**Leo:**

With each passing moment, Leo's worry only increased. He began muttering, "Faster, faster, I have to reach them quickly." He glanced towards the sky, his hands busy controlling the beast. "Sunrise will take too long," he said.

**On the Battlefield of Deptor Valley...**

Xentiour began evaluating his situation, carefully analyzing his opponents' moves. He waited for an opportunity, dodging attacks in the meantime. His expression suddenly changed, a creepy smile spreading across his face. He muttered, "There it is," and attacked Julicious' arm. Julicious, anticipating this possibility, tried to dodge, but narrowly missed the attack. Despite the close call, it didn't connect. Seizing this opportunity, Julicious landed a counterattack, pushing Xentiour back.

Yentio also joined the fight, attacking Xentiour and giving Julicious another opportunity to strike. Their coordination improved with each passing moment; what was once a struggle to coordinate became a natural rhythm for them.

Whenever Xentiour attempted to attack Yentio, Julicious would counter, forcing Xentiour to change targets. Julicious and Yentio followed this strategy for several minutes, denying him any chance to fight back. However, despite overwhelming him, they were unable to land a decisive blow.

Continuing the strategy, Yentio found an opening, attacking simultaneously with Julicious. Xentiour turned towards Julicious and pushed him back, ignoring Yentio's attack. Yentio rushed towards Xentiour and slashed his left hand, severing several fingers. Only remaining skin, muscles, and veins held them on, stretched to their limit. As a consequence, the fingers detached and fell to the ground. His fingers were the source of his powerful grip, and without them, his hold on his weapon loosened. Xentiour's eyes turned red as he roared in pain and anger, "I will make sure to personally kill every last one you hold dear, everyone you know, with my very own hands!" He pointed towards his wounded hand, blood rushing from the wounds inflicted by Yentio's attack.

He looked down at his fallen fingers and continued, "...with these very hands, you tried..."

"Now!" Julicious shouted, and both he and Yentio rushed towards him. Xentiour swiftly raised his scythe and attacked Yentio, shouting, "Not this time!" Yentio tried to dodge, but couldn't match Xentiour's speed, barely avoiding the attack by a hair's breadth.

Xentiour, prepared for this outcome, swiftly moved his scythe again. His voice filled with confidence, he said, "Not so soon." His attack rushed towards Yentio, who wasn't ready. As the attack drew closer, Yentio's options dwindled. Finally, the attack connected, delivering a critical blow. Yentio's body crumpled to the ground due to the impact. Whether due to his armor or Xentiour's ego, Yentio was still breathing.

Julicious, overwhelmed with guilt and worry at seeing Yentio receive such a powerful blow, wouldn't let his emotions distract him. Seizing this opportunity, he plunged his broken sword into Xentiour's body.

Suddenly, Julicious' overwhelming strength disappeared. Xentiour had anticipated this outcome. His face regained its former glow as he laughed, mocking Julicious who now lay fallen on the ground. "As expected, you borrowed that power, which your weak body cannot handle at all times. But don't worry, I will make sure not to kill you until..." He laughed again.

He sat down and reached out towards Julicious' chin, lifting his head. Julicious' face had paled, his eyes flickering as he tried to focus. Xentiour continued to hold Julicious in that position. "Please, tell me how it feels to be powerless again, defeated by your own power." Julicious, his body drained of strength and vision fading, tried to maintain consciousness. He slapped his cheeks, the sound echoing across the area. Ignoring the pain, he managed to say, "Wh... What have you done? What are you... saying... Which pow... power?" Julicious' voice trembled as his consciousness began to fade.

Xentiour moved towards Yentio and attacked him, replying, "I have done nothing. It is simply the consequences of your actions." Yentio, badly injured, could barely dodge and defend himself. Julicious tried his best to maintain consciousness but eventually fell to the ground, facing Yentio and Xentiour. Before losing consciousness, he saw Yentio's reaction speed increase and heard him mutter, "Sorry, Yentio. I can't fight anymore. Just wait, help will be here soon, just a bit more." Tears welled in Julicious' eyes as darkness threatened to consume him.

Yentio roared at Xentiour, "What have you done?" and lunged at his left arm. Xentiour easily dodged the attack, thinking, "Although his strength has increased slightly, and he can now manage a decent attack, it's still not worth using that power on him. If I do, they'll be here, and that would be bad for me."

