The tomb echoed with the clash of steel. Arin and Leonhardt moved like two storms colliding, their swords meeting with earth-shaking force.
Leonhardt was fast. Even in his cursed form, his movements were sharp, precise—just like Arin remembered.
But this wasn't the same Leonhardt from before.
His sword was heavier. His strikes, desperate.
He wasn't fighting to kill.
He was fighting… to be freed.
---
The Battle of Brothers
Leonhardt twisted, his broken blade sweeping towards Arin's ribs. Arin barely dodged, countering with a downward strike.
CLANG!
The force cracked the stone beneath them.
Leonhardt skidded back, breathing heavily.
"You've grown stronger," he muttered.
Arin didn't respond.
He lunged.
Lightning exploded from his sword, a streak of pure destruction racing toward Leonhardt.
Leonhardt raised his blade—
And the attack shattered his sword in half.
The impact sent him crashing against a statue, rubble falling around him.
For a moment, silence.
Then, Leonhardt laughed.
"Looks like I don't stand a chance, huh?"
Arin stepped forward, sword raised. "Why are you smiling?"
Leonhardt looked up, his spectral form flickering.
"Because you're still the same, Arin."
The same stubborn, reckless fool who always fought for his friends.
Even now—Arin wasn't striking to kill.
He was waiting.
Waiting for Leonhardt to make the final move.
---
The Knight's Last Request
Leonhardt's cursed body flickered, the mist around him thinning. His time was running out.
He looked at Arin.
"One last favor."
Arin's jaw tightened. "What is it?"
Leonhardt exhaled.
"End this."
A long silence.
Valeria, Selene, Lilith, Seraphina—they all watched in silence.
Even Evelyn.
Arin closed his eyes.
Then, he moved.
One clean strike.
His sword pierced Leonhardt's chest.
A bright, golden light burst forth—
And the curse shattered.
Leonhardt gasped, his form turning to ash.
But he smiled.
"Thank you… my friend."
His body dissolved into light—
And for the first time in years…
Leonhardt was finally free.
---
The Knight's Legacy
As the dust settled, Arin stood in silence. His sword felt heavier than ever.
Valeria placed a hand on his shoulder.
"He's at peace now."
Arin didn't respond.
Evelyn, however, stepped forward—gently placing something in Arin's hand.
A small, rusted emblem.
Leonhardt's knight insignia.
A symbol of their bond.
Arin stared at it for a long moment.
Then, he clenched it in his fist.
This fight was over.
But the war was far from finished.
[TO BE CONTINUED…]