Nero laid unconscious in the courtyard, his body was badly burned and bright yellow electric currents lingered on the ground around him.

The team was speechless, they had never seen such a needless display of violence. Samson had just used a spell at the highest level of the destructive arts. Command Storm. Even after such a display, Samson gloated in his victory. He put his foot on Nero’s head and looked upon the team with a smirk. The captain could not believe what he had just seen, Samson was not known to be able to use magic to this extent.

“You look surprised.” Samson said to the captain.

The captain clinched his fists as a look of rage appeared on his face.

“You will pay for that...” The captain replied.

The captain stepped forward and unsheathed his blade. Meanwhile, Stella attempted to rush towards Nero to heal him. However, the captain held his blade to the side, forcing her to stop.

“We will need to fight him together. Besides, the rune around Nero’s body is still there. Samson could still summon another bolt of lightning if you get close.” The captain ordered.

Now understanding the situation, Stella unsheathed her rapier. Alex and Aria did the same with their weapons.

Suddenly, more thunder was heard above them. The sky had gone dark with clouds, a massive storm hung over them. A few seconds later, rain began to pour down on their heads, instantly soaking them.

The squad lined up, all four of them were filled with rage. Stella the most, her kind demeanor had turned into a lust for Samson’s blood. The combined power of the group was noticeable to Samson, this irritated him greatly.

Samson took his foot off of Nero’s head and stepped closer to the team. He then pulled out his sabers and raised both of his arms, taking an offensive stance.

“You are all going to die.” Samson said coldly.

The captain turned to his group and began speaking quietly.

“He probably thinks that I believe he will come for me first. He will come for you guys instead. Your job is to slow him down so I can counter him. DO NOT make any unnecessary moves, he can and will kill you.”

The trio nodded and looked upon Samson, who was preparing to strike.

After a moment of anticipation, a bolt of lightning struck near the fort. This sudden interruption seemed to start the battle.

Samson rushed the captain, preparing to strike, but disappeared with blinding speed right before he got to him. The squad instantly formed a square, having each other's backs. However, Stella was not in the mood for more anticipation. She became a dancing flurry, shooting beams of light all around them with her rapier. The beams exploded all throughout the courtyard, but were carefully placed to keep her team out of harm's way. These explosions were stronger than they’ve ever been, forming into balls of sunflame that were reminiscent of the sun itself.

Suddenly, a yell was heard from one of the blasts. Samson quickly jumped into plain view, his coat ablaze. He quickly took it off and tossed it aside. His face was now a mix of surprise and anger.

“Nice Stell!” Aria exclaimed.

“Disappear again... I dare you.” Stella mocked.

Samson laughed.

“You bitch! I knew I recognized you... and that sword, it belonged to your mother-”

Stella shot another intense blast at Samson, interrupting him as he dashed to the side.

The captains' eyes widened; he had noticed something.

“Keep doing that.” He quietly ordered Stella.

“Gladly.” She replied.

Stella began launching a barrage of blasts at Samson, who continued dodging. Meanwhile, the captain tracked him with his eyes. Taking note of his speed.

The captain chuckled and pointed his sword at Samson, causing Stella to stop her attacks.

“You're slower Samson. You came out of that explosion unscathed, yet you’re slower. Got something you want to get off of your chest?” The captain said mockingly.

The rest of the squad looked closer at Samson, squinting through the rain. They began to notice that he was out of breath, and even looked different than before.

“He’s... older.” Alex said in confusion.

“He looked to be about thirty before, but now it’s more like forty.” Aria added.

The captain chuckled.

“He used a forbidden knight tactic known as Sacrificial Exchange to shield himself from Stella’s blasts. It’s a spell that only very few can use, it allows you to exchange the force of a blow with your very life. It seems he’s about a decade older now. Stella, if he didn’t use that technique, you would’ve killed him ten years over. You are incredibly powerful.” The captain spoke.

“Why is it forbidden? It seems like it would be useful in times of great need.” Alex asked.