He swung his scythe and attacked. Yentio dodged again, but this time, he saw Xentiour laughing. He realized Xentiour had embedded needles in his stomach. Panic surged through him as he recognized the poison's effect. Before he could react, his body began to swell, his veins bulged, and his flesh turned black. Within moments, he lost most of his flesh.

Desperately seeking Harsay's help, Yentio's eyes darted towards him. Harsay was checking on Julicious' condition. When Harsay turned to look at Yentio, he witnessed a horrifying sight. Yentio's body was falling apart, his muscles and skin grotesquely deformed.

Harsay rushed towards Xentiour to distract him. The clash of blades echoed through the valley. Yentio, seizing the opportunity, gritted his teeth and forced his trembling hands to move faster. He tore open a vial containing a life-saving liquid, ignoring the excruciating pain. A large chunk of flesh fell from his left hand as he did so.

Tears welled up in his bloodshot eyes as he saw the clear white liquid, his last hope. Without hesitation, he drank it and poured the rest over his wounds. The wounds momentarily sealed, and his flesh began to regenerate at an alarming rate. However, the process was agonizing. Blood vessels burst throughout his body, and his entire stomach became a canvas of crimson. He tried to control the pain, but it intensified to the point where his screams shook the valley. The agony grew with every passing moment.

Harsay lunged at Xentiour, shoving him back and roaring, "What have you done to him?!" Xentiour merely laughed and swung his scythe with a practiced grace, leaving deep gashes on Harsay's body. Blood seeped from Harsay's wounds, draining him slowly. Fortunately, he managed to protect his vital organs and mumbled, "There's only one way to stall him until help arrives."

He glanced at Yentio, whose body was ravaged by poison, his flesh and blood splattered around him, his bones broken. "I'm sorry, Yentio. If you were in my place, you'd be alright," he thought grimly.

Harsay then noticed Xentiour, who had moved to Julicious' side. Xentiour was attempting to inject something into her body. With a swift movement, Harsay struck Xentiour's hand, sending the needle flying.

Xentiour, enraged, glared at Harsay and bellowed, "I thought I'd let you leave to witness the demise of your loved ones, but you've forced my hand!" He raised his scythe high and brought it down in a lightning-fast motion.

Caught off guard by Xentiour's sudden attack, Harsay tried to dodge, but the scythe was too quick. It sliced a deep wound diagonally across his body, from his right shoulder to his heart. Blood erupted like a fountain, painting the area crimson. Harsay's life drained from him as his body crumpled to the ground.

Xentiour cackled and stalked towards Yentio, taunting him, "Your captain is dead. Don't expect any help soon. Just die already." He drew closer, then glanced at Yentio's horrific condition and burst into laughter again. "Sorry, can you even hear me?" Yentio's ears were completely deformed, most of the flesh ripped away.

Despite the pain and sensory deprivation, Yentio sensed it was Xentiour. He realized the Captain was likely gravely injured or dead. "I have to protect the commander," he thought with a surge of determination.

Though stripped of flesh, with exposed blood vessels and a visible bone structure, Yentio, blind and deaf, reached for his weapon. "I have to buy time for the others," he thought desperately. He searched for a while, finding nothing, but still he clawed at the ground, hoping to locate his sword.

Xentiour renewed his mockery. "You would be dead already if you hadn't drunk that liquid. It wasn't as potent as my poison, but enough to keep you alive for a while." He kicked Yentio again, sending him flying in a cloud of dust. A glint caught his eye as something shiny flew alongside Yentio. Realizing the possibility, he quickly dashed towards him.

Yentio sensed something near him. He reached out, hoping it was a weapon, but his only remaining muscle in his right arm tore open. He strained, his arm slick with blood, his fingers barely brushing the hilt of his sword. A warm sensation flowed through the object and into his body. His senses returned, his muscles rippling as they reformed. Broken bones turned to dust, replaced by healthy growth. His rotting flesh sloughed off, a new layer forming, smooth as a newborn's, without a single scar to mark his rebirth. His eyeballs extruded from their sockets, replaced by newly formed ones. His strength surged dramatically. Before Xentiour could reach him, Yentio was fully healed.

