Chapter 69 - Windcutter

Screeches and screams were heard from above. The other harpies started to descend. Aden and Maeda were ready. Ser Percival defended Gilbert with the shield. They swooped down at the remaining foraging party who hunkered down at the alcove protecting their injured friend.The harpies surrounded them, clawing at them, some swooped down at incredible speed to try to claw away the shield. Yet, the foraging party didn't falter. They kept their defense tight.With Aden's back facing the alcove, he could protect them with his spear against the harpies without worries.Maeda unleashed countless arrows with his bows. Four of the arrows hit their marks, but soon he ran out of arrows. another four harpies closed in with incredible speed from low altitude. They intended to charge the rest of the foraging party defense.Maeda dazed forward between the four harpies and the foraging party. he took center stage.He held his katana in its sheath, built up the strength, and released it in a flash."Kaza.." Maeda mumbled almost inaudible as he took a deep strong stance. His hand was on the katana hilt while his left hand holding the sheath by his side."..kiri," his stance deeper and his feet wider."—KEN!" he shouted as he unleashed a powerful diagonal swing followed by a high-pitched ringing sound of blade friction from his katana.The samurais tend to shout their technique out loud when they need to, it is known as Kiai, a loud, forceful shout or vocalization made by a martial artist —which was mostly from Essen— during an attack or other significant moments in a fight.It was believed to focus energy, intimidate the opponent, and enhance the effectiveness of the technique being performed. Different martial arts traditions may have variations in how the kiai is performed and its specific purpose, but it is a common practice in many martial arts disciplines.In a blur of motion, Maeda's katana sliced through the air, his blade moving with such speed that it seemed to split into multiple afterimages. With surgical precision, he cleaved each of the four airborne harpies diagonally in two, their bodies separating cleanly as if cut in slow motion, though Aden knew better.It was the same afterimage effect produced by Aden's own Thunder Thrust spear technique, a technique that generated immense force through rapid, focused movements.Yet, as Aden watched closely, he realized Maeda's katana never made physical contact with the harpies; it was the wind pressure built up by his strikes that extended the blade's reach far beyond its physical limits.The toll of such a devastating technique was immediately apparent as Maeda staggered, nearly dropping to one knee. His body trembled as he struggled to remain upright, using his katana as a support. The shock of the maneuver had pushed him to his limits.Maeda had overdone it, but the situation had called for such extreme measures.The remaining harpies, stunned by the display of lethal prowess, scrambled to keep their distance, their initial aggression replaced by bewilderment and fear.Maeda regulated his breathing, his chest heaving with the effort. The windcutter, as the technique was known, was designed to end a fight in an instant, not to sustain prolonged combat. It was a last resort, a final strike reserved for single combat or when facing the last of one's enemies.But its effectiveness came at a cost; the user was left vulnerable for a time, their energy depleted by the immense focus required to wield the air itself as a blade extension.By harnessing the air between armor and flesh, the windcutter could slice through the body without needing to penetrate the armor itself. It was a technique akin to cutting a silk cloth with a shamshir – not blowing it away, but cleanly severing it with a controlled stroke of unyielding force.To master such an art required an intimate understanding of the mechanics at play and years of dedicated training to harness the air as an extension of one's blade.⁕⁕⁕The dust screen surrounding Hjalmar and the muscular harpy gradually settled, allowing the foraging party to witness their fierce battle unfold. Suddenly, a piercing swizzle ripped through the air, causing the harpies engaging the party to instantly disengage.Aden's instincts kicked into high gear as he spotted two harpies charging in from the south, the opposite direction of Hjalmar's clash. "Shields on the south!" he yelled, lowering his shield to protect the back of the foraging party. Ser Percival followed suit, just in time.Blam! "Ugh!" Aden and Ser Percival grunted in unison as the two harpies landed a clean charge against their shields with their razor-sharp claws. The sheer force of the impact shoved them back, pushing them away from the safety of the alcove.The other harpies seized the opportunity, swooping in to finish the job. "Circle around!" Ser Percival barked, covering the north while Aden defended the south. Gilbert and Maeda positioned themselves in the center, shielded by their comrades.Aden thrust his spear, his other hand gripping his shield tightly, while Ser Percival swung and stabbed with his longsword, guarding the northern flank."Duck!" Maeda's sudden shout rang out, his wessen tongue word was crystal clear. The samurai dropped to