Boom! Boom! Boom!Before the 20 or 30 attackers could even get set, they were all down for the count, dead or seriously injured."Ridiculous!" An enraged shout echoed. A swarm of men and women, 300 to 400 strong, burst from a nearby building.A white-haired elder in his sixties led the charge, with three other seniors in tow, a man and two women."Yago, you're behind this?" A chilling aura of death spread from the elder."Great Elder, help me!" Yago screamed, racing toward the old man.However, before Yago could reach him, the elder's eyes darkened. With a sweep of his hand, he unleashed a ferocious wind.Yago was blown apart, his body exploding in a cloud of blood, leaving nothing behind.The elder was formidable, a martial god in his own right.Sapphira retched once more."Where's Cilix?" Howard asked, his voice aloof and detached."What?" The elder's eyes narrowed. "You're with the Shadow Sect?""Give us Cilix now, or it's over for you!" Lukas demanded, his tone grave.
The woman's laughter was uncontrollable, shaking like a blossom in the breeze. "Thanks!"Finishing her thanks, she playfully licked the man's cheek."Can they really do that?"Mystical Chubby watched the siblings with a sense of revulsion.Sapphira felt nauseous once more.The woman, after a suggestive lick of her lips, turned her gaze to Sapphira and said, "My dear, you must be Cilix's betrothed, am I right?""Perfect timing. Tonight, you and your sweetheart will join us siblings for a little 'practice'.""Scoundrels!" Sapphira yelled furiously. "Let Cilix go this instant!""Don't rush, sweetheart. After your 'practice' session with us, he might not even want to leave," the woman replied with a sly chuckle."You kidnapped Cilix to make him one of you?" Howard's gaze sharpened as he stared at the man.10 years after the Dark Essence Sect was wiped out by the Shadow Sect, they have resurfaced, fueled by a thirst for vengeance.They could have easily finished off Cilix but cho
"Who... Who are you?" the man stammered, struggling to his feet and staring at Howard.He had underestimated them, thinking Lukas was the only real threat. However, as Mystical Chubby moved to strike, he realized that encounter was far more complex than he had anticipated.The once-unshakable warrior had been effortlessly knocked aside by Howard's palm, and he knew things were about to get ugly.He had a hunch about who Howard might be."My boss' last name is Lincoln, hailing from the Western Region. And who might you be talking about?" Mystical Chubby asked, his voice frosty as ice.The crowd gasped, their faces a canvas of pure astonishment.Could this man really be King of the West, Master Howard, in the flesh?Although she had anticipated that Master Howard would be skilled, she had not imagined his prowess to reach such heights. He was a martial arts master, and the man could not even defend against a single move from him.The man's eyes were a well of despair. "So it's tr
"Got it!" Mystical Chubby acknowledged with a nod before heading over."Thank you, Marshal!" Cilix offered a deep bow to Howard in gratitude.Two hours later, the group made their way back to the Shadow Sect headquarters, where Howard and the others settled into a lounge."Marshal, I can't thank you enough for saving our lives!"With Sapphira by his side, Cilix walked into the room, his minor cuts and scrapes nearly healed thanks to Mystical Chubby's assistance."Ms. Redfern is a fine lady. Treat her right, or you'll answer to military law," Howard warned, raising the stakes of their relationship to a matter of military discipline."Understood, sir!" Cilix responded with a crisp salute."Thank you, Master Howard," Sapphira said, her cheeks tinted with a touch of pink.Her respect for Howard deepened after the day's events. He was the nation's guardian and the military's pillar. With him around, Rackaham's future was to be bright."Sir, what's the plan for the Wadsworth family?
