As Eamon and Haizer's swords collided, a violent shockwave erupted across the battlefield. The air itself seemed to split apart from the force of the clash. Flames danced wildly around them, leaves were ripped from nearby trees, and dust exploded into the sky. Eamon gritted his teeth and pushed forward with everything he had. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest. The newfound power flowing through him after consuming Winston's blood was immense, but standing before Haizer, it suddenly felt insignificant.
For the first time since this battle began, Eamon truly understood the gap between them.
Haizer wasn't merely stronger. He was on an entirely different level.
The Seraphim's sword felt like a mountain pressing down on him. Eamon's boots dug deep into the soil as he desperately tried to resist. His arms trembled violently. Sweat mixed with blood as it dripped down his face. Every second felt longer than the last.
Meanwhile, Haizer looked completely relaxed. A grin slowly spread across his face.
"You look surprised, boy."
Eamon refused to answer. Instead, he pushed harder.
The grin widened.
Then, with a sudden burst of strength, Haizer forced his sword downward. The pressure instantly overwhelmed Eamon.
His defense collapsed. His body was thrown backward through the air before crashing into the ground. He rolled several times before finally stopping near a broken tree trunk. Pain shot through every part of his body.
Before he could even get back on his feet, Haizer was already moving. His massive wings spread wide. With one powerful flap, he launched himself into the sky.
The air exploded beneath him.
Eamon looked up. A shadow descended.
Instinctively, he raised his Vixterium sword. Clang! The impact nearly shattered his arms.
Before Eamon could recover, Haizer vanished again. The Seraphim moved through the air so quickly that Eamon could barely follow him.
His eyes darted around desperately.
Left. Right. Above.
Nothing.
Then suddenly— A burning pain erupted across his back.
"Aghhh!"
Blood sprayed through the air.
Haizer had appeared behind him.
A deep slash stretched across Eamon's back. He stumbled forward. His vision blurred for a moment. But the attack wasn't over.
Haizer disappeared once more. Then he appeared directly in front of him.
Another slash. Blood splattered across Eamon's chest.
The force sent him staggering backward.
Eamon tried to swing his sword in retaliation, but Haizer was already gone again.
He moved like a phantom.
Every time Eamon thought he had found him, another attack came from a different direction.
A cut appeared on his shoulder. Another on his arm. Another across his leg.
The wounds weren't fatal individually, but together they were slowly wearing him down.
Haizer wasn't trying to kill him quickly. He was enjoying this.
The realization made Eamon angry. He clenched his teeth and forced himself to remain standing.
"I won't fall..."
He swung wildly toward a shadow.
Nothing. A second later another strike landed on his side. Blood soaked his clothes. His breathing became ragged. The forest spun around him. His body felt heavier with every passing second.
Then Haizer appeared directly above him. Before Eamon could react, the Seraphim slammed the hilt of his sword into Eamon's chest.
The impact knocked the air from his lungs. His sword slipped from his grasp. The Vixterium blade spun through the air before landing several feet away.
Eamon dropped to one knee. His vision blurred completely. The sounds of battle became distant.
For a brief moment, he thought he might actually lose consciousness.
Meanwhile, Damien had finally finished dealing with the remaining soldiers surrounding him. Bodies lay scattered throughout the battlefield. Some were unconscious. Others had thrown away their weapons and fled.
The vampire's chest rose and fell heavily. Then he looked toward Eamon.
His eyes widened. He saw Haizer standing over him.
He saw the blood. The wounds. The exhaustion.
And he saw Eamon beginning to collapse. Something inside Damien snapped.
"EAMON!"
The scream echoed through the forest.
Not far away, Korran and Felis watched in terror. The two brothers clung tightly to their father. Orzen wrapped his remaining arm around them protectively. Fear was written across all three faces.
Roneth stood before them like a wall. His swords remained drawn despite the pain from his wounds. His eyes never left the battlefield.
Damien didn't hesitate. He charged.
Blood gathered around his arm as he ran. The crimson liquid twisted and hardened, forming a long sword made entirely from blood magic.
Haizer noticed him approaching.
The Seraphim smiled.
"Another fool."
Damien arrived before him instantly.
Their swords collided. A shower of sparks burst into the night.
Neither man backed away. The clash continued.
Sword met sword.
Again.
Again.
Again.
The fire left behind by Eamon's earlier spells illuminated the battlefield with an orange glow. Their shadows danced across the trees as the two powerful fighters exchanged blows.
Haizer attacked from above.
