'I knew Kryse didn't want the human boy to leave, but staying here with us would only cause him harm. He's from another world, and not to mention the emperor would have our heads if we were to be found nursing him back to life.'

I thought as I watched my sister hold back her sadness as Allan left. Gently, I patted her head.

"Don't worry, he's the only one from his group that survived. He will be fine."

"It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

Kryse wiped away a tear. "I'm not sure, I just have this feeling I'll never see him again."

"..."

A likely scenario considering the fact we live under the earth and he, above. I wouldn't be surprised if we lived for a thousand years and never saw him again. Well, for my sisters sake I hope we do.

"Let's go inside now."

"Mm." She agreed.

Our days were nothing special, in fact I'm certain they were very similar to a family somewhere above ground. My sister spent her time at the farm, doing chores, and occasionally practicing magic, but she was no good at it. I'm certain she would make a great mother one day who could heal her children's scrapped knees.

I, on the other hand spent my time training, such as now in the backyard as my sister did laundry. Every swing of my blade was the same as the last, only meant to be repeated to create good habit.

To be honest, I had reached my peak long ago, but even a fine blade would grow dull if left to sit.

"Phew."

I let out a deep breath after swinging for the one thousandth time.

"Brother would you like something to drink?"

Kryse asked. She always made sure to be considerate. I smiled.

"No, it's alright."

Thud thud!

Bang!

Suddenly crashing and banging could be heard from within the house, and the foot steps of many men. The shock was frightening.

"...Brother!"

"Stay here!"

I demanded as I bolted into our home. The place was a mess, the doors were kicked in and our belongings laid about as if a beast had run through the place, and the ones responsible continued to do so.

There was a lot happening at once. From my fellow knight's thrashing my house, to my superior commander staring daggers into my eyes, but the biggest surprise was my grandfather leading them.

"Grandfather! Commander Runnel what is the meaning of this?!"

"I'm so sorry I misspoke-"

Grandfather tried to speak, but was silenced by the commander who placed his hand up. A moment of silence went by without anything being said.

"Kaine. You are on a fast track to becoming one of the emperors hands. Your skills are second to none within our party, and your loyalty is something the young should aspire to. "

"..."

Commander Runnel kept eye contact without blinking. Seemly searching for me to break character. His stature wasn't broad, but something about it was noble and intimidating even though I was stronger than him.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Which was why I was stricken with such surprise when I learnt that you hid one of those vermin humans that attacked the empire."

My eyes widened, but I shouldn't have been so surprised, why else would they be here.

"Your silence criminalizes you."

"You seem to have made up your mind commander." I replied.

The commander glared at me with contempt and eyes of betrayal. Our silence was louder than a hundred clashes of swords.

My hand grazed my swords hilt, and of course he and the other knights picked up on that. In an instant they all readied their spears.

"Kaine, is it not enough to commit treason once? Comply neatly and you and your family will be given a fair trial by the court. Choose wisely if you care about the safety of your dear sister."

"...Eek!" My sister whimpered from behind me from within the clutches of a knight's arms.

My gaze held firm, and so did my resolve. It didn't matter how we got in this situation, only that we had to get out and at the moment there was only one truth.

'He's lying. I know better than anyone the cruel reality that awaits those who commit treason. The worst part is that he knows I know and still offers me this.'

Chhhhhhhing...!

Within a fraction of a second I unsheathed my sword and sliced off the arms of the man holding my sister. Before she could fall to the ground I aimed by blade at the commander.

'If I just get rid of you the rest will be easy!'

Klang !

My sword reflected off his shield, and he counter attacked with a swift thrust of his spear, but I already prepared for this. I dashed to my sister, and threw myself out of the house as fast as I could.

'No, I can't take the four of them on alone. In that case I'll run!'

I gritted my teeth and sprinted for the woods, but they were hot on my tail.

'We just have to make it to the secret exit..!'

Quickly I noticed we wouldn't make it, not the two of us. So I stopped and placed my sister down.

"Hurry run!"

"...Wait-"

I yelled and dashed off to fight the knights before I could even hear her call my name. There was no time, if even one of us were to live it had to be her.

Ching Ching

Klang!

Within a couple seconds I've clashed with the other knights nearly a dozen times, every blow containing the weight of a mountain. As I dealt lethal blows, I also received injuries that would slowly weigh me down.

We were all highly skilled. If I was the best, I was only equal to three normal royal guards, and the commander equal to two.

"Give it up Kaine, you're outmatched!" The commander yelled.

I laughed. "Heh, that's what you think."

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, and then when I opened them I began to scream. My eyes glowed blue, and lightning began to stream from my very body. I could feel immense energy surging through my entire body.

Whenever I would go to the surface, the one thing that would amaze me the most was the rippling lightning that crashed down from the sky. It's strength was like no other, and it's beauty even greater.

I could lose myself in its anger and embrace, letting it all consume me.

'I want to be like you.' I'd say to the lightning.

"AHHHHHHH!!!"

This wasn't a skill or spell, but a state of being that I alone honed through numerous kisses with the skies lightning. My entire body became a bolt, and none could get near me.

"What is that?!" The commander yelled.

"Call for backup, we can't beat him!"

Bzzzt -

Boom!

In a flash I became a bolt and disintegrated two of the four knights. One of them attempted to stab me when I became complacent, but they were too slow.

I grabbed his head and sent millions of volts through his body, burning him alive.

"Kaine this ends now!"

The commander yelled as he charged up his own special attack and began to come at me. Placing both hands together, I concentrated my energy and shot a wave of lightning at him.

In a clash not often seen the surroundings erupted, and what laid beyond the cleared smoke and debris was the commanders bloody body lying in the dirt.

"Cough cough... ugh!" He groaned. "Heheh you really are the strongest. Which is why... which is why I went the extra step to ensure you were captured."

"..."

Suddenly I heard a thud. Something I'm familiar with. It was the thud of a body. My eyes instantly became bloodshot as I took in the image of the body before me.

"I tried to capture her alive, but the bitch wouldn't stop moving."

"It's a real shame, we could've had a lot of fun with her in her cell."

"Haha what are you talking about you dog."

Defiled and dirty, spoiled with pure blood on her clothing was my sisters corpse lying in an unnatural way in front of me.

Beyond her was the ones responsible, six other knights that must've been hiding within the woods. My body of lightning instantly dispersed, and my eyes became hollow.

"...Kryse." I mumbled as I slowly strode over to her.

Suddenly my body was heavier than it ever was, and my brain became foggy. Tears began to leave my eyes like there had suddenly been a leak.

I clasped her body in my arms and hugged her tight. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so... ahhhhhh!" I cried out.

There was nothing I could do anymore, everything that I was, was now gone.

The knights began to beat me up, but I didn't let go of her. Not until all the remaining strength in my body left, and then when it was all gone and I lied down next to her I still reached for her face. Her eyes were still open.

'Kryse, you didn't deserve this...'