2025-01-31 17:00:14# Welcome to the match you’ve all been waiting for…#
# At my right, here he comes, the Undefeated Swordsman, The Slayer himself!!#
# From the left comes crowd favorite, Death!#
# Place your bets…..#
The sound blared from microphones in the arena. Today was the semifinal of a no-restraint the mixed style tournament ran by the boss.
It is been 3 days already.
Honestly, Kane hadn’t expected to stay this long. He had been able to gather some information but as he was about to go slayer mode, he felt it.
The presence of a Shard.
Another one here? He thought. Are we being drawn to each other?
He had to stay and discover who it was.
He knew that Sophia and Luthen would be thinking something happened to him. But he also knew that they wouldn’t look for him, partly because they were all still strangers to each other and partly because they had bigger fish to fry.
He had to wrap this up quickly and join them. Who knows what information they may have been able to gather or what they had been planning?
But first, he had to take care of this match.
*******
# Still undefeated, The Slayer! #
# Next match, finals!#
# The Slayer vs. five-time champion, Almighty
Today’s fight had ended with the opponent unconscious and bleeding. Kane hadn’t sustained any injuries from any of his matches so far. His opponents strength increased the further they advanced into this tournament but it all paled when compared to a Shard’s might. To mask his ridiculous strength, he had to take it easy on them. But they all ended up in similar near-death experiences.
He advanced faster than anyone in the tournament. Except his next opponent, the five times undefeated champion, Almighty. If Kane had to guess who the Shard was, he would bet on that guy. The matches he had watched of the champion were brutal. He could determine that the champion used some restraint but to a far lesser extent than he did.
He was, however, quite relieved that his self-imposed mission would end tomorrow with the final match of the tournament. He thought of Luthen and Sophia and sighed. He had to focus on tomorrow. He was thinking of them too much.
They would have to wait.
*******
Next day.
They would been waiting for Kane for 4 days. Sophia could not delay it any longer. Luthen agreed too.
“We’ve got to do this today.” He said that morning.
“Yes I am tired of waiting. Why do you think he did not come back?”
“Maybe he got cold feet. This isn’t exactly a piece of cake, you know.” He replied
“He just doesn’t look like the kind of person to quit.” She said
“If anything did happen, He can take it on by himself. ” Luthen was sure of that.
They had more things to worry about.
“You remember the plan?”
“Yeah.” Luthen said.
“Okay then. Let’s head out.”
*******
To enter the Archive, Sophia would pretend to follow the tour group while Luthen would just teleport inside the building. Using the building’s blueprints and confirming from the tour guide, they would be able to locate the exact position of the Archive’s vault and also if there were any other security measures.
Normally, it would be near impossible for Luthen at his current strength to teleport into the interior of a building that he had never seen or was not seeing currently. This could now be achieved by viewing the destination through Spatial World and then teleporting inside. He just had to be close enough.
Luthen teleported into the Archive’s record vault to disable any traps present before going back to collect Sophia
He could have just come himself, but he did not know how to read the archaic language the older records were written in. Those languages, though, were still taught to Nobles and their heirs. So Sophia had to come with. He tried to stop her from joining the tour group and just teleporting directly into the building but she refused.
Sophia slipped from the tour group at Luthen’s signal and they both got teleported into the Archive.
It took some minutes for Sophia to overcome her initial awe. The entire place looked like a library and was packed full of books, ancient scrolls and files. It was in their favour that the only thing it lacked was a librarian. They would have to leave faster than they came if they were caught by one.
“Where do we start looking Sophia?”
“Uhm.. Let’s start from the beginning?” She said. Luthen sighed.
This was going to be too much work and there was too little time. Since the Archive was mostly written in a language only Nobles could read, the Archive wasn’t ever broken into. No self-respecting Noble would think to do that – except Sophia. In fact, since its formation centuries ago, the Archive had never been broken into. That explained the lax security around the Archive’s vault. There were no guards around. The only security measures in place were automatic life sensors that swept through the vault every 2 hours.