Damien blocked.
Haizer attacked from the side.
Damien countered.
The vampire's enhanced speed allowed him to keep pace with the winged warrior.
For the first time, Haizer looked slightly interested.
"Oh?"
His grin widened. "Not bad vampire."
Damien didn't reply.
He simply attacked harder.
The battle intensified.
Haizer suddenly rose into the sky.
His wings beat powerfully.
Strong gusts of wind exploded outward.
Then he dove toward Damien. His sword slashed sideways. But Damien vanished. The blade cut through empty air. Haizer frowned slightly.
Then he sensed movement behind him. The vampire had appeared directly at his back. Damien swung his blood sword with full force. Yet before the attack landed, Haizer disappeared. The blade struck nothing.
Damien immediately looked around. His senses searched frantically.
Where was he? Then danger exploded inside his mind. Above. Damien looked up.
Too late.
Haizer descended from the sky like a falling meteor.
The Seraphim's sword came crashing down.
Damien reacted instantly.
He raised his blood sword.
Clang!
The collision shook the surrounding trees. For a moment both fighters remained locked. Then Haizer suddenly performed a backflip in midair. Before Damien could react, a powerful kick slammed directly into his chest.
The force launched him backward. Damien crashed through bushes before stopping himself. He immediately stood again.
But Haizer had vanished once more. The vampire narrowed his eyes. The forest became silent. The only sound came from the crackling flames.
Then Roneth finally spoke. His voice echoed from across the battlefield.
"Damien!"
The vampire glanced toward him.
Roneth's expression had changed completely.
The arrogance was gone.
Only seriousness remained.
"Listen carefully!"
Damien nodded.
Roneth tightened his grip on his swords.
"Seraphims are known for their aerial speed. Very few can keep up with them using sight alone."
Damien listened carefully.
"Then what should I do?"
Roneth pointed toward the sky. "Pay attention to the sound."
Damien frowned. "The sound?"
"The wings." Roneth replied. "Their wings push huge amounts of air when they move. Every movement creates a gushing sound. Stop relying on your eyes. Listen."
The vampire stared at him. Then he nodded. "I understand."
Without hesitation, Damien stopped moving. Completely. The battlefield grew strangely quiet.
Even Haizer seemed curious. The Seraphim watched from somewhere hidden in the darkness.
Damien closed his eyes. His vampire senses expanded outward. His hearing sharpened.
The crackling flames. The rustling leaves. The frightened breathing of the soldiers. He ignored everything. He focused only on finding Haizer.
Several seconds passed. Then— He heard it.
A faint gushing sound. Behind him.
Very close. Damien's eyes snapped open.
Without hesitation, he spun around and raised his blood sword.
At that exact moment, Haizer appeared.
The Seraphim attacked exactly as Roneth predicted.
For a brief moment, Damien smiled. He had found him. Their swords collided.
But the instant the attack landed, Damien's confidence vanished.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
The force behind Haizer's strike was monstrous.
Far greater than before. His blood sword immediately began cracking.
"What—"
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
Then it shattered completely. The shockwave exploded through Damien's body. His feet left the ground. He was launched backward like a cannonball. Tree after tree shattered as he flew through the forest.
Wood splintered. Branches exploded.
Finally, his body slammed into a massive tree. The trunk cracked from the impact. Damien collapsed to the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. For a moment, the entire battlefield fell silent.
Then laughter echoed through the forest. Haizer stood proudly beneath the moonlight. His wings spread wide behind him.
"Hahahaha!"
The sound sent chills through everyone present.
"You thought speed is all I have?"
His eyes locked onto Damien.
"No, you fool."
The grin on his face widened.
"My true power is my strength."
The air around him seemed to tremble.
"I was the youngest Emerald Knight in my kingdom."
Everyone stared at him.
Even the defeated soldiers looked frightened.
"You think you'll defeat me simply by predicting my movements?"
His laughter returned.
"Hahaha! How pathetic."
Nearby, Roneth's expression darkened.
At last, everything made sense.
The wings. The title. The fighting style. The overwhelming power.
A flood of old memories rushed back into his mind. He finally remembered exactly who Haizer was. Every missing piece had fallen into place.
But he remained silent. Now was not the time. Not while Korran's family was still in danger.
Roneth tightened his grip on his swords and stepped slightly forward, positioning himself between the terrified family and the battlefield. Whatever happened next, he would not allow harm to come to them.
He stood there like an unbreakable wall, saying nothing. He knew right now his priority was to protect them.