one knee in a low battle stance, his sword at the ready."Wha—?" Aden and Ser Percival, consumed by their desperate defense, could only wonder at the instruction."Get down!" Gilbert shouted, realizing the samurai's intent. He urged Aden and Ser Percival to take cover, his voice laced with urgency.The foraging party braced themselves, uncertain of what deadly maneuver Maeda had planned, but trusting in the seasoned warrior's judgment.The foraging party lowered their stance, and battle position. making them harder targets for the harpies. hunkered down, turtled in. The harpies who were engaging them gradually their wings heavy and they had a hard time staying airborne. They landed on the ground. They had to walk on the ground. all they could do was leap and hop to the hunkered-down foraging party. they tried the top side only to be met by Aden's spear.both harpies and the foraging party were in a deadlock position. The harpies' strength and ferocity easily dwindled down as they had to land their feet on the ground.⁕⁕⁕Not far from the foraging party's desperate stand against the harpies, the duel between Hjalmar and the muscular harpy had reached a stalemate. The two warriors seemed evenly matched in prowess, their clash a whirlwind of steel and talons.The muscular harpy, growing desperate, scanned the battlefield for any advantage. Her gaze settled on the hunkered-down foraging party, particularly the large frame of Gilbert. He presented the easiest target among them.Without warning, the muscular harpy bent her powerful legs and spread her wings, launching herself toward the vulnerable Gilbert.Hjalmar reacted with lightning speed, tackling the harpy mid-flight. They grappled fiercely as the berserker pulled her down, grabbing her legs to limit her mobility. Shifting to a wrestling stance, Hjalmar sought to prevent other harpies from joining the fray, making himself a harder target to isolate.The remaining harpies seized the opportunity, turning their attention to the party sheltering in the half-exposed alcove.Hjalmar pinned the muscular harpy, trying to bash her head against the rocky ridge wall. As he lifted his boot, aiming for her skull, she lashed out with her talons, scoring three shallow cuts along his torso.Undeterred, Hjalmar grabbed a rock and brought it crashing down on the harpy's head. She reeled, staggered, and dazed, giving Hjalmar the opening for a finishing blow.But the harpy rallied, kicking Hjalmar squarely in the chest and sending him flying back toward the alcove where his comrades took shelter.Spreading her wings, the muscular harpy leaped into the air, plunging toward the prone Hjalmar. He evaded her talons at the last moment, seizing her leg in an iron grip."Hnnggh..." The former pirate grunted as he spun the harpy around, building momentum."Hyah!" With a mighty heave, Hjalmar hurled the muscular harpy like a living missile, her trajectory taking her straight toward the harpies pestering the foraging party.Like bottles of wine smashed by a charging iron ball, the muscular harpy tore through the other harpies without endangering the party hunkered on their knees. The harpies scattered, tumbling lifelessly to the ground like fallen leaves.Hjalmar charged toward his comrades, his footsteps thundering like a thousand drums. His body bore lacerations and cuts, yet he showed no signs of slowing. Grabbing Gilbert, he hoisted the acolyte over one shoulder while lifting Maeda with his free arm."Come on! Time to go!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos.Aden and Ser Percival leaped to their feet, following the Vjordic berserker as he ran toward the sanctuary of the Silent Forest. The remaining harpies attempted pursuit, but they were a step too slow, their prey disappearing into the ancient trees.The foraging party managed to climb down the treacherous steps and enter the sanctuary of the Silent Forest, their harrowing encounter with the harpies finally behind them. Gilbert, still recovering from his injuries, was carried by the towering Hjalmar. Aden and Maeda shouldered the burden of the herb baskets, their precious cargo secure."We're safe, for now," Ser Percival declared, his eyes scanning the ancient trees warily. "The harpies won't dare to cross into this Silent Forest."A collective sigh of relief escaped the battered party, their bodies heavy with exhaustion but their spirits lifted by their hard-won escape.As they delved deeper into the Silent Forest, the sky darkened, not from the ominous clouds and rain, but from the onset of evening. The harpies denied their prey and unleashed a chorus of screeching cries, their shrill voices cursing the very heavens for turning their backs on them.The duel between Hjalmar and the muscular harpy had ended in a draw, both warriors battered but unbroken. Hjalmar was drenched in blood, yet the wounds that crisscrossed his body were not deep or fatal. When Aden caught a glimpse of the berserker's face, he saw no hint of concern or pain, only a steely determination as Hjalmar's gaze fixed resolutely on the path ahead, toward the village they had sworn to protect.The foraging party pressed on, their footsteps muffled by the ancient forest floor, the shadows growing longer as dusk settled over the Silent Forest.⁕⁕⁕