Power

Amidst the chaos of clashing swords and exploding magic in the midst of war, a battle rages between greed and loyalty to one's homeland. The land is stained a deep red, soaked with the blood of casualties from both sides. Mythia stands strong, fending off attacks from nations seeking to claim the Blessing Crystal gifted to them by the gods. This crystal is the sole objective of these nations.

Mythia has utilized this crystal twice to strengthen their heroes in defense of their homeland. Fifteen chosen heroes have taken up the responsibility, divided into three divisions to face the attacking nations. In division one, the battle reaches its climax. General Arknahdio has transformed into a terrifying demon with the help of the demonic nation's power. This power has thrown Haygair, the king of swords, and Armura, the Absolute Fortress, high into the air and crashing down onto the battling soldiers. The same power seeks to strike down two other members of division one.

"Dayanna, watch out!!" Mohdemar shouted as he pulled Dayanna behind him. In an instant, the general was upon them, ready to strike. Then, suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the air.

A fierce collision occurred, catching the general off guard. Haygair and Armura, battered and bruised, stood before him, blocking his attack that had nearly struck Mohdemar and Dayanna. "I'm sorry, sir, but it's not that easy to send us to the afterlife," Haygair said, brandishing his sword.

"Never try to touch or harm our little girl, Old General," Armura added, his face stern and his gaze sharp as he held off the general's blows. Mohdemar and Dayanna were surprised that Armura and Haygair had arrived just in time to save them from harm.

"I didn't think you'd be able to come so quickly and on time, Armura... Haygair..." Mohdemar said, his face showing a hint of panic due to their previous situation. "Armura... Haygair... are you both okay?!" Dayanna asked anxiously, seeing the two of them in disarray from the general's attack.

"Don't worry, little girl. I told you, this old man is not that easy to defeat. Step back now. Haygair and I will handle this," Armura reassured them. "Mohdemar, step back and protect Dayanna. We cannot let any harm come to our little girl."Armura stood firm and addressed Dayanna and Mohdemar with conviction.

"I'm the same way, Dayanna. If that's all the general's got, I won't be easily defeated. Just watch from a distance. Armura and I will take care of this Greedy Old General."

Haygair spoke up, his gaze fixed on the captive general. "Alright, give Dayanna to me. And remember, Armura...Haygair..." Mohdemar prepared to step back, holding onto Dayanna. "None of you better die, or else your big sister will be very angry with me," Mohdemar said firmly.

"Relax, little one. This will be over quickly. Now back away and keep Dayanna safe," Armura reassured Mohdemar. Haygair added, "Don't worry, your sister will see her husband return unharmed and alive."

With that, Mohdemar hurriedly took Dayanna away from the conflict, seeking a safer place. Meanwhile, the general, who had been listening to their conversation, became increasingly angry and frustrated at the sight before him. The two men he had thought he could easily defeat were now holding back their attacks and focusing on protecting their target, who had fled.

"You bastards, Mythians! Isn't the beating I gave you earlier enough to send you to the afterlife??" The general raged.

"Shut up, sir! Your arrogance will be your downfall. Focus on what kind of death will come for you," Armura retorted sharply.

Armura and Haygair, having seen Mohdemar and Dayanna safely away, quickly jumped back and took up their fighting stances, ready to attack the general.

"Very well, if that's what you want, foolish Mythian Heroes!! I'll hit you with an even harder blow until you can't stand and witness the destruction of your kingdom. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

In an instant, the general's aura grew even larger and he charged towards the two Mythian Heroes. Armura and Haygair, who were already prepared, also stepped forward to face the general's movements. Inevitable collision of punches occurred, the sound of bodies and swords clashing and echoing in the air, punches hitting each other from both the general and the two heroes. Haygair swung his sword, but the general held it back with his powerful nails that were stronger than steel. The general retaliated with a punch, but Armura held it back.

