The Two Brothers

Hearing their conversation, Hans quickly realized. 

The true name of the 'Light' he met earlier was 'Aka' while this powerful man's name is the real 'Light'. They were brothers but it seemed like they shared a hatred that transcended even blood. 

Drip—, drip—

Looking at the blood trickling down Light's arms, Hans propelled himself up from the rubbles. 

Crunch—

His mana was slowly regenerating and his fatigue was also getting relieved. He might be able to help Light fight Aka in a 2 versus 1 battle now. 

'I don't care if it's not fair.'

The world wasn't built to be fair after all. Clenching the dark sword in his arms, Hans readied himself. 

....... 

"This time I won't hold back, Aka." Light warned as he positioned his foot forward with the rapier assumed in an attacking stance. 

Aka, who already lost 4 of his 6 arms, frowned. The boss monster he built could almost regenerate instantly but somehow it couldn't. 

'Damn it!' 

Light must have used underhanded spells in his attacks. Even then, Aka did not display any hint of fear. 

"Show me then, my dear brother."

Swish—

Light began to move. Over an instant, he closed the gap and jumped. 

Shu—

He reached the head of Aka and unleashed a barrage of attacks. 

Stab—, stab—, stab—

Wherever it strikes, a hole would be punctured through. Aka crossed his arms, trying to resist the impact of the attacks. 

"That's one tough body you have." Light twisted his body mid air and launched another strike. 

[Rapier Art: No.3: Formless Lunge] 

He used an invisible attack and aimed at Aka's nape. Because of his overwhelming battle experience, even with only an arm left, he was able to hold his ground. 

Stab—

The rapier penetrated the nape but it wasn't enough to kill the enemy. Aka, who was caught off guard by an unknown attack, felt a sharp pain behind his neck. 

'Wha—' 

However, it didn't end there. 

[Constantine Sword Style: First Cut] 

A fast and sharp moving thing followed Light's attack. 

It was aimed at Aka's left leg; His only weakness. 

'How did he know!?' 

[Piercing Gale] 

Shu—

Stab—

Unlike last time, Hans's blade pierced the monster's skin. He increased the strength in his arms and pushed it even more. 

"AHHH!!" 

Taking advantage of Aka's immobilized figure, Light didn't hesitate to make another move. 

"Light!!! Aim at his left leg!!" 

"Got it!!" 

Under Hans's orders, Light landed on the ground and moved under the enemy's blind spot. With that, he'd be able to channel his skill without distraction. 

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, completely cutting off his connection to the outside world. With a low muffled sound, he muttered. 

"Devouring the world… Conquering the sun…" 

At that moment, the world seemingly came to a stop. Light felt the imaginary leaves wobbling around the tree until it fell to the warm soil. The whisper of the air rang in his ears like wanting to interfere with his concentration. 

"The blades that stood despite the storm… and the blades that vanished amidst it…" 

After a brief pause, he continued. 

"... Shall accompany my will as I aim for the heavens."

Light opened his eyes. The rapier that he held already showed signs of breaking. The pressure in the atmosphere became heavier as time passed. 

"...So let me, once again… go beyond."

[Rapier Forbidden Art…] 

Light stared at the monster who had the face of the person he admired. Unknowingly, mist formed on his eyes but was quickly evaporated by the heat intensity of the surroundings. 

"Goodbye, brother."

[World Splitting Thrust] 

Shruuum—

With all of his strength, Light lunged the rapier forward. The space seemed to bend as the weapon slowly approached the target. 

"You bastards!!!" Aka yelled in madness

He was busy fighting Hans, who now has the strength to fight him evenly. It seemed like Light gave him a powerful strength enhancing buff. 

Thus, he wasn't able to stop Light's chants. 

'The hell is wrong with him!!?' 

Does he want to destroy the world? 

Even in his weakened state, Aka could tell Light's attack contains destructive properties… just enough to destroy the world.

Unfortunately, he couldn't dodge. Not because he couldn't, but because it's undodgeable. 

"Damn you, Light!!!!" 

...….. 

Hans rolled the blade to the side, successfully fending off Aka's reckless attacks. Light attack was moving too slow but he could feel his body being drawn towards it. 

'Is he trying to kill me too?' 

Smash—, smash—

However, as if it's not a threat, Hans continued to block and counterattack. In a flash, he appeared behind Aka's giant snake tail. It was completely unguarded. 

[Constantine Sword Style: First Cut.]

The snake tail was hard to cut with a normal slash. That's why… 

[Flowing Water.]

Slash—

The blade passed through the monster's flesh like he was cutting tofu. Blood spurted out of it and Hans immediately retreated. 

"Kuaaaahhhh!!!" 

The [Primeval Eyes] together with the [Hand Of Asura] works really well. After landing on the ground, Hans glanced at Light's approaching figure. 

'Probably 10 seconds.' 

As he had no idea that the Light's attack was undodgeable, Hans thought of trapping Aka here for a clear strike. 

'Just 10 seconds…' 

Without any hint of fear, Hans charged straight to the monster's face. Combined with his almost swift movements, Hans dodged Aka's thrown magic projectiles. 

[Cons—] 

At that moment, Hans stopped his sword after sensing a danger from behind. Instinctively, Hans twisted his body but wasn't able to completely evade the monster's cunning attack. 

Slam—

He was swatted to the ground and crashed towards the ground. His body bounced around, rolled, and finally stopped. 

'Argggh!!' 

His eyes remained on the monster who was now at death's mercy. Light's attack finally arrived. 

...... 

Flashback~

His younger brother, Light and he was born from the Temple's Saintess and Saint. His name is Aka, and he still remembered how it all started. 

