Chapter 1: Just One More lie
Bright sunlight. Cold winds. Peaceful silence. Birds chirping.
A perfect morning in the village.
Unfortunately, someone was ruining that peace with the sound of metal being polished for what was apparently the fourth time that day.
Strom.
The village's only blacksmith.
A legend nobody asked for and nobody completely understood.
He was polishing his new armor again.
The armor was an improved version of his previous set, forged with stronger metal, new materials, and several enchantments.
Everything was perfectly fine.
Except Wraith.
She stood nearby, staring at Strom with genuine irritation.
She had planned to go out with him but apparently Strom had other plans.
Wraith: "Why does it feel like he loves his armor more than me?"
Strom didn't even turn around.
Sam, however, answered immediately.
Sam: "Not just the armor."
Wraith: "Huh?"
Sam: "I saw him kissing his dragon spear last night."
Wraith: "WHAT?!"
Before he could get killed Strom replied in his defence.
Strom: "I was checking the polish."
Sam: "Yeah. You were."
Wraith stared at the spear, then at Strom.
Wraith: "So my competition isn't a goddess or some hot princess. It's a freaking spear?"
Strom: "Jealous over a piece of metal? Wow, Wraith."
Wraith: "Love for those pieces of metal? Wow, Strom."
Sam quietly stepped backward.
He had already decided that this conversation was above his pay grade.
Before the argument could escalate, the sound of wheels approached from the road.
A merchant's wagon stopped near the forge.
Two large sacks sat in the back, something inside them glowing faintly.
Wagon Man: "Strom!"
Strom: "Yeah, yeah. I'm coming."
Strom walked over, pulled out a small pouch of gold, and handed it to the wagon driver before taking the two sacks.
Strom: "Say hi to the Merchant Uncle for me."
Wagon Man: "Sure."
The wagon rolled away.
Strom carried the sacks back toward the forge and dropped them beside the worktable.
Clink. Clink.
Something inside sounded like glass rubbing against glass.
Wraith: "What's in those?"
Strom: "Crystals."
He looked toward Sam.
Strom: "Sam, do you have mana dust?"
Sam: "Yeah. At my house."
Strom: "Good. My servant will bring it."
Sam (stopped): "Hey! I'm not your servant."
Strom: "In my native language, 'servant' means friend."
Sam: "Really?"
Strom: "No."
Sam: "..."
Strom: "Okay could you please bring me some mana dust?"
Sam: "Sure."
Sam turned around and started walking towards his village.
New quest — Bring Mana Dust to the Blacksmith.
___
Later at Sam's house...
He grabbed the large pouch of mana dust and headed back toward Strom's village.
He could have teleported but he didn't.
There was no reason.
The sunlight felt good, the wind was cool, and for once nobody was asking him to fight anything.
Then he saw her.
Astrid.
She sat on a large rock beside the road, sharpening her massive blade.
The moment her eyes landed on Sam, the peaceful atmosphere died.
Astrid stood.
She picked up her blade and started walking straight toward him.
Sam stopped.
His smile disappeared.
Sam: "...Oh, no."
Astrid: "You lied to me."
Sam: "I can explain."
Astrid: "You told me you defeated Strom in a fight."
Sam: "It was a misunderstanding."
Astrid: "Good explanation. Thank you."
She suddenly grabbed a small dagger and pinned Sam by his collar against the wall.
Sam: "HEY! HEY! HEY!"
Astrid raised her blade.
Sam: "Public execution isn't allowed in human territory!"
Astrid paused: "...Really?"
Sam: "Ah!... Yes! Humans are very peaceful creatures. We are completely against violence." ✌️
Astrid (narrowed her eyes): "You're lying again, aren't you?"
Sam: "...Technically, yes."
Astrid stared at him.
Then released him.
Whether she had forgiven him or simply decided to postpone his execution was unclear.
Sam rubbed his collar.
Sam: "You know, most people just ask questions."
Astrid: "Most people don't lie about defeating warriors."
Sam: "Fair."
The two eventually continued toward Strom's forge.
_____
The Forge.
When they arrived, several crystals were already spread across Strom's worktable.
There were three distinct types.
Red — The Shard of Flames. Resistant to extreme heat and capable of carrying powerful fire-based energy.
Purple — A fragile crystal containing dark energy. Extremely powerful, but dangerous to handle without mastery of dark magic.
