Chapter 89
The Sword of War hung above the Princess.
One swing.
That was all it would take.
Blood dripped onto the broken stone.
The Princess could barely breathe.
Then—
TAP.
A footstep echoed.
The Lord stopped.
TAP.
TAP.
Someone was coming.
The Princess forced her eyes open.
Tried to look.
SHHK—
Something flashed through the air.
TCK.
A small knife struck her neck.
Princess: "...?"
Her vision blurred instantly.
The ruins twisted.
The sky spun.
Then—
darkness.
Her body went limp.
Silence.
The Lord slowly released her.
THUD—
The Princess collapsed.
Motionless.
TAP.
TAP.
TAP.
---
The footsteps continued.
---
Through the dust.
Through the broken pillars.
---
Then—
he appeared.
---
Calm steps.
Calm eyes.
---
John.
---
Neither spoke.
The wind passed between them.
The Lord stared.
John stopped.
Silence stretched.
Lord: "...So."
A pause.
Lord: "..You finally came."
John looked around.
At Vendetta.
At Chris.
At Guinevere.
At the unconscious Princess.
Then back at the Lord.
John: "Looks like I'm late."
The Lord let out a small laugh.
Lord: "You gave your sword to that Justice worshipper.. right?"
John: "I can't remember."
The Lord let out another small laugh.
Lord: "Then tell me."
Lord: "How did he get it?"
Silence.
Lord: "Nobody can take that sword from you."
Lord: "Not unless they defeat you first."
The Lord's eyes narrowed.
Lord: "So what happened?"
Lord: "Did he defeat you?"
Silence.
Lord: "Or is there something you're not telling me?"
The Lord took a step forward.
The air grew heavier.
Lord: "Tell me."
Lord: "Where were you all this time?"
Silence.
Lord: "Why?"
John didn't answer.
Lord: "Why did you do it?"
Still nothing.
The Lord's voice deepened.
Lord: "WHY?"
The ground cracked beneath him.
Lord: "After everything—"
Lord: "Why did you betray us?"
John closed his eyes briefly.
John: "I had my reasons."
Silence.
The Lord laughed.
A single laugh.
Cold.
Empty.
Lord: "Reasons."
His grip tightened around the Sword of War.
Lord: "You always hide behind that word."
BOOM—
The Lord vanished.
The Sword of War descended.
CRAAAAASH—
A black sword appeared instantly in John's hand.
The impact exploded through the sanctuary.
A shockwave tore across the battlefield.
Dust erupted.
Stone shattered.
John stood unmoving.
A black sword rested in his hand.
The Sword of War pressed against it.
For a moment—
neither blade moved.
Lord: "Still carrying it."
John: "Yeah."
CRACK—
The ground beneath them split apart.
The Lord pushed harder.
John pushed back.
BOOOOM—
The ruins shook.
Their eyes met.
Hatred.
Questions.
Silence.
Caught between two blades.
Lord: "...Answer me."
...CHAPTER 89ENDS...