Luke stepped back, evading the chains swinging toward him in a lash, the blur of motion betraying their speed. His gaze flicked to his right, where Lea was struggling against Theron on the open field.
"She's getting overwhelmed? Not exactly surprising," Luke muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he watched the battle unfold.
But he couldn't afford to get distracted. The chain was already rushing toward him again, so he refocused, dancing around it like a whip attack, recalling the brutal strikes of Garrick.
"Your opponent is me, dumbass!" Garrick roared, his grin wide and sinister as his attacks came faster, relentlessly in their pursuit.
Luke dodged with ease, his tone casual. "Fast attacks don't make you stronger, you know that? Jeez, this guy's a little bit too excited."
Garrick's strikes grew faster, but Luke moved with calculated precision, narrowly evading each one. Then, spotting his opening, he extended his hand and grabbed the chain, wrapping it tightly around his palm. He yanked it with such force that it felt like a tug-of-war with the very ground beneath Garrick's feet.
To Garrick's surprise, his feet slid and dug into the earth, marking a desperate trail as he tried to hold his ground. Luke's strength was unnatural, immeasurable, pulling Garrick forward despite his struggle.
Luke shifted his weight and yanked harder, pulling Garrick off balance and dragging him from his position and into the air as the chain retracted toward the ground. Luke extended his left hand, catching Garrick by the neck and lifting him off his feet.
"You're good with weapons, I'll give you that," Luke said, his voice low but confident. "But I've noticed you don't use magic much on the battlefield. Are you hiding something beneath that dark robe, or are you just assuming I'm weak in your eyes?"
His grip tightened around Garrick's throat, and Luke's sly smile became more chilling, his eyes flashing with a hidden intensity. "You don't fool me. You're not just some bald guy with a chain. There's something else you're not telling me."
Garrick's breath hitched as he struggled to break free, but Luke's grip was like iron. He could feel the weight of Luke's aura pressing down on him, growing darker, more ominous the closer he got. For the first time, Garrick started to feel the true threat Luke posed.
"Well, I'm impressed by your creativity," Luke continued, his voice still casual, almost mocking. "I didn't know a chain could be made into such a deadly whip. It's even deadlier with a blade on the end, huh? Slice someone open in an instant. But you didn't go that far, did you?"
Garrick's fists clenched as his frustration grew, but Luke wasn't finished. "But hey, I don't really care about any of that. What's more interesting is how you're just a guy who can't use magic." Luke's grin spread wider, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That must really eat at you, huh?"
Garrick's heart pounded with rage, but he couldn't break Luke's hold. He wanted to lash out, to strike, but if he did, he would choke. The truth was one he hated to admit—he couldn't use magic. And Luke knew it.
Without warning, Luke released Garrick with a sudden gust of wind, sending him tumbling to the ground. The chain clattered as Luke grabbed it and began to twirl it with ease, preparing for the next move.
"Big catch coming right up!" Luke shouted, his grin never fading.
With a swift flick of his wrist, Luke launched the chain toward the battlefield where Lea and Theron were locked in their own struggle. The chain snaked through the air and tangled around Theron's arm, catching him off guard. Luke's mischievous smile widened as he yanked it, pulling Theron toward him like a fisherman reeling in his catch.
But Theron dug his feet into the ground, his muscles bulging as he resisted, his teeth gritted in determination.
"You scum bastard!" Theron bellowed, fury flashing in his eyes. "You think you can just—!"
Before he could finish, Theron raised his hand, commanding his raven familiar to strike.
The raven let out a shriek and dove toward Luke, aiming to stop his advance and break his hold on Theron. But Luke didn't falter. His eyes locked on the bird as he raised his hand in a sweeping motion.
With a sudden flick, the chain whistled through the air, and it struck the raven mid-flight. The bird screeched in pain, tumbling from the sky and crashing into the earth with a thud.
Luke's grin didn't waver as he watched the bird fall.
Luke gave a sharp pull on the chain, and Theron lost his footing entirely. With a guttural shout of frustration, Theron was yanked off the ground, his body swinging through the air. Luke began to twirl the chain with precision, spinning it in wide arcs as he moved in a circle. Theron, his right arm tangled in the chain, was helplessly dragged along, suspended in midair, his shouts of anger echoing across the field.
It was as though Luke was toying with him—a predator playing with its prey.
As the chain's momentum reached its peak, Luke suddenly loosened its grip around Theron's arm. The shift in tension sent Theron hurtling into the air, his body spinning uncontrollably as he fought to regain control. For a brief moment, he flailed, but he managed to stabilize himself mid-flight, his sharp eyes scanning the ground below.
With a commanding call, Theron summoned his raven familiar. The bird, still battered but determined, burst through the settling dust cloud, its wings cutting through the air. It ascended quickly, reaching Theron in moments, its talons grasping the back of his robe. The raven's powerful wings beat furiously, holding Theron aloft as he glared down at Luke.
From below, Luke watched the scene unfold with a bemused expression. "Well, that's new," he muttered, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
Theron hovered in the air, the raven's powerful wings holding him aloft. His mind raced as he assessed the situation.
