The air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and pulverized rock. In the center of the devastated clearing, Thorenz stood before the colossal form of Lazio, his lone sword held ready. His gaze was a steel lock on the mountainous figure towering over him.
He took a swift, grim survey of the surroundings, his eyes widening as the grim reality of Welbgard's situation sank in. Rubble from destroyed buildings choked the ground. Scattered across the battlefield were the still forms of both Lazio's fallen forces and the brave, lost Welbgardians. Small, hungry flames danced in the debris, casting the scene in an infernal glow.
"Hey, where have you been?" Jonah's voice was strained as he materialized at Thorenz's side. "You just vanished without a trace. What happened?"
"Yes, brother, we were worried," Moses chimed in, his expression tight with anxiety.
Thorenz offered a brief, apologetic shake of his head. "Oh, sorry about that. I've been busy with something very important. We will talk later." His eyes flickered back to the titan. "Correct me if I'm wrong, I take it, that's Lazio?"
"Yeah, you're right," Moses confirmed, swallowing hard. "It turned out that Lazio is a giant."
"Interesting," Thorenz mused, a faint, almost dangerous smile touching his lips. "And here I thought father destroyed the last of them."
He drew a steadying breath, his smile fading into a look of absolute resolve. "Guys, help Laura tend to the wounded and leave the battlefield. I need to face Lazio alone."
"Hey! Thorenz! That guy is trouble!" Jonah protested, worry deeply etched into his tone. "He shoots beams from his horns!"
"Yes, brother, Jonah is right," Moses added quickly. "His skin is also stronger than steel. Our weapons were practically useless against him."
Thorenz remained silent for a moment, his gaze unwavering, before a soft, urgent word escaped him: "Please."
Reluctantly, Moses and Jonah obeyed, joining Laura to tend to the surviving wounded and help carry them away from the immediate area of combat. The moment they were clear, Thorenz lowered into a dedicated sword fighting stance.
"Let's put it to the test," he whispered, his eyes locked on his opponent. "One Sword Style."
With a battle cry that echoed his intent, "CONTINENTAL DEVASTATION!" Thorenz spun, unleashing a chaotic cyclone—a torrent of destructive wind and waves that slammed into the behemoth. The force of the attack created shockwaves, making the ground shudder and scattering the surrounding debris like dust.
The violent energy soon subsided, and an unnerving calm returned.
"Did it work?" Moses asked, watching the settling dust from the relative cover of a ruined building.
"I hope so," Laura replied, her hands clasped tightly.
As the dust completely cleared, the sight that greeted them hardened Thorenz's expression to stone: Lazio stood, unmoved, completely unscathed by the devastating attack.
"No! Too easy," Jonah muttered, his hope draining away.
"Hey, are you done?" Lazio mocked, his voice a grating rumble.
"You're tough. I'll give you that," Thorenz conceded, his posture never faltering.
"You puny humans stand no chance against me," Lazio boomed. "Why don't you peacefully give up?"
"Let me ask you," Thorenz began, his tone sharp. "Why are you doing this? Surely a spring cannot be the reason for all this destruction. There has to be something else."
"You asked why?" Lazio threw his head back and erupted into a deafening, metallic cacophony of laughter. "You really wanna know?"
"Yes," Thorenz replied simply.
"Alright. It's simple. Gold."
"Gold?" Thorenz's eyes widened in profound shock.
"Gold? Is there something like that in Welbgard?" Moses asked, bewildered.
"Beats me. I don't know, brother," Jonah replied, equally confused.
In the midst of their whispered exchange, Laura's eyes grew wide, a dawning horror gripping her. Gold? She thought, the realization sinking in like a stone. So Lazio is aware of the Gold.
"Yes, Gold. I don't care about the spring. I don't care about the land. And I don't care about the puny humans living here either. All I want is Gold!" Lazio declared, his menacing laughter echoing across the ravaged country.
"Gold? That's why you did all of this? You took their spring, their life, their food, the doctors, everything! All for the sake of gold?" Thorenz's voice was dangerously low, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword until his knuckles were white.
"Why do you look so angry? Are you trying to sympathize with them? To hell with such weak human feelings of emotion!" Lazio sneered.
Laura began to shed silent tears, watching the confrontation unfold.