And then there was Blue.
Hundreds of blue crystals filled one of the sacks.
Unlike the others, blue crystal had no flashy elemental effect.
Instead, it possessed two properties Strom cared about.
Magic resistance.
And ductility.
Despite looking like crystal, it could be worked almost like steel.
The other crystals were merely leftovers from the merchant's stock, pieces he had planned to throw away.
Astrid picked up one of the blue crystals and examined it.
Astrid: "Why blue crystals only?"
Strom: "Because blue is my favorite colour."
Astrid blinked in confusion, she clearly expected a better answer.
Wraith immediately smiled.
Wraith: "That's why I'm blue, actually!"
Strom: "I like azure blue. You're dark blue."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Astrid slowly looked at Wraith.
Wraith slowly looked at Strom.
Sam stared at the ceiling as though asking the universe why he had been born into this group.
Sam: "God should have made you colour blind."
And just like that, the greatest blacksmith in the village destroyed his own romantic moment with a colour chart.
Chapter 2: Birth of the Blades
The forge was unusually quiet.
Wraith and Sam were sitting nearby with nothing to do.
Strom worked at the main table.
Astrid, however, looked like she had discovered paradise. She wandered around the forge, inspecting the various tools and equipment.
Strom was shaping the blue crystals into small, thin blades.
Each one had a sharp edge, thin sides, a straight line through the center, and a small section at the back for the handle.
More than twenty blades were already finished.
Another hundred crystals were waiting.
Astrid picked up one of the hammers.
Astrid: "Why are there seven different types of hammers?"
Strom: "Different metals and different weapons need different hammers."
Astrid: "Fair enough."
She put the hammer back, then noticed Strom attaching a handle to one of the blades.
Astrid: "That's not how you fit the handle."
Strom: "Excuse me?"
Astrid: "You're making it harder than it needs to be."
She grabbed another hammer, placed the blade against the anvil, positioned the handle and struck it.
TIN!
Then again.
TIN!
Done.
Strom stared at the finished blade.
Strom: "How?"
Astrid: "You were gripping the blade while attaching the handle. One mistake and that thing cuts your fingers."
Strom (looked at his hand): "...Good point."
Astrid: "How many more?"
Strom: "Around a hundred."
Astrid stared at the mountain of unfinished blades.
She didn't complain. She simply sat beside him and picked up another piece.
Astrid: "I love metallic work."
Strom: "Really? Me too."
Astrid: "You should see my weapon collection. I keep most of it in my basement."
For a moment, everyone stopped.
Wraith looked at Sam.
Sam looked at Wraith.
Strom looked at Astrid.
Three days ago, this was the same woman screaming "GET OUT OF MY VILLAGE!"
Now she was casually inviting them to see her weapon collection.
Sam: "Character development is moving pretty fast."
Wraith: "No doubt."
Astrid and Strom continued forging, and strangely enough, they worked well together.
Wraith was having a hard time watching them.
Wraith: "Oi, Sam."
Sam: "What?"
Wraith: "Take your girlfriend away from my knight."
Sam: "My girlfriend?"
Wraith: "Yes. Yours."
Sam: "That's an unconfirmed relationship. I'm just trying to survive the week."
Wraith: "I don't care."
Sam: "She'll kill me."
Wraith: "And if she doesn't, I will."
Sam looked toward the sky.
Sam: "God!"
Hours passed. The forge filled with the rhythmic sound of hammering.
CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.
Eventually, Strom picked up one of the completed blue blades and examined its edge.
Then he reached for the pouch of mana dust.
Wraith (noticed): "Why do you need mana dust?"
Strom sprinkled a tiny amount over the blade. A faint blue glow appeared across its surface before slowly fading.
Strom: "It's useful for magic."
Astrid: "What was that?"
Strom: "Nothing important yet."
He placed the blade on the table and raised his hand.
The blade lifted.
Astrid (eyes widened): "Wow."
Strom moved his fingers.
The blade flew forward.
SHING!
The iron ingot across the forge split cleanly in half.
Strom stared at it.
Strom: "...Damn."
Astrid: "That's sharp. But how are you moving it without touching it?"
Strom: "Telekinesis, babe."
Wraith slowly turned toward him.
Wraith: "Babe?"
Strom ignored her, he was completely busy with a magical blade when Wraith stared at Sam.
