CEREMONY

**Chapter XX: Unleashed Powers and Looming Threats**

Aron's body pulsed with renewed energy as the healing magic coursing through him worked its mending magic. His clothes, once torn and dirtied from battle, were now pristine, the fabric shimmering as lightning crackled from his sword, traveling up his arms and infusing his entire being. The power of the Sword of Lightning had awakened within him, transforming him into a force to be reckoned with.

Sagarka's relentless assault resumed, but Aron had changed. His reflexes matched Sagarka's lightning-fast movements, allowing him to evade the attacks effortlessly. Frustration etched across Sagarka's face as he realized that Aron now wielded the very power he sought to control. The Sword of Lightning's might had chosen Aron as its master.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the battlefield, Prakuba's fierce battle raged on. The monsters sent by Sagarka were no match for his formidable skills. Though ten in number, they fell before him one by one, as if swatted away by an invisible hand. Aminem, with his sharp instincts, stealthily traced the path to the sword's location, while Hana followed him discreetly, ensuring their movements went unnoticed. As Prakuba dispatched another monster, it called out to its companions for aid, leaving Aron's path free of adversaries.

During a brief lull in Prakuba's battle, he seized the opportunity to interrogate one of the defeated monsters. With a voice that echoed a sinister truth, the creature revealed that its leader's name was Sakhaam, who had taken on the appearance of their fallen comrade, Sagarka. The monsters confessed that they had killed Prakuba's friend, Sagarka, and transformed his body into their puppet.

Prakuba's fury ignited, and he descended into a vengeful frenzy. With fire blazing in his eyes, he unleashed his wrath upon the remaining monsters. He discerned their weakness—fire—and systematically incinerated each creature. As the flames subsided, his only goal was to eliminate Sakhaam, the puppeteer behind the macabre charade.

Back in the midst of the conflict, Aron's dominance over Sagarka became apparent. The young warrior's innate swordsmanship skills, augmented by the newfound strength and speed of the Sword of Lightning, allowed him to sever one of Sagarka's lupine limbs. Transforming into his human form, Sagarka's anger burned hotter than ever, and he launched an aggressive assault on Aron.

Yet, just as the confrontation reached its climax, a cyclonic doorway materialized between them. It swallowed Sagarka whole, his enraged cries echoing in the air. A voice resonated from the dissipating vortex—it was Sakhaam, revealing his true identity as the vampire king's son. He vowed a direct confrontation, pledging to seize Chisame's throne and making Aron rue the day they crossed paths.

The cyclonic winds subsided, leaving Aron standing alone, his mind mulling over the former Yoddha's final words. Amidst his contemplation, a voice snapped him back to the present. It was Hana, emerging from her concealed position behind a tree, revealing her presence since the beginning of the battle.

Their conversation revealed Hana's identity as a fellow Yoddha from the Takai Realm's army force. However, she explained her non-interference, clarifying her role in the selection of the new Yoddha. Her pursuit of Sakhaam had led her to the battle royale, and she suspected his interest in Aron's sword.

With the company of Aminem, who had reverted to his human form, the trio embarked on a journey to the Taiyo Realm, where the Yoddha ceremony awaited them. Empires from various realms converged for the event, including the Queen of the Chisame Empire and four commanders: Aayum, Shiyabi, Hana, and Leon. Together, they represented the strength of their respective realms.

The Queen addressed the gathering, reflecting on the sacrifices of the past and the loss of the previous Yoddha in the war against the vampire emperor and Pakyom Empire. The search for worthy successors had led to four, and now Aron completed the circle, commanding the Taiyo Army. The ceremony marked the cessation of the Yoddha selection process, as all five positions were now filled.

During the subsequent dinner, Aron's thoughts wandered to Avril, who had disappeared after his defeat, along with his mother. Concern gnawed at him as he contemplated their whereabouts. Meanwhile, two kings from different empires—Wong Lee Bakeshi and Suong Reyen Bin—conversed in hushed tones, revealing their intent to seize Chisame's throne in the absence of its rightful ruler.

In the midst of the evening's gathering, Aron's unease lingered, prompting him to contemplate his missing friend. His introspection was interrupted when Hana addressed him, inquiring about his well-being after attaining the title of Yoddha. Despite the adoration and respect that came with the role, Aron confessed his worry about Avril's disappearance and his mother's absence. His search for answers took him to the treatment center and eventually to Avril's home, only to find both places empty.

Aayum, a companion and fellow Yoddha, joined the conversation. His words carried a mix of camaraderie and guidance, urging Aron not to betray their trust. Their exchange unveiled the bonds formed among the Yoddha and the mutual respect that surpassed hierarchical titles.

The dinner continued as Aron's mind churned with a whirlwind of thoughts. As Hana confronted the queen with her suspicions about Sakhaam's involvement in the attack on Sagarka and others, a chilling truth emerged. Sakhaam was none other than the second son of the vampire king, a revelation that cast a shadow of impending danger.

A sense of hopelessness crept in as the queen unveiled the extent of Sakhaam's power, emphasizing that what they had witnessed was merely a fraction of his capabilities. The full scope of his might was beyond comprehension, and his elder brother's intervention had saved him from facing the full power of the sun's rays. The Yoddha were facing a formidable adversary, a vampire prince driven by a desire to claim Chisame's throne.

The queen's directive was clear—to rest and recuperate. The night held ominous secrets, as a masked figure observed from the shadows. Wong Lee Bakeshi and Suong Reyen Bin, leaders of allied empires, plotted their treacherous course against Chisame.

Amid the darkness, the masked figure emerged, twin swords at the ready, confronting the united alliance of Wong Lee and Suong Reyen. Unperturbed by their grandeur, the figure addressed their betrayal of Chisame and its people. A confrontation loomed, as the swordsman challenged the alliance's resolve to breach Chisame's borders.

Two hundred elite S-ranked fighters stepped forward, determined to eliminate the masked intruder. The impending clash promised to reveal a new facet of power, as destiny's threads entwined the fates of warriors and the realm alike.

The alliance army, composed of two million soldiers, faced off against the Chisame Empire. Amidst them stood the masked figure, unflinching and undaunted, confronting the vast army with unwavering resolve.

to be continued...