The Moonlight Swordsman



The air hung heavy with tension as the hunters and mages stood still, eyes fixed on David and Thomas as they faced off against each other.

The clanging of swords and daggers echoed throughout the streets, the battle between the two men intensifying with every passing moment.

David and Thomas engaged in a fierce battle, but it was evident that Thomas was struggling with his short dagger.

He was not as adept at close-quarters fighting as David. On the other hand, David had spent countless hours honing his swordsmanship in preparation for this very moment.

"Y-you David, we can still talk," Thomas said as he deflected another attack of his.

David swiftly ducked and executed a leg sweep that caused Thomas to fall onto the ground with a loud thud.

As he tried to stomp his chest with his foot, Thomas rolled away just in time, barely avoiding the attack.

"Wait, wait…"

David ignored Thomas' cry for mercy and charged towards him, his blade slashing down with immense force.

Thomas managed to block it with his dagger, but David followed up with a swift kick to his chest, propelling him into a nearby wall.

David didn't waste any time and chased after him, seizing his face and scraping it brutally against the wall.

ARGHHH.. WAIT DAVI…

David's hands slammed Thomas's head against the wall repeatedly while savagely clutching his hair.

The onlookers stood frozen in horror as blood poured out from Thomas's wounds.

David had not yet completely shattered his opponent's head; despite the harm he had inflicted.

"If you think I will kill you so easily, you are mistaken, Thomas." David seized Thomas by his hair and forced his face closer to his own, staring directly into his bleeding visage.

David hurled Thomas into the center of the street, causing him to struggle as he tried to regain his footing.

"Give him the sword,"

As Thomas struggled to stand in the middle of the street, a hunter threw his sword towards him. He stumbled to catch it and barely managed to stand on his feet.

"Now let's see if my dear mother and sister will come for your rescue, Thomas,"

David approached Thomas with a deliberate and menacing stride. He swung his sword with deadly precision, and Thomas raised his hands in a desperate attempt to block the attack.

But his defenses were insufficient, and David's blade sank deep into his chest, leaving a ghastly wound.

David continued to brutally beat and slash at Thomas, who was now covered in blood and hardly able to stand, as he made his way towards the Rosewell castle.

Thomas fell over and over again as horrified bystanders looked on.

Soon, a large number of Rosewell guards and mages appeared, fully prepared for battle with armor and weapons. Leah and Yelena led the charge, their faces contorted with shock and anger at the sight before them.

The sheer number of guards and mages was overwhelming, making David's group seem small in comparison.

"Playtime is over, kid; you really have crossed the line," Yelena said. Her eyes were almost popping out of the socket with anger.

David signaled to his companions by raising his hand above his head.

The hunters and mages from his side quickly began to pull back, leaving the bewildered onlookers wondering about what was happening.

Although Alizza and her squad of archers appeared a little concerned, they obediently followed the directive to retreat.

"Do you think you can come and leave, David?" Leah said.

"Who told you I was leaving?"

"So, you are going to fight alone? Aren't you getting a little cocky in your abilities, even if somehow you have disabled the mana.

"Do you really think you can take me and Mother along with the guards and mages, GROW UP STUPID BROTHER AND SURRENDER NOW!"

David's lips slowly curved into a sinister grin as he stared down at his mother, a look of pure malice in his eyes.

"I have prepared a gift for you, mommmyyy…

With a swift motion, David retrieved a small, cylindrical object from his pocket. It was a vivid red color, and a warm glow emanated from within. With a mischievous grin on his face, he raised the object high above his head and pressed a button on its surface.

*SCREEEEEE*

Suddenly, a deafening roar shook the ground, and an enormous, orange bird burst into the air, its size growing bigger and bigger with each passing moment as it hurtled through the sky with unbelievable speed.

Leah and Yelena stared with horror at the beast, realizing swiftly what it was.

The bird flew into the sky, its wingspan growing larger and larger until it covered the entire sky.

The intense heat emanating from the creature made everyone break into a sweat. Its fiery wings and tail glowed brightly, illuminating the entire sky with a vibrant orange hue.

"A-A Phoenix… No, an artifact, but how did he get an artifact?" Yelena said, her face contorting with fear after witnessing the creature in the sky.

BURN THE WHOLE TOWN…

The flaming bird immediately expanded its huge wings and began rapidly flapping them once David finished his command.

A series of bright orange fireballs started falling from the sky, raining down on the entire town like meteors.

Each fireball's impact was so great that entire buildings collapsed and fires broke out in every direction, making it appear as if the ground itself was being torn apart.

The people of the town were running and screaming in terror, desperately seeking shelter from the apocalyptic rain of fire.

The town was engulfed in flames and chaos as the bird continued to rain down fiery destruction.

Screams of pain and despair filled the streets that had been quiet just moments before. The fortress of Rosewell, once a symbol of safety and might, lay in ruins.

Once armed for a fight, the mages and guards were now fleeing for their lives from the raging inferno. The destruction spared no one, and the town's people were left helplessly to perish.

The fires destroyed everything in their path, including the lives of children, the elderly, and everything in between.