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Chapter 61: Raising the Stakes

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d0/Antonio_performs_Gauntlet_Guard%2C_using_his_off-hand_to_grab_the_opponent%27s_arm%2C_pulling_them_close_and_leaving_them_vulnerable_to_a_brutal_upward_slash_with_the_Cinquedea.png]

As Maria and her five henchmen watched from the bustling streets of Vatican City, tension crackled in the air. Without any warning, Blaze made the first move. He performed the Gauntlet Guard, using his off-hand to grab Noah's arm and pull him close, setting up for an upward slash with his Cinquedea. Noah narrowly dodged the attack at the last second, his eyes wide with surprise.

"That was fortunato," Blaze muttered, clearly unimpressed by Noah's evasive maneuver.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/21/Whirlwind_Tangle.png]

Noah, with his heart pounding in his chest, quickly regained his composure. "You think you can catch me that easily?" he taunted, spinning his yo-yo in a rapid blur. He launched a rapid series of attacks, using his Whirlwind Tangle to create gusts of wind that disoriented Blaze momentarily. Blaze, however, adapted quickly, his sharp eyes following the yo-yo's unpredictable movements.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f2/Backhand_Bite.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/a3/Ricochet_Strike.png]

Blaze countered with a swift Backhand Bite, flipping the Cinquedea in his grip and slashing towards Noah's side. Noah deflected it with his yo-yo, using the momentum to execute a Ricochet Strike that sent the yo-yo bouncing off the walls, aiming for Blaze's head. Blaze ducked, the yo-yo whizzing past his ear.

"You're quick, ragazzino," Blaze admitted, a hint of respect in his voice. "But not presto enough."

Maria watched with bated breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "Noah, be careful!" she shouted, her voice filled with worry.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/1b/Infernal_Impale.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/29/Vortex_Pull.png]

Blaze, taking advantage of Noah's momentary distraction, lunged forward with Infernal Impale, aiming the Cinquedea straight for Noah's chest. Noah twisted his body, avoiding the lethal thrust by inches. He responded with his Vortex Pull, spinning the yo-yo in a circular motion to create a small vortex that pulled Blaze off balance.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d9/Wall_Waltz.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/5b/Orbital_Shield.png]

But Blaze recovered swiftly, his fiery temperament driving him to attack even harder. He forced Noah against a wall and unleashed his Wall Waltz, a relentless barrage of short, controlled strikes. Noah barely managed to deflect the blows with his yo-yo, using Orbital Shield, spinning his yo-yo around himself to create a defensive barrier that deflected Blaze's incoming attacks. Sparks flew as steel met yo-yo, each deflection ringing out in the night.

"You're not bad, ragazzino," Blaze taunted, his eyes blazing with intensity, enjoying the fight but his confidence undiminished. "But you're still way out of your lega."

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/String_Snare.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/dc/Antonio_peforms_Parry_and_Pummel%2C_parrying_an_attack_with_the_Cinquedea%2C_then_uses_the_pommel_to_deliver_a_forceful_blow_to_the_opponent%27s_chest%2C_creating_an_opening_for_a_follow-up_strike.png]

Noah gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his forehead. "We'll see about that," he retorted, using String Snare to entangle Blaze's arm. With a deft flick of his wrist, Noah tightened the yo-yo's string, attempting to immobilize his opponent. Blaze growled, using his superior strength to break free from the string. His frustration started to grow and could be seen in his expression. Irritated by how long Noah could stand up to him, Blaze used Parry and Pummel, expertly parrying Noah's next attack and delivering a forceful blow to Noah's chest with the pommel of his Cinquedea, sending him stumbling back.

Maria, unable to contain her fear, shouted, "Noah, don't give up! You can do it!"