Sam immediately raised both hands. He surrenders before even trying.
Sam: "Easy, girl. I'm the only son of my parents."
Astrid looked back at the floating blade.
Astrid: "Why use telekinesis on knives?"
Strom: "Because I can't throw them while holding my spear."
Astrid (nodded): "Makes sense."
Strom summoned another blade.
Then another.
Soon several blue blades were floating around him, hovering under his control.
Sam stared at them for a while.
Sam: "That's actually terrifying... In the wrong hands."
Strom: "Good."
Astrid looked toward the faint blue glow fading from the blades.
Astrid: "Sometimes I wonder how humans are even capable of using magic."
Sam (immediately answered): "Mana Realm."
Wraith: "Mana Realm?"
Sam (nodded): "Yeah. It's another dimension connected to ours."
Wraith: "A world made entirely of mana?"
Sam: "Not exactly a world."
Wraith: "Then what?"
Sam: "A void."
Wraith: "So it's empty?"
Sam: "No."
Wraith: "Then why call it a void?"
Sam: "Because it's basically a stable void."
Wraith: "This is confusing as fuck."
Sam (explaining): "It's not empty. It's filled with mana and things made from mana."
Wraith: "So you're telling me it's a void that's completely full?"
Sam: "Exactly."
Wraith: "That doesn't make sense, Sam."
Sam: "Exactly."
Astrid (shook her head): "I don't believe that theory."
Sam: "So you think people are simply born with magical powers?"
Astrid: "Yes."
Sam: "Then what about me and Strom?"
Astrid (confused): "You two weren't born special?"
Sam: "Nope. I'm just a normal human."
Strom: "I don't really want to talk about this."
Sam: "Fine. Long story short..."
He sat up.
Sam: "There was a great war between universes. Nobody wanted to give up access to mana, so eventually the Mana Realm was separated from the other dimensions."
Astrid: "And?"
Sam: "Every dimension kept a connection to it. That's why mana exists in our world and why ordinary people can eventually learn to use magic."
Wraith: "Bookworm."
Astrid: "Knowledge isn't power, Sam. Believe me, stop reading books."
Sam: "Hey! Don't be so hard on my books."
Wraith: "Great. One idiot loves weapons, the other loves dead trees with tattoos."
Sam: "What a way to describe books, wow!"
Eventually, the final blade was completed.
Astrid stood up and stretched.
Astrid: "I'm going for a walk. My legs are dead."
She looked toward Wraith.
Astrid: "Wanna join?"
Wraith: "Why not?"
The two walked away from the forge together, Sam watched them leave
Strom was still working. The forging was complete, but now came the polishing. Every single blade had to be finished before he could finally rest.
One by one.
Sam: "You're not taking a break?"
Strom finally lifted his head. He looked toward Sam.
His eyes caught something...
Sam's hair.
Chapter 3: Must Go to Hell
The day was calm and cold, with the wind gently moving through the trees.
Astrid was washing her hands and face. Several small cuts covered her fingers from hours of working with metal.
Astrid: "I was telling him to work safely, and look at my own hands."
Wraith: "Well, I know he would never say it, but thank you for helping him. Otherwise that idiot would probably spend the whole night in his forge."
Astrid: "You mean he's that desperate for work?"
Wraith: "Desperation is a small word for him."
Astrid: "Damn. I like this type of person."
Wraith's heart nearly stopped.
She knew Astrid respected Strom, but for a moment she wondered how much she actually liked him.
Astrid noticed her expression.
Astrid: "Relax, beautiful. I like him in a respectable way. I'm not interested in him."
Wraith: "Ah... yeah. I know."
Astrid: "It's the same as a warrior respecting another warrior."
Wraith: "Thanks for the explanation."
Astrid looked toward her.
Astrid: "You know, you're very different, Wraith. Most demons I've met don't really talk."
Wraith: "Wait, really? But demons like talking."
Astrid: "Actually, I killed them before they could even say hello. He-he."
Wraith's eyes widened.
Her blood ran cold.
The even more terrifying part was that Astrid was still having her blade when smiling and looking at her.
And for the first time, Wraith realized something.
This was the first time Astrid had willingly invited someone to walk with her... alone.
Wraith (in her mind): "Please, God. I don't want to die. I haven't even experienced a kiss."