Howard gave a wry cough. "Alright. When things slow down at work, I'll teach you."He figured something must have sparked that sudden interest in martial arts in Talia. He was betting that once her passion waned, so would her desire to learn."Promise? No take-backs!" Talia extended her pinky, her eyes expectant.Howard laughed and linked his pinky with hers. "Do you really have so little faith in me?""Pinky promise, a hundred years' commitment, no backing out!" Talia recited the playful oath, shaking their linked fingers with a smile."Honey, did something upset you today?" Howard asked with a chuckle, letting go of her hand."Honey, are Lukas and the Judge part of the Shadow Sect? And are you their leader?" Talia did not respond to Howard's playful tone, her voice tinged with curiosity."Ahem!" Howard paused, caught off guard. "You could say that. But really, I'm just in a ceremonial role. Lukas and the others handle the everyday stuff. They only call me for the really tough
"Well, if Sapphira's at the helm, so of course there's no issue. It's just..." Talia began."Great, that's all I needed to hear!" Howard interrupted her. "You and Nance should start on the prep work today. I promise, by tomorrow, you'll be ready to ink the deal."The Wadsworths' days were numbered. After that day, they practically vanished from the Sullivan scene. For the Redfern family, one of the Sullivan elite, scooping up the Wadsworths' leftovers was a piece of cake."But…what about the Wadsworths?" Talia's voice quivered with a mix of excitement and concern.Knowing Howard as she did, he was not one to make empty promises. If he was that confident, it was almost a sure bet."By the end of the day, the name Wadsworth will be history in Sullivan," Howard said calmly.Talia gasped, her eyes wide as she turned to Howard. "Did the Wadsworths get themselves into trouble?""Big trouble," Howard confirmed with a nod. "The kind that demands a heavy price.""Is that so? Oh, thank y
With a resounding crash, Lukas' wrists flicked in rapid succession, his blades slicing through the estate's hefty gates, reducing them to splinters.1000 Shadow Sect Elegant Uniformed Troops poured in, swiftly forming into four precise formations around the courtyard, while Howard and his associates took their positions at its heart.Simultaneously, a wave of 400 to 500 people burst from the estate's interior, their faces etched with sheer terror.Since dusk yesterday, everyone in the Wadsworth household had been on edge, restless and without a wink of sleep, food, or drink. It was as if they were all bracing for a verdict day, a tension-filled anticipation that only those who have lived through it could truly grasp.A group soon stepped out from an opulent villa on the compound's eastern side, the Wadsworth family's inner circle, all except for Baxter. At the forefront was Bruges Wadsworth, the family's current patriarch."The audacity of you Shadow Sect folks, sealing off our es
Bruges' words were meant for all ears in the room."So be it. Your wish is granted!" Lukas bellowed. "Cilix, do it. Off with his head!""Understood!" Unable to contain his eagerness, Cilix lunged forward, his scimitar slicing through the air with a chilling flash."Hold it right there!" a new voice erupted from behind Bruges and his crew.In a blur, a figure charged into the fray, his own massive blade clashing against Cilix's.The two warriors staggered back, their strength evenly matched, each holding their ground after the explosive encounter."Whoa!" The attacker was taken aback as Cilix effortlessly parried his blow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face."Not bad, let's go again!" Despite the wounds that marred his body, Cilix's zeal for battle was unshaken.With a resolute tone, he hoisted his sword, poised to launch another assault."Cilix!" Howard's voice rang out, halting him.Howard's command was still hanging in the air when a procession emerged from the grand e
"And look at that bracelet, it's stunning! Oh, and the compact has such a unique charm! Should we get one of each to decorate our homes?""Yuffie, you're still in school. How can you afford all this?" Talia chided gently. "You have a hundred fifty-dollar budget. Spend more, and it's coming out of your allowance.""What? Only a hundred fifty dollars? You're being too tight-fisted, sis!" Yuffie's complaint was lighthearted as she playfully turned to Howard. "Howard...""Don't even think about it. His wallet is in my hands!" Talia cut her off, fully aware of her little sister's ploy."Fine..." Yuffie's pout was all in good fun."Haha! It's not every day we get to do this, honey. If Yuffie finds something she loves, let's get it for her. Who knows if it'll be here next time?" Howard chuckled."Yay! You're the best, bro-in-law!" Yuffie cheered, her face lighting up with joy."You're just making her more spoiled!" Talia gave Howard a playful eye roll and turned her attention away from
Howard's willingness to visit the antique market was not solely to assist the sisters in their quest for a legendary blade. Such weapons were treasures often stumbled upon by chance, rarely found by those who sought them.His real intent was to immerse the sisters in the rich culture of the martial arts clans they were then a part of. More exposure to the ways of the warrior guilds could only benefit them on their chosen path.The following morning, Howard's group of five set off in the direction of Nathanael. Talia and Yuffie buzzed with excitement throughout the journey, their minds alive with wonder.Nathanael, nestled in the mountains to the northeast of Mendorra and a couple hundred kilometers away, awaited them.By 10 a.m., they arrived, parking at the gates of a sprawling estate on the city's outskirts—the site of the famed market.Stepping out, they were greeted by a lively throng at the estate's entrance, many adorned in traditional robes, weapons hanging from their belts
