Colim Already awake sits by the window facing a small mountain in the distance where the sun rises, Colim admires this beautiful dawn knowing this moment will not last long.

Colim surprisingly well after the fight they had with raider's assassins notices the dark valley stretching out before him.

As the sun begins to rise, Lyra stirs awake, her eyes widening when she sees Colim standing, fully dressed and ready to leave.

Lyra: Colim? You're awake.

Colim: Get dressed we're leaving, We haven't done any progress since we got here, and time is not on our side, Raider's men will find us soon so get ready to move.

As the sun rises, Colim and Lyra quickly leave the worn-down shelter they spent the night in, slipping into the shadows.

The city behind them is just waking up to a peaceful day, but in the dark valley, Colim and Lyra are running for their lives.

The serie silence is broken when the sound of an arrow whizzes through the air toward them.

Colim reacts in an instant, deflecting it with his sword.

Assassin 1: (in awe)"Impossible...

His speed...!" Colim: (eyes narrowing) "Stay close, Lyra.

We're not alone." Without another word, Colim dashes toward the assassins with incredible speed.

Most of the assassins fall quickly, unable to react in time.

However, one assassin, Got lucky and evaded Colim'sattack, but is stunned by Colim’s move and have come to a conclusion that he will die if he don't surrender now.

The assassin raises his hands in surrender, dropping his weapons.

Assassin (Setru): "Wait! Don't kill me! I'll tell you everything everything you want to know! Just spare me please

Colim: (grabbing Setru by the throat and lifting him off the ground) " Tell me where Raider is hiding."

Setru: (choking) "I...I don't know his exact location...I swear!" Lyra: (rushing to Colim's side) "Colim, stop! Let him talk! We need information, not another corpse,"

Colim: (reluctantly loosening his grip) "Fine.Talk."

Setru: (gasping for breath) "Assassins from all over the empire...they were summoned by a man...Raider.

He gave us orders to kill anyone who sought him out.

Seven people have already been killed.

and you were supposed to be the eighth."

Lyra: (tense) "How many assassins did he hire?"

Setru: (shaking) "Too many to count...You've already killed so many of them.But more will come,"

Lyra: "Where is Raider now?" Setru: (nervously) "I don't know his exact location, but...I can tell you where we were summoned, It's near the city walls, southwest of here."

Lyra: (determined) "Alright, you're officially coming with us. Colim, knock him out."

Setru: (wide-eyed) "Wait, what?!"

Colim swiftly chops Setru behind the neck, knocking him out cold.

Tying him securely, Colim slings Setru over his back as they continue running.

However, more assassins begin to follow them through the valley, their silent footsteps closing in fast.

Lyra: (panting) "Colim, we're being followed!"

Colim: (glancing back) "Keep moving.

I'll take care of them," They find a secluded house near the location Setru had mentioned.

Colim kills an assassin in ona swift strike as they enter the building.

Lyra quickly peeks out of the window.

Lyra: (scanning the area) "Where is it...?" Colim: (putting Setru down) "Wake him up.

We need him to point out the exact place." Lyra places her hand on Setru's chest, using healing magic to bring him back to consciousness.

Colim watches in astonishment.

Colim: "You...You can use healing magic?"

Lyra: (glancing at him) "Yeah. I used it on you last night. Didn't you notice?"

Colim: (checking his healed wounds) "I didn't realize....Healers are so rare...Only ten in a million can wield that kind of power."

Setru wakes up groaning, and lyra immediately slaps him across the face to get his attention.

Lyra: "Which of those buildings is it?"

Setru: (rubbing his face) "The one in the middle...under that house."

Lyra: "Great.Let's go."

Setru: (panicking) "Wait! 1 can't go with you! If Raider finds out, my family will suffer. That's why I answered his summons in the first place, for the money."

Colim: (noticing an assassin with a bow aiming at them) "We've been spotted." Colim quickly pushes Setru aside and deflects the arrow with his sword.

Colim: "We need to leave. Now!

Before they can move, an explosion from beneath the house blows them apart, sending them flying through the air.

Colim lands on his feet, as does Lyra, but Setru crashes into a nearby building and is knocked unconscious again.

A sinister laugh echoed from behind them. Raider appeared from the shadows, his grin wide and menacing. "Impressive," he sneered. "You survived that blast? I expected you to be in pieces."

"Raider," Colim growled, his eyes filled with rage.

"So, you’ve finally found me," Raider said with mock amusement. "I’ve heard you’ve been looking for me. So, tell me... what do you want? Consider this as a reward for surviving that explosion".

"Why did you attack Eldoria?" Colim demanded, his voice icy.

Raider laughed mockingly. "Oh, straight to the point, are we? It’s simple really... I did it for fun! Watching towns burn is thrilling. Eldoria was just a quaint little village nestled behind the mountains, perfect for a little amusement."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Colim’s rage grew, his body trembling as he took a step forward. "Why?!" he seethed.