Seizing the opportunity, Yentio charged towards him, aiming a swift attack at Xentiour's heart. Xentiour met the blow, but the cut bled profusely. Within seconds, his face drained of color. He tried to scream, but his mouth was filled with blood, rendering him mute. Yentio pressed his attack, leaving Xentiour riddled with major and minor injuries. Yentio even managed to reopen some of the wounds Xentiour received during his earlier fights with Julicious and Harsay.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Remembering Harsay, Yentio searched for him. Xentiour capitalized on the distraction, kicking Yentio and sending him flying towards Harsay's body. "This will buy me time," Xentiour muttered, struggling to control his bleeding and pain. "I must finish this quickly."

Yentio landed hard, his body slick with a strange liquid. He quickly scanned the area, horror dawning as he recognized the source – a lifeless body with a gaping wound, blood pooling around it. Yentio's hands trembled uncontrollably as he approached the body. He turned it over gently, his strength and powers abandoning him. The sword he had clutched so tightly clattered to the ground, a forgotten weapon in the face of his grief.

Ignoring the ongoing battle, Yentio collapsed beside Harsay, clutching his hand. Memories flooded back. "Meet Harsay, my son. This is one of the best men I know. When I leave, he'll be your role model, the one you aspire to protect. My student, Harsay Benorki, this is my son, Yentio Acrest," his father had said when he was a child. "Nice to meet you, my friend," Harsay had said, extending his hand.

Back in the present, Yentio held the same hand he'd held the day they met. Overwhelmed by grief, anger, revenge, and guilt, he choked back tears, his voice a mere croak in his swollen throat. "Captain," he managed to whisper, tears blurring his vision.

Meanwhile, Xentiour took a deep breath. He clutched a vial filled with an inky black liquid. After a tense moment of contemplation, he uncorked it. The stench of death filled the air as a dark energy erupted from the vial. The battlefield echoed with the screams of fallen soldiers, so loud that everyone froze in place.

Yentio's feet became rooted to the spot. He forced his head around to see Xentiour downing the liquid. The wounds on Xentiour's body began to vanish, the scars around his eyes disappearing as if they'd never been there. The attack that nearly killed him healed at an astonishing rate. Within seconds, his strength and power surged to their peak. His once-barely-audible voice boomed clearly towards Yentio as he approached with his scythe.

"You're the reason I was forced to use this," Xentiour growled in a furious tone. "A complete waste of resources," he continued, a mix of anger and madness bubbling within him at the situation he'd been forced into.

Meanwhile, a surge of powerful energy emanating from Deptor Valley caught Leo's attention. Fear gnawed at him as he muttered, feeling powerless, "Please hold on a little longer. I'll be there soon."

Back on the battlefield:

"Julicious is still unconscious, and your captain is no longer alive. You're the only one left who can fight. What can you do alone?" Xentiour taunted, his scythe pointed menacingly at Yentio's neck.

Yentio wasn't prepared for the attack. He stumbled backward, but then something shifted. His mournful expression vanished, replaced by a sudden smile. Xentiour, confused by the unexpected change in emotion, hesitated for a moment. Before he could react, a crimson blade flashed out, slamming into him and forcing him back.

"Our lives belong to Acronyia. We cannot die here," declared a voice as Harsay emerged, his sword outstretched towards Xentiour.

The blood that had been pouring from Harsay's body finally stopped, revealing his wounds, still present but no longer bleeding.

**Let's rewind a moment...**

Harsay's blood had pooled around him after he collapsed. His heart was damaged. "Where am I?" he wondered to himself. "I was killed on the battlefield, but somehow I'm alive? What's going on? Where is this strange place?"

He wandered around for a while before recognizing his surroundings with a gasp of shock. "Is this really what I think it is?" His eyes widened, and he rushed towards a particular plant – a beautiful scrub with thorny branches. He searched for a moment, then spotted a single thorn with a blood droplet clinging to it. "Yes, this is it!" he exclaimed in joy.

He pricked his finger and placed it on the blood droplet. The plant dissolved within seconds, returning to soil as it completed its purpose. Harsay had tried and failed to stop what was happening on the battlefield, but then he heard a mysterious yet familiar voice.

"Your blood holds the power he needs. Go, he needs your help." The voice faded away.

Harsay sensed Xentiour attacking Yentio and waited for his moment. When Yentio stumbled back, Harsay felt his heartbeat, and the change in Yentio's expression caused a flicker of hesitation in Xentiour. Seizing the opportunity, Harsay charged and stabbed Xentiour.

**Back to the present...**

Xentiour's enhanced body prevented the blade from piercing him completely, but it still forced him back a few steps. "You should be dead! Why are you even here?" he roared.

