"Who's there? Show yourself" James abruptly halted his steps as he looked around vigilantly. His ears twitched in response to his state of alertness, ready to transmit any sounds to its master. The King looked around curiously. Although she knew her parents didn't die here, she still felt the unease of helplessly watching your loved ones in danger. "Do not interfere. They will be fine" Reiki transmitted to her upon feeling the constant pressure on him decreasing, indicating that she was about to stand up. "Of course I know they were fine. Still can't help it though." She stated with an annoyed expression as she gave up on the strength that was slowly building in her forearms, ready to propel her forward and off her seat.
"You do not want to reveal yourself? Well, that's fine. Let me help you!" James screamed as he unsheathed his zweihander. He threw the large sword high into the air as he readjusted his fiancée's position, taking the utmost care not to awaken her even in this scenario. The large sword descended just when he had managed to free his right hand, his dominant hand. It was almost as if it had a mind of its own, for such timing was impressive. Or it was all down to its master's talent, timing and awareness.
"Concentric slash 720"
James span rapidly even before he finished his statement, his body turning a full 360- twice. His large sword swept through a radius of 400 metres, rendering the formerly beautiful land barren. The vibrant and tall trees were nowhere to be found, cleanly destroyed and without any remains. From the sky above one would only a circle of destruction- one with no life- with James at the centre. Look past the circle, and the beautiful grass as well as the tall trees would find you.
"Indeed, you are the grandson of the Cold Emperor. Such talent. You surely are worth recruiting." One of the figures who previously lay hidden spoke. His voice was deep and husky, difficult to make out. He wore all black clothes and had a mask covering his features. Only his red eyes were exposed to the world. Yet it was nowhere near enough to give away his identity. The other six who were with him were dressed just the same, though their eyes didn't contain the blood that the speaker's did.
"If you want my membership, you should try showing a bit more sincerity." James answered nonchalantly. He was in no mood to take the words of assassins to heart. He was a bit baffled though. Their strength was clearly beyond Kelan. The concentric slash series was a powerful all area attack. It was powerful enough to take out anyone below the mid stages of the earth realm, unless they had a powerful defensive artefact. However, from their getup, they possessed no such artefact. That meant they were as strong as or stronger than him.
"This is a bit worrying" He smiled slightly as he stated.
"You say that. Yet you show us a smile. You are as crazy as your grandfather." The red eyed assassin stated as he slowly moved towards James. His entourage followed his lead. They spread out to surround James as they closed in.
"You've spoken about my grandfather twice. Do you know him?" James asked curiously. He twirled his heavy sword carelessly as though it was as light as a feather.
"You could say that we are acquainted. Our true relationship is yet to be determined. Although his comradery evades me now, it may not always be the case." The assassin's response was vague.
"Speak clearly." James demanded.
"There is nothing in the cosmos that is clear at first glance. Everything is blurry, the truth hidden in the least likely of places. From opaqueness, to translucence, and then finally, transparency. One's insight is deepened depending on these three factors. In time, your translucent mind may comprehend the words of my transparent one."
James smiled broadly at the words of his assailant. His smile disappeared as quickly as it appeared when the black clothed jerk went on to say, "For instance, now we are here for her. You will definitely not unhand her so we'd have to kill you. It is a great disservice to you, dear child. But it is the will of the Universe." That was what the moron said as he pointed at the lithe figure sleeping soundly in James' arms.
"I won't hand her over to you. I won't let you harm her." His declaration was resolute, his grip on his sword increasing greatly in strength.
"Harm her? No no no. We only wish to bring out her true potential. To allow her to come into herself. To save her from the trivialities of this small world and allow her to soar brilliantly in the cosmos. She must- no, she will- become the high priestess of the Dark Kingdom." The man gestured wildly with his arms, almost as though he could already see Morgana reaching the 'greater heights' he spoke so passionately about. Though with his husky tone, it was difficult to say if the passion was genuine, or was meant as a mockery to the one who watched him.
"Do you know the kind of people I hate the most?" James asked with a smile on his face once again. The red eyed man tilted his head curiously. James' smile broadened, as he thrust his sword powerfully into the ground, "Those who spew bullshit with an air of philosophy, thinking it will change their words from irrelevant, to relevant. But in the end, it's still crap."
Two large sword shadows appeared from underground and successfully skewered two of the assassins, sending them flying high into the air and mercilessly chopping them into several pieces.
"My oh my. So violent." The red eyed man was seemingly unconcerned with the death of his two minions. He charged in right after ending his statement with a short blade in hand.
*kiiiiink*
The smaller looking blade clashed furiously with the much larger zweihander. James was pushed back a few metres, right into the path of one of his assailants. He was very aware of the danger though. He twisted his body to avoid the long sword that was aimed at his neck and countered. His large sword hit its target, yet it wasn't a clean hit. He only managed to slightly wound his opponent. He could only watch helplessly as the assassin created some distance between them. James had a good grasp of the leader's power now. That casual strike had revealed energy belonging to the peak of the earth realm. The others were around the same level yet a bit weaker. With this level of opposition, Janes knew he couldn't drag the fight on any longer. Fights of such high levels usually took one or two decisive blows to end a person's life, as demonstrated by his slaughter of two of his ambushers.
"Virtus Invehitur!" James screamed loudly. His power exploded from within. The winds howled around him as his eyes turned grey and his hair, white. He raised his hand and pointed his sword at the leader, the one who was now struggling to keep standing under the immense pressure.
"How..could..this..be?" he stuttered fearfully, his voice not as husky as before. He watched in horror as James parted his lips and proclaimed domineeringly,
"Death…to all of you."