Chapter 89

"You need to try harder than that," said the hooded battle master.

Kanto had just weaved through the group of Kokarian assassins and aimed his blade toward the battle master's throat. It was as if he had hit the air, not landing a single hit on the man.

"You dare try and attack this town! The kingdom of Kokar has gone too far! You will surely pay!" said Bushivo while cutting his way through the assassins.

"You two are so naive. It seems you have gotten senile in your old age. I will give you some advice, do not think for a moment you will get out of this alive. As for your princess, she will be used for a greater purpose before being discarded."

Both generals could be seen seething with hatred. Kanto swung his weapon toward the assassin trying to hit but again the assassin evaded. This time the assassin weaved around the attack and sliced at Kanto with a dagger.

"Ummff!" Kanto winced in pain.

"You must be the one they call Silverstroke," said Bushido. He finally realized who they were fighting with. This Kokarian battle master was beyond troublesome. Little was known about him except that he had killed several high-ranking officials in the White Sparrow kingdom including another general.

"Indeed, I was wondering if you would ever figure it out," said Silverstroke with a smile. "You must now know that this isn't the first time I have been outnumbered by two battle masters."

Bushivo frowned. He had heard that Silverstroke had managed to fight two battle masters of a separate kingdom and even killed one. He could potentially take Silverstroke on but his battle art didn't match as well against Silverstrokes. The two generals furrowed their brows thinking of a strategy.

"How about five."

Silverstroke quickly turned around in shock. A bloodcurdling presence had appeared behind him.

Kane along with Othes and Galter had just arrived.

"Who are you!?" Silverstroke was not expecting this. Their intel was lacking. It seems he would need to rely on that insufferable woman!

"Does it matter?" said Galter. "I recommend an immediate retreat or we will be forced to kill you."

"Just you try it" Silverstroke launched himself into the air towards Galter. Bushido and Kanto stepped toward Kane and companies direction but were immediately interrupted by a flurry of wiery whips.

"What!" "Uh!" The generals were caught off guard and went on the defensive.

Galter had activated his steel skin battle art which had surprised Silverstroke and managed to deal some damage. He had bounced off Galter with the air being knocked out of his lungs and his body bruised.

"What battle art is that?!" Silverstroke had no information on these newcomers and was unsure how best to defeat them. "Boitata where are you!?" hissed Silverstroke.

"Do not fret old man" said a feminine and salacious voice.

A woman with serpent-like eyes, long black hair, and a bright red dress walked into the clearing. Her body was covered in snakes made of pure fire. They danced along her arms and were the same things that had just attacked the generals.

"Bushivo darling, it's been forever since we danced together," said the woman who went by Boitata. While she licked her lips and stared ferociously at Bushivo both sparrow generals frowned. Silverstroke was bad enough but with Boitata things will defiantly get worse. Both of these Kokarian battle masters were insanely strong and two of the best that the kingdom has to offer.

"Demoness you dare show your face here!" Bushivo had fought her before. Her magic was annoying to deal with but he could handle it.

"You think with those new friends of yours" Boitata looked and Kane and his men "that you will stop us. Oh, how sweet and innocent."

"HELP!"

A loud voice rang in the distance and flames arose all over the town.

"The towns under attack! Get to safety!" yelled someone in the distance.

"You deal with us while your people die" laughed Boitata.

Silverstroke took the chaos to try and attack one of Galter's vitals but was intercepted by Othes. The two were battle masters who relayed on speed and used daggers. They went into their own world trying to one-up each other and kill one another. In fact, it seemed Silver had the upper hand and whose battle art was more advanced. Galter didn't seem to care and while the two assassins were locked in a battle he brought down his mace and smashed Silver's head.

"UHhhmfff!"

Silverstroke's body crumpled into a pile on the ground.

"Boitata was currently facing off against Bushivo and only sensed her comrade's death.

"Excuse me miss?" said Kane.

Boitata dodged Bushivo's attack and flung herself back using her fiery snake whips to cover her escape. She turned to see Kane looking at her with no apparent worry. In fact, it seemed he had a relaxed demeanor around him. She started to worry. The invasion managed to get Kanto to leave and go help the rest and she felt she could take Bushivo while that old man could distract the other battle masters. She did not think he would die and she would be left with a general of the Sparrow kingdom as well as three strange battle masters.

"It seems you realize your situation," said Kane.

She would not, no could not accept it! Using her anger and desperation she summoned seven fiery snakes. More than she had ever managed to control. They flew towards Kane. She let them loose in the hopes they would engulf the overconfident stranger.

"You will burn with the rest of this pathetic town!"

Bushido ran to try and intercept the flames. He knew better than anyone how strong they really were.

Everything seemed to freeze. Boitata anticipated Kane's death and fiercely awaited it. She knew she needed to retreat but wanted to watch the man burn. She was bound to be disappointed though. The flames engulfed the man but soon dispersed and there was Kane. Unscathed and what seemed to be unbothered.

"H..how?" Boitata was in shock. She was always proud of her affinity with fire magic. She was one of the only people in the surrounding kingdoms who knew how to wield magic much less master a battle art that complements it. How did this stranger survive it? Did he also know how to wield fire magic? Not only her but Bushivo was also shocked, as well as relieved that Kane had survived the attack.

She could feel her strength start to leave her. She actually felt fear. She felt anger. What could she do but retreat?

"You guys are lucky! I must unfortunately depart. Have fun saving your town!" she dashed off towards the exit. Bushivo seemed ready though throwing his sword in her direction. Even though she had disappeared a loud yelp could be heard. Bushivo had managed to wound her during the escape. Kane felt her life dim but not fade completely. This was confirmed when they checked and saw only a sword but no body.

Bushivo sighed with relief.

"It's over for now," said Kane. The surrounding battle seemed to be ending and the chaos has disappeared.

"Thank you Sir Kane I owe you and your men not just my life but many others. It seems this war is in full swing now. I am glad to have you by our side."

Kane nodded. He still stood strong after the battle despite almost being barbecued. He was lucky he was able to guide Botata's flame around him so that they could not kill him. It had taken all his strength though he felt like he would pass out at any moment.