Roneth, already injured with a severe wound on his chest, took Korran's family to a side. His breathing was heavy, each step sending a sharp pain through his body, but he didn't stop. He tightened his grip on his swords and positioned himself in front of them like a shield.
"Stay behind me," Roneth said through clenched teeth. "No matter what happens, don't come out."
Korran nodded quickly, his hands trembling as he held onto his brother. Felis stood close, trying to act brave despite the fear in his eyes. Orzen leaned against a tree, still weak but fully aware of the danger around them.
Roneth glanced at them once more, then turned back toward the battlefield, his expression hardening.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he muttered.
Before he could take another breath, the soldiers rushed in.
A group of them charged forward with loud battle cries, their weapons raised high. Steel flashed in the dim forest light as they closed in from all sides.
But before they could reach Korran and his family, Damien stepped in.
He moved like a shadow, fast and precise. In one swift motion, he pulled out his Sai-daggers, their sharp edges gleaming faintly.
"Not happening," Damien said calmly.
The first soldier lunged at him. Damien twisted his body slightly, dodging the strike with ease. His dagger flashed, cutting across the soldier's arm. The man screamed and fell back.
Another soldier came from the side, swinging his sword downward. Damien blocked it with one Sai, sparks flying at the point of impact. With his other hand, he stabbed forward, forcing the soldier to retreat.
More soldiers surrounded him. But Damien didn't slow down.
He moved between them like flowing water, every step controlled, every strike precise. His daggers danced in the air, deflecting attacks, cutting through defenses, pushing the soldiers back one by one.
Still, they kept coming.
Behind them, Gorochi had already retreated. The moment the cage broke, fear had taken over him. He quickly moved away from the center of the fight, hiding behind a group of soldiers like a coward seeking cover.
"Stay close to me!" Gorochi shouted, pulling two soldiers in front of him. "Don't let them get near me!"
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances but obeyed, forming a tight protective circle around him.
Gorochi wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes wide with panic.
"These fools… how did they even break the cage…" he muttered under his breath.
Then, louder, almost screaming, he said, "Protect me with your lives, you stupid soldiers! This is what I pay you for!"
One of the guards nodded nervously. "Yes, sir!"
But their grip on their weapons was shaky. Even they could feel that this battle was different. Back in the center, Haizer stepped forward. His eyes locked onto Eamon. No words were exchanged. Both of them understood. This fight was inevitable.
Eamon slowly reached behind his back and pulled out his sword. It was his normal metal blade—not the Vixterium one. He chose not to use that yet.
He wanted to understand his strength first. Haizer lifted his own sword, its blade dark and heavy, humming with power. For a moment, everything around them faded—the soldiers, the chaos, the noise.
Only the two of them remained. Then they moved.
Haizer struck first, his sword cutting through the air with terrifying speed. Eamon barely managed to block it, the force of the impact sending vibrations through his arms.
Clang!
The sound of metal echoed through the forest.
Eamon stepped back slightly, then pushed forward, swinging his sword toward Haizer's side. Haizer turned his blade and blocked it instantly.
Their swords clashed again. And again.
The fight had begun.
At first, Eamon matched Haizer move for move. His body felt lighter, faster. Every movement was sharper than before. His reflexes had improved, his strength had grown.
He could feel it. Something inside him had changed.
Haizer swung his sword downward. Eamon sidestepped and countered with a quick slash. Haizer blocked it, then kicked forward, forcing Eamon to jump back. Eamon landed lightly, surprised at his own speed.
"So this is it…" he thought. "This is the power I felt…"
He tightened his grip on the sword.
Haizer attacked again, faster this time. His strikes came like a storm—quick, heavy, relentless.
Eamon blocked each one, his blade moving instinctively. Sparks flew with every clash, lighting up their faces for brief moments.
Neither of them spoke. Neither of them stepped back. Eamon swung his sword in a wide arc. Haizer ducked slightly and responded with a thrust aimed straight at Eamon's chest. Eamon twisted his body, the blade barely missing him.
He immediately countered, forcing Haizer to retreat one step. For a brief moment, they paused.
Both breathing steadily. Both measuring each other. Then they charged again.
Meanwhile, Damien continued fighting the soldiers.
Though he clearly had the upper hand, the number of enemies was overwhelming. For every soldier he pushed back, another stepped forward.
A spear came flying toward him.
Damien tilted his head just in time, the spear passing inches away from his face. He grabbed it mid-air, spun it around, and threw it back at the attacker. The soldier fell instantly.
Two more soldiers rushed him from both sides. Damien jumped slightly, twisting his body mid-air. His daggers struck both of them at once, forcing them back.
But more were coming. Always more.
Damien clicked his tongue. "Annoying…"
He dashed forward, taking the fight to them instead of waiting. His movements became more aggressive now—faster, sharper.
Still, he kept control. He couldn't afford to lose focus.
Not here. Not now.
At the edge of the battlefield, a few soldiers tried to slip past Damien. Their eyes were fixed on Korran and his family.
"If we take them," one of them whispered, "we can end this quickly."
They moved silently, trying to avoid attention.
But Roneth saw them. Even with his injuries, his instincts were sharp.
"Not on my watch," he growled.
He stepped forward, blocking their path. The soldiers hesitated for a second, then attacked. Roneth raised his swords and met them head-on. His movements weren't as fast as before. His body was heavy, his chest burning with pain. But his resolve was unshaken. A soldier swung his blade. Roneth blocked it, then pushed forward with force, knocking him back. Another attacked from behind. Roneth turned quickly and slashed, forcing the attacker to retreat.
"Stay back!" Roneth shouted toward Korran.
Korran clutched his brother tighter, his eyes wide with fear. Roneth took a deep breath and stepped forward again. Even injured, he fought like a wall. Every strike he made carried weight.
Every block he held showed his determination. He refused to let anyone pass. Around them, chaos had taken over. Swords clashed. Flames flickered. Dust filled the air. Cries of pain echoed through the forest.
Eamon and Haizer continued their fierce duel. Damien battled wave after wave of soldiers. Roneth held his ground, protecting the weak. And in the middle of it all, the forest itself seemed to tremble.
The entire forest had turned into a battlefield.