2:the regard
Anton was rambling foolishly as they both sprinted through the thick woods, dodging large trees, shrubs, and leaping over fallen logs. Out of breath, Anton blurted out, "So, where the hell are you taking me? Ever since I tried talking to get your attention, you've been acting like a cold block of ice."
Thomson Koenborth, still tracking the path on the forest floor, shot back without missing a beat. "Shut up already! Do you think this is some kind of knightly game, like the ones you play over there in America?"
Anton couldn't help but burst out laughing. Proud of himself, he leaped over a towering tree root with ease, shouting, "I single-handedly slaughtered a Cyclops *and* a Cyclob! You had to rely on magic!"
Thomson let out an even louder laugh, more than Anton expected. "You didn't fight any Cyclobs! You faced a confused bunch of Cyclops, and you barely managed! Keep running your mouth, and I'll gladly shut it for you."
As Anton came across the massive dead body of a Cyclops, he sighed. "We've been hopping around like frogs for hours. Let's set up camp here and continue tomorrow. Don't you think?"
Thomson Koenborth, annoyed by Anton's whining, stopped in his tracks. He snapped his fingers, and a small flame floated above his hand, lighting up the area.
Anton, busy chopping logs to build a small tent, chuckled. "That's why magic is cheating. You just make an endless candle for our camp while I do the hard work."
Thomson ignored the comment and asked, "Where were you planning to go after you see your brother?"
At that, Anton fell silent, realizing he had irritated Thomson once again. They both settled in for the night, as Anton began slicing pieces of Cyclops meat to roast for dinner.
Thomson frowned and said, "Eating Cyclops is like cannibalism, you know."
Anton looked at him, surprised. "How?"
Thomson explained, "These creatures used to be humans. The LinkedIn clan used magic to turn them into monsters. They used the blood of Eliana Vatrish, wife of Dracula Ventrisk, to bring back demons from hell and fuse them with human bodies. That's how these creatures came to be."
Anton spat out the piece of roasted Cyclops meat with a horrified expression, wiping his mouth as if he could erase the taste. "Oh, God!" he screamed, looking at the half-eaten chunk in his hand. "I just ate human flesh! I thought these things were creatures of vampires!"
Thomson Koenborth, unfazed by Anton's outburst, casually reached for a piece of roasted Cyclops meat from the fire.
He took a bite, chewing calmly as he spoke. "When you're out here trying to survive," he said, his tone almost playful, "all meat is edible." He chuckled, swallowing his bite. "Besides, if you don't eat them, the vultures will."
Anton blinked, his panic easing slightly. After a moment, he managed a nervous smile. "Yeah… I guess you're right."
Slowly, he resumed eating, this time with more confidence, as though the logic had settled in. Before long, he finished his meal, his stomach full. The exhaustion from their long journey took over, and without another word, Anton laid down and drifted off into a deep sleep.
Thomson, watching Anton sleep, stood up and quietly stepped out of the tent. His expression shifted, growing serious and alert. With deliberate movements, he traced a glowing symbol in the air above the tent flap. "Destromi Asinz," he whispered, the words laced with power.
Instantly, the symbol flared to life, glowing green before dissolving into the air. An invisible shield expanded around the tent, its presence marked by faintly glowing runes along the edges, securing their camp from any threat. Satisfied with the protection spell, Thomson slipped back inside the tent.
In a soft glow, the tent vanished, blending into the forest around it as if it had never been there. Inside, the air was calm, and Thomson laid down beside Anton. Within moments, he too was fast asleep, trusting the magic to keep them safe.
But high in the branches of a distant tree, a pair of glowing eyes watched the scene unfold. A slim, fair-skinned vampire crouched in the shadows, observing the tent with cold precision. His lips curled into a wicked smile as he turned to the creatures lurking behind him.
"Keep an eye on him," the vampire whispered to his companions, his voice low and deadly. "The Hunter dies tomorrow."
The creatures, a motley group of twisted beings, let out low, eager growls. They slunk into the shadows, eyes trained on the invisible tent, waiting for their chance.
The slim, pale vampire, their leader, stood tall, his sharp eyes scanning the dark forest.
His lips curled into a wicked grin as he turned to his companions—two hulking Cyclobs and two winged Vamos. "Let's move," he commanded, his voice cold and dripping with hunger. "We're heading to the neighboring villages. I've got a bad craving for blood."
Without hesitation, the Cyclobs, towering and muscular, each hefted massive axes over their shoulders, their footsteps heavy as they followed their leader. The Vamos, smaller but swift, flew above them, their leathery wings slicing through the night air. Armed with bows and arrows, they flitted silently, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Together, they moved through the forest, their presence a creeping menace, heading toward the unsuspecting villages that lay beyond the trees. The vampire's hunger for blood was insatiable, and tonight, no one would be safe.