Raider grinned. "Why? To tell you the truth I was really bored, because of the stalemate knorr and tora is in when i was at the frontlines, so, i decided... to look at the map and look for a town nearby to play with and look what i just found (Raider smiles at colim to mock colim)ahh Eldoria a beautiful village just behind that wall of mountain, i admit the terrain was so harsh and the mountain is too steep and many- Some of my men died, but, it was worth it, seeing those little people scram run like rats oh i forgot to mentio-.

Colim: "Shut up!" Colim’s voice thundered. Raider raised an eyebrow at the sudden burst of anger.

Raider: Why? don't you wanna know my story hmm? mr-? What's your name again?

Colim: Colim

Raider: Right, uhhm mr.Colim don't you wanna hear my story hmm?

Colim: No i don't.

Raider: Why?

Colim: Because I've been told.

Raider: what?

Colim: That you're full of shit

Raider: Is that so? Hm. Condra!.

Condra, Raider’s enforcer, appeared beside his master, his full armor gleaming in the fading light. Raider smirked, "Condra, bring me his head." I'll be watching."

The sky darkens and rain begins to fall, Condra charges at Colim with blinding speed, matching Colim's movements and strength.

Colim: That Speed!. That Strength!.

Their swords clash, the shockwaves from each strike shaking the surrounding buildings.

Lyra: (struggling against Raider's men) "Colim!" Condra swings his sword, the sheer force of the blow destroying nearby houses as Colim dodges.

But with each swing, Condra's strikes grow stronger,

Colim: (blocking, but feeling the impact) "Damn...

Condra's strength is increasing with every strike."

Condra Roars like a monster raises his sword high and brings it down on Colim, who blocks the attack but is forced to one knee, the force Condra Unleashes upon colim breaks the ground like a thin glass.

The power of Condra's attack shatters Colim's blade, and Condra's strike cuts deep into Colim's left shoulder.

Colim: (screaming in pain) "AHHH!"

Lyra: (being dragged toward Raider) "Colim!"

Colim looks toward Lyra but is immediately kicked by Condra, sending him flying.

Condra grabs Colim by the hair and drags him toward Raider, throwing him at his feet.

Raider: (laughing) "That's it? Wow Condra, You've proven yourself again Good job, But tell me colim, Is this all you've got?" Colim: (breathing heavily, struggling to move) "Lyra...

(grunting) I can't...

I...have...

No strength left...

I guess this is the end.

Years of no training....

have taken their toll on me...

What was I thinking, trying to go on a quest for vengeance and justice with just a sword and a spy? I should've let the king handle all this..." He coughs, spitting blood onto the ground.

He looks at his bloodstained hands, his vision blurring.

Colim: "I guess I'm just an average human.., a stupid one at that.

I could've stayed out of this...

could've just let my village rest in peace..."

Lyra: Colim!, Don't give up yet... You've Come too far, Colim, so don't give up yet, Remember the reasons why you're doing this, remember your family Colim.

Suddenly, a memory of his wife and children flashes before his eyes their smiles, their laughter, His breathing slows, and through his pain, he feels the warmth of moonlight on his skin.

He clenches his fists tightly, anger and determination surging through him.

Colim: (whispering) "No...No. This isn't the end."

Raider: (grinning) "Oh? Looks like you're still conscious, eh? Still trying to be the hero?"

Moonlight shines at colim, Giving Colim a temporary super strength, and super speed, just like what the sun is doing to him although only 40% of the original power up will be granted at colim.

Colim's eyes glow with a newfound resolve.

Slowly, he pushes himself to his feet, swaying unsteadily, but his gaze never leaves Raider,

Colim: (muttering to himself) "I may be just human...but I am a human with endless possibilities..."

Raider: (mocking) "Endless possibilities? Hah! Look at you, barely standing! What possibilities do you even have left? You're a broken man!"

Colim raises his sword, the blade trambling in his hand.

He closes his eyes, letting the moonlight's energy flow through him. In a calm, almost serene voice, Colim whispers: "Sun Sword Technique... First Ray of Light, Single Slash."

A brilliant light erupts from Colim's blade, blinding Condra and the eight men surrounding him.

In an instant, their bodies are torn apart by an unseen force-limbs and heads flying through the air.

Condra's face was filled with fear and shock knowing that he's been defeated by one single strike.

Raider's smug grin falters, his eyes widening in shock.

Raider: (stunned) "What...

What the hell?!" Colim disappears in a blur of speed and reappears right behind Raider, his sword raised for a strike.

Raider barely manages to block the attack, but the sheer force of Colim's blow sends him flying into a nearby house, crashing through the walls.

Raider groans as he stumbles to his feet, shaking the dust and debris from his armor.

Raider: (dazed) "That speed...That power...

Is he the one from that battlefield...?" As he wipes the blood from his mouth, Raider's memory flashes back to a fierce battle years ago.

