Upon reaching the Blackthorn's Kingdom after a journey through the forest, roads, and mountain passes, I found myself arriving in the evening. The kingdom bore a resemblance to the others I had visited in the past. It was surrounded by lush forests, had farms dotting the landscape, and several scattered buildings in view. Before embarking on my quest to find Hiro, I decided to conduct a thorough reconnaissance of the area to gather information and ensure my safety.
I turned my attention to William, inquiring, "Do you know the way to the kingdom?"
He responded with a nonchalant shrug. "Of course, Vincent," he said, then gestured for me to follow. With that, he turned and started walking toward one of the buildings situated on the western side of the town. The building was constructed from sturdy stone, its prominent feature being a sizable wooden door at its center. As we approached, a man emerged from the building and made his way towards us.
But he was no ordinary man; this individual belonged to a group of formidable and dangerous figures, powerful mages within the Blackthorn family known as Vald and Tas. However, there was only one of them present here.
The man before us was dressed in a striking ensemble, exuding an air of both mystique and sophistication. He wore a tailored black suit, reminiscent of a mage's attire, though it lacked the traditional robes. Instead, a long, sleek black coat cascaded down his form, complemented by white gloves that covered his hands with an almost eerie elegance. Beneath the coat, he sported impeccably black pants and a crisp white button-down shirt, completing his enigmatic and commanding presence.
A pair of stylish black boots completed his dashing look. His hair was short and spiky, covering most of his head, but still managed to reveal the contours of his handsome features.
Tas, the man before us, raised his sword, his piercing gaze locked onto mine. Suspicion was etched across his features, and his icy blue eyes bore into me with an unwavering intensity. His greeting, though outwardly friendly, carried an underlying threat, a warning that he was prepared for any eventuality.
"Welcome to our humble abode," he uttered, his words hanging in the air like a subtle challenge, hinting at the readiness for action.
I nodded in response to his cautious yet polite welcome. "Indeed, I am Vincent Midnight," I replied, attempting to maintain a diplomatic tone. "The pleasure is mine."
The tension in the atmosphere was palpable, and it was evident that this encounter held more complexity beneath its seemingly benign surface.
Tas started the conversation, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of curiosity, "What brings you to our land, Midnight?"
"I'm here to rescue my son, Hiro," I replied, determination clear in my voice. "He's being held captive in the Blackthorns' castle."
Tas's expression shifted to one of concern. "I've never heard of a boy named Hiro being held captive here."
I was surprised by his response. "Are you sure? There must be some mistake."
Tas looked genuinely puzzled. "No, I can't think of any boy named Hiro who's been held captive in our kingdom."
I shook my head firmly. "I understand your concern, but this is the place where my son resides, and I won't leave without him."
Tas let out a heavy sigh. "Vincent Midnight Familia, I don't know why you're here, but if your purpose is to bring war between families, it will go against the emperor's orders. I urge you to reconsider. Leave now, or you and your companions will face dire consequences."
His warning sent a chill down my spine, but I couldn't back down now. I knew the risks, but my determination to rescue Hiro was unwavering. There were four emperors, each controlling a different region - west, south, north, and east. Our actions could have far-reaching consequences in this complex political landscape.
"My apologies for any inconvenience, Tas," I began, "but I must insist that leaving without my son is not an option. He has been held captive here as a slave, and it is my duty as his father-in-law to rescue him."
Tas raised his hand, interrupting my reply. "Vincent, I can see the urgency in your eyes, but understand that we are not defenseless here. We possess great strength and power, and it would be in your best interest to consider our warnings seriously. Leaving peacefully would be the wisest choice you could make." His words carried a clear message of caution and implied consequences.
I could sense the tension in the air, and it was clear that our encounter could turn hostile at any moment.
Despite my rising anger, I drew my sword from its sheath and pointed it towards Tas. "Tas, I appreciate your concern, but I cannot stand by and allow my son to continue suffering."
A dark smile played on Tas's lips as he asked, "So you've come here to kill us?"
I responded with a cold chuckle, "That wouldn't be too difficult."
William's voice rang out, filled with urgency, "Vincent, put your sword down!"
Ignoring William's pleas, I kept my gaze locked on Tas. "You're right, Tas. Maybe I shouldn't have come here. But I will be taking my son with me when I leave." My determination was unwavering, even in the face of potential conflict.
Tas's frustration was evident in his expression as he warned me, "I'm sorry, my friend, but you are mistaken. If you harm us, we will retaliate, and it will bring devastation. Your familia will be destroyed beyond repair, and the world will be better off without it. Listen to me and leave this place, or you will live to regret it."
I held my ground, my determination unwavering. "You underestimate me, Tas."
Tas responded by drawing his sword, clearly preparing to confront me. The tension in the air grew thicker as our confrontation escalated.
William rushed over to me, placing his hands on my shoulders in an attempt to calm me down. "Vincent, please, don't do this! They may appear threatening, but it's just a misunderstanding. There's no need to draw your sword!"