“That’s because you can also use it to strengthen one of your attacks. For example, if Stella could use this ability and put her entire life into one of her explosions... She could destroy an entire city. Maybe even more.”

The squad grew quiet, they now understood the magnitude of what they were up against. Samson could easily do that to them with one strike of lightning, or perhaps something else he has up his sleeve.

“That’s why we have to kill him quickly, so he doesn’t have a chance to use a last resort.” The captain said quietly.

“Sure, but what’s the plan? He’s still super-fast.” Aria added.

“We either have to catch him, or force him to use Sacrificial Exchange again.”

“Why not both?” Stella asked.

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The captain raised an eyebrow, inquiring to know more.

“We surround him, then when he attempts to go into the air, I will blast him.” Stella ordered quietly.

Alex and Aria nodded; the captain smiled before agreeing.

The squad of knights quickly surrounded Samson, who put up no resistance.

A trickle of sweat went down Samsons head. He was beginning to feel the pressure. All of his crimes had caught up with him and he knew that he only had one chance to save his own life.

The look on Samsons face was one of desperation. The captain knew this look; he had the same one during the great war when he fought off a thousand elves.

“Let’s get this over with!” Samson yelled.

He began to charge Stella, who now noticed the difference in his speed.

He attempted to slash her with both of his swords, but she rolled backwards and pushed herself up with her hands. Before she landed on her feet, she thrust her rapier forward and sent a small blast towards him. He rolled out of the way, but was caught off guard when he saw that Alex was upon him. His eyes were filled with the raging fire of vengeance for his family.

Alex slammed into Samson with his shield, sending him rolling a few feet. However, he brushed it off and formed an X with his swords. He then exerted magic into them, causing them to be incased with lightning.

“I’m guessing we shouldn’t let that touch us.” Aria said with a smile.

The captain let out a rare laugh.

“Oh, don’t worry, those are just for show.” The captain mocked.

Samson grunted with anger as he began to charge the captain.

The two locked blades, and stared face to face, neither one of them giving ground to the other.

“You’re too easy to anger Samson.” The captain mocked.

Stella saw her chance, Samson was stationary. She quickly pointed her rapier at Samson and shot a beam of light towards his chest. Samson began to disengage the captain, but was stopped when the captain used his free hand to grab the back of his head, holding him still.

Samson was struck in the chest and the captain quickly jumped backwards. A small explosion went off, only covering half of Samsons body.

As Samson stumbled backwards towards a wall, a light green glow could be seen incasing the visible parts of his body.

“He’s using Sacrificial Exchange! Get him!” The captain commanded.

The four knights charged at him in unison as the smoke cleared.

Aria got to him first, noticing his aged face. Samson sent a wild slash at her with his right saber as he stumbled back. However, she ducked under it and swept his legs from under him with her warhammer. He fell on his back, but began to get up slowly. Alex saw an opportunity to strike, and threw his shield at Samson, hitting him directly in the face. This caused Samson to kneel down which allowed Alex to deliver a kick to his jaw, sending him on his back. Samson looked above them from the ground, and saw Stella. She was in midair and was preparing to send another blast his way. With all of his might, he dashed out of the way right before she released it. However, Stella anticipated this and quickly shot a blast into the wall behind him. The force sent him flying towards the center of the courtyard. As he stumbled to a stop, he noticed he was at the captains' feet, who was preparing to strike him down. Samson stood up and met the captain's sword with his own. As the two locked eyes, the captain spoke.

“You’re looking a bit older than I am now. You are a fool Samson.”

“Silence!” Samson yelled.

Samson was running only on pure adrenaline now. He jumped backwards and sheathed one of his sabers. He pointed his free hand at the captain, and it began to glow with yellow sparks. In an instant, yellow bolts of lightning came from his hand and were shot at the captain, who began deflecting them with his sword.

Through the rain, Samson heard footsteps splashing toward him. It was Alex, who was making an attempt at Samson’s head with his sword.