As the monsters marched toward the city of Anifren in Atrovioustro, a young boy saw them from a distance. His eyes widened in fear, and he turned to run, but the vampire leader moved swiftly, reaching him before he could get far. With a quick motion, the vampire struck the boy, and he collapsed to the ground, unmoving, blood beginning to seep into the earth.
Hearing the commotion, the boy's parents rushed out from the bushes, panic on their faces. But before they could reach their son, the Cyclobs intercepted them. The monsters grabbed hold of them, and within moments, the parents were overpowered, falling to the ground helplessly.
The vampire, watching with cold detachment, turned to his creatures. "Rain down terror on this village," he ordered.
Immediately, the Vamos and Cyclobs set to work. The Cyclobs, with their heavy axes, began tearing through the village, knocking down structures and scattering animals. The Vamos soared above, loosing arrows at anything that moved, their aim focused on causing chaos.
Just then, a large man appeared at the edge of the village. Tall and imposing, he was dressed like a soldier, with a massive weapon strapped around his waist. This was Reuben, the Slayer of the West, known for his bravery.
Seeing the chaos unfold, Reuben quickly drew his long blade. With a single, precise strike, he said as he slashed through the wing of one of the flying Vamos, sending it spiraling down to the ground.
"Unbelievable vampires now leave border's and hunt publicly, wow! I say"
As the vampire spotted the Slayer of the West, a wave of anger surged through him. "Go for him!" he commanded, his voice slicing through the night.
The remaining three monsters turned to face Reuben, their eyes glinting with intent. Reuben stood his ground, a confident smile on his lips. "I wasn't expecting this from you three," he remarked, pointing at the creatures. "You think you can terrorize a village just because it's dark? Don't expect the Slayer of the West to back down."
With a fierce growl, the two Vamos swooped down, their claws poised for the attack. At the same moment, the Cyclobs readied a blinding laser beam, aiming to catch Reuben off guard.
But Reuben was prepared. He swiftly dodged the Cyclobs' blast, narrowly avoiding the searing energy that singed the ground behind him. In one seamless motion, he countered, his blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. The Cyclobs staggered, a deep gash appearing on its shoulder.
Turning to the Vamos, Reuben sidestepped their assault. With quick reflexes, he deflected one creature's strike, sending it reeling, while the other felt the sharp edge of his blade graze its side, dark ichor seeping from the wound.
Standing tall, Reuben faced the vampire, a confident gleam in his eye. The creature's amusement faded into shock, realizing the skill of his opponent.
"Not yet," Reuben said, his voice steady. "I just got started."
The vampire, Vengel of London, stood tall, pride radiating from him. "I'm going to take you down first," he declared confidently.
With a swift motion, Vengel unleashed his powers, causing a powerful explosion that shook the ground. Reuben barely had time to react, leaping away just in time to land roughly in the nearby garden.
The explosion echoed through the night, jolting Anton and Thomson Koenborth awake in their tent.
"They're here!" Anton exclaimed, drawing his sword.
"I know," Thomson replied, quickly opening a magic portal behind Anton. "That's why I used you as bait!" With a push, he sent Anton tumbling into the portal.
Anton screamed as he fell from the sky, his voice drawing the attention of the creatures lurking nearby. Their heads turned toward him, alarmed by the noise.
Thomson broke free from the tent and looked up to see several monstrous creatures heading toward Anton. "I need to focus on landing safely!" Anton muttered to himself, realizing the danger.
From a distance, Reuben spotted his elder brother falling and understood that things were escalating quickly. He sprang into action, flying upward to help Anton.
With a powerful leap, Reuben reached out just in time to grab Anton, stabilizing him in mid-air.
"Who is that?" Anton asked, a mix of fear and confusion in his voice.
Reuben chuckled as they crashed into a bush, rolling over branches until they hit the ground. "Just relax! It's me, your younger brother, saving you!"
Anton interrupted, "Oh, even so, what did I gain from this?"
Reuben asked as both stood, weapons ready. Anton gripped his sword, while Reuben held his large blade firmly.
"How did you get yourself into this mess?" Reuben questioned.
Anton chuckled. "Why did you betray father by not killing your mother and then coming back home as father instructed?"
Reuben paused, then responded, "Wait, Dad sent you to end my life too?"
Anton, still smirking, replied, "Damn right, yes!"
Before Reuben could say more, he swiftly blocked an attack from a nearby Vamos, swiftly bringing it down with a clean strike. "You'll understand why I changed plans eventually," Reuben said, his tone serious.
