Asher stood tall, head high, a puff of hot breath escape his nose. His eyes turned cold, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Everyone around was stunned. He hadn't used any magic, yet his body alone radiated terrifying power. There were warriors in the world who couldn't use magic… but few ever honed their bodies to this level.
Halcyon smiled faintly but also shook her head.
It may be good to see that during these past years. He hasn't changed still reckless during fight and his decision making.… just like in Obsidian Canyon. You'd think nearly getting crushed by a stone warden would've taught him caution.
But more than his own his reckless fights Lucian the same they both enjoyed a battle like wolves to blood. But he's forward, he don't really care about, these men nor women.
Has a small scar behind his ear from Obsidian Canyon, a battle that nearly killed him.
She even feels responsible for Asher's recklessness, though she'd never admit it aloud.
What drives Asher to fight so recklessly… glory, guilt, or the ghost of someone he couldn't catch?
The cold-eyed youth leader stood motionless. Panic stirred within him. Since the deaths of his past comrades, he hadn't encountered anyone so dangerous.
I can't give up now… That relic is my only chance during this year's hunt. After I crossed the Alpha King pack, they wanted me to give them a yearly percentage for my loot, after I kill his member… No don't take lightly to that, and we will find me if I try to escape.
Killing a pack member without offering tribute binds a death-pact… They even monitor relic hunters and demand tribute from anyone crossing into their land.
He'd clawed his way up from the gutter, bled to join the Silver Bandits. The relic was his way out… a future bought through blood. The relic was his one shot at leaving and saving that life behind… and now this freak stood in his way.
His jaw tightened, as he pointed at Asher.
"Everyone! Attack him!"
However, no one moved.
They had just witnessed the eruption of power from Asher's body. Even Jackson, was stunned… and a little thankful. If not for meeting them, who's to say alone he would have made it out alive or survive this long.
"Ahhh!"
Still, They knew the young leader who there Master favorite. He was chosen as a leader by who can survive the Trial of Iron, a brutal 3-day survival ritual.
So, the Silver Bandits Bandits roared, charging blades-first.
Jackson turned to Halcyon, concern on his face. "Is Asher going to be okay? Why haven't you helped him yet? You're the mage…"
But Halcyon didn't answer. She simply watched, arms crossed, eyes focused. She didn't need to do anything.
Steal his thunder? He hates when I get in the way. This is how he proves something… to himself.
Eyes on Asher, who didn't flinch.
The first bandit lunged… only to catch Asher fist to their gut. They flew backward, crashing into a tree.
"Crack!"
No longer moving.
"You picked the wrong night to follow orders."
Another came from the left side. Asher spun, heel slamming into their chest, lifting them clean off their feet and his heel buried them halfway into the dirt, legs twitching out.
Three more closed in, blades reflecting silver from the moonlight.
Asher weaved through them like a phantom. His fists struck like meteors… blinding and brutal. One man bounced between two trees like a ragdoll. Another was caught mid-swing and hurled overhead into a boulder.
Also, one bandit dropped their weapon and turned to flee… only to meet Asher's cold gaze. That look froze them more than any spell could.
"Ah..!"
Their scream cut off in an instant…
The youth's veins on his face bulged. His clenched fists trembled as he raised his hand.
Eight silver beads floated above his palm, forming a gleaming ring.
His lips curled into a disdain. "Foolish brute… You rely too much on your body. My Moonlit Oath relic will calm you down."
Asher didn't reply.
The ground beneath his feet cracked as he launched forward like a cannonball.
"Crack!"
One of the silver beads reacted, forming a translucent shield just in time. Asher's fist slammed against it, sending shimmering energy ripples out.
He punched again… Another bead activated and another.
They always looked down on me… said I had no magic, no blessing… just fists. But fists can shatter pride too. Lucian made sure of that, I will make sure it's know that.
The youth smirked as he waved his hand unimpressed. He no longer cared about the relic he wanted to kill asher or escape alive.
"You can't break my defense. My flying blades may not pierce your skin, but my shields… "
"Whip!"
At that same time, he taunted he waved his hand again. Silver shot toward Asher's side… only to glance off his body with a dull metallic clang.
He didn't even blink.
"Then I'll break it the old way," Asher muttered."Teacher once said. 'If they hide behind spells, smash the spell. If they hide behind fear, become their fear.' Guess I'm still learning." He continued, as his fist tightened.
He unleashed a flurry… blindingly fast punches, faster than the eye could follow.
One by one, the beads activated, it was forced to activate in rapid succession, struggling to keep up. Shield after shield shattered like fragile glass. They couldn't recharge fast enough. The youth stumbled back, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Stay back! You're just a freak with fists!"
Asher gritting his teeth, muttering. "That's all I ever needed."
"No… !"
The final shield broke.
Asher's uppercut crashed into his jaw, launching him into the air. Asher didn't let up. He leapt after him, fists slamming into chest, ribs, stomach… a storm of unrelenting power. The final blow hurled the youth even higher, spinning him through the air.
Silence fell… No one moved. No one breathed.
Asher dropped, crouching low as he landed. His fist still glowing like burning from the final strike.
He stood up and walked slowly toward Halcyon, footsteps crunching through fallen leaves, his eyes glanced over everyone.
"Is everyone ready to sleep?"
"Thud."
A moment later, the youth's lifeless body crashed behind Asher. He didn't even look back.
Despite all the brutal, dangerous training he'd endured under Lucian, he'd grown stronger… but not wiser.
The forest fell into stillness. The birds had long fled. Only the drip of blood and the soft crackle of broken branches filled the clearing.
Unseen from above, a raven watched with glowing silver eyes. Far across the forest.
Jackson rushed over, sheathing his sword. "Asher you really saved my hide. I won't forget that."
Halcyon stood with her arms crossed, watching Asher silently wiped blood from his knuckles. "You would've been fine. Probably. If you were lucky... Though I wish we didn't have to kill them… it was necessary." She said.
"Right. I'll count that as a 'maybe.' Either way… I'm grateful."
He brow suddenly perked up, then he reached into his pouch and pulled out a small leather satchel inside a glowing green vial and a black one.
"Here. An energy-thread weave… it'll patch up light armor or any gear. And this one's a swamp-root tonic. Tastes horrible, but it'll keep your strength up in cursed zones."
Halcyon shook her head. "No need. You already gave us some food free."
Jackson blinked, surprised she declined. In a world this dangerous, most people expected a reward for everything.
However, just as he was about to put the items away, the satchel was snatched from his hand. He looked up to see Asher walking off with it.
Jackson ruffled his hair, chuckling awkwardly. Halcyon's lips twitched slightly.
She didn't usually mind taking rewards, but something about helping them without betrayal, without hidden motives… felt right.
With nothing else to do, everyone settled in for the night.
By morning, they buried the fallen members of the Silver Bandits, giving a moment of silence… no matter who they were.
How many people still bury their enemies out of respect… and how many do it to avoid ghosts?
Jackson kneeling at a grave signed name sammy. "They followed a bad leader, but they still had names. Deserved more than being forgotten in a ditch."
While other around were also named of their dead members.
Halcyon said softly. "It's easier to hate the enemy than mourn them… but death doesn't care who was right."
Asher tying a cloth around his hand, with a distant gaze. "I don't fight to kill. I kill because some people deserve to die." He said it calmly, but his hand trembled ever so slightly as he tied the cloth tighter around his knuckles.
Maybe it was true. Or maybe it was just what he told himself so he could sleep at night.