2 PURSUIT!
Volume 1: Ydeo's Adventure and the Trial of the Wise King - CHAPTER 2: PURSUIT!
The night sky is so dark and full of clouds. Where are the moons? I can't see a single one. Normally at this season, we can see four or five moons of the Seven Great Moons, but today, not a single one appears, as if the clouds are hiding them. Is this a bad omen?
"Elite Warrior Ed-son, a watchdog came to meet you." One of my loyal warrior reported.
"Take him inside." I commanded.
A Watchdog from the Imperial Prison came in to my station, what could it be about? Watchdog work under the Warden of Imperial Prison. They are responsible of taking care of the prisoners inside and outside of it.
If they come here, I guess there is something wrong.
"Why are you here, watchdog?" I asked.
"I came to ask for your help, Elite Warrior Ed-son." He replied.
"Who is that escapee and when?" I asked as I know the gist of the situation.
"I'm truly amaze as how you quickly get the situation, Elite Warrior Ed-son. A prisoner known as the Slayer was able to escape from our watch. The Head Watchdog asked me to come in your station to aid us on catching the Slayer." He said.
"If I am not mistaken your route is from a different island." I replied.
"Yes, you are correct. By now, the Head Watchdog should be leading the Slayer's course into your station. The Head Watchdog decided to leave this matter to the Rising Hero when he learned that your station is two islands away from the place where the Slayer escape. From this island it is only four islands away from the Main Port, so strategically it is a perfect plan." He replied.
He is correct. I’m glad that the watchdog they send has enough intellect to converse with.
"How did he able to escape from you?" I inquired more.
"The Head Watchdog is too embarrass about this but he fell from the silly trick of the Slayer. The Slayer asked the Head Watchdog if he can pee, and because he is badly injured from the torture of the Warden and the other prisoner in the Imperial Prison, he didn't think that the Slayer had enough strength to steal a horse from a Warrior nearby." He replied.
"I see...", so basically we also have responsibility as for how the Slayer was able to escape.
"From what I heard, this Slayer killed a Priest, we must prepare for battle!" I commanded to my men.
I ask my men for formation C, a pincer attack formation. Stationed 100 of my men to be on standby so the Slayer won't be able to escape. It wouldn't be overkill or something for a Slayer who reportedly killed a Priest and its followers.
"Elite Warrior Ed-son, why prepare too much just for one escapee? Aren't we wasting too much people?" A warrior from team Alpha asked.
"He was able to escape from those mad wolves, even a skilled warrior won’t be able to escape from the speed of those trained wolves. It only means that he is no ordinary prisoner. And do not forget that he was able to kill a Priest and its followers, which makes him more dangerous." I warned him further as we go through the weaponry to prepare our attack.
"Never underestimate the enemy."
"Elite Warrior Ed-Son, between you and the Slayer, who do you think would win?" He asked more questions with sparkles in his eyes. With anticipation he continued, "I mean you are a Rising Hero! I mean, you even made the Head Warrior's nose bled on last year's Fight Festival!"
"You better tone your voice down, don't you remember I was knocked out after making him serious?" I shut him immediately.
A lot of warriors are aware that I was able to kill 10 Sea Monsters on the Island of the Calling three years ago. We are preparing for the Ritual at that time but suddenly, ten mad Sea Monsters came and attack the Shrine. At that time, out of desperation, I decided to pick a sword and attack the Sea Monsters, that's when I discovered that I am a Sacred Arm user. I was able to beat the Sea Monsters. That is the reason why they call me Elite Rookie.
But there's more than what meets the eye. From what I observed those Sea Monsters are being controlled or manipulate by someone.
Sacred Arm-- an ability given by a god and goddess by using their blessing a weapon of choice to make it powerful in order to fight against enemy.
It has 3 levels, first is the Primary which strengthening your weapon, second is Partial Equip where your weapon will change in to a Sacred Arm which some part of your body will be equipped, and last is the Full Equip which means your whole body will be equipped of the Sacred Arm.
My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden presence. Looks like the Slayer is here.
"Fire the Arrow!" I quickly commanded.
"One-Sword Style: Whirlwind of Death!" the Slayer chanted after stealing a sword from a watchdog.
"What?!" The Slayer was able to deflect all of the arrows.
I see so he is in different level...
"Leave him to me and step back a bit." I commanded, I refuse to have casualties.
I saw a man-- no, a budding young man, not so tall but his most distinctive about him is his electric blue hair and deep dark black eyes. Pointing and piercing through anyone.
So he is the Slayer, he is younger than I thought. Let's see how strong he is.