Astrid: "Why are you so quiet?"
Wraith (nervous): "Nothing. It's just my first time speaking to a Valkyrie."
Astrid: "Ha! Nervous demoness."
_____
Meanwhile, near the forge...
Strom stood on the rooftop, one hand still holding a blue blade, half polished.
Below him, Sam was running for his life.
Three blue blades chased him through the village.
Sam: "STROM! CALL THEM BACK!"
His voice was almost fading into the distance, but Strom's telekinetic connection remained perfectly stable.
Strom: "My bro must get premium barber services."
Sam: "THAT BLACKSMITH MUST GO TO HELL!"
One blade passed dangerously close to his ear.
Then another.
Then another.
By the time the chaos ended, all three blades had done their work.
Sam was left with a completely new hairstyle.
He collapsed onto a bench, exhausted from running and from surviving the world's most unnecessary haircut.
A random villager looked at him.
Villager: "You're having a hard time, aren't you?"
Sam: "Nothing! God is just fucking with me."
Villager: "What?"
Sam: "Mind your own business."
The villager immediately walked away. Because asking Sam about his problems was a terrible life decision.
Sam wasn't even angry anymore.
He was genuinely disappointed from existence... Of everyone.
After a few moments, he finally stood up and decided to head back.
Because...
Why not?
_____
Meanwhile, Astrid and Wraith continued walking.
Astrid: "You and Strom must be having a great time together."
Wraith: "Not really. He's always busy with his work or fighting monsters."
Astrid: "Well, I think you both look good together."
Wraith: "Everything is completely fine until your Sam ruins it."
Astrid: "Yeah. He's so annoying."
Wraith (softly): "He might be irritating, Astrid, but believe me... he's very gentle and big-hearted."
Astrid: "I think he's just a clown."
Wraith: "You don't believe me, but... when everything was falling apart, he was the one holding me together."
Astrid's expression changed slightly.
Astrid: "Really?"
Wraith: "Give him some time."
Astrid: "You mean that chopped guy?"
Wraith followed the direction of Astrid's fingers.
Sam was walking toward the forge.
His new hairstyle was completely ridiculous, yet somehow...
It looked decent.
Wraith shouted:
Wraith: "GOOD HAIRCUT, SAM!"
Sam: "KILL ME NOW."
Astrid and Wraith burst out laughing.
Sam continued walking with his head lowered, accepting whatever fate had decided to throw at him next.
But in the shadows...
Someone stood silently.
Watching.
Chapter 4: The Shadow Watcher
Countless stars filled the dark sky, with one bright moon shining in the centre.
The night itself felt alive.
Astrid: "It's been a long time since I took a rest from killing."
Wraith: "But why do you kill? I mean, you know not every demon or human is meant to be killed."
Astrid: "That's something I learned because of you."
She went quiet for a moment.
Astrid: "And about killing... I don't have much left to lose now. My mother. My village. My people. My old life."
Wraith: "Well, I know I can't stop you. But try smiling more."
She let out a small smile.
Astrid: "Yeah. Why not?"
They continued walking.
Then Astrid's eyes caught something in the distance.
Someone was walking toward them.
A man covered in completely black armour.
Dark energy slowly faded from his body as he walked, dragging a large helbert behind him.
SCRAPE...
SCRAPE...
Astrid (stopped): "Wait. Who is that guy?"
Wraith turned around.
The moment she saw him, something felt wrong.
Wraith: "I don't know."
Astrid immediately drew her sword and stepped forward.
Astrid: "Wraith. Stay behind me."
She slowly approached the dark warrior.
Astrid: "WHO ARE YOU?"
No reply.
He kept walking.
Astrid: "TELL ME! WHO ARE YOU?"
Still nothing.
The helbert continued scraping against the rocks behind him.
Astrid: "Drop your weapon and surrender. I won't hurt you. Promise."
The warrior finally stopped.
Then he threw his helbert.
Astrid's blade crashed against it.
CLANG!
The impact sent sparks flying, but the helbert was knocked away.
A moment later, it flew straight back into the warrior's hand.
???: "Impressive."
Astrid tightened her grip.
Astrid: "Last warning."
???: "Like someone cares."
Astrid: "You should have."
Without another word, Astrid charged.
Her massive sword allowed her to attack while keeping a safe distance.
Their weapons collided again and again.
