The swordsman stares into his blank eyes. "So that's it, huh? No more talk? That's all the emotion you can muster up in your final battle? Just getting angry for a minute, and then not giving a shit again? Fine, I wanted to have some fun and see you cry about how unfair this is and how you wanted to live, but have it your way. I have to admit, you really are different from us. You're not human." As he concludes his words, he looks to his allies, and confirms that all of them are ready to end this.

5 Swordsmen, 1 Spearman, 2 Archers, all of them in Nathan's field of vision, who is standing with his back to the edge of the canyon only a couple of meters away. He realizes the predicament he is in, as he hasn't got any weapons, and neither does he have a lot of Chi because of his wound. The shorter the fight, the higher his chances, he figures. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in, trying to control the flow of Chi within his body. He breathes out, and opens his eyes. He crosses blades with the swordsmen to his left in a flash. His foe stays defensive. Two arrows miss him narrowly as he somersaults beneath them, he goes for a palmstrike on the swordsman. His foe parries, and a spear is thrust from his right immediately. A step to the right, then a strike against the the side of the spear. It's heading towards the swordsman now, but he manages to dodge. Nathan backs up a few steps. Wertan and the actor from the hired arms lunge at him. It's like a storm of blades is coming at him, and there's barely time to dodge, let alone counter. As they're pushing him closer and closer to the edge of the canyon, Nathan realizes that he has to counter to have any chance of survival. He dashes in between the two blades attacking him and manages to strike the actors stomach, he sends him flying. The other blade is too close! He twists his body with unnatural speed, lightning at his hips, and manages to barely deflect the blade. A close one for sure.

Slit.

He didn't see that arrow coming, as if it was purposefully hidden by the sword. Blood gushes out of the huge hole where his left shoulderblade once connected to his arm. If it were a normal arrow, it would hurt like hell, but he could manage for the time being, but a chi reinforced arrow… his abilities only go so far. But he has no time to complain. Nathan uses the momentum created through the arrow's impact to move his body into a rotation and send his foe flying with a kick. Wertan manages to block, so the damage is limited. Another arrow, but he can deflect it with his hands. The spearbearer charges in, but without a spear, instead only using his shield. Nathan has no choice but to hit him with a full release of chi and manages to fend of the charge with a crashing thunder, but shoots himself backwards in the process. He manages to get up, but with one of his feet already at the edge of the canyon, blood streaming out of his stomach and shoulder, and an immobile left arm, things aren't really looking all to promising.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Wertan shakes his left arm to get rid of the numbness, and walks up to panting warrior. "Chosen one", he laughs to himself. "That was quite the performance." He scrutinizes Nathan's body and face. His stance, the way he squeezes his left shoulder with his right arm, his heaving chest and wheezing breath, they all show a broken man on the verge of death, a body in agony. But his face doesn't reflect those feelings at all, it's just… blank. The physical exhaustion shows, but there are no signs of mental discomfot. The swordsman's expression turns from satisfied to sour the moment he sees this. "I don't understand you. You can't seriously believe you will be coming out of this alive. Your body is in pain. As a matter of fact, it's impressive that you haven't passed out by now. And yet, you look at me like I'm just another nuisance. Why is that? I really can't figure it out. What's going through your head?", he askes him with honest curiosity. All the traitors stare at Nathano, waiting for an answer.

His expression remains just as vacant as before. 'I wonder what is going to happen to this country when there is no "chosen one". Maybe they are going to believe that he will just return? Or will they hope for a new one to be born?' He would probably burst out laughing were his body in the condition to do so, as paints out a mental picture of that scenario. Instead, his lips only twitch upwards a little. 'Would that not be hilarious, if there actually was one who appears after my death. That would really be something… Well, whatever.', he concludes as his expression turns blank again.

Wertan blood is boiling with anger as he watches Nathan being completely unbothered. "Well, chosen one. I would ask for your last words, but you don't seem to be the type to give a shit about that. Since your definitely not human, before you start haunting my sword', he explains as he picks up Nathan's broken blade, "I'd rather give the curse to the swordsmith who helped us out with this." The others start laughing as Wertan walks up close to the wheezing warrior, and cuts down the straps of his chestplate without being met by any resistance. Nathan just stands there like a rock, tracking his movements with his eyes, but not putting up any useless resistance. This battle has been settled. Thud. His armor drops to the ground. Wertan takes a look at the broken, black blade, and then goes for a strike to Nathan's chest.

Rumble.

As if moving on it's own, Nathan's right hand pushes the blade down, so that it sinks into his hip and gut rather than his heart.

Surprised by the sudden movement, Wertans tenses up for a split second. He takes a deep breath and relaxes again, as Nathan slowly tumbles over the edge. "Seems you might just be human after all.", he comments, but then looks at his empty face again "Maybe not. Well, no matter."

As Nathan falls down the canyon's cliff, his face remains vacant, and he ponders. "Why did I do that?". The rivers raging currents grow louder rapidly. "I thought I had stopped doing pointless things."

Splash.