"Hey, you! What is your name?" I asked.
"It's not proper to ask someone's name without giving their name first." He replied.
“This bastard.”
"You're right, my apologies. My name is Ed-son, I'm an Elite Warrior and they call me an Elite Rookie and a Rising Hero. And you? Who are you?"
"Blah! Blah! Blah! I just ask for your name and you said too much, what are you, a kid?" He replied as he gets annoyed by my achievements.
"I am Bakunawa!" He added.
"Bakunawa!? HAHAHAHA! I never heard of that name before! A nameless man who recklessly killed a Priest, an idiot you are, Bakunawa!" I said, belittling him.
"You're going to die." He threatened with his pointing, looking eyes.
"Let's see!" as I provoked him.
Swords clashed as the two of us continue to fight for pride.
Fight for freedom, pride, and title.
The Slayer is still fast despite the injury he has, he can still follow my attacks.
Should I use my Partial Equip?
This guy is cornering me!
This injured guy.
But this man is not even using a Sacred Arm, he just stole a sword from a watchdog.
This may hurt my pride but, “I won’t get easy on you just because you are injured! I will never underestimate an enemy!” I shouted
My men shouted too! This boost my moral!
His attack is getting slower, I can hear is heavy breathing!
And finally, clashing sounds was over as the Slayer was on his knees, breathing for life. He is not bad for he has good skills for a young warrior. I wonder why he killed a Priest. If only he was born in a different country, if ever he is an Ar-pans, he can be an Elite Warrior too. Fighting this guy, the Slayer and based on his skill and swordsmanship, the gods will definitely bless him with a Sacred Arm. I regret that I can't see how strong he is on his normal state. But the attack that he uses, are those attacks of-- With my Kanabō on his neck, I asked him. “Do you regret fighting against me?"
"Yes I do regret." He answered.
“In return for a good fight, let me finish you with my newly blessed weapon Kanabō!”
"I regret because --One Sword Style: Unsheathed Slash!"
All of a sudden, he unleashed an unpredicted skill, hitting the back of my neck so fast. I couldn't see and feel. The only thing I know is that I am now falling to the ground.
"You're too weak." he continued.
This man is a Monster...
“Eliter Warrior Ed-son!”
The Watchdog and we Warriors were shock to see Elite Warrior Ed-son fell on to the ground. We couldn't believe how the Slayer beat the Elite Rookie. When we realized how strong the Slayer, everybody screamed and tried to run away but the Slayer continuously attacked and slaughtered them.
""One-Sword Style: Ten-Fold Whirlwind Blow!" he chanted as he attacked.
----
All of us were shocked when Bakunawa deflected the arrows and beat all the archers in just a single attack.
"He is a monster!" One of the warriors in our unit said in despair.
"Running away? That's not good." Bakunawa said. "One-Sword Style: Whisper of Death!"
It's a technique that can only be use when the target is scared. They won't be able to move as they hear the sound of the sword while being taken out of the sheath.
"Hey you!" Bakunawa point his sword to another warrior.
"No sword Style: Fear!" He gives strong intimidation!
The Warrior suddenly fainted after looking at Bakunawa.
Bakunawa keeps on attacking and killing but in the middle of fear, we all heard a word.
"So you are the Slayer..."
Just right after hearing this, Bakunawa--who slaughtered and kill everyone insight, fell down on the ground.
All remaining warriors were dumbfounded as they see Bakunawa fell on the ground. Everyone was trying to figure out what happened, staring at the fire we heard the words.
"Don't worry I came to save you!" said by none other than Head Warrior.
"It is Head Warrior Gen!" one of the Warrior shouted.
We cried as we see the Hero saved us from the mad Slayer. We saw hope when he came, we blessed and praised Head Warrior Gen with his glory.
But we looked at the scene, and everyone including Head Warrior Gen could not believe that Bakunawa, in his weaken state defeat Elite Warrior Ed-son and killed 55 Warriors and 12 Watchdogs. Bakunawa’s strength gave us unexplainable distress.
I heard him say, "If I came late what could have happen..."
But everyone ignore it as they see hope, just like a dawn.
On the Main Port of Ar-pi, grandeur it is, a royal ship from the Empire of Viyato arrived.
"My Lady, we have arrived in the country of Ar-pi." A female knight announced to the Princess.
Meanwhile on a small port in the east of Ar-pi, Ydeo and the other sailor came.
"So this is the Country of Ar-pi!" Ydeo said.
"I can't wait to explore it!" He added.
CHAPTER 2 END…