With a sudden, explosive motion, Lazio lunged. Thorenz met the attack with a clean, desperate swing of his sword. At the impact between the blade and Lazio's iron hide, a sharp, metallic ring split the air, and then the unthinkable happened: the blade shattered into a hundred pieces. Lazio remained unscathed.
The giant then delivered a bone-shaking punch with his gargantuan hand, sending Thorenz flying backward into a heap of boulders, only the broken hilt of his weapon still clutched in his hand.
Lazio jumped, landing with a ground-shaking thud in front of the dazed warrior. He pinned Thorenz down with ease. Everyone watching felt their hearts sink as their hero was beaten and helpless.
"Since you love this country so much," Lazio growled, preparing the final blow, "I guess I should send you and its people to the same place—hell!"
At that moment, twin beams of destructive energy erupted from Lazio's horns, aimed mercilessly at the downed Thorenz.
"THOREEEEENZ!" Laura screamed, her voice a piercing shriek of horror.
The searing attack had ceased, leaving behind a silence heavier than the dust that swirled in the aftermath. Every heart pounded a single, urgent question against ribcages tight with dread: Is Thorenz alright?
Then, cutting through the thick, settling grit, came a ragged, undeniable sound.
Cough!
A cough. A human, gritty sound that cracked the tension like glass.
Lazio, standing amidst the ruined earth, his dark robes stained with soot, slowly allowed a mocking, toothy grin to stretch across his face. "Oh? You survived that?"
Thorenz pushed himself up from the rubble. He spat a mouthful of dirt, his body aching, but his eyes blazing with defiant life. He gave a weary, triumphant smile. "Well, like I said, I'm not going to die in Welbgard."
Damn! Thorenz thought, the adrenaline still coursing like fire. That was close! I thought I was a goner there. He massaged a bruised rib, a private relief washing over him. But, I have to thank my bloodline for this. While Aethel inherited grandmother's devastating powers, I inherited father's superhuman strength. And with it, the same insane durability. That's what made me survive that concentrated beam attack.
Lazio took a step, already gearing up for the next blow. "So, you survived the first attack, huh? But let's see—" His voice hitched, abruptly cutting off as his gaze snagged on something behind Thorenz, something glittering where the earth had been ripped open. Lazio's eyes went wide, his mouth hanging slack with sudden, astonished greed. He immediately abandoned Thorenz and strode toward the strange, unearthed sight.
"Yeah, I'm sure anybody will be surprised by it," Laura murmured, her voice tight with a profound weariness.
Jonah blinked, shaking off the ringing in his ears. "What are you talking about?"
"No one knew that Welbgard was home to such highly valued precious stones," Laura explained, her gaze fixed on Lazio's retreating form. "But for some reason, Lazio knew."
"Precious stones?" Moses echoed, his face and Jonah's mirroring the same look of utter disbelief.
"Founded by the great hero himself," Laura said, her voice dropping to a near whisper, "the precious stones have rested undisturbed for centuries, a treasure hidden in plain sight beneath our very foundations. Now, they have been released from their earthen prison. GOLD!"
A collective, high-pitched shriek of shock rose from the assembled Welbgardians. "Whaaaat?!"
"That's what Lazio is after," Laura confirmed, her eyes hardening.
Lazio reached the exposed ground, kneeling amidst the rubble to touch the massive, gleaming veins of gold now visible thanks to his earlier beam attack leveling the earth.
Thorenz straightened, swallowing another cough, and called out, "Hey, did you forget? I'm your opponent."
Lazio didn't even look back, his fingers tracing the cold metal with a lover's reverence. "I was right, after all. There was gold in this land. The Welbgardians are fools for overlooking such massive prosperity for centuries," he sneered, finally turning his head to face Thorenz, his face alight with maddening avarice. "And now, it belongs to me!"
"Well, whether or not they were ignorant, the gold is still in Welbgard. So it belongs to them. Having said that," Thorenz finished, his eyes narrowing.
He drew a new sword, one no one had ever seen him carry. The blade and the hilt were fashioned from a single, impossibly refined material: pure, solid gold.
"Upon my pride, I'm not going to let you take a single speck."
"What is that weapon?" Moses questioned, staring in awe. "The blade and the hilt are all pure gold."
