Shadows fell from the treeline like leaves in autumn, silent and controlled. One after another, they stepped into the clearing, their numbers swelling with each movement until the count reached at least fifty. The forest, once whispering with the sounds of birds and wind, now held its breath as the hidden enemy was revealed.
The group of students around Zeke tensed. Whispers rippled through the lines of his army like static in a storm. Some gripped their weapons tighter, others widened their stances instinctively. Zeke, however, stood still, his gaze unwavering, as he watched them come out, his face solemn as compares his troups to the ones who came out of the shadows.
One of the cloaked figures was standing taller than the rest, nose pointing up a clear sign that this ones was different.
He moved with ease, the sway of his cloak giving glimpses of polished boots and a well-maintained blade. Sunlight filtered through the branches above, catching on the golden sheen of his hair. Then, with theatrical flair, he pulled down his mask to reveal a sharp-jawed face, smirking like someone who believed the world spun for his amusement.
"Hahaha," he laughed, pointing a lazy finger in Zeke's direction, "You must be Zeke."
A ripple of surprise broke through the ranks of the other shadows.
"Zeke?"
"He must be the one from the update we got yesterday, it makes sense now, he made a whole army."
"Yeah... kill him and we get an instant pass."
Zeke's brow furrowed as he listened to the hushed comments of the figures. Even now, with tension thick enough to choke on, his mind processed everything. Their numbers. Their stances. The weight of killing intent in the air.
Behind him, his formation remained firm, but uncertainty pulsed like a heartbeat among the students. How had they not noticed this many people watching them from the shadows? and most importantly, what are they going to do now that they revealed themselves.
Zeke tilted his head slightly and spoke, voice still calm, a touch of curiosity evident.
"You guys... it was a task given by the Academy, right?"
He paused, thinking over everything he has witnessed, being thrown into a controlled environment, the hollowed appearing out of from the shadows, the chance that the group of killers can continue killing their way onto this battlefield without being stopped by the teachers is highly unlikely. He shook his head a bit before looking back at the leader of this group.
"To kill other students, I mean."
Unease spread through the students in his army some, were extremely shocked as they began to discuss it with the people around them. Their hands shifted on the hilts of their weapons. The idea of classmates becoming prey, of this whole thing being controlled, orchestrated even by the academy, left a bitter taste.
The blonde figure smiled and stepped forward. The light hit him just right, casting golden halos on his face, the wicked smile at his lips made him look as though he were some twisted saint.
"Indeed, my friend, Us executioners." he said brightly, tapping a cross against his chest in mock piety. His tone was playful, teasing. "We were forced to do this. I wouldn't have killed this many students otherwise."
pat!
All eyes snapped back to Zeke, who'd just spat on the forest floor.
"Disgusting," he muttered, voice low and sharp. His gaze burned as it swept over the crowd of killers. "You. All of you."
He stepped forward.
"Killing your classmates like this."
He turned his attention to the blonde.
"And you, blondie... looking at your face hurts more than being told I have a girlfriend."
From his right, one of the earlier prisoners, still tied up let out an embarrassed cough, averting his eyes from the scene, his face taking on a hint of red
The blonde's grin faltered for just a moment in confusion as he registered Zeke's words.
Then he started laughing.
Not just a chuckle this was a loud, crazed laugh that rolled out of his chest like thunder. It was unstable, full of sharp edges and something fractured.
"Yes! Yes, very good!" he said through the laughter. "I like killing the talkative ones the most."
He licked his blade, eyes wide as he stared bullets at Zeke. Blood clung to it, thick and fresh. But it wasn't his. And he wanted them all to know it.
"Let's play a game," he said suddenly. "You versus me. One on one. A duel. Because, let's be honest here, if both of us let them fight it out my team would win."
The confidence in his voice was maddening, around Zeke, his army of students shifted again offended, yet quiet. Even with their overwhelming numbers most of them have never turned their weapons on other humans, so they knew that they might no be able to win against these executioners if they clashed.
Zeke tilted his head, pretending to think. He even scratched the side of his jaw.
"Hmmm... honestly, I'm a little short on time. I had a date scheduled with my girlfriend, you know..."
A few students exchanged confused looks some, crooked smiles. Zeke sighed as if it was a hard decision and he was heavily burdened.
"Fine. Sure. Let's do it."
The blonde clapped. "Very good, my friend! Don't worry, if you miss your date, I'll explain everything to your girlfriend."
Zeke's expression fell. His eyes narrowed. His jaw twitched slightly, his voice came out strained, sharp as steel dragged across stone.
"Holy shit... how many times do I have to tell everyone, I don't have a girlfriend."
Even the executioners flinched at the sudden seriousness in his tone. Some of Zeke's students chuckled awkwardly under their breath, half-relieved that Zeke had the confidence to joke at this moment.
The defensive line of students let a gap open in the formation. The executioners entered, their movements precise. Some looked unsure, others eager. The circle that had once been formed for protection now became the borders for a stage.
Zeke stepped forward, blade in hand, the steel glinting faintly under the afternoon light.
He didn't rush in, or look nervous. He just stood tall and steady.
The blonde took a deep breath before rolling his shoulders a few times.
"I've changed my mind killing all of you doesn't seem that enticing" The students from Zeke's army wanted to call out that he was lying, They all saw him drooling while looking at them with that predatory glint in his eyes.
The blonde guy oblivious to their thoughts continued, "Let's make it interesting," he said. "If I win, I take command of this lovely little army of yours, we will run around this trial and have lots of fun together."
Zeke raised an eyebrow. "And if I win?"
The blonde smiled.
"Then I die. Fair and square."
Zeke stared for a long moment, then gave the smallest of nods.
The air shifted.
A single leaf fell through the air between Zeke and the blonde executioner.
The moment it touched the ground, the two burst forward with incredible speed.
The duel had begun.