They had entered the vault about a minute after the sensors had left. So they had the greater part of the 2 hours to work with. Luthen did not want to find out what happened if they got caught.
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Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Twelve: Two Hours in a Vault.
“Let’s see…. Conquest of Frenen…. War for Kalern…Yes! Chronicles of the Age of Nobles” Luthen said after about an hour as he picked up a dusty scroll. “Can you read this, Sophia? The language is ancient.”“Ok then. Let’s see what it says.”“In ... the ... beginning, the ... world ... was ... ruled ... by–”“Can you read any faster? We have a lot to cover!” He complained“I am trying! This isn’t a piece of cake!” She defended herself“In ... the ... beginning, the ... world ... was ... ruled ... by ... gods ... who ... controlled ... the ... seven ... types ... of ... magic. So basically the Shards and their Seven Aspects” She continued“I thought there were six?” Luthen asked“The world thinks there are six because nobody has had an Ability with the Null Aspect. Except its Shard.” She
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Thirteen: Kane v Almighty.
It would be humiliating if this guy did not turn out to be a Shard. Kane thought. To have to be put in this position by a regular Ability user."Y-You stood up?" His opponent said out of surprise. Kane stood taller than him, but not by much. This guy was over six feet also. He also preferred to fight bare chested, his rippling muscles contrasting with Kane's slimmer build. His battle scars were very evident."Hey! You are using an Ability right?" Kane asked through gritted teeth."Yes. I am." The other replied.Okay then. He needed to survive this and find out if this guy was a Shard. How many of us are there though?When he set out on this mission, he was told by his master that those like him had a sign manifest either at their backs or above their heads. A different sign for each Shard. Although, his master did not know which sign for which Shard.That made it a hell of a lot harder.Kane landed an attack with his blade an
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Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Fifteen: Secret Archive Meeting.
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Jerle?Where had she heard that word before?Jerletown.Her eyes widened. A city named after a Shard? Was it a coincidence Voyne was moving there?Just then, a knock was heard on the door "Sophia?""Come in please."Luthen entered."I just discovered something" He said "It is not that big of a discovery though.""Go on." She said."Look at this." He pointed to the symbol of the Soul Church "And this." He now pointed to the symbol on the cover of the Legend.In each case, a seven pointed star symbol was seen."I do not know if that is useful, but there's definitely a connection between the Church and that book."Sophia sat down."Thank you for sharing this, Luthen. It helped confirm my findings.""What did you find then?""You know the place Somen told us about?""Yeah. Jerletown on Sacred Island. What about it?""Jerle was the Benevolent G
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Seventeen: Preparations.
It was decided that Sophie should remain and that the boys should go.She was well connected and could inform them of any recent happenings in Rhyne. She could also protect herself, since, she was a Shard. Plus, most of their offensive power would have greater use putting a stop to Voyne. She argued this so much that Kane thought she sounded a little too eager to stay. Of course, Somen had no issue with the last point.First, he had to go see Edram. He was a little anxious as to how the boy would react. He entered the inn and was first scolded for leaving the boy unattended all this while. How would he explain that he never knew this kid before? He would look like a creep.They eventually directed him to Edram's room. The boy looked at Kane, burst into tears and ran to hug him. Kane wasn't good at emotional reassurances, so Edram cried a while. Thereafter, Kane said goodbye and left more coins for the innkeeper. He could not leave without the elder lady admonish
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Eighteen: Tied Hands.
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Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Nineteen: Island Landing.