"That's right," Jonah mumbled, equally stunned. "We've never seen him hold that sword before."
Laura smiled, a genuine, rare spark of amusement flashing in her eyes. "That's because, he just created it."
"What?" Moses and Jonah chorused.
"The day he found the gold was the day he started creating the sword," Laura explained. "He said he had always dreamed of using two swords style, but he lacked a proper second blade."
"So that's what you two were doing these past few days, huh?" Moses asked, a slow understanding dawning.
"Yup," Laura said, her smile broadening. "He used a little of the gold to forge that new sword."
At that moment, Thorenz closed his eyes, his mind focusing on the blade. Grandmother warned that in the wrong hands, the Oathkeeper's Shadows could bring about great ruin. I've always wanted to find a counter to it, something strong enough to defeat it to keep humanity safe. He gripped the golden hilt. Though you might not be as powerful as the Oathkeeper's Shadows, you have the potential.
"Arise! Aureblade!"
He lifted the golden blade high into the sky, and an intense golden aura erupted around him, sending tangible shock waves ripping through the scarred earth.
Lazio's attention snapped back to his foe, his previous adoration for the gold replaced by cold fury. "It seems like I will have to kill you first, puny human, before claiming my gold," he growled.
"Try, if you can," Thorenz replied, his smile now a cold, fearless challenge, the Aureblade still raised, shimmering in the dusty air.
Lazio launched himself, a dark blur of rage, but Thorenz moved like lightning. With a blinding flash, the Aureblade met flesh, and Lazio recoiled in a howl of shock and pain. His right arm, severed cleanly above the elbow, flew through the air. It was about to fall amongst the frightened villagers, who scattered just in time as the detached limb crashed into the rubbles, smashing them to powder.
A familiar voice, steady and resonating with authority, echoed through the stunned silence.
"So that's the guy who stood up to Lazio, huh?"
Everyone turned. "Doctor Lionel! He's back! Where have you been, Doctor Lionel?" A relieved crowd surged toward the man, surrounding him with joyous shouts. Laura watched from a distance, tears of overwhelming relief streaming down her cheeks.
Lazio stumbled back, clutching his bleeding stump, his remaining eye wide with disbelief. "Doctor Lionel? How did you escape?"
"Sorry, Lazio," the Doctor said calmly, his gaze firm. "I didn't plan to remain your prisoner forever."
In a renewed burst of panicked violence, Lazio lunged toward the people with his remaining left hand, a desperate, final attempt to strike at what Thorenz was protecting.
But Thorenz was faster. The Aureblade flashed again, and Lazio's second arm fell to the ground with a sickening thud. The warlord dropped to his knees, writhing in silent agony.
"I told you, didn't I? You're dealing with me, now, Lazio," Thorenz stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
Doctor Lionel stepped forward, bowing his head respectfully toward the golden-armored figure. "Thank you so much for fighting for us, whoever you are. I heard you are a foreigner."
"Don't worry about it," Thorenz replied, keeping his sword trained on the screaming Lazio. "Also, don't steer Lazio up. He may attack you guys."
"Oops, my bad. Sorry," Doctor Lionel muttered, quickly guiding the Welbgardians to a safe distance.
A wave of confidence washed over the gathered Welbgardians. Lazio lay in the rubble, a pathetic, armless monument to his own hubris, while their champion, Thorenz, stood tall. The threat seemed neutralized.
Thorenz pointed the tip of the gleaming Aureblade toward the massive tyrant. "Lazio, I'll let you go. But don't ever attack Welbgard again," he warned, his voice low and firm.
A chilling chuckle, devoid of humor, rattled in Lazio's throat. He began to rise, slowly, painfully, his mangled shoulders twitching. "You've got some nerves, puny human," he spat, ignoring the pain. "Just because you cut off my arms…" He stood fully, a towering shadow of malice. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I still have my horns."
"What good would a pair of horns do if you die here, huh?" Thorenz countered, holding his defensive posture.
"Shut up!" Lazio roared, his eyes blazing red. "You've done a good job of making me mad. And for that… DIE!"
Two colossal beams of devastating energy shot forth from his cranial horns, merging into a single, overwhelming torrent aimed squarely at Thorenz. The light was blinding, the speed instantaneous. The attack enveloped Thorenz entirely.
