As the mercenaries saw William's signal they all drew their weapons, Kailen and Eli followed suit. Nilen had not spoken since meeting eyes with Kailen, his eyes revolving around the opposing forces that were quickly headed toward the gate.
"Fuck you, William, today it's you who shall fall!"
Steve shouted as he drew a sword from his waist, his men behind him quickly doing the same. Kailen was perplexed by Steve's confidence, even if most of the mercenaries weren't extremely strong, from what he could tell they would be more than enough to deal with those in behind Steve.
Eli quickly ran forward leading the charge as he kicked hard at the gate, the gate burst open as the battle began. Kailen hung back with William and Kenneth for a moment observing the surroundings more closely.
"William, why is he so confident?"
"That's what I would like to know."
William answered with a frown, Kenneth seemed to have awakened as he looked around anxiously. Kailen observed the conflict before him, Eli appeared to be striking multiple people with his spear trying to approach Steve at the back. Steve paced at the top of the stairs of the mansion before shouting loudly his voice carrying over the battlefield.
"You've underestimated me, William. Now you shall pay the price."
The doors to the mansion opened as it revealed a thin man with a large wolf beside him. The man wore black clothes matching the wolf's fur, he had piercing blue eyes together with a fierce smile. The wolf beside him stood at around four feet tall with a huge frame, its teeth visible as it snarled at the sight before it.
"It's Randall Crowley! The notorious bounty hunter!"
"It really is him, he's just like the rumors."
Kailen could hear the nearby onlookers, their fearful expressions matching the presence he felt from the man before him. Kailen looked at William and discovered a slightly fearful and concerned expression.
"Father, how didn't we know Steve hired Crowley?"
"She never mentioned him, Steve must have contacted him secretly."
Eli Brookes saw Crowley on the steps his expression morphed into extreme hatred as he screamed before recklessly charging through the crowd towards him.
"You bastard! You'll pay for what you did!"
Kailen could feel the strength of this Crowley man and knew Eli was no match, an excited grin crawled onto his face at the prospect before him.
"William, I'll take that Crowley guy. You handle the rest."
William and Kenneth seemed taken back by his words, they quickly responded with concerned looks.
"Listen here Kailen, I know you're strong. I heard about your fight in the arena against Scorpa but this guy is a different level..."
"Fathers right, just leave him to Eli..."
"Eli can't match him. And besides, this is what I live for..."
Kailen smiled at the two reassuringly before drawing his saber before running towards the large battle. As he approached he observed as the large wolf joined the fray of the battle, tearing into the neck of a nearby mercenary. Eli had finally broken through the crowd as he charged up the steps with his spear readied, Crowley in response drew two large stiletto daggers from behind his back. The two daggers were pitch black matching the rest of his demeanor his smile widening witnessing Eli's reckless charge, his eyes resembling that of a starved beast.
Kailen knocked an incoming blow away with his saber, keeping one eye on the battle on the stairs. Eli attacked with a powerful straight thrust that was easily side-stepped, Crowley closed the gap jumping down the stairs alongside the spear. Eli realizing his mistake changed from the thrust and attacked with a strike from the back of the spear. Eli's skill with the spear was no joke, as the shaft struck towards Crowley's head.
Kailen was left amazed as he witnessed Crowley twist his body with amazing flexibility and completely avoid the blow while continuing with his forward momentum. Crowley twirled the daggers as he stabbed Eli on either side of his neck, blood sprayed his smiling face.
"CAPTAIN!"
One of the mercenaries screamed in despair as he saw Eli quickly bleed out before him, his scream attracting the attention of the battlefield. Steve laughed loudly as the mercenary leader was slain before him, his mood further enhanced as he saw the grim look on William's face.
"How's that William! I can't wait to see you groveling!"
Kailen continued and finally broke through the battlefield as he stood just below Crowley, after witnessing the inhuman flexibility he was slightly cautious to attack. Crowley released Eli's dying corpse and raised his head to see Kailen eying him up cautiously, an even brighter smile appeared as he saw the unusual eyes before him.
"Interesting, interesting, interesting."
Kailen frowned as he heard Crowley speaking, he held his saber in two hands in preparation for the oncoming barrage of attacks. It seemed by some unspoken agreement that no man infringed on the two men facing each other, the mercenaries hoped someone could avenge their captain. They knew the reputation of the man before them and hesitated to join in, while Steve's forces trusted in Crowley's strength.
"Hey boy, you've got courage to stand before me. Tell me, what's your name?"
"It's Kailen."
Crowley laughed maniacally in response while scratching his head with the blood-soaked dagger.
"Nice, nice... Well, hopefully, you can at least entertain me."
Crowley exploded forward twirling his knives Kailen watched his approach carefully trying to judge his incoming attack. Crowley twisted his right hand in preparation for a stab to the ribs, his left adjusting for a slash to the neck. Kailen took a leap back to avoid the incoming attack but was slashed at his forearm that left his faintly shocked.
The speed at which Crowley could change the angles of the attack left Kailen amazed, he realized the opponent before he truly was the strongest man he'd met so far. Instead of being fearful a delighted expression arose, gripping his saber tightly he vowed to defeat the man before him.
"Not bad, not bad... shows you're smart enough. Let me see your skills then, boy."