Chapter 7: Wrath Of A Shader
The moon hung low in the inky sky, casting an ethereal glow upon the field where Sunai trudged wearily. His body, still reeling from the aftermath of a fierce battle with a three-star assassin, protested with every step. Thoughts raced through his mind like frenzied stallions, and his eyes widened as a revelation struck him, causing his pupils to dilate in realization.
-Is the assassin singularly targeting me? What if every junior in the Shader family is at risk? Damn it, Xaide!
Driven by urgency, Sunai quickened his pace, his footsteps leaving imprints on the dew-kissed grass. He sprinted towards the residence of his cousin, Xaide, a looming worry gnawing at his insides. As he reached the closed door, he noted that it remained unchanged from the last time they had been there. Two possibilities gripped his mind: either Xaide had yet to return, or the assassin had already reached him.
A swell of unease flooded Sunai's thoughts, his concern for Xaide intensifying. Simultaneously, his strength waned, and he succumbed to unconsciousness, collapsing onto the ground.
The scene did not go unnoticed by the family servants, who rushed to Sunai with panic etched across their faces. "This is young master Sunai; get him to the family healer. Hurry, or we all risk our lives!" one exclaimed, urgency in their voices.
With haste, the servants carried Sunai, their hurried footsteps echoing through the corridors as they reached the family healer's manor. The healer, upon examining Sunai, furrowed his brows. This was a sight he hadn't witnessed before; Sunai, known for his ability to self-heal, was in a precarious state. Something was indeed amiss.
Sunai's soul appeared normal, and his body showed no abnormalities, yet he exhibited signs of exhaustion and a missing bone in his hand. As Sunai briefly regained consciousness, he seized the healer's hand, whispering, "Don't disclose this to anyone, or your life will be forfeit. Find Xaide." He then slipped back into unconsciousness.
Morning light filtered into the room as Sunai awoke. Summoning his personal assistant, he ordered an investigation into the events of the previous night. By evening, the PA returned with troubling news, revealing the details behind the mysterious occurrences. Sunai, resolute and clad in new robes, armed himself with a sword and vanished from the room, determined to confront the challenges that lay ahead.
Meanwhile, a young woman, cloaked in the splendor of a crimson moon, strolled through the woods. Her allure was undeniable, yet her innocence masked a profound danger. Sunai materialized before her, his crimson eyes reflecting the deadly intent beneath the celestial orb. Without flinching, he drew a sword, and in a swift motion, pierced her heart.
Zara, the young woman, whispered her final question, "Why?" Sunai's response was cryptic, directing her to seek answers from her father in the next life. As her protectors fell to the mysterious force of the Shader family, Sunai declared with a voice echoing with authority, "No one dares to cross the Shaders," before vanishing from the scene.
Sunai, now on a path entwined with shadows and secrets, faced a formidable adversary that transcended mere combat. The threads of fate pulled tighter, and the moon witnessed the unfolding of a cryptic saga, where loyalties were tested, and the sins of the past cast long shadows upon the present.