"THOREEEEENZ!" Laura's scream of absolute horror ripped through the celebration. Worry and fear carved deep lines into her face as she watched the attack conclude.
When the dust and light dissipated, there was nothing left. No trace of Thorenz. Only a deeper crater in the already ravaged earth.
"Where is Thorenz?" The people's sudden confidence evaporated, replaced by a cold, stomach-churning fear. They exchanged worried, terrified glances.
"No. No. No. This can't be happening. NOOOO!" Laura wailed, her legs churning as she tried to rush into the smoke-filled area, only to be held back by Moses. "Thorenz!" she screamed, her voice breaking.
Lazio's menacing, triumphant laughter echoed throughout the shattered land, grating on every ear. "Hahahahaha. Now that the pest is dead, it's time to take my gold." He took a heavy step toward the exposed veins of pure metal.
Just as the tyrant reached the lip of the glittering hole, a calm, familiar voice cut through the air, seeming to come from every direction at once.
"I told you, I won't let you take a single speck. Don't make me repeat myself, Lazio."
Everyone, including the baffled Lazio, began spinning around, frantically searching for the source of the voice.
"Where are you? Show yourself!" Lazio yelled, his one remaining eye darting wildly across the desolate landscape.
A figure stepped casually out of the massive hole that housed the country's hidden prosperity. Thorenz stood directly behind the colossal tyrant, the golden Aureblade resting easy in his hand.
"I'm right here," Thorenz announced.
"Look! Over there!" A Welbgardian pointed, relief flooding his face. Moses and Jonah erupted in cheers, while Laura, tears still wet on her cheeks, gave a shaky smile of profound gratitude for his survival.
"You little pest," Lazio growled, turning his massive bulk to face his foe.
"It seems you really want to die, huh?" Thorenz sighed, the easy tone dropping, replaced by a chilling resolve. "Well, I guess it's time to end this. One sword style." He settled into a powerful, centered stance, the golden blade held low.
Lazio prepared to unleash another devastating volley from his horns.
"How many of those beams has he shot today? Doesn't he have any limits?" Jonah questioned, his eyes wide with renewed shock.
Lazio fired. The beams streaked toward Thorenz, an inescapable wave of destruction.
"PLANETARY DEVASTATION!" Thorenz roared, swinging the Aureblade in a magnificent arc. A brilliant golden wave of energy, even wider and more intense than Lazio's, erupted from his blade. The collision of the two attacks sent powerful shock waves trembling through the very foundations of the earth.
The crowd watched, stunned, as Thorenz's golden blast shattered Lazio's dark beams entirely. The doubled power of the attack tore through the last of the tyrant's defenses, hitting his massive frame with the force of a falling mountain and sending him hurtling backward until he disappeared over the horizon.
"It is done," Thorenz mused, lowering the sword. "One of the inherent abilities of Aureblade is to absorb energy attacks. He glanced at the shimmering blade. But that's not all. It absorbs attacks and then releases them at twice the original strength, which is why it could push through Lazio's beams so easily." He smiled, feeling the potential power thrumming in his hand. "Still not as powerful as the Oathkeeper's Shadows, but it's an amazing sword." He then sheathed the Aureblade and began to walk toward the people.
Laura rushed forward, her legs pumping, and launched herself into a tight, desperate embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face against his shoulder, her body shaking as fresh tears welled up.
"You made me worry so much," she whispered fiercely.
"Haha. Sorry about that," Thorenz chuckled, rubbing her back.
"No," she pulled back just enough to look at him, her smile brilliant through the tears. "I'm glad you're alright."
The Welbgardians descended upon him next, lifting Thorenz high into the air with shouts of elation and gratitude, tossing him up and catching him again in a wild celebration of their unexpected victory.
Chief Mauritius, the elder leader of Welbgard, pushed through the crowd, his weathered face soaked with tears of relief and awe. The people gently lowered Thorenz to the ground, allowing him to stand before the Chief.
"I never thought I'd see this day," the Chief rasped, grasping Thorenz's hand with both of his own. "With everything in me, thank you, Thorenz."
Thorenz smiled, accepting the praise with humble grace. "Don't worry about it."