Mathias

"What happened?" Abel's voice quivered with curiosity as he peered through the carriage window.

"Nothing to concern yourself with. Stay quiet," Brimeborg's tone was firm, betraying a hint of caution.

Outside, the jaguar's fierce roar echoed ominously, as if sensing a looming threat. Abel's eyes widened, his curiosity piqued despite Brimeborg's warning. He attempted to push open the barrier, straining with all his might, but it remained stubbornly immovable.

"Hey, hey, what do we have here?" a husky voice resounded.

Abel froze, recognizing the danger in the stranger's voice.

"Move aside," Brimeborg's voice rumbled with authority.

"Why would we? Tsk tsk, looking at those wonderful carriages made me think that you are escorting someone of high position." the stranger's voice carried a hint of mockery.

Brimeborg's response was terse. "What do you want?"

The stranger's laugh sent a chill down Abel's spine, his heart pounding with fear. "Nothing much, just the life of that person inside your precious carriage," the words dripped with sinister intent.

Hearing that, Abel's blood turned cold as his heart started to race.

'Me!?'

At this moment, a strong voice suddenly roared.

"IMPUDENT!" The voice, filled with hostility and rage, made the air tremble.

Sebastian's voice had entered the fray, adding another layer of tension to the already charged atmosphere.

"Who do you think you are to utter such words!" Sebastian's voice thundered, his anger palpable.

"Simple bandit, eh?" A harsh laugh ripped from the man's throat, devoid of humor. "Let's call it a difference in perspective. You hand over the kid, and maybe you all walk away with your skins intact." The last word hung heavy in the air, a chilling promise.

As if to punctuate his demand, the man whipped his arm back and launched a projectile. It wasn't clear what it was, but the speed and deadly intent were unmistakable.

But Brimeborg, with a lightning-fast reflex, snatched the object from mid-air before it could reach the carriage. His grip was like iron, crushing whatever it was with a sickening thud

"Impressive, your fame truly lives up to its reputation, right Ironclad Fist?" the man chuckled, a dark amusement dancing in his eyes. "A shame such a legend has to muddy his hands with the likes of us. But needs must, wouldn't you agree? Hand over the kid, and perhaps we can avoid any... unpleasantness."

A deep furrow etched across Sebastian's brow. "Who in blazes are you and this little crew of yours?" His voice, though aged, held a steely glint.

The man's smile stretched into a predator's leer. "Just simple folk, like I said," he drawled, his gaze flickering to his men. A silent exchange passed between them, a shared understanding that sent a shiver down Sebastian's spine.

"Don't play me for a fool!" Fury ignited in Sebastian's eyes, his voice a rasp laced with steel. "A common bandit? Reysmith armor and a Pyraxis lion - those are the trappings exclusively for the Reysmith family, not some cutthroat from the back alleys! Who are you truly hiding behind that identity?"

The man's amusement vanished, replaced by a cold glint in his eyes. A chilling chuckle, like ice scraping on stone, escaped his lips. "Whoa? What a bother," he drawled, his voice dripping with mock disappointment. "Seems the old coot figured it out. Kekeke... such a shame. I was rather enjoying toying with you. But revealing the hand a little early can be rather... thrilling, wouldn't you agree?"

The man's smile vanished as he stood rigid, a heavy silence pressing down like a physical weight. As he uttered the words

"last warning, hand over that kid."

a ripple of dark energy pulsed outwards, warping the air itself. The world seemed to dim slightly, the once vibrant landscape tinged with an ominous red hue.

Inside the carriage, even with the barrier shielding him, Abel felt a crushing weight press down upon him. The once-impenetrable bubble shimmered, a hairline fracture appearing on its surface. Fear, cold and primal, coiled in his gut.

Fearful and helpless, Abel could only obediently stay calm in the carriage as he knew he could not be of help and would only be a burden.

Brimeborg's gaze narrowed. "Thinking of betraying your own Master, are you, Fourth Captain?" he muttered, his voice low and dangerous.

The man, for the first time, seemed flustered. He reached up instinctively, his fingers brushing against nothing but bare skin. "Wha- what do you mean?" he stammered, his voice cracking.

A sly smile crept across Brimeborg's face. "Did the excitement of the moment cause you to forget you weren't wearing a mask, Captain Mathias?

