The Way of Knight
Chapter 36 – Fire and Waves
The mist of the marsh trembled. Two colossal auras collided, pressing against the air so heavily that every breath felt like swallowing iron.
Fenrir's aura burst forth, molten red, searing like liquid lava, wild and consuming. Across from him, Baron Klausen's aura rolled outward in deep blue waves—heavy, suffocating, like a flood that threatened to drown everything in its path.
Their first clash cracked the muddy ground beneath their boots. Water erupted skyward, soldiers around them stumbled back, and the entire battlefield paused to witness the collision of titans.
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"Impossible… he blocked the Baron's strike!" a mercenary gasped.
"That boy… he's only seventeen!"
Fenrir's thin frame strained against Klausen's massive greatsword. His arms shook, muscles burning, but his eyes gleamed with unyielding light.
His strength is overwhelming… If I fight head-on, I'll be crushed. I must use the marsh… and my mind.
Klausen sneered, teeth glinting under his beard.
"You dare to stand against me, whelp? Let's see how long you last!"
With a roar, Klausen swung sideways.
WHAM!
The greatsword tore through mud and air alike, hurling Fenrir backward. He jammed his blade into the ground, slowing his slide as his legs sank deep into the muck.
Before he could steady himself, Klausen was upon him again.
WHOOSH—CRASH!
Steel slammed against steel. The sound was deafening, echoing across the marsh. Aura clashed—red fire against blue flood—unleashing a shockwave that sent nearby men tumbling like rag dolls.
Fenrir spat blood but forced himself upright.
"Don't falter!" Fenrir roared at his men, voice sharp as steel. "So long as I stand, this marsh is ours! Fight!"
The militia's hesitant cries rose, faint but burning.
"For Eisenwald!"
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At the flank, Captain Orwin raised his arm.
"Now! Arrow rain!"
TWIP-TWIP-TWIP!
Dozens of arrows cut through the mist. They didn't aim for Klausen, but for the mercenary ranks pressing in behind him.
"GYAAAHH!" Screams rang out as shafts buried into shoulders and throats. The muddy terrain turned chaotic as mercenaries stumbled, tripping over one another.
Klausen growled, casting a glance back.
"Pathetic filth! Move forward, or I'll kill you myself!"
His voice thundered, backed by his aura skill [Battlefield Intimidation], forcing shaken men to press on despite the fear gnawing their guts.
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Fenrir seized the opening, dashing forward. His sword flared crimson, slicing the air in rapid succession.
CLANG! CLANG! WHOOSH!
Three swift strikes drove Klausen back a single step.
Klausen narrowed his eyes. "Fast, boy. Faster than I expected."
Fenrir's chest heaved, sweat stinging his eyes. I can't win with strength. I must break his rhythm.
He feinted high, then kicked a spray of muck straight into Klausen's face.
"KEHH!" Klausen snarled, momentarily blinded.
Fenrir's blade whistled toward his side—
CLANGGG!
Caught. With his bare, aura-coated hand. Blood dripped from Klausen's palm, yet he laughed like a beast.
"Clever. But not enough to kill me!"
His greatsword roared down.
BOOOOM!
Fenrir was hurled back, crashing into the shields of his militia. Their line bent but held. Fenrir staggered upright, red aura blazing hotter, like lava refusing to cool.
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Once more their powers surged. Fenrir poured molten aura into his blade, which glowed like a shard of volcanic rock. Klausen unleashed his deep blue flood, rolling outwards, heavy enough to suffocate.
ZUUUUUMMMM!
The mist split apart. Waves of aura tore trees from the ground, sending water splashing like a storm tide. Soldiers stopped fighting, staring in awe and terror.
"Not men… monsters…" a mercenary whispered.
"Our Baron… against a seventeen-year-old boy…"
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Fenrir retreated step by step, drawing Klausen deeper into the marsh trail he had prepared. Each stomp Klausen made sank deeper into the muck, dragging at his movements.
Yes. The deeper you come, the heavier your steps. This marsh will devour you.
Feigning another clash, Fenrir fell back. Klausen surged forward, his blade smashing mud high into the air.
"Now!" Fenrir shouted.
Militia hurled spears from the flanks.
THUNK! THUNK! CLANG!
Most shattered against Klausen's aura, but others stuck into the ground around him, narrowing his footing.
"DIRTY TRICKS!" Klausen roared, his aura exploding outward.
---
One swing of his greatsword sent ten Eisenwald men flying. Blood painted the swamp, screams echoing.
Fenrir's teeth ground together, fury igniting his veins.
"You'll pay for that, Klausen!"
He leapt forward, blade blazing crimson, slashing down toward Klausen's shoulder.
CLANGGG!
Another explosion of steel and aura. Fenrir dug his feet deep into the mud, straining with every muscle.
Klausen met him with a savage grin.
"Good! At least you make my blood boil!"
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Dozens of clashes followed. Sparks, mud, and water erupted with each strike. Fenrir's breathing grew ragged, his arms heavy, while Klausen pressed relentlessly forward, a mountain of flesh and steel.
His experience… it's suffocating. But there must be a crack, a gap I can use!
Around them, the battlefield descended into carnage. Mercenaries howled as they waded into traps. Eisenwald men screamed as they fell to Klausen's brute force. The marsh was no longer water and mud—it was blood.
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A final blow sent the two fighters skidding apart, chests heaving. Fenrir's sword trembled in his grip, blood trailing from his mouth. Klausen bled from his arm and cheek, yet he stood tall, laughter booming.
"Enough games. Now I'll break you, boy."
Fenrir raised his blade once more, molten aura flaring like a volcano on the brink of eruption.
This battle is far from over.
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