CLANG!
CLANG!
Neither gave the other enough room to counter.
Astrid: "Why are you attacking us?"
???: "Beat me and I'll tell you."
Astrid: "As you wish."
She increased the pressure.
The warrior tried to match her, but Astrid was too focused.
She suddenly kicked his knee and followed with a powerful uppercut.
The warrior staggered.
Astrid: "Want more?"
He immediately attempted the same trick with his helbert.
Astrid saw it coming and dodged.
Then drove her fist into his ribs.
The impact forced blood from his mouth.
Astrid: "Don't worry. I'm just getting started."
The dark warrior slowly stood.
His helbert swung toward Astrid.
Then dark energy suddenly burst from his body.
BOOM!
Astrid was thrown backward.
Before she could recover, the helbert pierced her thigh.
Astrid: "Ahh!"
The weapon pulled away.
Another burst of force knocked her back again.
Then a large rock flew through the air.
THUK!
It struck the warrior's helmet.
Wraith stood behind Astrid, her hand still raised.
Wraith: "Step back before I decide to stop your breathing."
???: "Try me."
Wraith: "I hate this kind of person."
Astrid picked herself up.
Then both women attacked together.
Astrid took the frontline while Wraith moved around him, striking from different angles.
The warrior struggled to deal with both of them.
Astrid suddenly dropped her sword.
Wraith: "What are you doing?"
Astrid: "Fighting."
She rushed forward with her fists.
Without a weapon slowing her movements, Astrid became even faster.
Wraith continued attacking from the side, tearing through sections of his armour with every opening she found.
The dark warrior was being overwhelmed.
They were winning.
Then he started swinging his helbert wildly in every direction.
Wraith and Astrid simply moved backward, because the attacks were predictable.
Astrid gave Wraith a quick signal.
Wraith understood.
She moved first.
Astrid followed.
And suddenly...
Dark energy exploded from the warrior.
Dozens of cutting waves tore through the air.
SLASH!
SLASH!
SLASH!
Both of them staggered.
Blood appeared across their bodies.
The warrior slowly raised his head.
???: "You really thought you could defeat me?"
He stepped forward.
Ross: "Stupid."
The entire fight changed after that.
His movements became faster.
His strikes became heavier.
His helbert suddenly felt like a completely different weapon.
Wraith charged.
Ross's helbert moved faster.
The blade cut across her chin, leaving a painful wound.
Wraith staggered.
Before she could recover, Ross struck her with the iron shaft of his helbert.
She collapsed.
One down.
One remaining.
But before he could attack, Astrid's sword tore through the back of his armour.
Ross staggered forward.
Astrid shoved him away and attacked again.
Ross recovered quickly.
His helbert intercepted her next strike.
CLANG!
Astrid was forced onto the defensive.
Ross used the opening to attack her leg.
She lost her balance and fell.
Ross raised his helbert.
Then brought the blade down toward her chest, the weapon struck deep near her heart.
Astrid screamed in unbearable pain.
Ross pressed down harder.
Ross: "Don't worry. I'll show some mercy to your demon friend."
Astrid's eyes slowly moved toward Wraith.
She was unconscious on the ground.
And Ross was going to finish her next.
Astrid said nothing.
Instead, she suddenly pushed the helbert aside with all her strength.
The blade ripped free as she forced herself away.
Blood spilled onto the grass.
Ross barely had time to react before Astrid's fist came on his face.
His helmet bent inward from the impact.
Even the heavy metal wasn't strong enough to absorb the blow completely.
Ross stumbled backward.
Astrid followed with a kick to his chest, forcing him several steps back.
When Ross finally recovered, Astrid was already beside Wraith.
She lifted the unconscious demoness into her arms.
And ran away.
Not because she was afraid, she could fight till her last breath but...
Staying here meant Wraith would die.
Ross simply stood there, didn't chase them.
He watched Astrid disappear into the darkness with Wraith in her arms.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then Ross looked down at the blood left behind on the grass.
A faint smile appeared beneath his damaged helmet.
Ross: "Scared prey is always the best prey."
Chapter 5: Hunt
The forge was silent when Sam returned.
He went to sleep, or at least tried to.
He wasn't really sleepy.
Instead, he found himself staring at Strom, who stood nearby completely covered in his new armor. His spear was in one hand, while several blue blades floated around him.