Samson quickly ducked down to dodge, but was surprised when he saw Aria, who was concealing herself behind Alex with her smaller stature. She quickly delivered a knee to Samsons face, which caused him to stumble a few feet. Stella followed up on this strike, and dashed around Samson, slashing his face and arms open with quick strikes. The squad was working in perfect unison.

The knights regrouped and prepared to strike again.

“Don’t you miss this? A team, comradeship?” The captain asked Samson.

Samson was bruised all over his body, and bled intensely from his mouth.

“You know... my team died a long time ago.” Samson replied, out of breath.

“Such is the way of our life. You let their deaths be in vain when you abandoned the noble path. When you used your skills for evil.”

Samson let out a hysterical laugh.

“There is... nothing eviler... than the Knights of Hevaria. Tell them what happened to your last squad... Joshua.” He said as he gasped for air.

The captain raised his blade, preparing to dash at Samson.

“Maybe one day I will. However, we are going to kill you first.” The captain said.

The captain went full power, creating a massive shockwave as he dashed the enemy. For a moment, the rain around them was pushed away, creating a moment of clarity on the battlefield.

Samson was out of time, there were no more tricks to pull. All he could do was fall backwards and defend himself. As soon as he raised his arms into the air, they were gone. The captain cut them off with one slash. They fell to the ground and created a grotesque sound as they hit the cobblestone. After that short second, the rain began to fall once more.

The captain stood over Samson, who was bleeding out on the ground, struggling to breathe.

Aria and Alex joined the captain, while Stella ran to Nero, whose wounds were already beginning to heal on their own. Aria squatted down next to Samson, looking him straight in the face.

“So, do we let him bleed out? Or is one of us supposed to... y’know.” Aria said awkwardly.

Samson let out a quiet laugh and looked at the captain.

“They really are new at this.” He said meekly.

The captain met eyes with the rogue knight.

“Indeed, but they’re something, aren’t they?”

“Yes, they are-” Samson tried to say.

Alex put his boot on Samsons chest, and began pressing down hard. This caused Samson to yelp in pain. The captain quickly grabbed Alex’s shoulder and pulled him away.

“Boy! Show respect in victory and you will have It in defeat.” The captain said sternly.

“No, it’s alright Joshua. He has the right... after what I did to his family. I want it to be him... that kills me.” Samson said slowly.

The captain let go of Alex’s shoulder, and Aria stepped aside.

“It’s a shame Samson, you always wanted to die young.” The captain said with a light smile.

Samson laughed.

“Hey, I’m still young, even if I don’t look the part anymore.”

Alex drew his sword, and Samson looked up at him.

“Any last words?” The captain asked.

“Sure... Take care of them Joshua...” Samson said as he closed his eyes.

“You know I will.” The captain replied.

Just as the captain finished speaking. Alex planted his sword into Samson’s chest. Killing him instantly. Alex began shaking and started to cry.

As Aria went to comfort him, the captain turned away from Samson and began to look around the courtyard.

He began to observe his squad. In his team, he saw faded memories of his late subordinates, as well as the future of the knight's guild. For just a moment, he was certain that there was no force that could conquer these young knights. Aria, clumsy yet brave. Alex, a hero at heart. Stella, bright potential. Nero, powerful and analytical.

The captain smiled.

“When we first left for this mission, I was unsure about their talents. Now there is no doubt, they are truly warriors.” The captain thought to himself.

The captain walked over to Stella, who was bandaging Nero’s wounds.

“Let’s get him up, we have to get moving.” The captain said to Stella.

The captain wrapped Nero’s arms around his shoulders and began carrying him on his back. He called Alex and Aria over to him and they began following him through the gates of the fort. The sky beyond the walls began to clear, and a beautiful sunset started to come into view. Their bodies were soaked from the rain, and their armor bloody from the battle behind them.

“So, what now? Do we head back home?” Aria asked the captain.

The captain looked at Alex sincerely.

“We bury Alex’s neighbors and family, if that’s alright.” The captain said to them.

Alex looked at the captain with emotions unknown. What the captain just said meant the entire world to him

“Thank you, sir.” Alex replied with teary eyes.