Xion dashed through the unclaimed forest, branches crushed down at his feet as he passed through quickly.

       Countless breaths of air escaped his mouth whilst he forced his legs to run faster. “Damn it…” Xion rushed out of his tired body.

        He followed a secretive trail he made days before, just in case of this kind of situation. Who thought it would’ve been days after he took refuge?

         A large waterfall stood tall in the distance, splashing down a long way ahead. His eyes took a glance to the right and left, scanning for any more soldiers.

         After he made it clear to himself that none was coming to his sides, he kept rushing ahead. His eyes closed tightly as small beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

         He’s been on the run for over an hour now.

         Xion growled, taking a look behind him, seeing flames on torches and black figures coming straight for him.

        The night sky made it difficult for him to make out who or where they were approaching from, it seemed as if Nyx had striked again.

        That damned Seseri army hadn't even let him sleep before trying to murder him.

        He had to abandon camp. Shame, too; he bought the good rations this time. A backpack held steadily with him as he continued his escape.

        Trees and creatures were a blur, and he never stopped, aided by small bits of magic that littered under his feet. Sounds of equestrian clamps and fired arrows rang behind him.

        He heard a particular sound behind him, a swift and loud ‘shoo!’. Immediately, Xion made it out to be an arrow, causing him to quickly stop his feet from running, and twisting his body around.

        In that split second, he grabbed the handle of his icy cold dagger, pulling it from his sheath and slashing the arrow in half—straight down the head.

        Within that moment, he took the time to spring himself backward, he couldn't take time to revel in his accomplishment; he had to keep running.

        He kept sprinting, even if his body suggested otherwise. It felt as though any moment he could collapse, each step he took sent a sharp wave of exhaustion through him.

        Those years of training paid off—even if he never wanted to admit it.

        It was until he reached a cliff so large it looked like a straight fall down. Sudden flashes of memories were brought to his head as he recognized the rocky surface.

        However, there was no time for him to grovel over his past, and within a moment—Xion decided to fight.

        He turned and waited for his enemies to arrive.

        The continuous smacks across the rocky ground flocked into the air. There rode two dozen horses, led by mages and knights. 

        Suddenly, as the horses neared, one paladin flew off from his mount.

He landed perfectly on the ground, swiping off dirt that the horse had left to his shoulders. Xion eyed his chest, seeing a glowing blue color emanating from a necklace tag he wore.

        It was a diamond ranked knight, the man had pure white hair, it spiked upward as his eyes gleamed with red.

        The man approached Xion, his armor clinking as he did. Xion stood still, not getting into any defensive position. All he did was glare.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

        The gallant shouted out, "Give it up! You're trapped."

        Xion’s mouth perked, growing to a grin that plastered his face, "Why would I run to the waterfall to trap myself? I'm not the one stuck here, you are!"

        The knight snarled, his eyes sharpening at Xion’s remark. “You dare challen—”

        In a swift motion, in the knight’s eyes it appeared as a blur. Xion had striked.

        A small thud formed on the ground as something rolled on the floor. The other knight's eyes widened, roaring loudly, charging toward Xion inflamed.

        “Oof, seems like I’ve really angered them this time..” He said smirking widely, blood marred his blade as it slowly slid down to the rough floor. 

        The army leader was killed in an instant.

        As the first few knights rushed to him thoughtlessly, Xion chuckled loudly.

        “You knights…” He calmly mouthed, “Are nothing but a fragile wall.”

        Like a slithering snake, steps taken before they were even heard, Xion sliced down every single knight that dashed toward him; he cut them down like helpless fish in a pond.

        “Such swordsmanship...!” One gasped as he tugged his blade with fear. “Where did he learn it?! I’ve never seen it before..!”

        And milliseconds after those words were mouthed, that same knight was beheaded in the blink of an eye.

        The other cadets hurdled at Xion, who took the time to look at his cyan-colored dagger. “Frore’s blade should be good enough to kill all of them.”

        Fast, before most of the knights could react, a gust of ice bolted toward them, a crackling sound shaking the air as it grew colder by the second, freezing the warriors caught in its grasp.

        Xion walked forward, that evil grin still apparent. His eyes spotted more of his unfortunate prey, one quickly raised his longsword to battle.

        But, that’s all he was able to do before feeling the abyss that death offered.

        The mages in the back quickly took action upon seeing the slaughter Xion was allowed to complete.

        Two rose their wands, crafted by the branches of the Tree of Vigor.

        “ ‘O GRACE OF FLAMES,” The right screamed, “LORD OF ASHES,” The left continued. “BURN OUR ENEMY AWAY!”

        Their sticks flashed with a burning smell, an immediate blast of fire erupting seconds later.

        It molded to a ball of flames just moments later, the mages took a glance at each other, before looking back and witnessing Xion massacre every knight in his way.

        On cue, and at the same time, they shot their massive orbs of destruction at the warrior, yet as he noticed it, his eyes stood unfazed.

“Uh-oh.” Was all he could mutter before a big boom exploded across the entire rain forest, ringing through kilometers and sending shock waves that lasted as long as a god’s lifetime would.

        “A direct hit!” The purple-haired mage said happily, clasping her fist and throwing it up with joy.

        Their celebration was instantaneous, one Crimson Explosion was enough to vaporize an entire army in one go, so two would have sealed his fate.

        “Aah…” A voice resonated from the far distance, immediately they locked their eyes toward the unknown person,

        “That’s a strong blast… Are you guys emerald ranked by chance?” Xion asked as he inched closer, wood burning away from the leftover flames.

        Fire surrounded him as he moved closer, branches smoldered away as did his coat, his black t-shirt slowly coming to the view of the mages.

        Under that lean figure was a monster of a human, and it scared them, watching him approach at a calm pace, but a demonic smile spread across his cheeks.

        Run. That was all that their bodies told them, yet their legs paralyzed with fear. They couldn’t—not even for a moment. The two mages watched as Xion trudged to them, a glistening light beaming from his side, his frosted dagger being unsheathed once more.

        “W-wait, no! Please, we’ll l—” Xion shot toward them, and as if he phased through them, their heads separated from their shoulders, lopping off and falling to the ground; soon followed by a thud from their bodies.

        “Erugh…” Xion snarled, rising up from his squatting stance and pulling on his right arm, stretching his bicep.

        “I don’t have a place to sleep... Looks like another all nighter.”