Chapter 77: Soul projection(3)

I lifted my gaze to the sky, once serene but now churned with angry, roiling clouds.

With each passing moment, the clouds grew darker and more foreboding. A low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance, a warning of the impending storm.

Almost as if hearing my thoughts, I could already feel the first weak tears falling from the sky. The air was thick and heavy with anticipation, my breath coming in ragged gasps that left visible puffs of mist in the chilled air. Sweat beaded on my brow, mingling with the rain that began to fall in earnest, forming a slick sheen upon my skin.

The raindrops pelted down with increasing intensity, soaking through my clothes and plastering my hair to my scalp. Despite the discomfort, I couldn't help but find it strangely soothing as it washed away the dirt and cooled me in the midst of battle.

But amidst the sound of rain hitting the ground, another noise pierced through - coughing and gurgling. Instinctively, I turned my gaze downward to see a worm writhing in pain on the sodden earth.My eyes fell upon him , once proud but now reduced to a broken and battered figure.

His body bore many wounds, each one proof t to our fierce battle. But there was one wound that stood out above all others - a steel dagger embedded deep in his side. And it was not the only one. Three blood-made daggers protruded from various parts of his body, each one a grim reminder of our struggle to achieve victory. One pierced his neck, another his chest; but it was the third that pinned his hand to a nearby tree, leaving him helpless and at my mercy.

As I watched him struggle against his restraints, a sense of grim satisfaction washed over me. The threat that Lucas had posed was finally neutralized, and I could finally rest easy.

"Not every stone Is built to be stepped on and yet every mountain Is set to be climbed" I muttered as I looked down at him.

His weary gaze met mine, confusion and disbelief swirling within his eyes. He struggled to comprehend the turn of events that had led to his defeat, his mind grappling with the unexpected outcome of our battle.

With a wry smile, I decided to enlighten him, offering a glimpse into the chain of events that had unfolded before his very eyes. As I rose my shirt and chainmail, revealing the crimson stain of my own blood, I watched as realization dawned on Lucas's face.

"This , dear Lucas, was my ace " I explained, gesturing to the makeshift armor fashioned from my own blood. " just before your blade struck me down, I conjured this armor to shield myself from harm in one last bid to survive . And as luck would have it, it proved to be my salvation."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in my ingenuity, marveling at the resourcefulness that had allowed me to turn the tide of battle in my favor.

"For that, I must thank you," I continued, my tone laced with a hint of irony. "Your unwitting blow allowed me to expand my knowledge on this skill , you have been of tremendous help."

Though I longed to interrogate him further to uncover the secrets of his paralyzing abilities, I knew that the opportunity had slipped through my fingers. In my haste to secure victory, I had delivered a fatal blow, silencing his voice forever as the dagger in his throat prevented him from speaking.Honestly there were too much incongruencies , the fact that he managed to destroy my soul projection and that he even had the skill to paralyze me , albeit for less than a second.

I will never understand the true reason behind his newfound abilities, apparently.

I gazed into Lucas's eyes and saw his intense hatred and thirst for revenge, even as he lay dying before me. Roy's body lay lifeless at my feet, a reminder of all that I owed him - for helping me deceive my father about the dungeon and exposing the ambush during the raid. And Caer, at my side, was the one who taught me the swordsmanship that won this battle.

But now, it was time to confront Lucas and exact bloody retribution. I turned to face him "This is what you brought upon yourself, Lucas," I said, locking eyes with him. "Blood for blood." Tomorrow, I would personally deliver the remains of the knight he had killed to his family - the man who had saved me and helped me win this battle. And as for Sir Caer, the one he burned alive...I needed to know if he had a family so I could send his ashes to them. They both played their part in my victory, but tomorrow they would receive a much different fate - their ashes scattered on hellish grounds. They did not have to die here...and yet they did

''Tomorrow I may be deliver their ashes Lucas, but I can tell you that by the end of this day three more people will follow you in hell, this I promise to you''

Lucas's fear-stricken eyes pleaded with me as I approached him, but there would be no mercy for him. I summoned my mana, and a fire-ball ignited in the palm of my hand, its flames dancing with an intensity that seemed to devour everything in its path.

It was larger and more powerful than any Lucas had ever cast.

He struggled against his restraints, desperately trying to break free, but the dagger lodged in his remaining hand held him in place. With each passing moment, his struggles grew weaker until he lay still, resigned to his inevitable death, his eyes resigned though still holding that hateful gaze.

"Quite ironico truly..." I declared before unleashing the full force of the fireball upon Lucas's head. The flames consumed him in a blistering inferno, his screams drowned out by the crackling roar of fire. I watched in satisfaction as he met his fiery end.

With a heavy sigh, I bent down and grasped Lucas by his leg, hoisting his lifeless form over my shoulder. Despite the weight, I carried him with purpose, my steps resolute as I made my way towards the edge of the forest.

The journey through the dense foliage was made in silence, the only sound accompanying me the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird.

Eventually, I reached a clearing deep within the heart of the forest, a place untouched by the hand of man. With a firm resolve, I lowered Lucas's body to the ground, laying him out amidst the fallen leaves and tangled undergrowth.

With the tail of the eye I saw some shadows moving between the bushes, as apparently the smell of Blood attracted them. I ignored Them as I gazed at my prize

For a moment, I stood in silence, gazing down at his lifeless form

Too bad... we could have walked together if circumstances were different.

Then, with a swift motion, I turned and walked away, leaving him behind to become food for the creatures of the forest.