"And that's not all. They might even be a bona fide king-level warrior." Howard's brow furrowed with uncertainty."It looks like The Dark World is a whole lot more tangled than we thought," Yoel mused aloud.Then, turning back to Howard, he inquired, "Sir, did the old man ever share anything with you about The Dark World?""Not a word," Howard replied, shaking his head."Sir, do you think our mystery person could be from one of the elite families or sects, maybe just there on some errand?" Mystical Chubby chimed in.His speculation was not unfounded. Most of the king-level warriors from Rackaham were known to hail from the secretive clans and sects."It's unlikely." Howard dismissed the idea with another shake of his head. "From what Sabertooth described, our guy seems to know The Dark World like the back of his hand.""Who's that supposed to be?" Mystical Chubby scrunched his brow in confusion."Let it go for now. We'll head back to The Dark World in a little while," said Howa
"Um..." Blood Rakshasa nodded, the woman's earlier words still ringing in her head."Sir... Sir, was what you said earlier true?" Blood Rakshasa asked Sabertooth, her voice barely above a whisper."What did I say?" Sabertooth looked puzzled for a moment."You said... You said next time, we'd go back home together to get married..." Blood Rakshasa's cheeks turned a soft pink."Hehe, absolutely," Sabertooth chuckled, his smile warm and genuine. "The boss gave me the order, and I've given my word."Blood Rakshasa's smile was shy but filled with joy.Soon after, Qemal strode in."Sabertooth, I've tracked down the hideout of the Slaying Heaven Palace," Qemal announced upon arrival."Is that so?" Sabertooth's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Tell the crew to take a two-hour breather, then we move out!"The Slaying Heaven Palace's goons had nearly wiped out them today. Payback was due.With the Palace's top fighters gone, the rest were hardly a threat. It was time to cross the Slay
"Shadow Demon Shrine?" The woman's brow creased for a moment, but she quickly dropped the subject.She then turned to Sabertooth and observed, "You and your group have the vibe of soldiers. You're not originally from The Dark World, are you?""Speaking to our savior," Sabertooth gave a respectful nod, "we were part of the Rackaham Western Region's military before we came here."He was open with the woman who had saved over a hundred of his comrades."The Western Region's military?" The woman paused, a hint of recognition in her voice, "You're with the Blood Shadow Force?""That's us," Sabertooth confirmed with another bow."Is your leader the King of the West, Master Howard?" she inquired further."You know my boss?" Sabertooth looked surprised."Not personally, but I've heard the name," the woman replied with a shake of her head. "What's he got you doing in The Dark World?""Over the past couple of years, the world's heavy hitters have been funneling their muscle and resource
"You'll live to regret this, Dark Demon Lord!" Blood Rakshasa declared, locking eyes with her adversary. "Kill us, and Master Howard will avenge us by wiping out every last one of you in your cursed palace...""Ha! That Master Howard of yours better think twice before stepping into The Dark World again, or it'll be his grave!" The Dark Demon Lord mocked with an icy laugh."You're the fool!" Sabertooth growled. "No one in The Dark World has been born who can take down our boss. Your time's coming!""Is that so?" The Dark Demon Lord sneered with disdain. "You're clueless, all of you. You have no idea how powerful the Shadow Demon Shrine truly is!""Enough babbling. Time to end this. I'll send you both to join your boss," he declared, his presence intensifying as he prepared to strike them down."I love you," Blood Rakshasa whispered, her eyes closing."No, don't!" Qemal and others shouted in despair.Then there was a thunderous boom.However, the expected tragedy did not unfold.
Sabertooth sneered, watching the man's futile efforts. "You're such a fool!"He then declared solemnly, "Blood Shadow Technique, second form, Sky Slash!"With those words, he summoned all his strength, his saber carving a fierce arc of light through the air, striking like thunder at his foe.The Blood Shadow Technique was known for turning the tides against stronger adversaries.The white-haired elder's eyes narrowed in alarm. Caught mid-leap, he desperately wanted to dodge but could not. The saber's light bore down on him, a chilling aura of death shrouding him completely.In that instant, a wave of energy crashed through the air like a tidal wave, bringing a howling gale with it.Crash!Suddenly, Sabertooth was hurled away like a shell fired from a gun, blood spraying from his mouth as he flew, before he slammed into the earth, leaving a huge crater and falling silent."Sabertooth!" Blood Rakshasa's shout pierced the chaos as she spun and dashed to his side.She barely made
The man in black was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into the ground with such force that he lay there motionlessly, struggling to rise. A gaping wound, carved by the relentless sword, oozed blood profusely from his abdomen."What in the world is that sword technique?" he gasped after a torturous effort to stand, his face ashen.He had underestimated Blood Rakshasa's swordplay. Since her breakthrough to a higher echelon of mastery, her blade's might had surged, utterly dominating her seasoned adversary."The Sword Without a Name," Blood Rakshasa declared icily.Without wasting another second, she launched another assault. Sabertooth was in dire straits, and she was determined to aid him.Her blade danced again, weaving a web of sword energy that shot toward the white-haired elder, ensnaring him in an instant.The old man's eyes narrowed in a flash of panic, realizing he was trapped with no way out."This is it!" he snarled, brandishing his blade and lunging forward.How
With a thunderous explosion of energy, Blood Rakshasa's power surged, forcing the old man before her to stagger back in disbelief."Impossible! Have you broken through?" he gasped, steadying himself, his face a mask of astonishment."You bet I have!" Blood Rakshasa's face lit up with triumph.She had done it, just as the old man had surmised. Amid her swordplay, she felt a dormant core energy within her erupt, catapulting her to the zenith of martial knight at peak mastery stage.Master Howard's words rang in her head. The core energy left in her by a once-mighty warrior was too much to absorb at once. Back in that cave, she only managed a minor mastery in martial knight. However, Howard had predicted further advancements, and he was right."Let's see if you can handle a few more of my strikes!" Blood Rakshasa challenged, her spirit soaring not just from her newfound strength but also from a deeper connection to her swordsmanship."Bring it on!" the old man bellowed, his blade re