The Debt

I manage to stand my ground, not getting flung like the previous soldiers, but I can't manage much more.
Soon, the boss will recall the scythe, then swing it again at the others in the wrong square.
"Iron Fortress."
The cast is instant. My body hardening so much I can't even blink. My whole body has turned into metal. A wave of cold rigidity washes over me from head to toe, my skin becoming impenetrable steel. Even my eyelids freeze mid-blink, vision fixed on the scene before me. Normally used to prevent damage, right now I can use it to prevent more by locking up the Marionette's weapon.
Next, well, next isn't up to me.
The Boss can sense something is wrong, it's frantically trying to pull its scythe from my body, but with no luck. Its wooden joints creak and strain as it pulls backwards, the scythe blade firmly embedded in my metallic form. The more it struggles, the more its movements become erratic, jerky, like a puppet with tangled strings.
The squares around the boss all start to glow red, but no one is in them to act as the trigger. Its pattern disrupted, the boss seems almost confused, if a wooden construct could feel such a thing.
Then, a glint of light appears above its head. The small figure remembering what I said earlier about the boss's weakness. Retainer's tiny form flies through the air, a shadow against the dim light of the dungeon ceiling.
"Assassinate!" Her childlike voice rings out as her dagger connects with the wooden construct. The blade strikes true, hitting the exact weak point I told them about earlier.
The boss instantly stops moving, starting to despawn, the scythe going limp before falling apart like the boss. Cracks of light spread across its wooden frame, splinters breaking off and dissolving into shards of light. The once-menacing marionette crumbles piece by piece, until nothing remains but a few scattered motes of light.
If I could, I would be breathing a sigh of relief right now. But I'm still stuck like this for a few moments longer. My thoughts race while my body remains frozen, mentally counting down the seconds until the spell wears off.
Now that the boss is silent, Captain has come back over to join her soldiers, both her and
Ranger helping Priestess towards the exit. Priestess limps between them.
Retainer lands next to me, holding out a fistful of gems.
"Loot, from inside the panel." She explains, eyes bright with excitement despite the exhaustion visible on her small face.
Iron Fortress is just about to wear off which means I can talk once again. I feel the spell's effects beginning to fade, the metal slowly retreating from my limbs, sensation returning bit by bit.
I open my mouth to praise her, but all that comes out is a rush of blood. The metallic taste fills my mouth, warm and coppery.
Looking down, I see my stomach torn open through my armour. The metal plates are bent inward, edges jagged where the scythe tore through them like paper. Beneath the ruined armor, a mess of red.
Oh yeah, I jumped in front of a scythe.
Retainer screams for help as I limply fall forwards. Her tiny body is barely able to support my body weight. She buckles under me but refuses to let go, her small hands grabbing at whatever part of my armor she can hold.
I try to say something else but all that comes out is more blood. Each attempt to speak only brings more pain, a burning sensation spreading from my gut to my chest.
This isn't good.
Through my blurring vision. I can see Captain's soldiers are fully carrying Priestess over to me. Their faces blur together, but their urgency is clear.

My H.P is very low, my vision is almost fully gone, same with my consciousness. The world fades in and out, sometimes dark, sometimes painfully bright.
I can barely make out the form of Priestess frantically trying her hardest to stop the bleeding and keep me alive. But as we found out from Captain losing her arm, bleeding is hard to stop. Her hands glow with a soft light as she presses them against my wound, muttering incantations between desperate instructions to the others.
Potion after potion is poured both on my wounds or in my mouth. These along with Priestess's healing magic is barely keeping me alive. The bitter liquid spills down my chin, mixing with blood. Some of it makes it down my throat, bringing momentary warmth before the cold creeps back in.
I want to say something, want to tell them it'll be fine, but all that comes out of my mouth is a gurgling sound and more blood. My lips move, but I can't form words through the pain and fluid.
"Don't try to talk," Priestess yells at me, she's trying her hardest to stay calm, but it's still obvious how much panic has set in. Sweat beads on her forehead, her hands trembling even as they work.
Retainer is helping her, pouring potions, changing bandages, everything she can to help. Her small hands move with surprising efficiency, tearing cloth and applying pressure where needed.
The other two stay out the way, knowing they won't be able to help. Captain paces nearby, her good arm clutching her sword hilt so tightly her knuckles are white. Ranger stands guard, bow ready, watching the room's entrance.
My vision is going dark, it's getting hard to keep my eyes open. The edges of the world fade to black, and I feel myself slipping away.

