Pratap and the Vyadh clashed. Origin energy flared through their bodies and blades with every strike. Suddenly, the archer fired an arrow straight at Pratap's head. Pratap jerked back just in time, but the arrowhead sliced open his cheek.
Distracted for a split second, the Vyadh swordsman slashed at his neck. Pratap gritted his teeth, summoned his strength, and blocked the lethal strike with his sword. The Vyadh flooded his body with origin energy, trying to overpower him and push him back. But Pratap matched him. He surged his own energy, pushing back with equal force. Their blades locked, neither giving an inch.
Nearby, Sur fought a two-on-one battle with his sword and shield. One enemy swung a heavy iron bola; the other rushed in with a sword. Sur raised his shield to block the sword strike, then smoothly thrust his own blade into the swordsman's stomach. He ripped the blade out, kicked the bleeding man to the ground, and pivoted.
The bola user attacked. The heavy iron balls, glowing with origin energy, smashed toward Sur's shoulder. Sur brought up his shield.
Crack. The impact shattered the shield into pieces. Before Sur could react, the Vyadh grabbed his sword-wrist with his free hand. Focusing origin energy into his own skull, the hunter brutally headbutted Sur. Sur hadn't moved his energy to his head in time. The impact dented his iron helmet and sent a shockwave of pain through his skull. Blood dripped down his face.
If I wasn't wearing this helmet, my head would have popped like a melon, Sur thought, his vision blurring.
A few yards away, Samar was struggling. He specialized in swords and throwing chakras, but his opponent wielded a long spear. Samar channeled energy into a chakra and hurled it, but the Vyadh easily deflected it with the spear shaft.
The hunter unleashed a flurry of thrusts at Samar's weak points. Samar blocked them all, but the Vyadh feinted. He spun the spear toward Samar's head, then instantly swept the shaft at Samar's legs. The blow landed hard. Samar lost his balance and dropped to one knee.
The Vyadh didn't hesitate. He thrust the spear straight into Samar's chest.
Blood splattered the dirt. The Vyadh leaned in and sneered. "You're weak. Didn't anyone teach you how to hold a sword?"
He kicked Samar hard in the chest, yanking the spear out. Samar flew backward, his sword slipping from his grasp. Panting heavily, Samar forced himself back to his feet, clutching his bleeding chest. He was unarmed.
The Vyadh kicked Samar's dropped sword toward him. "Hold onto it this time," the hunter mocked, "or I'll put another hole in you."
Samar ground his teeth. They clashed again. The Vyadh thrust the spear, aiming for a weak spot. This time, Samar didn't dodge. He surged origin energy into his bare hand and caught the spearhead. Ignoring the pain, he yanked the spear hard, pulling the hunter completely off balance. With a flash of his sword, Samar sliced the Vyadh's arm clean off.
Blood sprayed everywhere. Samar picked up the severed arm, threw it to the ground, and kicked the spear back at the screaming hunter.
"Hold your spear tighter," Samar spat back. "Or you'll lose the other arm."
Blind with rage, the one-armed Vyadh grabbed the spear with his remaining hand and charged again.
Meanwhile, Rudra fought like a beast. Armed with his short iron mace and a sword, he took on two swordsmen at once. He went on the offensive. A hunter slashed at him; Rudra blocked with his sword and swung the mace hard into the man's face.
Crunch. The Vyadh's jaw shattered.
Seeing his partner fall, the second hunter attacked. Rudra parried the strike and drove his mace into the man's lower ribs, breaking them with a sickening snap.
But the fight wasn't over. The first hunter, blood pouring from his broken jaw, flared his origin energy. He rushed Rudra from behind and locked him in a bear hug, pinning his arms.
"Hurry up and stab him!" he mumbled through his broken jaw to his partner. "Or he'll kill us both!"
The second hunter groaned, pulling a dagger from his belt. He stumbled forward and plunged the blade deep into Rudra's stomach.
Hidden behind a large rock, Abhay watched the bloodbath unfold. Seeing the brutal violence and the men dying for him, pure terror gripped his chest.