Fire Sword Brayvion

A raptor had dove down the river from upstream and was slowly creeping into the town, which was now dozing off in its sleep.

The only active place was the local tavern, where many loggers and workers retired after a full day of work.

Wintress emerged. She was alone, and Crystal was not with her. It stalked in the darkness and sought the items that Crystal needed.

It went towards the empty tents where many soldiers and other mercenaries stayed. It found a long chain mail that could fit a man.

"Really…? That gaudy piece?" Even though Crystal stayed behind, Crystal could somehow 'see' what Wintress saw.

Wintress gave a low growl as if complaining that they didn't have much of a choice.

With a few more items, the set of clothing that would give Crystal the attire of a cloaked male knight was complete.

Wintress crept back, managed to hide her form, and dove down towards the waters.

Crystal was a distance away and had already scouted beforehand.

She had seen the mercenaries and knew that the Sword Quest group members were in town.

Wintress swam back, and the two met once more.

Crystal began to harness the flames and dried up the cloaks and armor Wintress delivered to her.

Some parts of the cloak were burnt and gave off a strange color.

Crystal was careful to make the gear she took look different.

She wore the outfit and covered her face with a dark cloak.

And with that, she made her way back to town.

The march was intentional. She was walking towards the group of mercenaries that belonged to the mercenary group.

The four men were careful and were on guard to watch the entrance of the town. There were other soldiers there who were tasked to guard the town from the appearance of monsters.

Torches were lit up around the town as they stood and observed.

Wintress did not accompany Crystal as she walked on the town as a lone warrior.

The guards were curious at the arrival of the strange wanderer. But as Crystal was not a monster, they ignored this approaching knight.

The Sword Quest group, however, saw the man and was instructed to interrogate and investigate everyone who would arrive.

Even as Crystal was far away, the four warriors approached to get a closer look at Crystal.

"Who are you?" One of the mercenaries asked as they approached.

Crystal kept walking without stopping. But within her, the ice had already made numerous revolutions within her. Her body was colder.

If Crystal could use the fire to slow down the speed of the revolutions, she would now use the ice to add resistance to her body.

One revolution passed, and Crystal walked on.

"Are you… one of them?" Crystal asked with a raspy and deep voice that she tried to master. With her attire, the muffled clothing, and a strange, intimidating aura, everyone took her for a man.

"Who?"

"You seek… my swords?" Crystal asked again. A second revolution passed.

"Swords? We are looking for a woman." One of the mercenaries answered as they bravely marched forward with their hands on the sheathes of their swords.

"I am not a woman…" Crystal answered as she kept on marching. A third revolution passed.

"Prove it. Remove your helm and reveal your face." Another mercenary demanded.

"My face? You must be… after my weapon. To seek my identity without cause… that is… unacceptable." Crystal caused the flames revolving around her to create a domineering aura. A fourth revolution was made.

Her dragon soul was radiating a power that, though no one could see, everyone could feel.

The mercenaries stopped as they felt the pressure. But Crystal drew closer. A fifth revolution was completed.

"We only need to be certain if you are a man or a woman! We don't care about your identity! We seek a runaway fugitive!"

"I… am a Fire Swordsman. And I will not show my face! You could be with them! Those are my treasures! Step aside, or die!" Crystal thundered.

Her voice and cry were strange, and while it was intimidating, it didn't have the deep husk as before. A sixth revolution was made!

"...Your voice! Show us your face now! Or face our swords!"

"You have chosen… death!"

A bright light and one red sword suddenly appeared in her hands.

The mercenaries still had their swords sheathed when Crystal slashed out.

A powerful red line slashed out, increasing the reach of the sword.

Blood splattered as the four mercenaries before her died from the devastating and terrifying flame slash!

Those watching from the gates were petrified.

"Arvus! That man is an Arvus! A Fire Sword Arvus!" One of the soldiers cried in surprise.

"No… That's not an Arvus! It's something… stronger! Do not cross that man!" The captain of the guards explained.

Crystal kept moving forward.

"Is there anyone else who demands to see my face?" Crystal asked as he approached.

"May I ask, what does this Hero want?"

"A boat ride to the east. The earlier, the better." Crystal answered as she drew out several silver coins.

"This…! You are in luck, Hero! A boat is just about to leave!" One of the soldiers exclaimed.

"Hurry! Stop the boatman! They have one more passenger!"

"… Thank you," Crystal answered and walked ahead towards the pier.

No one dared to stop her as she made her walk.

They could only look at the bodies of the four.

"Idiots. They were courting death. Asking an Argus who clearly wants his identity hidden to show his face!" One of the soldiers shook his head.

It was a cruel world, and being unreasonable against the mighty was idiotic.

Crystal boarded the boat and headed east as the boatman was scared that a powerful Arvus was with them.

As the boat left, the news of the Fire Sword Arvus spread like wildfire in Riverbed.

Those at the tavern went out to see the decapitated and burnt bodies of the mercenaries.

"A sword magically appeared?!" one exclaimed as he heard the details.

"That probably wasn't even an Arvus! Such magical weapons are far from the reaches of mere Arvus!"

"So that was… a Brayvion?" Another exclaimed as the talk continued.

But several minutes after the boat left, Crystal secretly jumped off the ship.