Meanwhile, Thomson Koenborth sprinted toward the advancing Cyclops, Vamos, and Cyclobs, his unique weaponry in hand. In one hand, he held a long whip with a sharp, magical edge called the Wraithbinder, and in the other, a long sword, the Xiphos.
As he ran toward them, they charged toward him as well. Thomson, ever confident, shouted, "Death's looking for worthy candidates, and I bet you all are!"
Two Cyclops, each wielding massive axes, leapt to attack. But with swift precision, Thomson sidestepped, his Xiphos glinting in the moonlight as he brought it down, disarming them before they could land their blow.
From the bush, Reuben blew a sharp whistle, activating the magic relic made by Thomson Koenborth. Instantly, a thick cloud of smoke appeared behind Anton. Always on edge, Anton reacted swiftly, slashing at the smoke. The cloud shifted and formed into a slim, dark-skinned man with an Indian bead on his forehead.
With a quick clap, the man, **Astren Clap**, caused Anton to switch places with Reuben. Anton's earlier swing, aimed at the smoke, now landed on a Cyclops, cutting across its forehead. Astren Clap, summoned by Thomson for strategic switches during battle, smiled, observing the scene from a distance. Another clap, and Anton returned to his original position.
Confused and irritated, Anton pointed his sword at Astren. "What the hell did you just do?"
Reuben, staying focused, replied, "Less talk, more action! We've got six more creatures to deal with. Astren, keep clapping when needed. Anton, get ready!"
Astren nodded, repeating, "Got it."
Thomson Koenborth was already on the move. Using his **Wraithbinder**, he whipped two Cyclops who had dropped their guard, attempting to raise their massive axes. In a swift move, he leaped toward a Cyclobs that was preparing to fire a laser. Sensing danger, Astren clapped again, switching Thomson with Anton just in time.
Now in position, Anton expertly sliced through two Cyclops, while the confused Cyclobs accidentally fired its laser at its own kind.
With the battlefield clearing, Thomson found himself standing face to face with **Vengel**, the vampire leader of London.
Vengel smirked, "You've grown stronger with your crew, but it all ends here."
Spinning the *Wraithbinder* in one hand and gripping his *Xiphos* in the other, Thomson grinned. "Still overconfident, huh? Let's see how this ends."
Vengel charged at Thomson, throwing the first punch. Thomson dodged quickly, but Vengel continued to throw several punches in a flurry. Vengel tried to grab Thomson's fist, but Thomson stepped back.
"Seriously, is this martial arts for someone like me?" Thomson said with a grin as he sprinted towards Vengel.
Vengel opened his mouth to unleash a stream of purple flames at Thomson. Thomson narrowly avoided the initial flames and quickly threw his wraithbinder into Vengel's mouth, kicking him upward.
Caught off guard, Vengel struggled but couldn't stop the wraithbinder from blocking his mouth. In midair, he was overwhelmed and vanished in a burst of energy.
Reuben and Anton joined the fight, using their weapons to take down more creatures, aided by the powers of Astren Clap.
As Anton defeated the last Vamos, he turned to Reuben and Thomson, who had just thrown a spear at another approaching enemy.
As the echoes of the recent confrontation faded behind them, Anton turned to Reuben, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Reuben, I think I've developed a taste for adventure," he said, his voice steady. "I don't plan to look back. I've also decided to forfeit the hunt for your dismembershio. This journey means more to me than the days I spent in that monastery as a monk of the Dragon Samurai."
Thomson Koenborth raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What?! So you wanted to kill your brother ?, hope you realised I wouldn't have let you" he said furiously, incredulity lacing his tone.
"Yes," Anton replied, his gaze unwavering.
Thomson's surprise shifted into contemplation. "Well, I would have been concerned too by stopping the bloody hell of you, but I guess it's fine now," he said, a hint of humor easing the tension.
The trio continued their journey through the Forest of Adams, where the towering trees loomed like ancient sentinels.
The air was thick with the rich scent of damp earth and greenery, a refreshing contrast to the chaos they had just left behind.
Trailing behind them was Astren Clap, now an unusual sight. Once a formidable warrior, he was now a spectral figure without legs, his essence swirling with ethereal smoke that danced around him. He looked up at the two brothers, a mix of admiration and determination in his eyes.
Thomson glanced back at Astren. "You do realize that Astren remains active for a year after being reawakened," he said, his tone a blend of pride and practicality. "That's the magic I designed as part of our operations."
Reuben nodded thoughtfully, absorbing this new layer of their companion's power. "Of course," he replied, his voice steady. He understood the significance of Astren's presence and the strength it added to their alliance.
As they walked on, sunlight filtered through the canopy above.