Sam: "Why are you fully armored?"
Strom: "Testing what pose I should use when they make my statue."
Sam: "Your statue?"
Strom: "Yeah. One day I'll save everyone, and they'll build statues of me, a real legend."
Sam: "Ha. In your dreams."
Strom: "And yours will have a big nose."
Sam: "Wait, why am I getting a statue?"
Strom: "Ragebait."
Sam: "..."
Strom: "It's an important historical tradition."
Before Sam could respond, Strom's eyes caught a figure approaching them.
Astrid.
She was walking slowly, carrying Wraith in her arms.
Blood painted the ground beneath her feet.
Strom: "Astrid?"
Sam turned around.
Both rushed toward her.
Strom immediately took Wraith from her arms while Sam helped Astrid walk.
Sam: "What happened? Who did this?"
Strom said nothing.
His eyes remained locked on Wraith and the blood covering her wounds.
She was still breathing.
But she wasn't conscious.
Astrid (weakly): "H... He was just too strong."
Sam: "Who?"
Astrid: "A dark-armored warrior. He attacked us. I don't know who he is."
Strom: "Why did he attack you?"
Astrid: "I don't know. He... just attacked us."
Sam: "Without a reason?"
Astrid: "He came silently. No warning. No words."
Sam: "You two need herbs."
Sam quickly went inside to gather whatever he could find for their wounds.
Strom carefully placed Wraith on the table.
Then he grabbed his spear and started walking toward the direction Astrid had come from.
Astrid (worried): "Where are you going?"
Strom: "He crossed a line no one should have."
Astrid forced herself to stand again.
Astrid: "Wait I'm also coming."
Strom: "Stay back. I'll handle him."
Astrid: "Strom..."
Strom: "Don't get hurt again."
She lowered her voice slightly before saying it...
Astrid: "He had a chance to kill us... but he didn't."
Strom stopped.
Something about that didn't make sense.
Astrid: "He willingly spared us. He said he'd kill Wraith after me."
Strom's grip tightened around his spear.
Strom: "There is nothing in this world that could save him."
He walked away.
Moments later, Sam returned with herbs and Strom's Dragon Pendant.
Sam (confused): "Where did he go?"
Astrid: "Hunting."
Sam looked at the pendant in his hand.
Sam: "Without his pendant?"
Astrid: "He said he'll handle him, and told us to not get hurt."
Sam: "He never trust teamwork."
Sam nodded and immediately started treating Astrid's wounds.
She wasn't injured as badly as Wraith. She had two major wounds and several smaller cuts, but Wraith was covered in much more blood.
Sam moved toward her.
A moment later, Wraith finally opened her eyes.
Sam: "Hello, princess."
Wraith gave him a weak smile.
Wraith (weakly): "Your haircut is ridiculous."
Sam: "Thanks!"
_____
Meanwhile, deep inside the dark forest...
Strom had already returned to the place where Astrid and Wraith were attacked.
Ross was gone.
Strom continued searching through the forest, following every trace he could find.
When he found Ross, the dark-armored warrior would learn exactly what he had started.
Then Strom's eyes caught something near an old, silent temple.
An injured knight lay beside the path.
His armor was badly torn.
Blood leaked from his wounds.
The knight slowly raised one trembling finger and pointed toward a path leading out of the forest.
Knight (weakly): "He... went there."
Strom nodded.
He started walking toward the path.
Then he stopped.
Strom looked back at the injured knight.
The forest was unnaturally dark.
The man's blood had already stained the ground.
Wild animals could smell it.
And in his condition, he wouldn't be able to defend himself.
Strom: "Where is your house?"
---
Later...
Strom brought the injured knight safely to his home.
His family immediately rushed toward him.
Knight's son: "Thanks sir! for bringing him home safely."
Strom: "it's okay."
He turned around and left.
The hunt continued.
---
Strom finally reached an open plain outside the forest.
A figure sat upon a large rock in the distance.
His helbert rested beside him.
Blood still stained its blade.
Chapter 6: Anger Isn't an Answer
Strom walked toward the dark warrior, his eyes burning with rage.
Ross remained seated calmly on the large rock.
Strom: "I'll only say it once."
Ross: "Then better not say it."
Strom: "Apologize for your sins, or I won't leave enough life in you to say sorry."
Ross slowly stood.