Two against one, it was unfair for the general, but Armura and Haygair understood that the general's strength could not be underestimated. The demon's power that had possessed his body made him several times stronger than before. General Leonard Albus was the strongest general of the human race. His swordsmanship and martial arts skills that he had been honing for decades in the Akhnahdio military were one of the greatest. He used to be an orphan in one of the orphanages in Akhnahdio, joining the military at a young age made him a man who only aimed to become stronger and stronger than anyone else since childhood. He achieved victory everywhere, and when he became a captain at the age of 20, he was promoted to one of the Arkhnahdio Generals in just two years, until he reached the pinnacle of being the strongest general of the human race. He was even called the War Lion General by some countries.

However, the power and influence of the demon nation lured his kingdom and himself into chasing the promised reward of winning the war, which was the blessing of the god given to Mythia. Becoming the strongest in the world had always been his dream, and now he was seeing that dream in front of his eyes. He would not let go of that dream in front of him.

The battle continued with blow after blow exchanged between General Leonard Albus and Haygair and Armura, becoming the center of attention in the border division I battlefield. But suddenly, the General took a few steps back, causing Haygair to move forward, only to be stopped by Armura.

"Wait, don't be too hasty," said Armura.

"Why, Armura?! This is our chance while he's retreating due to exhaustion!" protested Haygair, frustrated as his movement was held back by Armura.

"That's not it, be patient. I have a feeling about this," replied Armura.

Haygair followed Armura's words and held back, observing the General who remained silent. And then, the General started speaking.

"Mythians, do you know what power is?"

"Do you know what is called the strongest in the world?"

"Power is merely a weapon used to protect the weak and do good, that is the true meaning of power!" Haygair responded loudly.

"What a foolish answer!! You are mistaken if that is the meaning of power that you know," said the General.

"Strength is something coveted by all races and creatures, something that cannot be easily destroyed. Strength is a marker of identity, indicating who is worthy and who is not to live in this world. You Mythians will never understand this; you only worship the history and greatness of your heroes of old. Protecting the weak and doing good deeds is just meaningless talk!! What's the point of protecting the weak? It's already their fate to perish, so why bother protecting them? If they have the strength to stand on their own, they don't need protection; it's because they are weak. And doing good deeds, what do you get from that, a smile? A greeting? Pleasure? And if that's what you get, how long will it last, a year, two years, or ten years from now??"

"The definition of strength you believe in is just useless talk; if strength is defined as such, then this world won't last long. But if strength is what I've explained earlier, then this world will be safe, even those cunning demons will not be left, clean from this world."

"This is thanks to the sins and mistakes of your revered heroes of the past, due to the kindness that you speak of, the demons have started to rise and become more cunning, but this will end if you bestow your blessings upon us. And you must, to take responsibility for the actions of your past heroes."

"After receiving this power, I will continue to crush those cunning demons, but for now, I will let myself become dirty for it. Because power is absolute and knows no boundaries, as long as it makes you strong and able to achieve your dreams, I am willing to sacrifice everything."

"Ah, why do I speak of things that you foolish Mythians will never understand, but never mind. Consider this a death speech for you all."

The general prepared his horses, creating a terrifying aura once again.

"What do you mean by this, because of the mistakes of our past heroes, old General?"

"And what kind of thinking is that about the meaning of power, it is a selfish and corrupt thought."

Haygair spoke in anger because the general had said something that made no sense to him.

"Hahahaha, do you not know about it?" The general chuckled.

"Well, it doesn't matter. Besides, you're all fools who wouldn't understand it anyway," he added dismissively.

"If you truly want to know, then ask your beloved heroes directly in hell!!!" The general spoke firmly, his tone laced with malice.

Suddenly, the general's movements became much faster, shocking Haygair who struggled to keep up. Armura quickly stepped in front of Haygair and pushed him out of the way. The general's punch landed on Armura, the sound of the impact echoing throughout the area. Blood spewed from Armura's mouth, leaving Haygair speechless as he watched his comrade being thrown even further and harder than before, splitting the group of soldiers in two.

"ARMURAAAAAAA!" Haygair shouted with all his might.

Mohdemar and Dayanna turned around upon hearing Haygair's shout, their faces filled with panic and fear as they understood what had happened. Armura's body lay motionless on the ground, his injuries from the general's blow severe, bruises and blood evident on his body. Haygair turned to face the general after shouting Armura's name.

"You old, wretched general! Your greed ends here. I'll finish you now!"