'This isn't going well. Garrick's down and that bastard is playing us like we're nothing. What is he hiding?'
He clenched his jaw, frustration mounting.
'If brute strength and speed won't work, I'll have to outthink him.'
With a sharp command, he maneuvered into a mid-air backflip, his body twisting with precision. The raven shimmered with dark energy, its form warping and expanding as it transformed into a massive, black-winged horse. Theron landed smoothly on its back, gripping the reins.
From below, Luke remained motionless, his posture relaxed but imposing. His eyes gleamed with quiet confidence, the faint smirk on his face provoking Theron further.
"Trying to impress me, bird boy?" Luke taunted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What's next? Turning that thing into a dragon?"
Theron scoffed, narrowing his eyes. "Mock me while you can, fool. I'll make you regret underestimating me."
'He's too calm. He doesn't even flinch. That's not arrogance—it's... something else.'
With a flick of his wrist, Theron directed the horse downward, its wings folding slightly as it descended rapidly. As he closed the gap, multiple glowing magic circles formed around him, spinning and pulsing with raw energy. He began chanting, his voice resonating with power.
"Umbrazeal!"
Black lightning crackled from the first circle, shooting toward Luke.
"Sagitta Penetrans!"
Purple lightning bolts exploded from the second, tearing through the air in a chaotic pattern.
Luke didn't move at first, his eyes locking onto Theron. Then, he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible.
"Same tricks, huh? This is getting boring." His lips curled into a smile—one Theron couldn't ignore even in the heat of battle.
'Why is he smiling?' Theron thought, unease creeping into his chest.
Luke finally sprang into action, darting forward with incredible agility. Each blast of lightning barely missed him as he weaved and dodged effortlessly, the ground behind him scorched with the impacts. He closed the distance in a blur, leaping high into the air before slamming his fist into the ground, wind magic amplifying the impact.
The resulting shockwave created a massive dust cloud, obscuring him from view. Theron pulled the reins of his horse, but he was committed to the charge.
"You think hiding behind dust will save you? Pathetic!"
He spurred the horse forward, refusing to falter.
But as he approached, a hand shot out from the dust—Luke's. Before Theron could react, he was yanked from the saddle with brutal force. The horse vanished in a puff of black smoke as Theron was flung mid-motion, his body twisting in the air.
"Gotcha," Luke muttered as he caught Theron by the collar. With a brutal swing, he slammed Theron into the ground, the impact leaving a small crater.
Theron coughed violently, spitting saliva as pain radiated through his body.
'Damn it... how is he this strong?'
Luke loomed over him, his expression unreadable. "Not done yet," he said coldly. Raising his leg, he brought it down in a devastating axe kick. The ground trembled, and the force sent Theron flying upward, his body jerking uncontrollably.
Before he could recover, Luke was on him again. "You wanted a fight, right?" Luke's voice was calm but carried an edge of menace. He delivered a flurry of punches and kicks, each strike precise and unrelenting.
Theron tried to block, but Luke was too fast, too strong.
'Is he a soldier? No, this... this is something more. How the hell is he moving like this?'
Finally, Luke ended the assault with a crushing uppercut, sending Theron reeling. Before he could hit the ground, Luke grabbed him mid-air, slammed him back into the dirt, and finished with a flip maneuver that left him standing tall, dusting himself off as though nothing had happened.
From across the field, Lea watched, her heart pounding. She had been locked in her own battle earlier, but the sight of Luke's dominance froze her in place.
'How is he this strong?' she wondered, a mix of fear and relief coursing through her. She clenched her hands, sparks of magic still flickering faintly.
Theron lay crumpled on the ground, groaning in pain. He glanced up at Luke, his vision blurry but his hatred still burning.
"You... bastard..." he muttered, coughing weakly.
Luke tilted his head, his expression now almost playful. "Bastard? That's it? I was hoping for a thank-you. After all, I'm the one teaching you why arrogance doesn't work in a fight."
Theron glared at him, the weight of his defeat pressing down harder than Luke's blows.
Lea hesitated, taking a cautious step forward. "What are you?" she asked softly, her voice barely audible.
Luke turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting hers. For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something deeper in his gaze—something beyond the smug confidence he projected. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the same sly grin.
"Stay where you are, girl," Luke said, his voice steady. "This isn't over yet."
Her heart raced as she stood frozen in place.
'Just how much power is he holding back?'
Garrick stirred, groaning as he forced himself upright. His muscles screamed in protest, but his mind burned hotter with anger. He scanned the battlefield, his vision hazy, until his eyes locked onto Theron, sprawled in the dirt, his eyes wide and lifeless, his mouth frozen in an expression of shock.
"Theron..." Garrick growled, his fists trembling. "Fuck!" His voice rose, echoing through the desolate field. His fury intensified as his gaze shifted to Luke, who stood with his back to him, casually dusting his hands as if the entire ordeal was beneath him.
"Hey, bastard!" Garrick shouted, his voice raw with hatred. "Turn around and face me! This isn't over!"