Mathias stared at his hand, then back at Brimeborg, his face draining of color. A curse tumbled from his lips. "Damn it all," he muttered, the bravado gone from his voice. "So much for a smooth escape in this rocky wasteland." He straightened, a flicker of defiance returning to his eyes. "So what now, Ironclad Fist? We settling this right here, under this oppressive sky?"

"I repeat, are you planning to be a traitor, the Black Mane captain?" Brimeborg's voice held a steely edge, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Mathias puffed out his chest, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "No, it's just that I'm helping the second prince ascend for the prosperity of the family. Besides, anyway, the first prince is a fool, so I certainly don't want that prince to ascend."

Sebastian's voice crackled with frustration. "Why these theatrics, Mathias? Abel's defeat at the Battle of Fangs sealed his fate. He poses no threat to the succession."

A cold smile played on Mathias lips. "The proverb is clear, Sebastian: 'Weeds must be pulled up by the root, or else they grow again.'"

"Then there is no room for discussion,"

Brimeborg's jaw clenched tight.

There would be no reasoning with this man. With a low growl, he unleashed his aura, a crushing weight that pressed down on the very air.

A cruel smile stretched across Mathias face. "Finally! I've been itching to test my mettle against the Ironclad Fist!" His laughter echoed across the rocky terrain, a chilling sound devoid of humor.

"Then have a taste," Brimeborg replied.

Brimeborg's reply was a steely glint in his eyes. Both warriors unleashed their auras in a devastating display of power. One, a crushing weight like an unyielding mountain, the other a swirling vortex of crimson, reeking of bloodlust. The ground trembled under the impact, threatening to crack open.

The impact of their clash shattered the protective barrier around the carriage with a deafening crack. Shards of energy rained down, showering the scene in an ethereal light.

Through the shattered barrier, Abel finally saw the chaos unfolding. A dark-skinned man, his face obscured by shadow except for a chilling smile, stood amidst a group of similarly clad figures. Each figure held a deadly weapon, their polished surfaces glinting menacingly in the afternoon sun.

Abel's breath hitched as the dark-skinned man locked eyes with him

the smile widening into a predatory grin.

Abel locked eyes with the dark-skinned man. The chilling smile on his face widened further, sending a jolt of terror through Abel. Then, in a blink, the man vanished. Abel's heart hammered against his ribs. Before he could even gasp, the dark-skinned figure reappeared right in front of him, a wickedly curved blade flashing in his hand.

It was aimed straight at Abel's chest

Panic bloomed in Abel's chest. Before he could even scream, the dark-skinned figure reappeared, impossibly close. A wickedly curved blade flashed in the sunlight, aimed straight at Abel's heart.

Time seemed to slow, and Abel could only clench his eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable. He was far too slow, too weak to defend himself.

Just as the blade was about to make contact, a blur of golden light erupted from behind Abel.

A sinuous chain, seemingly crafted from molten gold, materialized out of thin air and wrapped itself around the attacker with the speed of a striking viper. The chain constricted, halting the man's deadly swing mid-air.

"You dare harm the young prince?" boomed a voice filled with righteous fury. It was Sebastian, his entire form radiating a golden aura that pulsed with power. "This is treason, Mathias! You've crossed the line!"

"I am your foe, Mathias , not him," a deep voice interrupted the conversation.

As if on cue, Brimeborg materialized behind the attacker, his hand encased in a fist of crackling blue flame. The tension in the air crackled almost as fiercely as the flames emanating from his fist.

Without a word, Brimeborg unleashed his attack. His fist morphed into a majestic golden lion, roaring as it charged towards the attacker, Mathias. With a defiant snarl, a single, burning wing erupted from Mathias' back, the crimson feathers absorbing the lion's impact in a burst of searing energy. The resulting shockwave rippled outwards, shaking the earth and shattering anything in its path.

Inside the carriage, trapped and terrified, Abel braced himself for the impact. But instead of being crushed, a shimmering blue chain, woven from countless strands of 'linen, materialized around the carriage, forming an impenetrable barrier. The shockwave slammed into the barrier, but it held firm, protecting Abel from harm.

With a powerful heave, Brimeborg slammed his fist into Mathias' chest, sending him hurtling skyward. As Mathias soared through the air, a single, chilling word echoed across the desolate landscape

"We take this to the clouds, now!"