Rising Of The Blind Swordsman

Shattered Bonds

Confusion enveloped the survivors as they tried to make sense of the events that had just unfolded. The news of Gorgan's claim, the annihilation of Beron City, and the declaration of war left them reeling with disbelief.

For centuries, the beasts had not shown such aggression towards humans, and this sudden change signaled an impending threat of cataclysmic proportions.

Amidst their shock, however, a sense of relief washed over them.

Gorgan had spared their lives, allowing them to witness the grim aftermath and bear witness to the atrocities committed.

The guards ventured into the main town, their hearts heavy with trepidation, to confirm the fate of the city's inhabitants.

Inside the city hall, a once bustling hub of administration, now lay a scene of unimaginable horror.

Blood stained every surface, and the dismembered bodies of men, women, and children, regardless of age, were strewn about.

The search yielded no survivors.

Beron City had been obliterated, its existence reduced to a macabre tableau of death.

The weight of the massacre bore heavily on Archon's soul. Tears welled in his eyes as he mourned the loss of innocent lives and his inability to make a difference. His heart cried out for justice, for an end to the senseless violence inflicted upon the undeserving.

The cruelty of the beasts struck a painful chord within the survivors.

Amidst the chaos, an old guard, his face etched with anguish, spoke somberly, "This is the true nature of the beasts. We have known an era of peace for so long that we have forgotten the horrors they can unleash." He paused, his eyes filled with sorrow. "We must not dwell on the strangers we failed to protect. We must worry about our own families, our own homes. How many more cities have fallen today?"

In the midst of their shared grief, Zeld, all of a sudden, driven by his own anguish, drew his sword and challenged Archon to a death match.

The revelation of their blood ties astonished the onlooking mercenaries, who whispered in hushed voices, speculating about Archon's origins.

Archon's eyes burned with a mixture of fury and pain he was fed up, today was a total mess up and his foolish brother seems to want to cause him greater pain, he accepted the challenge.

Lady Zina interposed herself between the brothers, offering to be the one to end Zeld's life. However, Archon's resolve was unyielding, his desire to confront the Blade family's betrayal consuming him.

With Lady Zina stepping aside, the atmosphere grew tense. The mercenaries, torn between curiosity and concern, debated whether they should intervene in the family feud. Yet, they ultimately decided to remain uninvolved, recognizing the magnitude of the brothers' personal struggle.

The clash of swords ensued, with Archon launching a swift thrust that Zeld narrowly evaded. However, Archon's subsequent kick found its mark, inflicting substantial damage to Zeld's ribs.

Undeterred, Archon pressed his advantage, launching a relentless assault that forced Zeld to defend himself. Zeld's skill with the sword was on par with Archon's, and he used the hilt of his weapon to knock Archon to the ground. It became evident that Archon had been concealing his true abilities.

Before Archon could rise, Zeld seized the opportunity, kicking him into the air and attempting a finishing blow. However, to his astonishment, Archon's neck proved impervious due to the protective ki he had harnessed. With a resounding impact, Archon was sent crashing into the ground, leaving a deep crater in his wake.

Emerging from the dust cloud, Archon soared back into the fray, slashing Zeld's right arm with precision. Zeld's anguished cries filled the air, his panic evident as he realized the extent of his brother's strength.

The mercenaries, witnessing this unexpected display of skill, were left in awe.

Even Lady Zina, who had underestimated Archon, found herself taken aback. She had never imagined that he possessed such mastery over the sword. It became clear to her that Archon had been concealing his true strength, biding his time to unleash it when it mattered most.

Archon, fueled by a potent mix of resentment and determination, advanced toward Zeld with an air of calmness, his aura pulsating with murderous intent. His voice carried an eerie weight as he taunted his older brother, "Is this all you are worth, big brother? What happened to the taunts and the strength you once used to bully me? Face me with everything you have!"

Archon's words, dripping with disdain, sent chills down the spines of those present. None had anticipated that the seemingly useless brother would undergo such a metamorphosis, evolving into a formidable adversary.

In a last-ditch effort, Zeld invoked the Blade family's special skill, the Aura. Energy surged through his body, manifesting in a visible armor and a sword in his left hand. Archon, with his perceptive eyes, keenly observed the aura's formation, having anticipated this moment.

Archon sneered mockingly, "My Ki against your Aura. Let us see which is stronger." With a furious roar, Zeld charged at Archon, driven by rage and desperate to exploit his trump card. Their swords clashed, but to their astonishment, both weapons shattered upon impact.

Unfazed by the broken blades, Archon swiftly thrust a dagger into Zeld's stomach—a calculated move he had prepared with precise ki manipulation. Zeld, coughing up blood, understood that the battle was over. While he could fight on for a few more minutes, it would only prolong the inevitable. Archon, the once-disregarded brother, had surpassed all expectations.

"How?" Zeld gasped, his voice barely a whisper amid his pain and disbelief.

"One blade down," Archon muttered coldly, raising his broken sword to deliver a final blow to Zeld's neck. Gasps of horror resonated through the crowd, the mercenaries frozen in shock and disbelief. But in a miraculous turn of events, Lady Zina intervened at the last possible moment.

Throwing a small dagger with precision, she deflected Archon's sword, and then, fueled by her own ki, unleashed a wave blast that sent Archon sprawling backward. Her voice carried the weight of admonishment as she shouted, "Do not kill your brother! Are you ready to bear the burden of that choice?"

Archon stood silently for a few fleeting moments, his mind grappling with conflicting emotions. "Of course not," he finally whispered, his voice laced with resignation. He took a seat on the ground, his anger subsiding, replaced by a sense of clarity. "But what other choice do I have?"

As Archon sat, contemplating the depth of what just happened, Zeld seized the opportunity and activated a return scroll, vanishing from sight. The mercenaries made no attempt to impede him, recognizing his defeat.

Lady Zina, now beside Archon, cradled him in her arms, offering solace in this tumultuous moment.

"Thank you for stopping me," Archon murmured, his voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and regret.

The mercenaries, still reeling from the intense duel, found themselves at a loss for words. Yet, their respite was short-lived, as urgent news arrived that demanded their attention. The gravity of the situation shifted their focus away from the clash between the brothers, reminding them of the larger threat looming over their heads.

Word spread swiftly among the survivors, igniting a sense of urgency.

The devastating news revealed that multiple cities had fallen prey to the merciless beasts. Panic and concern gripped the hearts of the mercenaries as they contemplated the fate of their own homes and loved ones.