Strom suddenly rushed forward, spear in hand.
Ross: "Hope you can handle that."
Strom: "Talk less. Die first."
SLASH!
A clean cut tore across Ross's lower armor.
Strom was far faster than Ross expected.
Before Ross could properly react, another slash struck his shoulder.
Then another.
Strom gave him no time to breathe.
His attacks came rapidly, forcing Ross backward as blue blades moved around them.
Within moments, Ross's armor was covered in blood, several cuts exposing the armor beneath.
Strom: "You still have a chance. But this time, you'll have to beg for your life."
Suddenly, dark energy erupted from Ross and knocked Strom backward.
Before Strom could fully recover, Ross rushed forward and drove his helbert into Strom's chestplate.
CLANG!
The impact shook Strom, but his armor absorbed most of the force.
Ross: "Now we're talking."
Strom pulled the helbert away.
Strom (cold): "But now I don't want to talk."
He threw his Dragon Spear at Ross and he dodged effortlessly.
But he didn't realize the spear would return.
It curved through the air and struck him from behind.
Ross staggered.
Before Strom could attack again, Ross disappeared.
Then reappeared several steps away.
Ghost Walk:-
A dark ability that allowed Ross to teleport across a limited distance.
Ross suddenly appeared beside Strom and struck.
Then disappeared.
Another attack came from behind.
Then another.
Mobility was something Strom struggled against.
But it didn't take long for him to recognize the pattern.
The next time Ross appeared, Strom was already waiting.
His counterattack slammed into Ross with enough force to send him staggering.
A crushing uppercut followed.
Then another strike struck his ribs.
Finally, Strom's fist smashed into the side of Ross's helmet.
CRACK!
Ross staggered backward.
He had never expected Strom to be this powerful.
Ross suddenly leapt forward, charging his helbert.
The attack landed.
Helbert Strike:-
A powerful technique that could lock a target in place if the impact was strong enough.
Strom wasn't fast enough to avoid it completely.
The impact shook the ground.
Dark chains emerged from beneath him and wrapped around his armor.
Strom strained against them.
Then broke free.
Ross hadn't used the technique at full power.
Ross disappeared.
He reappeared behind Strom and struck his neck.
Ross immediately followed with an uppercut.
Blood escaped from Strom's mouth.
He barely recovered before another attack came.
Ross raised his helbert.
Then aimed it at himself.
Teeth of Darkness:-
Dark serpents formed from smoke around Ross before surging toward Strom.
The shadows swallowed him completely, trapping him inside while countless sharp, tooth-like forms struck against his armor.
The dark energy finally faded.
Strom was down on one knee.
Several wounds marked him, but none were enough to stop him.
He slowly stood again and just like that, Ross's smile disappeared.
Ross (in his mind): His armor is far stronger than I thought.
He didn't get another moment to think.
Strom's Dragon Spear swept across his chest, tearing through his armor from the chest toward the ribs.
Ross staggered.
A kick followed, striking his helmet and forcing him backward.
Ross's spells carried dangerous dark energy.
His mobility was exceptional.
His helbert could lock even powerful opponents in place.
But Strom wasn't a warrior Ross could defeat easily.
---
Near the edge of the dark forest, Sam finally arrived with Strom's Dragon Pendant in his hand.
Astrid and Wraith followed behind him.
They stopped when they saw the battlefield.
Both warriors were still standing despite being injured.
Both were struggling.
But neither was willing to give up.
This would end when one of them could no longer stand.
Chapter 7: When Powers Collide
Ross was already breaking down slowly, and even Strom had been pushed far beyond his limits this time. Spear against helbert, both warriors stood face to face.
Ross: "I won't lose... I'll rule kingdoms."
Strom: "Then go. Why are you wasting my time?"
Originally, Ross was a great knight. During a war, he did everything he could to win the battlefield and eventually became the reason his kingdom survived.
But he didn't like the price of being the real hero.
He believed that if he became stronger, he could eventually become a better king.
But he couldn't fight an entire kingdom alone.
So Ross began a journey of defeating powerful warriors and taking their powers for himself, becoming strong enough to survive against an entire army.
During that journey, he discovered a forgotten statue of a dark goddess. Something black was leaking from it, a dark energy searching for a body.
Ross wanted power and that dark energy wanted a host.
A deal was made years ago.
That same dark blessing now lived inside Ross.