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/77/Decoy_Dance.png]

Encouraged by her words and knowing what was at stake, Noah did not give up. He executed his Decoy Dance, performing a series of flashy, deceptive movements, drawing Blaze's attention and masking his true intentions. Blaze, momentarily distracted, took a hit to his shoulder but remained undeterred.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/65/Cross_Slash.png]

With a roar, Blaze launched his Cross Slash, a rapid series of slashes that overwhelmed Noah's defenses. Despite his best efforts to parry and dodge, Noah was pushed to his limits.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/fe/The_Masterstroke.png]

Finally, Blaze saw his perfect opening and decided to end the fight. "I've had fun, ragazzino, but you are pretty boring as my opponent. Time to end it—Il colpo da maestro!" Blaze mocked Noah as he unleashed his ultimate move. Channelling all his energy, he executed The Masterstroke, a decisive and powerful strike. The Cinquedea cut through Noah's defenses, hitting him squarely in the chest and sending him sprawling to the ground.

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Noah fell to the ground, gasping for air as the fight came to a sudden end. Blaze stood over him, victorious and arrogant. "This is what you get for messing with us!" one of the henchmen sneered.

"Our boss clearly beat you in a fight," another henchman taunted. "You are weak!" Noah spat back defiantly, trying to antagonize Blaze even after his defeat.

"Show him who is weak," Blaze ordered his henchmen. They surrounded Noah and began beating him mercilessly, disregarding the fact that he was just a 15-year-old boy.

"NOAH!" Maria screamed, wanting to rush forward to shield Noah from the assault. Before she could move, Blaze stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Signorina, what can you do to help your friend? Do you think you can win a fight against us?" he asked arrogantly.

Blaze smirked and continued, "I'm not unfair. I'm giving you options: either work for us to pay off your debt, or sell your inn." The choices Blaze offered were both dead ends, trapping Maria in a corner.

"Remember our plan, Maria! Run back to La Dolce Vita!" Noah shouted, trying to stick to their strategy.

"Still able to talk?" one of the henchmen snarled, kicking Noah in the face to silence him. Blood trickled from Noah's mouth as he struggled to remain conscious.

Knowing she couldn't help Noah by staying, Maria listened to his order and ran, tears streaming down her face. "Run, Signorina! In the end, you'll have to pick an option from us!" Blaze shouted mockingly, his voice echoing in the dark street. "Your amico is with us. Better make a choice fast!" he added, relishing her helplessness.

As Maria fled, she glanced back one last time, her heart aching with worry and fear for Noah. She knew she had to get help, but the desperation in her chest was almost overwhelming. Reaching La Dolce Vita, she burst through the door, panting and sobbing.

Reaching La Dolce Vita, Maria ran straight to the second floor, knocking vigorously on the Vindicators' door, desperate to seek help for Noah. Her frantic banging woke them up, and Elliot and Cyrus quickly opened their doors at the same time. Cyrus immediately noticed that Noah was not in his room.

"Cyrus, Ji-Eun, Elliot, they've got Noah!" Maria cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Calm down, tell us what happened," Elliot said, his voice full of concern for Noah's well-being but also needing to understand the situation.

Maria took a deep breath and slowly explained what had happened, recounting the fight between Noah and Blaze, the brutal beating by the henchmen, and the ultimatum Blaze had given her: work for them or sell the inn.

"This is too much! We will save Noah!" Ji-Eun exclaimed, her eyes already burning with fury. "We need to go there immediately!" Elliot said, rushing back to his room to grab his cordless vacuum cleaner.

Cyrus, though silent, showed deep concern in his eyes. He went back to his room and reached for the Sword of Water, knowing that an unavoidable fight lay ahead. The Vindicators quickly got ready, following Maria's lead toward Blaze and his gang to save Noah.

Back on the street, one of the henchmen asked Blaze, "Will the girl be back? What if she doesn't come?"

"The signorina will come back. They always do," Blaze replied with a cruel smile.

The henchmen laughed, their confidence bolstered by their leader's words. But Noah, even as he lay beaten, bruised, and bloodied, refused to give up hope. He knew his friends would come for him, and he was determined to fight until the end. The henchmen held Noah up by supporting both his arms, keeping him restrained.

Blaze leaned in close to Noah's face. "Your friends might come for you, but it won't matter. This is my territory, and here, I am the law."