As the firstborn, expectations were already high. 

He could understand it. 

His parents are two of the most powerful figures in the world. Of course, as the first son, he would have the responsibility to carry that name and maintain that glory. 

Aka, however, didn't want any of it. 

"My dream is to become a blacksmith."

He wanted to build weapons, repair them and hang his masterpieces on wooden walls. But instead of the hammer and the anvil, his fate was already sealed to use a deadly and sharp weapon. 

It was hard living under such strict rules. Even then, he had no choice. 

It was not until he became 4 years old that good news came to him. 

"Aka, you're gonna have a little brother."

However, during the time he was born, the Pope of the Temple decided to kill him as only one can bear the title of the Saint. 

But when mother heard it, she was furious. Immediately, without thinking of the repercussions, she volunteered to strip her title of the Saintess and just served as an ordinary housewife. 

The pope didn't want such a strong woman to have hatred against the Temple so instead, Light would live as the Temple servant in his life. 

Aka had no choice but to watch. His father did not even object. Fortunately, he wasn't banned from meeting his little brother. 

Despite the difference in status and position, Aka and Light stayed true as brothers. As the older one, anything the Temple teaches him, he also passed it to Light. 

Although his mother could always do that, Light was accustomed to having him by his side. 

Light was a cheerful kid but in reality, he can't feel pain. 

It must be nice living with those. 

Contrary to his expectations, Light was always in crisis. As he wasn't able to sense danger, Light even jumped the 3 story house and still managed to stand up. Of course, not knowing that he already has many broken bones.

That's when Aka realized…

"I need to protect him."

However, when the Pope and Father got a hold of this, they immediately ordered Light to be executed. 

A defected child… pariah… curse… 

All insults were thrown towards him. Not only in the whole Kingdom but also in the entire Empire. 

At that moment, Aka's heart seemed to burst out and his head was filled with rage. 

On that very day, he vowed to destroy the Temple. 

......…. 

"Don't think you can kill me easily, Light!!!!" 

Aka poured all of his power towards his final counterattack. Looking at the white light approaching his face, Aka aroused his power even more. Finally, it gathered over his dragon head. 

With his mouth opened, Aka unleashed a destructive roar. 

[Dragon King's Atomic Beam] 

Wooosh—

A violet beam shot towards Light. The two attacks collided. 

Booooom—

.......... 

Flashback~

It was a night full of nightmares. 

Light was able to escape the execution because their mother pleaded with her life. They cut off one of her arms as a sign of sincerity. 

When he thinks back on that day, he always had shivers down his spine. His mother would always tell him to calm down and don't let the hatred consume his heart. 

But… 

'But what am I supposed to do?' 

Just watch until all of their limbs are gone? 

So Aka decided to train to death while also taking care of his brother.

 Time passed by and in a blink of an eye, Aka reached 11. On the other hand, Light reached 7.

Mother's health was slowly deteriorating after an unknown disease rendered her body paralyzed. Many doctors and health specialists tried to cure her but to their surprise, the disease is unknown to man. 

With that, Aka took full care of Light in his mother's stead. He would cook and clean without his father knowing. 

He was satisfied with them not bothering Light anymore. 

One day, when Light was watching him practice, Aka couldn't help but ask. 

"What's your dream, Light?" 

After a brief explanation, Aka got his answer. 

Light said he wanted to become the strongest man in the world. Although Aka did not show it, he was secretly proud. 

A dream to reach the peak. He would help his brother achieve that. He would be the shadow under his light. 

After that Aka started Light's intense training. 

Unlike what others thought, Light was a natural prodigy. He was able to master spells that required years in just a month. 

Thus, after only a year of training…

Light was already many times stronger than him. The last time they fought, he was easily defeated with just one strike. 

As an older brother, he felt as if a heavy object was lifted from his shoulders. It was soothing and relaxing that he does not even want it to end. 

However, the happy days would be gone in a flash. 

Mother succumbed to her disease and died. 

He was there. The supposed disease turned out to be a curse. 

He saw how the curse that took his mother immediately shot through the Temple. 

Did they do it? 

He didn't know. 

Is it his father? or the Pope? 

The Temple was supposed to be a holy place for those who wanted to reach paradise when they died.

So why!!? 

Why does it feel like he was in the middle of hell? 

He loathed them. All of them. 

It didn't end there. 

The next day, after the funeral, Light suddenly vanished and cut all contact. 

He didn't know if he was taken by the Temple, kidnapped, or perhaps was killed. Even then, he tried every possible way to find him. 

That's why, after only 1 month of grieving after his mother's death… 

… Aka escaped from the Temple. 

For 11 years, he lived as the Temple's most wanted man. 

He roamed the world, made friends along the way while finding his brother. He became stronger, but thinking of Light's talents, it was nothing. 

Those were one hell of a journey. His mind and heart became tranquil as nature. 

But then… when he was sitting inside a bar, Aka heard the shocking news. 

"Have you seen the new Saint of the Temple?" 

"Well, I didn't."

"Here, I have a poster."

A new Saint was crowned. Aka wasn't impressed but just a little surprised that it happened too early. To become a Saint, one needed to be 18 years of age. 

He had no other siblings so it's impossib—

Come to think of it… Light should be 18 years old now, right? 

As he listened attentively, Aka's face gradually turned grim. He jolted up on his seat and aggressively snatched the poster in the man's hand. 

Looking at the familiar face, his tranquil heart began to throb faster. 

Before he knew it, the only person that he loved dearly… 

…has now become the person that he wanted to die the most.