He stopped and looked towards the entrance of Acronyia, disappointment clouding his features. "He's alone, but his presence still hinders my task."

Harsay and Yentio exchanged a glance, sensing an opportunity. They charged at Xentiour, but this time he was ready. He leaped back, just as their attacks connected with the ground. The force of their combined attack cracked the earth, creating a meter-long trench.

Xentiour cut his hand. A black liquid, just like the one contained in the vile, started flowing towards the cut. He wiped the blood onto his scythe. The scythe's blade's appearance didn't change a bit. However, its energy did. Before it was a mere tool, now it was a source of destruction and chaos. His scythe was filled with the screams and the immense smell of the Neothaliyan soldiers killed by their own commander. The scythe was powered by all their hatred, anger, other negative emotions, and the will to destroy everything in their way.

Xentiour moved his blade. A black blood wave rushed towards them in the form of a slash. They dodged the attack and heard a very strong sound of something cracking. As they turned back, they saw the attack had moved to the high ground and pierced the foot of the hill. It didn't stop there, but continually moved until Xentiour tightened his fist. The blood formed a sphere and exploded. The mountain started shaking, followed by it starting to fall. Debris and dust started falling on them.

Xentiour laughed and moved towards Julius. He put Julius on his shoulder and whistled. A beast with large claws responded to his whistle. He rode the beast and disappeared from their sight. They tried to stop him, but were unable to do so.

Harsay said to Yentio, "The Commander will be fine. Let's get out of here first." He blew his whistle, and two long cloths were thrown down from the top of the high ground, untouched by the attack. They quickly grabbed the cloths and were pulled up. The pull was so strong that within a few moments, they were on top. If they had been even a bit slower, they would have been buried under the debris.

"Captain, are you alright? Please sit down," a soldier asked, carrying clean cloth, some medicine, and herbs. After giving first aid to the Captain and Vice Captain, they were taken to an infirmary located at a distance from the battlefield.

Meanwhile, 10 to 15 soldiers located opposite the battlefield were holding the cloths the Captain and Vice Captain had used. The cloths were spread across an area from the top of the high ground to the other side of the battlefield in a straight line. Soldiers went to the other side and asked if there were any injured soldiers.

"No one has serious injuries. We are fine," came a voice from the other side.

"Okay," said the soldier on the hill. He ordered them to move to the infirmary for treatment and said they would be there soon enough.

"Okay," the soldiers replied.

The sun finally rose, and the soldiers on the hill turned to see the destruction. They were shocked to see the once mountainous land collapsed like a paper castle.

After a few minutes, Leo reached the Acronyian camp and called to one of the soldiers, ordering him, "Take me to Julius." The soldiers greeted him and said, "Commander, follow me." They started walking in a direction. Leo looked around and saw the soldiers. Their sad and dispirited emotions worried him. He asked the soldiers in a loud tone, "Where are we going? Where is Julius?"

The soldiers, without showing any emotion, said, "Please, Commander, follow me."

The Commander was about to shout at him again, but realizing something was wrong, noticed that the soldier had lost all his will. He only said, "Okay, fine," and muttered to himself, "What has happened here? Why are everyone so upset and depressed?"

After walking for 40 to 45 minutes, they reached their destination. The soldiers pointed to a camp and said in a sad tone, "Survivors of the battlefield are in the infirmary there." After showing him the way, the soldiers left the area.

Leo slowly entered the covered area. As soon as he entered, he saw everyone running around frantically. He saw a young lady coming out of a room, ordering something to another person present there while moving towards the opposite side of the room. He overheard her ordering, "Bring those medicines, clean cloths! Fast! Bring more, bring all the herbs, they're not enough! Have supplies arrived? Go quickly!" She was lost in her own world when suddenly, her eyes fell on a young man carrying a sword entering the room. She asked the guards about his identity, but the guards were also clueless. One of the guards approached him and asked his name and purpose.

Leo began to answer with his name, but he hesitated for a moment and remained silent. He started searching for something. After finishing his search, he stood there for a bit and suddenly started unsheathing his sword.

The woman grabbed a few needles that had turned black and was about to throw them at him. However, before she could attack, she realized something and stopped. Muttering to herself, she put the needles back, saying, "That's a royal symbol."

She ordered the guards who were about to attack him to put down their weapons. She then started moving towards him.

