Roy had ,managed to avoid a few shambling mounds of flesh with his haze spell, if there weren't too many ghouls in one area he usually placed the blade of his knife deftly in the brain stem of these monsters from behind. He could use his haze as a distraction when he needed to.
Those creatures who still used the eyes of this world weren't the problem however. It was the opponents who saw more than even he did that worried him. Every once in a while he looked around swiftly, having thought that just for a moment those same eyes as before had laid their gaze on him. But nothing seemed to be there when Roy looked, no matter what direction he looked in, and no matter how long he looked for.
It didn't matter he told himself, whatever happened he would take care of it. He just needed to find Balder, find Balder and make sure he was ok. If he got to him in time he could use some of his items to heal him, that should counteract the decaying effect that some of the undead's attacks could cause.
He just needed to find him, and find him quickly. Roy's heart started beating faster as he looked without success for his friends hut, he had visited several times before but the area was so different now, nothing looked the same and it seems chaos and madness had taken over the whole place even before it became a literal ghost town.
He started a light jog throwing caution to the wind he made some noise. But it didn't matter, he'd take down whatever got in his way. Nothing would stop him from getting to Balder, not now not when he was so close. Roy luckily encountered no more ghouls as he traveled the abysmal lands where this curse had taken root and blossomed.
But finally in the distance where thick fog had formed he saw the silhouette of Balder's cabin. Elated Roy threw caution to the wind and sprinted towards the home. His heart raced faster and faster as he ran, he felt a nervous drop of sweat fall down from his forehead.
Hold on just a little longer Balder, I'm going to be there soon old friend. Just hang on for a little longer All of the sudden however another shivering presence appeared before him leaping through from behind a standing stone. Roy barely had time to lift his hand before the creature landed a blow on him. He defended his head by bringing his arms up with closed fists, putting them together and holding them upward. The creatures dreadful touch sent shocking pain throughout his arms, and stopped him in his tracks. His body arched backwards behind the force of the blow, but he did manage to stop the ghosts strike from reaching his head.
He jumped back a step as the ghost launched himself at him, he dodged left then right, backing up and hopping to the side. This ghost was on a rampage and Roy could hardly do more than dodge at first. He figured blocking would do nothing for him, any touch on this being seemed dangerous. But soon enough he was able to calm his mind and focus on the situation.
The ghost lashed out with it's right hand, and he dashed to the left, so that it would have to turn to face him, buying him time to use his smoke chain spell, this chain lashed out towards the ghost encircling it and forcing it backwards 20 meters. His spectral hands spell could only move so fast, and in Roy's desperate attempts to get to Balder he had left in a little ways behind. It would get there, but slowly. He needed to buy time.
As the ghost was launched backwards Roy smiled, as he prepared to cast another spell. This smile turned into a shocked expression of pain however as another explosion of needle like pain shot through the right side of his ribcage from behind. A grey hand slowly retracting itself from Roy's chest.
Damn it! He cursed internally, he had dropped his guard while he fought the first spirit, not even considering that their could be another one in the area. He leaped forward and away from the ghost at his back rolling and pivoting, so that he took a low stance on his feet facing the ghost, his chain would hold the spirit a little longer and then slow him down. Roy wasn't sure what spell he could cast to slow this spirit down, he cursed himself for leaving his contingent of hands so far behind. He was never this reckless, but then again he was rarely racing against the clock to save his friends life.
His eyes widened as he remembered Balder.
Damnit he cursed again, he didn;t have time for this! Roy let out a wild holler as he decided to unleash a bit more of his magical power, at first he wanted to conserve his magic should he need it to get balder out of here but none of that would matter if he couldn't even get to him in time.
The Ghost closest to him hardly moved at all before it was beset by Roy's Coffin nail spell, it stopped in it's track as smoke enclosed it from all sides, crushing down on it with magical force. As the smoke dissipated immediately after the attack Roy caught a glimpse of the ghost body hovering in place, prone due to Roy's attack. But slowly it's body started to fade again, it's form getting less and less visible as it seemed to dissolve in to the air, hardly a moan escaped from the incorporeal being as it finally left this world for good.
He had no time to take pleasure in his victory however, as the ghost he had cast away was once again making it's way back to him, finally overcoming Roy's smokey chain. It still struggled against it however and Roy was grateful for this, as it bought him enough time to come up with another plan.
Roy merely stood there and waited for it, backing up slowly to drag out the time it took to get to him. The ghost howled and wailed, and Roy noticed how cold it got again as he saw his breath. It came out in short quick bursts, so Roy took a deep breath, and calmed himself. His heartbeat slowed down and his breathing was regulated again. The pain in his body was starting to subside but it was still so sore, and he noticed that it hurt a lot worse, and went away much slower with every hit he took.
The ghost has just about reached him, and Roy just stood still, he glared the ghost down as it continued getting closer to him, he didn;t move, he didn't flinch, he just breathed, and remained calm. Finally the ghost was close enough to touch him, it reached out it's hand and let out a piercing hiss, elated as it finally got close enough to it's prey to launch another attack.
Roy's felt different this time as the hand neared him, he heard thoughts that were not his own. His body grew numb all over and his strength started to fade, it took all he had for his knees not to buckle, but still he didn't move. His vision blurred and he was starting to see stars. But just before the ghost reached him, from behind his misty hands finally caught up to him and launched themselves at his opponent from behind. Each hand struck the ghost and as they did they shot out in all directions ripping the ghosts airy form into all directions. The shreds of this spiritual form going the same way the others did, slowly dissipating into the air as if there was never anything there in the first place.
Roy would have preferred to have taken a few moments to catch his breath, and think. But he couldn't afford this luxury, his friends life was on the line and he had already wasted so much time fighting these ghosts. He took off running again, being just as reckless as before, but this time he reached the house without a problem.
He burst through the door loudly and called out for his friend.
"Balder! Balder where are you I got your letter and came here as soon as I could! Balder? Show yourself please I brought some healing Lacrima I think they ca-"Roy's sentenced was cut short as he heard the squeak of footsteps from another room. His face lit up in smile as the door opened and a he saw a leg appear.
"Balder!" He cried out to him about to step forward and pull out one of his healing lacrimas. However his smile slowly faded and his gaze darkened as he noticed the decayed flesh, and lifeless eyes of a ghoul. But not just any ghoul. This ghoul carried the decayed ruined face of his old friend Balder.
He stood tall now and clenched his fists. He suppressed his emotions that tried to enter his heart. The sadness, the regret, the feeling of failure and uselessness. He would have time to feel these things later. He would have time to mourn later. But right now, he had to do the only thing that he could do for his friend. He would end this ghouls mockery of his friends life.
He took a deep breath before he spoke again. Then shouted out.
"Balder, if you can still hear me....Please know that I will put your body to rest. I will not allows this unholy magic to mock your memory any longer!"- Spoiler:
WC: 1636
HP: 160
MP: 70%
TWC: 3100