The Black Mountain forest groaned under the weight of tension. The shadows hung thick between gnarled trees, and the cold wind carried the metallic scent of blood yet to be spilled. Magnus Caldryn and Rhea Varyn stood at the edge of the clearing, their eyes fixed on the gang of Tiger Claw bandits led by the brutal Arden.
The two forces surged at each other. Magnus's crimson gaze locked on Arden, while Rhea darted toward the bandits with the grace of a striking serpent. The clash began with a thunderous roar of steel, qi, and screams.
Arden's brass knuckles glowed with an earthy aura so heavy it made the ground tremble beneath his steps. Magnus answered with his twin sabers, flooding them with Level 2 Shadow Qi until they darkened like blades carved from the void itself. They met with a blast that shattered branches and sent shockwaves through the soil.
Magnus skidded back, bracing himself with his sabers. Arden laughed wildly, his black eyes filled with bloodlust.
"Do you think you can break these knuckles? They're forged from the bones of fools like you!"
Magnus spat on the ground, his crimson eyes burning hotter.
"Then you'll be just another corpse."
Arden's aura surged as he struck with Earthquake Fist. The blow cracked the earth in a radial fissure, uprooting trees and shattering stone. Magnus blocked with crossed sabers, shadow qi absorbing most of the impact, yet the sheer force rattled his bones and chipped the blades.
Magnus retaliated, his sabers unleashing Shadow Void Barrage. Dark bolts erupted in rapid succession, hurtling through the air like spears of night. Arden dodged most with surprising agility for his massive frame, but several pierced his shoulder and thigh. The shadow qi burrowed like acid, sizzling and spreading black veins as Arden howled, chunks of muscle dissolving from his body.
Seizing the moment, Magnus lunged with Eclipse Thrust. His blade plunged into Arden's side, shadow energy exploding inward with a wet pop that ruptured organs. Blood spilled from the bandit leader's mouth in bubbling gouts.
Arden's gaze flicked to his men, only to see them collapsing beneath Rhea's brutal dance. She moved like smoke and steel, her daggers opening throats in red fountains, severing limbs with precise cuts that left men writhing in their own blood. Bodies fell one after another, her elegance masking the savagery of her strikes.
Arden cursed inwardly. This boy's shadow qi is vicious. I need an opening.
Then he found it. Feinting with his ruined arm, Arden slammed a glancing Quake Shatter into Magnus's ribs. The crunch was sickening—bones cracked and blood sprayed from Magnus's lips. Pain flared through him like wildfire, but his fury only deepened.
"Void Rend!" Magnus roared. His crossed sabers tore open a rift of pure shadow that ripped into Arden's good arm, shredding flesh into ribbons. Bone splintered; tendons snapped like taut wires.
Desperate, Arden hurled himself forward with one last Earthquake Fist. Magnus blurred into motion with Phantom Lotus Steps, shadows binding Arden in place. The sabers gleamed darkly as Magnus struck with his finishing move Eclipse Cleave!
The blades cut clean through Arden's neck. His head flew into the air, eyes frozen wide in disbelief before thudding to the ground. His body twitched, blood spurting in a crimson fountain that drenched the soil.
The remaining Tiger Claws froze. Their morale shattered; some screamed, others retched at the sight of their leader's mutilated corpse. It didn't matter. Magnus and Rhea descended upon them like reapers.
Hands were severed mid-swing, legs sheared into bloody stumps. Rhea's dagger slid through throats in gurgling sprays, while Magnus's sabers split bodies open, spilling entrails onto the dirt. Within minutes, the clearing was a slaughterhouse of mangled corpses and fading screams.
Breathing hard, Magnus surveyed the carnage.
"Burn the bodies," he ordered.
Rhea nodded, moving to pile the corpses. From Arden's remains, Magnus retrieved a golden locket. Inside was a portrait of a smiling family. His crimson eyes softened for a moment.
"So this bastard killed them. Rest now. Your murderer is gone." He pocketed the locket with grim finality.
Magnus slumped against a rock, blood seeping from his cracked ribs. The wound burned like fire, but his shadow dantian slowly mended the damage. Rhea checked her own light injuries before sitting beside him.
Soon, they mounted their horses and rode toward Valisar. The city was alive with laughter and trade, untouched by the horrors of the forest.
At the stables, Magnus handed the reins to the stable master.
"Take care of them. Here one hundred zerk."
The man bowed eagerly. "They'll be safe and sound, sir."
Magnus and Rhea pushed through the bustling streets and into a tavern. The owner rushed forward, beaming.
"Welcome, sir! Rooms, food, hot baths we have it all. What would you like?"
Magnus replied, "Two rooms. One for me, one for the lady. And hot baths for both."
"Of course, sir. Everything will be ready in minutes."
As they settled into the warmth of the tavern, the sky outside darkened. Winds rose, clouds churned, and thunder growled in the distance.
A storm was coming to Valisar.
To Be Continued in Chapter 12…