After several hours of travel, the cart gradually slows down, the wheels creaking on rocky soil. I looked up and watched the surroundings.
The abandoned bastion rose before me, immense, sinister and dilapidated. A fortress of black stone, formerly imposing, now eaten away by time and battles. Its walls were cracked, its half -collapsed towers, and a strange greenish mist floated around the enclosure.
This place ... He stinks.
The old man driving the cart was nervously.
"Listen to kid, that's where I leave you. I'm not going to stay a second more in this damn place."
He jumped from his seat, gave me a last worried look, then went up on his cart and walked away at full speed, as if he was fled something invisible.
I let out a slight sigh and slowly advanced towards the doors of the bastion.
Shadow in mist
As I walked, a thrill traveled my spine. Something was not going.
A moving shadow appeared before me. Then a second. Then a third.
Three silhouettes emerged from the mist, watch me from afar before moving slowly.
I adjusted my cape, ready to draw my sword.
When the lunar light finally lit their faces, my eyes folded.
"Here, well ..."
The two fallen holy knights ... accompanied by a person I did not expect to see so early.
Selene Moon.
She always sported this mocking smile, arms crossed on her chest. Her long black hair floated slightly under the night breeze, and her golden eyes shone with an amused shine.
"So, like that, have you survived your little trip so far?" she launched.
I set it for a moment before letting go:
"I hope you took advantage of my gold coins, bitch."
She laughed.
"Do you frankly believe that I was going to sleep with you without anything in return?"
I haired an eyebrow.
"And I guess you are there to thank me?"
"Not really."
She pointed out my black cape.
"I have to admit that this Omni charm cape is effective ... she said with a smirk. But unfortunately for you, she has no effect on me."
It didn't even surprise me. Selene was not an ordinary woman. She hid something ... and I intended to discover it.
But before that ...
"Give me my money."
She laughed again, but before she could answer, one of the fallen holy knights advanced.
It was a large, wide shoulder guy, with slightly hilly armor and a sword on the belt. He had this arrogant and sufficient look, typical of the guys who believe themselves stronger than they are.
He put a hand on my shoulder with a sly smile.
"You seriously think you can demand anything here, kid?"
I sighed.
What a mistake.
In a fraction of a second, I raised my knee and violently exploded the abdomen.
Ghaah !
The deaf noise of the shock echoed overnight. The knight immediately collapsed on his knees, his arms crisp around his belly. His mouth opened in a silent cry while his lungs were desperately looking for air.
Selene and the other knight howled his name, their faces decomposing under surprise.
I looked down at the type on the ground.
"Next time, think before touching me."
I then looked up at Selene.
"And now ... you're going to give me back my money."
She stared at me in silence, her golden eyes sparkling with interest.
"You are really a dangerous bastard, Arhon Kurogane ..."
A smile slowly stretches my lips.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
Man on the ground suddenly laughs, his whistling breathing turning into a sinister laugh.
"Kuh ... Kuhaha ...!"
I frowned. He should never have gotten up after such a blow.
But while I was taking a step forward to complete it.
My body froze.
An icy thrill covered my spine. My muscles refused to move.
I tried to force my arm to get up, but it was as if invisible channels dragged me from the inside.
"What is ...?"
The holy knight risen slowly, dust his broken armor and took out his sword.
A sacred sword, steeped in a sparkling golden aura.
His eyes shone with a mocking glow when he advanced towards me, his weapon lifted.
"Did you think you have defeated me so easily, mercenary?"
Selene Moon approached and crossed her arms, an amused smile on her lips.
"You fell into a trap, Arhon Kurogane."
The presentation of the holy knight
She raised a hand and pointed out the man who was standing in front of me.
"I present to you Sir Reinhart Valdios, former captain of the Order of Holy Knights of Solaria. One of the most dangerous combatants of the Church before being declared a traitor."
The interested party made an exaggerated little reverence.
"I'm flattered, Selene. But I prefer to be called "the celestial judge"."
He sneered and put his sword against my shoulder.
"Tell me, mercenary ... What is it to be at the mercy of a holy knight?"
I did not answer, my eyes remaining fixed on him.
So is that his power?
Reinhart's principle of power
An absolute law ...
"I guess you already understood?" Selene smiles.
Reinhart turned his sword between his fingers and explained in a theatrical tone:
"My power is called 「Absolute judgment」. Anyone who dares to raise their hands on me ..."
He put a finger on my forehead.
"… is automatically struck with divine paralysis."
"In other words ..." added Selene, "whatever you do, Arhon, you are completely immobilized."
She leaned slightly towards me, her lips touching my ear.
"So tell me ... Who sent you here? Is it Darius Venmorm ?"
I could feel his warm breath against my skin, but my expression remained unstoppable.
Even frozen like a statue, I left no emotion showcase.
After a moment of silence, I smile slowly.
"Tsk. Pathetic."
Selene folded her eyes, intrigued.
"What is pathetic?"
Reinhart frowned and hugged his sword.
"You seem far too relaxed for someone so vulnerable."
I looked at them both… and sneered.
"Do you really think that this paralysis is enough to stop me?"
The fatal error
Reinhart hugged his teeth.
"You don't seem to understand the severity of your situation ..."
He raised his sword, ready to cut my throat.
But at this moment ...
The air around me changed.
The night breeze became heavy, as if an invisible and threatening force was awakening.
Reinhart stopped net. His arm trembled slightly.
Selene stepped back, dilated pupils.
"What…?"
Crushing pressure emanated from my body.
Even paralyzed, my murderous intention was starting to saturate the air.
Reinhart cleaned his fist.
"What is this feeling ...?"
Selene frowned, suspicious.
"Arhon Kurogane ... What are you really?"
I smile slowly, a cold and dangerous shine in the gaze.
"You made a serious mistake."
Underestimate me.
The atmosphere around me darkens, as if the whole world held his breath.
The second mercenary, a robust man with short hair and bestial gaze, gave his teeth when he saw the state of Reinhart.
"Tsk ... it's just bluff!"
He didn't want to believe what he saw.
Me, paralyzed by the power of the Holy Knight, and yet ...
It was I who released this overwhelming pressure.
He brandished his sword and jumped on me, a furious cry escaping from his throat.
But
Reality caught up too quickly.
A primitive fear
As his blade was going to reach me, my gaze crossed his.
And at this precise moment ...
His body froze.
An icy chill traversed him from head to toe.
His instinct, sharper than his reasoning, howled only one thing:
Run away!
But it was already too late.
His eyes moved away, his breathing became erratic.
"HRK ..."
His legs suddenly flanked.
He collapsed on his knees, his gaze, the sword sliding with his trembling hands.
The effect of my deadly intention
The shadow of death had enveloped him.
"He was already dead ... even before I touched him."
His own mind, broken by absolute terror, had abandoned his body.
"Gah ... Gahhh ... he stammered, the foam on his lips."
His veins swelled, his eyes turned white, then, he collapsed in front of the earth, completely inert.
The silence that followed was terrifying.
Selene and Reinhart's reaction
Selene Moon set off and stepped down.
"Impossible…"
His gaze passed from the corpse of the mercenary to me.
"He's ... dead ... just crossing his gaze ...?"
Reinhart Valdios, usually sure of himself, frowned.
He hugged his sword with all his might, but even he could not ignore the evidence.
"This guy ... is a monster."
Me, always paralyzed, mouse slowly.
"Now ... it's your turn."