He recognizes Colim's face-the warrior who was said to have died fighting Knorr's navy.

Raider: (grinning with recognition) "Oh...

it's you...

I thought you died.

But it seems I was wrong...

You're alive.

You're the one I saw back then!" He laughs, though pain racks his body.

Raider: "This...

This is great! I've been waiting for this! Colim! Where have you been all these years? I've been wanting to fight you since that day on the battlefield!" Lyra, watching from a distance, is confused.

Lyra: (thinking) "Battlefield? What is he talking about? I thought Colim was just on a quest for vengeance...

But with that kind of speed and skill, there's no way he's just an ordinary soldier.

Who...

Who is he, really?" Raider stands up straight, shaking off his injuries.

He grins as he pulls out a small red capsule from his armor and swallows it.

Instantly, his muscles bulge, his veins pulsating as his body undergoes a terrifying transformation.

Raider: (grinning wickedly) "Now...

Let's see if you can keep up with me.

I'll match your speed and strength." Colim: (coldly) "I don't need my sword to deal with you." Colim drops his sword to the ground, raising his fists.

Raider's eyes gleam with excitement, his grin widening.

Raider: (laughing) "Fine! We'll do it your way!" In an instant, Raider disappears and reappears right in front of Colim, delivering a powerful punch to Colim's stomach.

The impact sends Colim flying backward, crashing into the ground with a thunderous boom.

Raider wastes no time and strikes again, sending Colim crashing through the rubble of a nearby building.

Lyra: (screaming) "Colim!" Raider lands with a heavy thud, standing over the crater where Colim lies battered and bruised.

He laughs, crossing his arms.

Raider: (mocking) "Is that it? Is this all you've got? I was expecting more from you." Colim groans, struggling to his feet.

Colim's body is battered, but his eyes burn with rage.

He wipes the blood from his mouth, glaring at Raider.

Colim: (hoarsely) "Weak." Raider's grin fades.

Before he can react, Colim disappears from sight.

The next moment, Raider is sent flying through several houses, crashing through walls as Colim's fists strike him with terrifying speed and power.

Each punch drives Raider further and further back until he crashes through the city walls, landing in a heap of rubble.

Raider coughs up blood, struggling to stand.

Raider: (thinking) "Damn...

He's...

he's strong...

stronger than I imagined..." Raider stumbles to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth his body reverting back to normal as Colim approaches him, his sword floating back into his hand.

Raider drops to his knees, unable to keep fighting.

He looks up at Colim, fear in his eyes.

Colim: (coldly) "Tell me who attacked my village."

Raider: (coughing) "Really? Again? You really love getting straight to the point huh? Anyways I'm about to die so might as well, consider this your reward for defeating me the Legendary Death Bringer hahaha (Coughs blood).

It was... not the tora empire colim...

It was a noble...

from Knorr...

He paid me 5000 gold to raid your village...

To make it as tora plundered your village, but personally i had fun doing that (Coughs blood)

That's all I know..." Raider, barely able to speak, lowers his head in defeat.

Colim stares at him for a long moment, his sword raised.

But instead of striking, Colim lowers his blade, deeming Raider not even worthy of a quick death, Colim: (quietly) "Death is too good for you." Raider, bleeding heavily, collapses on the ground, his life fading away.

As he breathes his last.

Colim watches in silence, his body trembling from the exhaustion of the battle.

Moments later, lyra limps over to Colim, her face pale from the injuries she sustained during the fight, She looks at Colim, concern in her eyes as she sees the smoke rising from his body, a sign that he's pushed his limits.

Lyra: "Colim...

You're burning up...

You've pushed your body too much colim..."

Colim takes one step toward her, his body swaying dangerously.

Without another word, he collapses, unconscious.

Lyra gasps, rushing to his side and cradling his head in her lap.

She gently strokes his hair, her heart pounding with worry.

Lyra: (softly) "You saved me...

again..." Five days later, Colim wakes up in a quiet room, bandaged and still recovering, Lyra sits beside him, her arm in a sling, her expression soft as she sees him stir awake.

Colim: (groaning) "How long...

have I been out?" Lyra: (smiling) "Five days.

You were out cold.

I was starting to think you wouldn't wake up." Colim slowly sits up, wincing in pain, Lyra moves closer to him, carefully lying beside him and resting her head on his shoulder,

Lyra: "Can I...stay like this? Just for a while?"

Colim: (quietly) "Yeah...I don't mind."

Lyra wraps her arms around hìm, hugging him gently.

Lyra: (softly) "Thank you for saving me."

Colim: (tiredly) "Yeah...don't mention it.

Setru suddenly burst open the door

Setru: Hey! lyra do you think boss is gonna wake up soo-.

Setru drops the plate of food he was carrying after seeing boss(Colim) Already awake.

Setru: Boss you're awake... (Teared up) finally (Cries).

Colim: Wait - who are you again?

Setru was shocked because colim don't remember him.

To be continued...