"I am Sieo Helio, the one in charge here," she said, gracefully bowing in front of Leo. "If you allow, may I take a closer look at your sword?"

Leo handed over the sword, keeping a watchful eye on her actions, ready for any possible outcome.

Sieo looked closely at the blade. There was an engraving of a gem just after the handle. The gem had seven edges, and on each edge, a sword was stabbed into it. She thought for a moment and called a guard over, whispering something in his ear. After a while, the guard returned to the camp and handed her a box.

Sieo opened a clean needle and looked towards Leo. "Can I have a blood sample?" she asked. Leo didn't hesitate, as he understood what she was trying to do.

Sieo took his blood and put it on the box. For a while, it floated on the surface. Then, after some time, it glowed. Sieo took the blood in a glass tube and put it on the royal symbol. The symbol glowed white light.

Sieo, relieved to confirm it was his own sword, said, "May I know your name?"

"Leo," he replied.

Sieo paused for a second, recognizing him now. "I apologize for the mistake," she greeted him properly. "I am Sieo Helio, First Class Healer of the Helio family."

Leo acknowledged her greeting. "I am Second Commander of Acronyian, Leo Kersay."

Seio said, "Commander, please follow me."

They both entered the camp. As they walked, Leo said to Seio, "Why is this place so empty?"

Seio remained silent and increased her pace. Leo stopped for a moment, then after a second thought, decided to follow her without any questions.

Seio turned back when she saw him deep in thought and started waiting for him. When Leo stopped, realizing she was waiting, he ran towards her and apologized. "Sorry, please continue."

After walking for a few minutes, they reached the end of the camp. There, Leo saw two figures completely covered in bandages. Fear gripped him as he quickly moved closer and tried to hear their heartbeats. He heard a very faint sound, which calmed him a little. "They're alive," he said, scanning the area. He then asked Seio, "Where are the others and Julius?"

He continued, "Okay, I see. Perhaps Julius convinced the enemy commander for a duel to minimize casualties, right?" He looked towards her, her eyes welling up with tears.

Leo rushed towards her and asked, "What happened?"

She tried to speak but was unable to. All the emotions she had been hiding from others welled up, and she cried deeply. After a while, she was barely able to say, "The majority of the soldiers were killed and..." Her voice cracked, and she started crying again.

Leo tried to comfort her. Once she regained some composure, she said, tears still in her eyes, "Commander, Captain, and Vice Captain tried their best, but..."

When she stopped talking, Leo looked at the barely alive figures and asked, "Are those Captain and Vice Captain?"

She understood him and, after taking a deep breath, continued, "The Captain and Vice Captain fought alongside the Commander, but they were no match for him."

"Their commander isn't that strong," Leo said in disbelief, then stopped as he realized the truth.

After witnessing the change in Leo's expression, Seio said, "Yes, he wasn't their commander. When our Commander defeated their real commander, this new one appeared from nowhere." She looked towards the Captain and continued, "They tried their best, but..."

She paused and continued, "But both were seriously injured. The Captain has a deep cut running from his right shoulder towards his heart."

Pausing again, she started again, "After fighting for some time, that person's powers suddenly increased, and he attacked them. Fortunately, the Captain and Vice Captain were able to dodge, but the high ground was collapsed by his attack."

Unable to hold back her tears, she looked directly into Leo's eyes and said, "Please, Commander, kill him. He killed my brother, my father, and many families have suffered the same fate. All the soldiers were killed without a chance to fight, unprepared for battle. He disrespected our soldiers." She pointed towards the battlefield. "All the fallen soldiers are still buried under there."

After talking with Leo, Seio felt a little better. To change her mood and help the injured more effectively, she asked Leo, "Commander, why didn't you tell us your name instead of revealing your sword?"

Leo said in embarrassment, "Actually, I started to say my name, but then I realized something. I had forgotten my identification token in the previous camp because I was worried. The only way to prove my identity was this." He pointed towards his sword.

He then asked for details about the battlefield. After getting the information, he looked towards the battlefield and turned towards Seio, saying, "I will avenge our fallen comrades. But first, securing Julius is our top priority."

Leo started moving out of the camp.

**Commander Leo is determined to avenge his fallen comrades. Commander Julius is being held captive, and Commander Neil just reached the place referred to by the Mountain King...**

**|| Next time...**

**Chapter 9: Mt. Ascartiya**

**There it is, A trial..., What's this...**