we are the only ones left."

It had only been a minute or two. No sound was made from anyone or anything.

The two stood across from each other silently.

As Clyde was about to open his mouth to suggest leaving he stopped after witnessing Lapis's expression.

The boy who was calm and collected began to tremble and turned pale. His eyes were aimed above Clyde.

Clyde turned around but there was nothing behind him. Looking back at Lapis his expression was completely normal.

"Are you okay?"

"I guess, let's just head back to the academy."

"Are you not gonna comment on what just happened?"

"What do you mean? Nothing happened."

Clyde blinked and as his eyes opened he was staring at a horrible sight.

An abomniation that looked like a blob of dozens of corpses, was about to swallow Lapis with its body. Aside from that the scenery of the roof changed completely. Blood was everywhere in addition to limbs, but there was no time to look.

"Lapis, hide now!"

Treating Clyde's words seriously Lapis immediately disappeared from view confusing the creature. Continuing to look at it Clyde realized what they were up against. Slayers called this thing a gargon. It was treated as a myth because no one had ever seen one. That only made sense considering what was happening. If looking away meant you forgot it then this would be tricky.

It was unclear how strong a gargon was but luckily Clyde still had Lapis.... somewhere.

With his hands out of commission and a foot that was weak things looked doubtful.

'I need to create some distance.'

But before he could the gargon began to construct a stone wall from the floor inbetween them.

'Huh?'

"Lapis, where did you go?"

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Lapis's figure became viewable once more as a shimmering light unveiled his body starting at his head and ending with his shoes.

"What are you talking about, you just told me to hide."

"Did I? You must be hearing things, anyway let's head back."

"Just wait a moment didn't we just have a similar conversation. You asked me something and I didn't know what you meant, and now it's reversed."

"Yeah...."

"Clyde run to me as fast as you can!"

The suddenness of his command felt absolute in Clyde's mind as if his own subconscious was yelling at him to agree. Bolting forward in an instant Clyde was next to Lapis.

Lapis looked scared but he took out a dagger.

"What are you doing are you insane!"

Clyde witness Lapis carve something into his arm and began to stop him when Lapis screamed at him.

"Let me do this!"

Clyde felt sick at the sight.

In a second he dropped the dagger and yelled in pain.

"You gonna tell me what's going on?!"

Lapis looked at him.

"I don't know why is my arm bleeding?!"

"You just carved it yourself don't you remember?"

Lapis stretched his arm out and looked at the carving.

"This is bad news."

"Show me."

Clyde looked at the arm and went pale. Carved onto Lapis's skin was a single word.

Gargon.