Mother?Sophia had to skip the Circle session. She just wasn’t herself since the conversation.When Voyne called her Mother, something woke in her. It was almost like she was used to hearing him say it.It woke some memories that she did not knew she had. Some felt a lot like they were hers while most felt…off. Like she borrowed those memories from someone else.In one of her memories, she was a child, somewhere. On some wide street, playing, holding a paper fan. There were lots of sounds, like a festival or some occasion going on.Some cloaked people approached her. With the exact same cloaks that the Soul Church adherents wore.The one in front of them knelt in front of her. He took off his hood and she looked into his eyes. She knew that face, knew those eyes.Voyne, looking exactly the same as the present day, took her hand and kissed it with a greeting.“Hail, Mother.”*******<
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Chapter Forty-Nine: Supreme Techniques.
“I might be bleeding, but don’t think I am done just yet.” He said confidently. “Stay back, Luthen.”“You both should have just left when you had the chance. Instead you decided to say something stupid.” She said, her sharp gaze full of fury. Her eyes turned golden. She started to ascend, her clothes flapping wildly. More of those dots orbited her.“If you can cancel my attacks, I’ll just ! Even you have limits!” She said.She pointed again and one of the dots move to her finer tip. She flicked it and it came to rest over the boys heads.Instead of blowing up this time, the dot formed a sort of circular portal.“Energy Manipulation: Heavenly Fury!” Golden energy rained through the portal upon him.However, a black sphere covered him. Null Armour!“Kane, I’ll back you up!” Luthen said, preparing to fight. Kane stopped him with a gesture.&l
Chapter Forty-Eight: Saying Something Stupid.
“Viral Plant: Entrap”“Desert Rose: Thorn Oasis”“Winter: Falling Icicles”“Mythical Fire: Devouring Dragon”“Flowing Mud: Golem Construct”The crew unleashed their Abilities to counter the Shards.“You two go meet her. I’ll join you when I am done.” Kane said.“Like hell you will! Go instead. I’ll meet you two later.” Somen said.When violence was involved there was no reason with Somen.“Hey! You do know we can hear you right?! Do you think we’re pushovers?! I was planning on leaving your corpses intact. Because of this, I will use your skin for my boots!” One of the crew complained.The two were already gone.“Hey, you! Sword-former! Where did he go?! I am not done yet. Come back here!” The crew member who had previously addressed Kane said. He tried to follow the windows.
Chapter Forty-Seven: Shipping Indeed.
“You don’t deserve to call me that!” She said.Voyne chuckled.“Don’t tell me you are still having second thoughts about today. You saved your friend.” He said.She turned to face him.“You just used me! What have you done to Sophie?!”“It’s late. Keep your voice down. The last thing your subject’s need is their Noble landing in an asylum.” He said and turned to leave.“Are you threatening me?! In my own house?!” She said.The night wind blew softly.“Just do as we tell you. Goodnight, Klare.”*******This Noble is a bit much.He was just about to retire to his room when he saw the Archduchess in the garden. He just wanted to prod her a bit and she went full steam on him.Not too mention the reason he was finally going to his room this late at night was because he had to get chewed on by Mot
Chapter Forty-Six: Plans in Motion.
“You’re our guests.” A guard said in scorn as she shoved Jonelle and Reese into a small room. “Diplomats.” She added laughing, still in scorn before she resumed her post just outside of the room. The guard still remembered what was told to her a few minutes ago by the General.Don’t let them escape.That command carried an inherent threat in it.Reese, as well as Jonelle remembered also because they were there, bound. The room they were kept was the only thing to be thankful for in this mess. It was small, of course, but it had far more pleasures than your average prison, including a proper toilet, a bed and some aesthetic.“These mainland Shards couldn’t even identify the traitor in their ranks.” Reese said. He wasn’t angry, he was amused instead at how everything played out.“You should have gone with them.” Jonelle said.Reese turned to face her, sighing as he did so. He looked into her scowling face and replied “And leave you here by yourself?”“I would be fine. There was no point
Chapter Forty-Five: To Find Allies.