As Tas swung his blade toward me, I reacted quickly, blocking his attack with my own sword. He seemed taken aback by my speed and skill. I had always known I possessed strength, but I hadn't expected to wield it so effectively against others. It seemed that my time spent training in the woods had paid off more than I had anticipated.
William's desperate voice rang out, "Enough of this senseless fighting!"
I shot him a venomous glare, my determination unwavering. "Stay out of this!"
"Why are you so bent on this, Vincent?"
I hadn't intended to harm anyone, but my resolve to rescue Hiro was unwavering.
Tas acted swiftly, delivering a strike to my arm with his sword. Pain surged through me, and I stumbled backward. I couldn't afford to let them hinder me; I had to liberate Hiro before it was too late.
I shouted at William, desperation in my voice, "William, go and rescue my son. Serena, ensure our son's safety."
He attempted to argue, but I silenced him with a stern command, "Just go!"
My focus shifted back to Tas, who was poised for another attack. His eyes seethed with animosity, and I couldn't help but ponder if he had ever cared for anyone aside from himself. I started to wonder how many lives he had shattered over the course of his existence.
As he swung his blade down towards me, I deftly evaded the strike, landing on my feet and raising my sword. Tas mirrored my stance.
"Vincent," he sneered, "You may wield a sword, but I've honed my skills for years. You stand no chance against me.
I grinned at his taunt. "Defeat isn't in my vocabulary."
Tas chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "Well, today you'll learn its meaning."
As Serena and William hurriedly retreated, I seized the opportunity to launch an attack on Tas. My sword, crafted by master artisans, gleamed brilliantly, and its edge was so keen that it could cut through metal effortlessly.
As I entered the battle, my sword emitted a blinding light that temporarily overwhelmed Tas' vision, granting me a chance to close the gap between us.
We both charged forward, our swords clashing in a wild and frenetic dance. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, lending me a strength and resolve I had never felt before. I was prepared to fight until my last breath.
Tas jumped backward, clearly surprised. "Is that your Sword-Art craft style? It's incredible. What's it called?"
I responded calmly, "There's no need for names." With that, I continued my swift assault. He blocked my strikes with his sword, but I pressed on relentlessly, driving him backward and crashing through the walls of the castle. Our collision caused an explosive burst of energy that sent shockwaves throughout the fortress.
I hit the ground with a painful thud, my body protesting from the relentless battle.
Tas, however, seemed to snap out of his confusion and into a fury. He charged at me with renewed vigour, launching a flurry of strikes. My enhanced reflexes allowed me to evade most of his attacks, but a few managed to land, causing searing pain.
As if that wasn't enough, Tas drew two daggers from his belt, flinging one directly at me. Time seemed to slow down as I narrowly dodged the incoming blade, feeling the rush of wind as it passed by me.
Despite the overwhelming odds and Tas's evident skill, I refused to let myself be overwhelmed by fear or despair. I knew that my determination was my greatest weapon in this battle.
We clashed fiercely, blades meeting in a flurry of strikes and parries. Every movement felt like a dance, a deadly dance of swords. Sparks flew with each clash, and the noise of our combat filled the air.
Tas continued to press his advantage, his attacks relentless. But I held my ground, defending against each strike with a growing sense of determination. I could see the surprise in his eyes, the realization that I wouldn't be an easy opponent to defeat.
As our battle raged on, I knew that victory was uncertain, but I would fight with everything I had to rescue my son, Hiro, from the clutches of the Blackthorn family.
In the midst of our fierce duel, Tas suddenly raised his hand, his fingers glowing with arcane energy. I braced myself for the impact of a powerful spell, but then something unexpected happened.
Tas stopped mid-cast, his expression shifting from determination to confusion. He looked down at his hand, where my blade had halted just inches from his chest. His smile wavered, and he spoke with a hint of uncertainty, "Uhh, What the heck?"
I couldn't believe it. Somehow, I had managed to stop his spell, and my blade was poised to strike. But then, in a bizarre turn of events, he used the tip of his finger to halt my blade in its tracks.
Tas chuckled, a mixture of amusement and resignation in his voice. "I guess my time is up, Vincent. Let's meet again when next you see me. Don't think you'll win."
With that, he vanished into thin air, leaving me standing there, sword in hand, in the midst of the chaos we had created. It was a battle unlike any I had ever experienced, and it left me with more questions than answers. But one thing was clear: I had to find Hiro and bring him home, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
The sudden blast of noise sent a shiver down my spine. I knew I had to act quickly. With my sword in hand, I rushed through the castle, following the sound of the commotion.
As I made my way through the dimly lit corridors and grand halls of the Blackthorn castle, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of chaos awaited me. The echoing footsteps of guards and the distant clash of weapons only added to the sense of impending danger.
I had come this far to rescue Hiro, and I couldn't afford to fail now. With every step, I steeled myself for whatever challenges lay ahead, determined to reunite with my son and bring him home, no matter the cost.