Luke sighed, tilting his head before lazily twisting his upper body to glance over his shoulder. One hand rested on his hip, and his expression was a mix of boredom and mild amusement.
"Oh, it's you. I thought you'd stay down this time. Guess I was wrong."
Garrick clenched his fists tighter. "Laugh it up while you can. I'll put an end to you—and that girl behind you—right here, right now. Your little charade is over!"
Luke smirked, turning fully to face him. "Charade? You're the one crawling out of the dirt like some wannabe underdog in a bad story. Do you really think you can turn this around? Hate to break it to you, but..." He gestured casually at Garrick. "You're not exactly the hero here."
Behind him, Lea tensed, instinctively moving closer. Her hands clenched the back of Luke's coat as she pressed herself against him, her breath shallow. She didn't speak, but her grip tightened as Garrick roared with fury.
Luke glanced back at her, his tone softening for just a moment.
"Hey. Relax, girl. I've got this. Unless you wanna pee somewhere out of fear, which I assume you don't have extra clothes to change later."
Lea swallowed hard, nodding silently, but her mind raced.
'He's calm... too calm. Who is he, really? And why does this feel... wrong? He's not human anymore. He said it himself. A zombie. But... that can't be right, can it?'
Garrick's roar cut through her thoughts as he charged forward, the mace's spikes gleaming ominously.
"I'll crush you, you smug bastard!"
Luke stood his ground, unmoving as Garrick approached. His hand slowly extended, palm out, his lips moving in a barely audible whisper. Lea's ears caught his words: "Light can destroy darkness."
The phrase sent a shiver down her spine, her grandmother's voice echoing in her mind: 'The light can destroy the darkness, yes. But sometimes the brightest light carries the deepest shadows. Beware of those who seem ragged and broken; they are often the sharpest blades.'
Lea's gaze flicked to Luke. Her grandmother had once spoken of such people—hidden blades in tattered scabbards. They seemed unremarkable, or even broken at first glance, but when wielded, they cut with unparalleled precision. Looking at Luke now, with his composed demeanor and hidden strength, she couldn't deny that he resembled the very image her grandmother had described.
The mace swung downward with tremendous force, aiming straight for Luke's head. For a split second, Lea thought he wouldn't react. But then his hand snapped upward, catching the weapon mid-swing.
The impact released a deafening crack, and a pulse of light-orange energy radiated outward from Luke's palm. In the blink of an eye, the mace disintegrated, shattering into countless shards that dissolved into the air.
Garrick's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!" He tried to pull back, but Luke didn't give him a chance.
"You talk too much," Luke said coldly, his voice dropping an octave as his eyes narrowed. He leaned slightly closer, his tone dripping with condescension.
"You should've stayed down when you had the chance."
A glowing green magic circle appeared in Luke's palm, its intricate patterns twisting unnaturally. Lea's breath hitched as the air grew heavy around them.
"Vayrenth," Luke intoned, his voice calm and deliberate.
The spell erupted with terrifying force, a whirlwind of compressed wind magic. Garrick didn't even have time to scream as the sheer pressure pinned him in place before launching him skyward like a ragdoll. His body arced through the air before crashing back down with bone-rattling force, leaving a crater where he landed. He lay motionless, unconscious.
Luke lowered his hand as the green aura faded. He stared at Garrick for a moment, then exhaled sharply, shaking his hand as if brushing off dirt.
"Honestly, these guys just don't know when to quit. Could've ended this in half the time if they didn't keep talking."
Lea loosened her grip on his coat but didn't step away. Her legs felt like they'd forgotten how to move. Her eyes darted between Garrick's crumpled form and Luke, who looked as composed as ever, his posture relaxed, almost nonchalant.
'He's not human anymore,' she thought again, her grandmother's words echoing in her mind. 'Be wary of those who hide behind a human face. Some walk among us, but they're something far worse... or far greater.'
Luke glanced back at her, his smirk returning. "Hey, you good? You're not about to faint on me, are you?"
Lea opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words. Finally, she managed a small nod. "I'm fine," she muttered, though her voice betrayed her uncertainty.
Luke chuckled softly, turning his attention back to the cart that sat damaged but still serviceable nearby. He inspected it briefly before climbing in and sprawling across the intact section.
"Alright, girl, you're driving," he declared, closing his eyes as if the decision was final.
"What?" Lea snapped, crossing her arms. "You're the one who destroyed everything, and now you want me to—"
"Yup." He cut her off, pointing lazily at the reins. "The horse is still alive. The cart's mostly fine. You'll manage."
Lea glared at him, her frustration mounting. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"
Luke cracked an eye open and grinned. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Grumbling under her breath, Lea climbed onto the cart and grabbed the reins. As they started moving, she caught Luke muttering something faintly: "Light can destroy the darkness..."
She frowned, glancing back at him, but he seemed lost in thought. 'What does that mean?' she wondered.
Then, she urges the horse and slowly drives the cart along the road.
***
From the shadowy woods bordering the field, a figure watched them silently. Its glowing eyes narrowed, and its lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Enjoy your peace while it lasts," it murmured. "The light always casts a shadow, and yours, Luke... is long overdue."