Noah glared up at Blaze, his resolve unbroken. "We'll see about that," he muttered through gritted teeth, his spirit unyielding despite the pain.

Blaze laughed, his confidence unwavering. "I am waiting. Let's see what kind of spettacolo they can provide me!"

As the Vindicators hurried through the dark streets, Maria led them with a mix of fear and determination. She could see the fierce resolve in Cyrus, Ji-Eun, and Elliot's eyes, and it gave her a glimmer of hope. They would not let Noah suffer any longer.

When they arrived, they saw Blaze and his henchmen standing over Noah. The sight of their friend’s beaten body filled them with rage. "Let him go!" Ji-Eun shouted, stepping forward with her kitchen knife. Her usual innocent demeanor was replaced by a fury that burned in her eyes.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/66/Antonio_smiling_confidently.png]

Blaze turned to face them, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Oh, signorina, you brought backup? You think this will change the outcome?" he mocked, his arrogance palpable. "With Blaze here, you all don't stand a chance," one of the henchmen added confidently, emboldened by Blaze's presence.

Elliot stepped up beside Ji-Eun, holding his cordless vacuum cleaner like a weapon. "We’re here to save our friend. Give him back, or you don’t want to mess with us," he warned. Blaze laughed at the comment, finding it amusing.

Blaze scanned his eyes over the group, analyzing their capabilities. He looked at Elliot and said dismissively, "Passato!" He glanced at Ji-Eun and repeated, "Passato!" His judgmental gaze finally settled on Cyrus, whom he saw as the leader of the group. Pointing his Cinquedea at Cyrus, Blaze said, "You must be the capo of the group. I don't want to face any of your subordinates; they are a waste of my time."

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/40/Kim_Ji-Eun%2C_her_unique_mix_of_innocent_and_crazy_expression.png]

Listening to Blaze's arrogant comments, Ji-Eun and Elliot were furious at being looked down upon. "Watch your mouth, you blond, curly-haired scrawny guy! I'll rip you apart!" Ji-Eun, now showing her crazy side, snarled.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/cc/Elliot_Harper_using_his_cordless_vaccum_cleaner_as_a_unique_weapon.png]

"I can take you on with my invention easily. Don’t look down on us," Elliot added, pointing the telescopic wand of his cordless vacuum cleaner at Blaze. Cyrus raised his hand to signal them to stop and calm down.

"Why should I face you? I think my allies here are capable of taking you down," Cyrus taunted Blaze, a hint of strategy in his tone.

"What do you mean? This is a capo to capo fight! Your friend is a hostage with us; you don't have any chips to bargain," Blaze retorted, his fiery temperament barely under control.

"Your mixture of Italian and English words is making it hard to decipher what you're saying. Like I said, my allies here are good enough to take you down. We can still save our friend without me facing you," Cyrus replied calmly, playing mind games with Blaze.

Blaze, unknowingly falling into Cyrus's trap, asked, "Alright, what do you want in order for you to face me?"

Cyrus smiled, sensing victory. "How about we raise the stakes higher? If you lose, you give back our friend and stop harassing La Dolce Vita. If you win, we will let you sell La Dolce Vita, and we will also pay the same amount of money you get from the sale."

"Blaze, if you lose, we will get nothing!" one of Blaze's henchmen warned, aware of the consequences.

"Shut up, you incompetente! Do you think I will perdere?" Blaze snapped, furious at his henchman’s doubt. "You're on, Americano. I'll make you eat your words for making such a deal!" Blaze, confident in his abilities with the Cinquedea, agreed to the wager.

The tension in the air was palpable as the two leaders prepared to face off. The stakes had never been higher, and the fate of La Dolce Vita hung in the balance.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/34/Antonio_Russo_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/Versus.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/75/Cyrus_Thorne%2C_son_of_Elden_Thorne.png]

As Antonio "Blaze" Russo and Cyrus Thorne squared off, the Vindicators stood ready, their determination unwavering.