[i]Previously in Broken Honor…[/i] However, as Rysko finished his explanation, a [i]BOOM![/i] went off behind the trio, on the main road. The sound was so loud, it seemed to reverberate in Rysko’s bones. The kids turned around and witnessed Clyde, Aeowin, and Lyra tied together and sitting in front of a man cloaked in black, with his hood drawn back. He held a revolver, aimed at the sky, with smoke trailing from the barrel. The cloaked man stood in front of two other men, one who had mithril gloves and another who held a goal of bubbling green liquid… [quote] Ronin, Mirage, and Jade began the last leg of the journey up the mountain. Ronin kept his mouth tight with grim anticipation, while Mirage and Jade were visibly nervous about reaching the top. They climbed in silence, the atmosphere much heavier than if Ronin had summoned a storm right then and there. [/quote] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [quote] During his climb, Ronin pondered about what he might see at the top of the mountain. His last memory of his village was not a good one… [/quote] The man cloaked in black spoke calmly, yet his voice carried across the square and caught the attention of everyone that was outside at the time, which included most of the Trainees and one Mentor: Feu Pur. The man in black simply stated, “I believe I have something that belongs to you people. In return for these three,” he gestured at the three prisoners glaring at him with murderous intent in their eyes, “I wish to obtain the children that attend this school. They would make valuable… assets.” He seemed to relish that descriptive word, licking his lips as if he were savoring it. Feu Pur stepped forward, throwing her hands out as if to protect the children behind her. “I don’t know who you are, which means you’re not from this village. Go back from whence you came and never return!” She raised her palms toward the sky, and tiny flames appeared immediately on each of her ten fingertips. “You are not welcome here, outsider!” Her hiss echoed across the courtyard like a viper’s warning. “Well, that’s quite a shame.” The man in black mocked Feu Pur with his fake pouting and puffed lips. “Jain, if you would.” The man with the metal gloves, stepped forward and faced Feu Pur with a maniacal grin on his face. He stepped in front of the three prisoners and balled his fists. As soon as he clenched the muscles, lightning began arcing across the metal gloves. “Before I fry you into an unrecognizable husk, tell me your name so that I can have the satisfaction of knowing exactly who is screaming, pleading for mercy at my knees.” Feu Pur said nothing, simply protecting her dear children of the village. At her silence, Jain let out a sigh. “On your own head be it.” Jain punched forward, and even though he was quite a distance away from Feu Pur, a thunderbolt shot out from his fist and impacted Feu Pur straight in the chest! Feu Pur stumbled backward, but she was determined to protect the children at all costs, even if it meant her life. The pair entered a duel of fireworks, with flames shooting one way and lightning shooting the other. The light show that accompanied the killing intent was dazzling, glamorous, and awe-inspiring. Feu Pur would lob a fireball toward Jain and he would respond by zapping it with a bolt of lightning, detonating it in mid-air. The heat from the explosions seemed to burn the very hair off the skin of Rysko, Arte, and Ichiro. Neither fighter could gain an advantage over the other, and the entire courtyard was held breathless by the dance of fire and lightning. However, several minutes into the duel, Feu Pur managed to land a fireball to the side of Jain’s face, burning it severely! Jain stumbled backward, and in the heat of the moment, Aeowin and Lyra chose that moment to act! Aeowin’s body began shrinking as she grew orange fur all over her body. Her clothes melted into her skin and her nose grew outward. Soon, she disappeared behind Lyra and Clyde entirely. A fox jumped over the pair’s shoulders and pounced on Jain while Lyra activated her own affinity and simply phased through the rope holding her. While Jain struggled against Aeowin, Lyra sneak attacked the man in black! She stole a dagger out of his boot and began dueling him, one on one. Feu Pur dashed past Jain, now struggling with a seven-foot-tall cave bear. She engaged the man with the green vial with a fireball, and thus, the last pair began to fight! All this unravelled within the span of a few seconds. Rysko’s breath was taken away by the battles. He, Arte, and Ichiro stood, dumbfounded, as the struggle for power over their future took place before their very eyes…. [i]To be continued…[/i] [spoiler]Yes, I’m gonna be that guy. You guys are gonna have to wait for Chapter 7 to read about the conclusion of this fight. Mostly because I need to decide how to write this while including everyone else, though… Also, huge thanks to BatPug, Ruby Forest, and Ems for helping me edit!![/spoiler]