Ishnofel watched from the shadows. The faint moonlight outlined his silhouette, projecting his figure onto the ruins and the wind-tossed leaves. His gaze fixed on Kutichay's house, where the weak glow of torches illuminated the silhouettes of Jesus's chosen ones. Their training was rudimentary; every movement clumsy and predictable.
"Foolish dreamers… they think a sword will save them," he whispered with a scornful smile.
But something stopped him. Kutichay's eyes… that color reminded him of his late wife and son. A flash of memory crossed his mind like lightning in the darkness, but he had no time to explore that thought.
The sight of Liz hit him like a punch to the chest.His breathing grew erratic. His skin tightened as if his own rage was boiling inside him.
"Liz had a child…? That bastard is my nephew?" he muttered through clenched teeth, squeezing his fists until his knuckles turned white.
Unable to hold back any longer, Ishnofel raised his arm in fury and with a single blow destroyed the door to Kutichay's house. The wood exploded into splinters, the crash echoing like thunder. The wind dragged in the dust of the impact, and his figure emerged from the haze like a demon straight from hell.
Camila felt a shiver run down her spine when she recognized him. Her face twisted with rage and pain."He's the one who murdered my grandparents!" she screamed with uncontrollable fury.
César stepped forward at once, positioning his body between Ishnofel and the young ones. His eyes were fixed on the enemy, but his voice was calm and steady."Liz, take them to safety. I'll deal with this demon," César said seriously.
"We're not leaving you alone!" protested Kutichay, his voice trembling.
Daniel, his sword shaking in his hand, stood by his friend's side."There's six of us against him," he said with determination.
"I will avenge my grandparents!" Camila shouted, her eyes burning with rage.
Rosenda gripped her shoulder firmly."We will defeat you!" Rosenda shouted with conviction.
César looked at them sternly, but then smiled calmly."Don't worry. I'll be back. Trust me," César reassured them with confidence.
The kids hesitated, but César's aura filled them with a strange confidence. Liz, though worried, nodded and guided them out of the house, leaving César standing before Ishnofel.
The demon flashed a twisted smile."So we meet again, César. When I left you, you were just another useless student. Now I am the master," Ishnofel said proudly.
César smoothly spun his sword and held it with confidence."You're a master of bad lessons. Your hatred consumes you," César replied, sword ready.
Ishnofel threw back his head and laughed."You should never have come back, old man. You will regret it," Ishnofel said with malice.
In a single step, Ishnofel closed the distance and drew his sword with deadly speed. The blade sliced through the air with a fierce hiss.
César reacted instantly. He blocked the blow with precision, the clash of metal echoing with a sharp ring. Sparks flew from their swords, illuminating the darkness of the house.
Ishnofel pressed forward, pushing him back. César barely managed to hold on, but instead of showing fear, he smiled."I see you still fight with rage instead of technique," César said, dodging the demon's attack.
"Shut up!" Ishnofel snarled, swinging a horizontal slash.
César dodged by a hair's breadth, tilting his body gracefully. He spun on his axis and lunged straight for Ishnofel's chest, but the demon moved with superhuman reflexes, blocking easily.
The fight intensified. Each strike was a flash of light reflecting off the blades of steel. Ishnofel attacked with brutality, his nearly inhuman strength shaking César's arms with every impact.
The veteran warrior kept his composure, dodging and countering with precision. It was a dance of death, a battle between unleashed fury and refined technique.
But Ishnofel was cunning. He waited for the right moment.He took advantage of an instant of vulnerability, a gap in César's defense.
With an unexpected twist, Ishnofel diverted his opponent's sword and, in a single movement, drove his blade into César's chest.
The sound of steel piercing flesh echoed in the house like thunder.
César gasped, his eyes widening in shock and pain.The air left his lungs with a choking groan.His sword slipped from his fingers.Blood began to pour from the wound, dark and hot, soaking his clothes.
Ishnofel held him there for a moment, enjoying the scene with cruel satisfaction. Then he pulled his sword out violently, letting César fall heavily to the floor.
"Pathetic…" Ishnofel whispered, turning on his heels to leave.
The young ones came running back, full of hope… but when they saw César on the ground, their world stopped.
Liz ran to him, falling to her knees, her trembling hands pressing on her beloved's wound."No, no, no… César…" she whispered, her eyes flooded with tears.
César opened his eyes with effort, his breathing ragged."Liz… my love… my time has come… I love you…" he whispered with a weak smile.
Liz sobbed and kissed him, her tears mixing with the blood.
Kutichay watched the scene with a lump in his throat. It was all his fault. He turned and ran to his room, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Liz found him minutes later, hugging himself, his body shaking with sobs."It's my fault… If I had never been born, my parents… César…" Kutichay whispered with tearful eyes.
Liz knelt beside him and hugged him tightly."Don't say that, my love. Your parents would be proud of you," Liz said, kissing his forehead.
Daniel, Rosenda, and Camila joined them, surrounding Kutichay with their support.
"Without you, who would be my brother?" Daniel said with a sad smile.
"You always help us, Kutichay. You are special," Rosenda whispered.
"You are strong, friend. Don't let the sadness win," Camila added.
A light began to shine.The cloudy sky cleared, and the sun illuminated the house.
Jesus appeared with a warm smile, placing his hand on Kutichay's head."You know why I chose you," he whispered. "You are stronger than you think."
Faith was reborn in Kutichay's heart.The battle was far from over.