16: Assassination 2

«Your power stones are the motivation to my work»

Amidst the intense battle between the transformed humanoid and Marquees Dolphy, the clash of their swords echoed through the entrance.

"I hope his majesty is faring well... If something happens to him, the kingdom will be in chaos," Greg shouted to Fatty anxiously.

Fatty remained silent, sharing the same worry. They were aware of the significant role their king plays in maintaining order and stability within the kingdom. His potential demise would undoubtedly disrupt the delicate balance of power and plunge the whole continent into chaos.

The guards were occupied with their own struggles. Engaged in their own fight against the formidable humanoids, they faced a challenging task with their equal cultivation and the tough skin of their opponents the guards found it difficult to gain the upper hand.

As the battle raged on, the outcome remained uncertain. The clash of swords and the crackling energy surrounding Marquees Dolphy's weapon continued to reverberate, filling the air with tension and power.

The intense battle raged on as Marquees Dolphy clashed swords with the humanoid, each unleashing powerful strikes and parries. With his hand transformed into a sword, the humanoid charged at Marquees Dolphy, but the Marquees was prepared. He drew his own sword from its scabbard, and with energy glowing around it, he countered the humanoid's attack.

The clash of swords echoed through the entrance, indicating the intensity of the fight. Meanwhile, the two guards who were also engaged in battle were struggling against their opponents.

"Star sword"

"...."

"Moon strike"

"..."

Marquees Dolphy unleashed a series of strikes infused with his magical energy.

"Shield"

The humanoid raised his hands transforming it into a shield again blocking the attack.

"Dark Array!"

Marquees Dolphy's skill and determination was prevailed. He struck a decisive blow, ending the life of the humanoid. The sound of the clash subsided, leaving behind an eerie silence as the Marquess stood amidst the the blood.

~~~~~~~

Maria's face lit up with a mischievous grin as she mustered her resolve, taking one confident step forward, followed by another. Her gaze was fixated on the entrance, determination shining in her eyes. She was resolute and focused.

A handsome man was staring at the distance horizon when he saw a silhouette of a lady, focusing with his sharp eyes he saw Maria's outline at the edge of the main gate.

He sighed inwardly, masking his disappointment with a composed expression. He had always admired Maria, her character , her spirit, and her unwavering beauty in the entire kingdom. It pained him to see her oblivious to his feelings, but he couldn't bring himself to give up on her. He took to air, flying to meet her halfway.

"Maria, your father was searching for you," His voice tinged with a hint of sadness, he continued,"He wished to speak with you urgently."

Maria's mood dropped, she knew her father would be looking for her but to ask a general instead of the personal maid of her.-that was very serious.

"Am back now Cal...., where's he now?" Maria asked, her tone relaying a mix of fear and apprehension.

Cal was one of his father's trusted generals who always stayed by his side. She knew Cal has feelings for her but always she ignored his advances.

"Just answer me...!!" Cal shouted on top of his voice.

"What!!, You dare shout at me," Maria questioned.

Hearing this Cal knew he had gone wrong this time. He shouldn't have done that but why could he help it.

"Sorry...Maria,-I wasn't thinking straight." He raised his hands trying get a hold of Maria but before he could get close enough,

Maria uttered," Ok, Where's my father now?"

"The Marquees has gone to the Kings castle."

Maria's heartbeat which had been beating up-normally calmed down.

"Then I will be walking to my qua..."

"Let me escort you." Before Maria could finish he offered.

As they walked through the grand corridors of the castle, Maria will occasionally steal glances at Cal. She couldn't deny the dedication and loyalty he had shown to her family throughout the years. His strong physique and determined gaze always commanded respect, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration in his presence.

But Maria's heart belonged to Nate, her childhood friend who had been absent from her life for a while. Nate's absence had left a craving hole in her heart, and she longed for him every day.

Lost in her thoughts, Maria finally arrived at her living quarters.

"The neighboring kingdom has mobilized its armies, and war seems inevitable," He said, standing walking behind Maria.

"It seems some of their men have infiltrated the kingdom, be careful Maria. You've been going to the southern side too much nowadays."

Maria's heart skipped a beat as she processed his words. The realization of the impending war weighed heavily. Thoughts of Nate, their love , and the impending doom that will encroach kingdom.

"Thank you for thinking about me, I put that in mind and take care," Maria said,her voice trembling slightly.

"We are preparing for war," Cal stated, his voice firm. "And Maria, you must be strong. You should cultivate hard nowadays. Josh May lead a legion."

As Cal spoke, Maria's gaze shifted to a portrait with his fathers image on the wall. She realized the weight of responsibility that had fallen upon her fathers shoulders.