Klare sat in her room, her physical wounds already healing. She had been given treatment by her doctors and was already discharged. while her emotional wounds burned fiercely with pain.She didn’t know whether she had done the right thing or not. She just picked one of the two evils offered to her. It felt good looking at the Grand Duke hug his daughter and lead her away by the hand but the guilt on her soul was just as massive. The consequences of her choice would approach her soon.In fact, they were just around the corner.*******Too late.That was the only thought Renée had in mind. She had finally escaped from the hands of her oppressors and tracked down the Shards after months only to arrive just when two of them were being arrested by the army.She silently kicked herself for not being quick enough.Where do I go from here? She questioned herself.Just to track the elusive Shards had occupied her since she fled her master months ago. Running from the Soul Church was surprising
Chapter Forty-Four: Caught.
Luthen teleported Kane and Somen out of there.At the same time, Klare had opened her eyes.As the number of Shards surrounded reduced, there was a visible commotion. The soliders looked around, thinking the Shards who were missing had gone to their rear. However, the missing Shards were nowhere to be found.Mother turned to see the two Shards from the Sacred Island remaining. She smirked.“Guess they’ve gone ahead then.”Klare still regarded her with fear. “Are you really Sophie?”“No.” The answer struck Klare.“Then, how do you-”“I am in her body and can control her however I want.”“Leave her alone.” Klare said firmly.“I can’t do that now. But I’ll do it if you’ll cooperate with us.” Mother knew her son’s plan was to force this conversation all along, to subject the Archduchess to their will.“You killed all those soliders!” Klare clenched her fists.“They are dead. But your friend isn’t. Do you want her to die too?”“I-” Klare hesitated. Even if she did not want to do it for her
Chapter Forty-Three: Surround.
It was too late.The soldiers had fired their bullets at the Shards. Klare’s warning did nothing to slow their onslaught. The soldiers felt pride at being chosen to defend their Archduchess, their loyalty unwavering.Mother smirked. The bullets paused in midair. “I don’t think you all were invited to the conversation.” The bullets went in the opposite direction they had come and with twice the force with which they had been sent, putting holes in the bodies of the soldiers and sending them to their afterlives.Klare could only stare in terror as the blood of the soldiers stained her military uniform. Why had she even survived.A massive aura enveloped the air making Klare, who was finding it had to breathe from her choking sobs, collapse from suffocation.“Force Technique: Gravity Seal.” Mother found she could not move after Jonelle spoke in anger.The rest prepared for war, their hesitancy in attack
Chapter Forty-Two: A Different Duchess
A presence exploded from Sophie. It felt like her, but with a bit of difference. It was rougher and edgy unlike Sophie’s calmer nature.Just what happened to Sophie while we were gone?! Luthen thought.“Sophie!” He said.The twins were quite confused. One minute, everyone is eating at the table (mostly them) and the next they felt a barrier enclosing them and saw Kane draw his sword.The next minute, their hostess suddenly transformed to another person.“Who said I had to explain anything?” She smiled eerily reminiscent of her adopted son. Luthen didn’t not fail to notice this.This smile is just like–!!He thought.The mental image of Voyne was conjured in his head.“What have you done to Sophie?!!” He raged.“You’re about to find out.” She still sat, confidently and carelessly. The rest of the Shards had formed a semicircle i
Chapter Forty-One: Reveal.
“I don’t think so. I think he meant they were similar due to them both being living Relics.”“What are living Relics though?” Somen asked.Luthen was about to answer when Sophie answered instead.“They are beings of abnormal power. The result of trying to contain a Shard’s power in the body of an unworthy vessel.”The rest looked at her.“A Shard’s constitution is especially suited to contain the massive amounts of soul energy they produce. If any Shard, intentionally or otherwise, tries to forcibly transfer a substantial amount of the soul energy they produce to anyone else who is not a Shard, a living Relic will result.”“So a living Relic is like a Relic except the vessel is human?” Reese asked.“Yes. These individuals are characterized by unstable mental conditions or other mental issues and a short lifespan.” She turned to Luthen. “You
