As Steel delivered a powerful punch, the guard's ribs shattered instantly, blood spraying into the air. The man crumpled to the ground, gasping in agony. Zion, moving with precision, slashed his sword across another guard's right arm, forcing a scream of pain. He pulled back, preparing another attack, but the guard quickly countered with a ninjutsu technique, striking Zion's chest and sending him stumbling back.
"Damn it… these guys aren't pushovers," Zion muttered, wiping blood from his lip.
Ardyn moved swiftly, his dagger flashing under the dim light. With a calculated strike, he cut deep into a guard's side, twisting the blade before pulling it out. The man fell, groaning.
Kai, with a calm but deadly efficiency, launched forward, his powerful kick landing squarely on another guard's jaw. The force sent the man flying backward, knocking over two others like dominoes.
The battle ended in less than a minute. The guards lay unconscious or groaning in pain.
Zion scoffed, flipping his sword. "That's it? I expected more."
Ardyn chuckled. "Don't get overconfident, blood mate. We've only just started."
They stepped further into the Ezra estate. The atmosphere was heavy, the air thick with the scent of aged wood and burning incense. Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the grand hallway.
A tall, imposing man stepped forward, flanked by five figures. He was dressed in a deep crimson robe, his sharp eyes scanning them with interest. His presence alone sent a chill through the group.
"Well, well… unexpected guests from Kyoto," the man said smoothly. His voice carried a weight of authority, laced with amusement. His gaze flicked to Ardyn. "And one from Izzo. How interesting."
Ardyn stiffened. "How do you know about me?"
The man smirked. "Ezra's eyes are everywhere."
Kai gripped his sword tighter. "Who are you?"
"I am Lord Ezra, the head of this estate." He gestured to the five figures beside him. "And these are my children. Takeshi, Mob, Vex, Darana, and Aiko."
Each of them stepped forward, their expressions unreadable. Takeshi cracked his knuckles, his muscular frame radiating raw power. Mob adjusted his gloves, eyes calculating. Vex twirled a pair of daggers with a lazy grin. Darana crossed her arms, unimpressed, while Aiko simply smiled—a smile too calm, too unsettling.
"Kill them," Lord Ezra ordered. "Make it quick."
The Ezra siblings wasted no time. Takeshi lunged first, his fist aimed straight at Zion's face. Zion barely dodged, feeling the wind pressure from the sheer force of the attack. Before he could counter, Mob appeared behind him, delivering a brutal knee strike to his spine.
Ardyn met Vex's blades with his own dagger, their weapons clashing in a deadly dance. Vex was fast, almost too fast. Ardyn barely kept up.
Steel hardened his bones, blocking Darana's kicks with his reinforced arms. She flipped backward, landing gracefully before launching another series of attacks.
Kai's sword clashed against Aiko's twin blades. Unlike her siblings, she fought with eerie silence, her movements fluid and precise.
The battle was far from over.
Ardyn smirked. "If we win… we're staying here, boys."
TO BE CONTINUED...