~~~~~~~

The humanoid swiftly dodged the incoming attack, his movements seemingly unhindered by its injuries. With a sudden burst of speed, it closed the distance between himself and the king, his hand extending toward him.

"Skull crasher," it uttered with a menacing tone.

A surge of dark energy emanated from the humanoids , forming into dark orbs that caged around the king's body. The orbs altered into tendrils which tightened, constricting the king's movements and causing him immense pain.

The silver-armored guard, struggled against the restraints, but his efforts proved futile.

The humanoid approached the trapped king, his eyes filled with a sinister glare. He raised his other hand, a small orb of black energy forming within his palm. With a wicked grin, he brought his hand down, ready to deliver a final, devastating blow.

"Things can't end like this....."

"Hahahah," He chuckled," but's it's ending this way." Releasing the dark orbs from his hand and controlling it, he pushed it forward,aiming at the kings skull.

However, in that moment, a blinding light erupted from the silver-armored guard. The energy barrier surrounding the castle flickered and wavered, as if responding to his sudden surge of energy.

Seeing his King about to die, he decided to burn his source of life, then with the energy left in him, he channeled some of the dark energy into his body, knowing that it will empower him for some short time. This was a really dangerous move that was forbidden to humans. This could make the individual lose his mind and cause distractions and havoc. With the energy in the barrier been sucked the tendrils binding the king weakened momentarily, giving him a free gap and a glimmer of hope.

Gathering the last vestiges of his strength, the silver-armored guard pulled the spear from his body and launched himself towards the humanoid. With a powerful thrust, he aimed for the creature's heart.

The humanoid, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, barely managed to evade the attack. The spear grazed at his side, leaving a deep gash, but it was not a fatal blow.

"What!!!, this attack couldn't even hurt him that much," the guard thought in dismay.

Enraged by his own vulnerability, the humanoid unleashed a furry of attacks, his strikes infused with more dark energy. The silver-armored man fought valiantly, parrying and dodging as best as he could, but his injuries began to take a deep toll. Blood continued to stain his armor, and his movements became slower as his energy and the dark energy were clashing inside of him.

As the battle raged on, the energy barrier surrounding the palace faltered further, cracks forming along its surface. The king, still trapped but witnessing the desperate struggle, realized the dire situation they were in.

"I think this barrier keeps our noise down," He thought.

"To think these old foggy creatures could develop something this strange. They really have improved since old times."

Summoning the last reserves of his own energy, the king channeled a powerful spell. His eyes glowed with a brilliant light as he directed his spells towards the failing barrier. With a tremendous burst of energy, more cracks became visible as the barrier kept shattering, The release of the barrier's power sent shockwaves throughout the room, momentarily disorienting both combatants.

Seizing this opportunity, the silver-armored guard launched a final, desperate blows. His sword swung through the air with a resounding force, aimed straight at the humanoid's vulnerable form- the heart.

"YOU BRAA...."

The strike connected, slicing through the humanoid's defenses and piercing his heart before it could finish its words.

A look of disbelief crossed his face as he crumpled to the ground, his body gradually dissipating into black mist.

Exhausted and battered, the guard staggered backward, his breathing labored. He turned to the king, who had freed himself from the weakened tendrils, his face pale. The King approached him, gratitude and exhaustion etched on his aging face.

"Thank you...! for saving my life," The king said, his voice weak but filled with sincerity. A king would never bow nor appreciate what his surbodinate had done for him but today he was doing so.

"No...your Majesty," He forced to get the words out.

"You have to lie down,don't move."

He nodded, his strength waning. Despite his injuries, he had fulfilled his duty and protected the king. With a final, weary smile, he collapsed to the ground, his consciousness fading.

As the dust settled and the echoes of battle faded, the meeting hall stood in silence, bearing witness to the cost of the victory.

Marquess Dolphy carefully examined the crack in the barrier, his mind racing with thoughts of how to breach it. He ran his hand along the jagged edges, feeling the energy pulsating within. The barrier was powerful, erected to protect the king and his palace, but now it stood as an obstacle between them with a different energy pulsating through it.

As Dolphy pondered his next move, he noticed intricate runes etched into the surface of the barrier. They seemed to shimmer with faint magic, indicating that the barrier was indeed enchanted. Dolphy knew that breaking through it would require a thorough understanding of its composition and a clever approach.

Now that the battle has been won, the only thing stoping him from saving the king was the barrier.

"Let all try..." He commanded, not a hint of fear,only assurance. That's why he was given the name 'Devkil' which meant Devil's Killer.