"Who the hell is that?" Ranger's voice prevents me from fully going under. His bow creaks as he draws it back, aiming at something I can't see.
"Why now?" Captain yells, I hear the found sound of her drawing her sword. Metal scrapes against leather as she readies her stance.
An enemy? In a boss room? It's not impossible but just incredibly unlikely. Cleared boss rooms are supposed to be safe zones, at least temporarily.
"If I move him he will die," Priestess shouts at them. "And we're not leaving him." Her voice breaks on the last word, determination mixing with desperation.
"He's getting closer, what do we do?" Ranger sounds panicked.
I try to move my body, but it refuses to budge. My party is in trouble, and I can't help them.
My fingers twitch uselessly against the stone floor, armor suddenly feeling like a prison.
Retainer drops the bloody bandage she's holding and blinks out of my view. The quick patter of her footsteps fades as she moves away.
"What are you doing?" Captain shouts. "Don't rush in."
Faintly, I can hear the sound of Retainer talking.
"Please, help him." Her voice is small but clear, even in my fading consciousness.

"Wake up… Paladin." The slow and unnatural voice worms its way into my head.
"Hmm," I slowly open my eyes, my back hard against a wall. I'm sitting on the ground, blood and empty healing supplies surround me. Glass vials, torn bandages, and depleted potion bottles litter the floor around me.
"You seem to have a habit… of almost dying," Glancing up, I see the Merchant standing over me. His face is still hidden beneath his hood, but I can feel his gaze upon me.
He's stuffing things back into his backpack, while also checking me over. Strange tools and unfamiliar bottles disappear into his seemingly bottomless bag. His hands move with practiced precision.
"Yes, he should be fine now." His voice echoes strangely in the chamber.
I'm suddenly assaulted by the rest of my party. Priestess looks exhausted, her eyes red from crying. Her words are complete gibberish as she cries against me. She clutches at my armor, as if afraid I might disappear if she lets go.
Retainer isn't much better, wedging herself between us and doing the same. Her tiny form trembles against me, face buried against what's left of my chestplate.
Captain is standing there, trying to act tough. But even she looks overwhelmed. Her usual stern expression cracked, revealing relief she's trying desperately to hide.
"You should try not nearly dying for once, it'll make you live longer."
Ranger is standing some distance away, trying his best to hold back his tears. He gives me a nod before turning away. His shoulders rise and fall with shaky breaths.
"You did good, kid," I say. The tears he was trying to hold back fall down his face, visible from where I sit. He quickly wipes them away with his sleeve, pretending to adjust his bow string.

"So, what do I owe you?" I ask the Merchant. My voice is raspy, throat raw from the trauma.
I've finally pried the two criers off me and have a moment to talk with him. My stomach still aches, but the wound is closed, an angry red scar where a gaping hole had been.
"Nothing, we can now call our debt… paid." He speaks slowly, finally finishing with his packing. The last of his mysterious implements disappear into his bag.
"Once again, I am afraid because of the… Emergency. I have no stock left for you." He gestures to his emptied pack with long, slender fingers.
"I'll make do." I smile. "Thank you, again, for saving me." I try to stand but think better of it, settling back against the wall.
"Remember, Paladin." he starts walking towards the exit. "There won't be a third time." His footsteps echo as he moves away, his hunched form dissolving into the shadows of the dungeon corridor.