And this time, the dark energy was reacting violently to something completely different.
---
Ross suddenly forced Strom backward and used his special ability.
Soul Burn.
A forbidden spell that released countless waves of dark smoke, carrying burning skull-like forms toward its target.
Hundreds of them rushed toward Strom, but at the same moment, all the blue blades surrounding him moved. They tore through the dark smoke one after another, completely destroying Ross's spell.
Strom barely had time to understand what happened before Ross used Ghost Walk. He disappeared, struck Strom's ribs, and vanished again.
Strom tried to catch him, but a massive cloud of dark smoke suddenly covered the area.
CLANG!
Ross's helbert struck Strom with enormous force.
Dark chains erupted from the ground, and the harder the impact, the stronger the chains became. They wrapped around Strom and locked him completely in place.
Strom desperately tried to break free, but this time Ross had finally caught him.
Ross took several steps back, then jumped forward with full force.
His helbert came down.
BOOM!
A mana barrier suddenly formed over Strom and absorbed the entire impact.
Ross's strongest strike had been reduced to nothing.
Ross slowly turned toward Sam, pure hatred burning in his eyes.
Sam immediately raised both hands in surrender.
Sam: "He's all yours. Sorry!"
Strom finally broke free from the dark chains. Because of Sam's intervention, he had survived Ross's real attack.
But then Strom noticed something unusual.
Ross wasn't standing steadily anymore. His movements were shaking, and his grip on his weapon was much weaker than it had been at the beginning.
Strom remembered Astrid's words. "He had a chance to kill us... But he didn't."
Then he looked at his own wounds.
Ross hadn't been trying to kill him from the beginning, but he had been trying to make him bleed.
Strom remembered the injured knight from the forest. Ross had left him alive too.
It was finally clear.
Ross needed bleeding opponents to become stronger.
So, Strom adapted.
He stopped fighting offensively and focused entirely on dodging and defending.
Ross desperately tried to hurt him with his helbert, spells, and every trick he had left.
But every attack Strom avoided was another opportunity Ross lost.
Ross: "Why aren't you getting weaker?!"
Strom (calmly): "Because I don't want to."
Ross's grip weakened even further.
His legs began to give out.
Strom saw his opportunity.
He struck Ross's hand, forcing the helbert down, then pinned the weapon against the ground with his spear.
Finally, Strom grabbed Ross by his throat.
Strom: "You should have stayed away from them."
As Strom held him, the dark energy inside Ross began moving toward him.
The blessing was searching for a new host.
And apparently, the person standing in front of it was exactly what it needed.
Strom might have been human by body, but he had dragon blood, countless battles behind him, powerful armor, incredible strength, and the ability to adapt.
The dark energy escaped Ross and entered Strom.
For a moment, both warriors stopped.
Ross's eyes carried only exhaustion when Strom's eyes carried nothing.
A completely blank expression.
Ross: "This can't be happening to me."
Ross: "I CAN'T LOSE!"
THUD!
Suddenly Strom's fist moves with enough force to pierce his armour then skin... And eventually his heart also.
Ross finally stopped... Forever.
The moment was so horrific, no one wanted to believe it.
Wraith (disbelief): "It's not Strom!"
Strom looked toward them, eyes still empty, then he took one step forward.
Then collapsed face-first.
Sam: "Bro ragebaited so hard that he collapsed?"
Astrid immediately stepped on his foot.
Sam: "AH! What was that for?!"
Astrid: "Shut the fuck up, Sam!"
They rushed toward Strom.
Wraith removed his helmet while Sam quickly placed his pendant around him.
A moment later, Strom opened his eyes.
This time, they were completely normal.
Wraith: "Are you okay?"
Strom didn't reply at first. He looked around, then his eyes caught Ross.
Only then did he realize what had happened.
Strom looked away.
Strom (confused): "Yeah. I'm okay. Totally fine."
Astrid: "What happened to you that time? Why did you kill him?"
Strom: "Nothing. I just lost myself in anger."
Sam: "You scared us. Seriously."
Strom: "Let's go home. I need rest."
The parasite-like blessing had tried to take Strom as its new host, but it was foreign magic.
Strom's dragon blood rejected it and destroyed the darkness from within.
The blessing of the dark goddess was gone.
Or perhaps more accurately...
The curse of power lust had finally ended.