The Second Clash

I gripped the Blade of the Fallen King tightly, feeling the pulsing energy within its ancient runes. The power coursing through my veins was an old and familiar one, but it wasn't enough—not against these New Moon warriors. Rodrick, Aldric, and Emory were fighting with everything they had, but the sheer power of their opponents was a force we had not fully anticipated. I could feel my pulse quicken as I surveyed the battlefield, watching my knights struggle against these monstrous foes.

The New Moon barbarian facing Rodrick was the first to speak, his voice booming across the field like the crack of thunder. His war spear whistled through the air, each strike aimed with deadly precision, but Rodrick's sword met each blow with iron resolve.

"You think yourself worthy to face me, knight?" the barbarian sneered, his voice filled with contempt. His eyes flickered with the gleam of a predator who had tasted blood. "You're a pup playing at war. Your kingdom is weak, and your prince will fall."

Rodrick's gaze never wavered, his face grim but calm. "We're not the ones retreating," he replied coldly, his voice carrying a weight of experience. "And your kind will never set foot in Eldoria again."

The barbarian laughed, the sound harsh and guttural. "Your walls won't save you, knight. Your prince hides behind you while you bleed for him. But when I am finished here, I will tear him apart with my own hands."

Rodrick's sword flashed again, meeting the barbarian's spear in a flurry of sparks. The sheer force of the impact sent a shockwave through the ground, but Rodrick held firm, his aura glowing brighter. The barbarian grinned savagely, his muscles rippling beneath his scarred skin as he pressed forward, but Rodrick didn't give an inch.

"Your words are as empty as your cause," Rodrick said, his voice steady as he deflected another blow. "I stand for something greater than myself. Can you say the same?"

The barbarian's grin faltered, his eyes narrowing. "I fight for power, for conquest. Your kingdom is nothing but prey, and I am the hunter."

Rodrick's blade slashed out, forcing the barbarian back a step. "Then you'll find that this prey has teeth."

Nearby, Aldric and Emory were locked in a desperate battle of their own. The female New Moon warrior, her twin curved swords flashing like lightning, moved with a speed that was almost impossible to track. Her aura swirled around her like a storm, crackling with raw energy as she toyed with the two knights. Aldric's massive warhammer swung through the air, each blow powerful enough to crush a man's bones, but she was too fast, too agile.

"You are slow, giant," she hissed, her voice sharp and mocking. "You think brute strength will save you? You're nothing but a lumbering ox."

Aldric gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he swung his hammer again. "We'll see how much you talk when I've broken every bone in your body."

She danced away from the blow with ease, her lips curling into a smirk. "If you could catch me, that is."

Emory darted in from the side, his twin daggers flashing, aiming for the soft spots in her armor. But she was quick—too quick. With a fluid movement, she deflected Emory's strike and countered with a slash that left a deep cut across his arm.

"Foolish," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Two against one, and yet you're still no match for me."

Emory hissed in pain but didn't retreat, his eyes locked on her with cold determination. "We'll see about that."

Aldric stepped in again, swinging his hammer in a wide arc. This time, it connected—barely. The force of the blow sent her stumbling back, her eyes widening in surprise as she regained her footing. Blood dripped from a shallow cut on her arm, but she wiped it away with a sneer.

"Not bad, giant," she spat, her tone venomous. "But you'll have to do better than that."

Aldric grunted, tightening his grip on his warhammer. "Oh, I intend to."

The three of them clashed again, steel meeting steel in a deadly dance. But the female barbarian was beginning to show signs of wear. Aldric's brute strength, combined with Emory's speed and precision, was forcing her onto the defensive. She was fast, but every parry and deflection took its toll. Her aura flickered, the strain of keeping up with the relentless assault evident in the way her movements became just a fraction slower.

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it—a figure moving toward Aldric and Emory, a hulking barbarian with a war axe gleaming in the torchlight. He was another New Moon Warrior, his aura blazing like a firestorm. If he joined the fight, Aldric and Emory wouldn't stand a chance.

I had to act.

"Rodrick!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the din of battle. "They've got another one coming!"

Rodrick glanced over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing as he saw the approaching threat. "I'll handle him!"

But before Rodrick could disengage, his opponent pressed the attack, forcing him to stay locked in combat. The barbarian's spear struck out like a viper, leaving no room for retreat. Rodrick was stuck, unable to assist Aldric and Emory.

I had no choice.

I spurred Midnight forward, the stallion's hooves pounding against the ground as I charged toward the two knights. The Blade of the Fallen King glowed in my hand, its runes flickering with power as I gathered my aura. The air around me seemed to hum with energy, the weight of the armor fading as I focused everything on the approaching barbarian.

"Get back!" I shouted, my voice carrying over the battlefield.

Aldric glanced at me, his eyes widening in surprise. "Your Highness—!"

But there was no time for argument. I closed the distance between us in an instant, the Blade of the Fallen King arcing through the air with a force that sent a shockwave rippling through the ground. The barbarian turned just in time to raise his axe in defense, but my strike hit with the power of a charging bull. His axe shattered under the impact, the pieces flying in all directions as he was sent sprawling to the ground.

For a moment, there was stunned silence as the barbarian struggled to get back on his feet. His eyes were wide with disbelief, his aura flickering weakly as he tried to summon the strength to rise. But I wasn't going to give him the chance. With a quick, decisive movement, I brought the Blade of the Fallen King down in a sweeping strike, cutting through his chest and ending his life in an instant.

"Your Highness," Emory panted, his eyes wide with gratitude. "You saved us."

I nodded, keeping my eyes on the battlefield. "There's no time to celebrate. This fight isn't over yet."

Aldric grunted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That was one hell of an entrance, Your Highness. But we've still got a problem."

He nodded toward the female barbarian, who had regained her footing and was now watching us with a mixture of fury and wariness. Her aura flared around her, stronger than before, as if the death of her comrade had only fueled her rage.

"You think you've won?" she snarled, her voice filled with venom. "You've merely delayed the inevitable. Your kingdom will fall, and your people will beg for mercy."

I stepped forward, my gaze locked on hers. "You speak of mercy as if you understand it. But you will find none here. Surrender now, and I may let you live."

Her lips curled into a vicious grin. "I will never surrender to the likes of you."

Without another word, she lunged at me, her twin swords flashing like silver lightning. Her speed was incredible, but I was ready. The Blade of the Fallen King met her attack head-on, the force of our clash sending sparks flying in all directions. She was strong—stronger than any opponent I had faced before—but I had faced stronger in the world of the Path of Heroes.

Her strikes came fast and furious, each one aimed with deadly precision, but I met each blow with equal force, my aura flaring brighter with each parry. The battlefield seemed to shrink around us, the sounds of the other battles fading into the background as we locked in a deadly dance of steel and power.

"You're strong," she growled, her eyes narrowing as she pressed the attack. "But strength alone won't save you."

I didn't reply, my focus entirely on the fight. My aura was surging, the power of the Blade of the Fallen King amplifying my strength with every strike. But she was relentless, her attacks coming in a flurry of motion that left little room for error.

And then, with a flick of her wrist, she feinted to the left before spinning to the right, her blade cutting through the air toward my exposed side. It was a perfect strike—one that would have killed most men.

But I wasn't most men.

In the split second before her blade connected, I summoned every ounce of my aura, channeling it into the Blade of the Fallen King. The sword flared with a brilliant blue light, and with a shout, I brought it down in a sweeping arc that deflected her strike and sent her reeling backward.