The Fall of a Master, The Rise of a Storm

Luther and Johnny dashed toward Jonathan at once, their blades gleaming under the moonlight. Luther led with a powerful vertical slash, but Jonathan calmly intercepted it with a parry, his fingers brushing the flat of the blade, redirecting it into the earth. As Luther struggled to pull his sword free, Jonathan placed a firm hand on his shoulder and used an Aikido throw to slam him face-first into the ground.

Johnny lunged with a horizontal strike, but Jonathan ducked beneath it with fluid grace, grabbed Johnny's wrist, and tossed him through the air. The young Alpha spun midair and landed hard on his back. Enraged, the duo sprang to their feet and unleashed a furious barrage of sword strikes. Jonathan evaded each one with mastery, flipping backward and creating distance.

(When I was younger, that move would have killed them instantly... But now, this old body is only good for stalling. Percival, where are you?) Jonathan thought grimly as he settled back into his stance.

The Alphas rushed in again. Luther struck for the heart, but Jonathan sidestepped, grabbed his chestplate, and prepared another throw. Johnny came at his side, and Jonathan had no choice but to release Luther and avoid Johnny's slash. Then, in a burst of strength, he gripped both their faces and spun, hurling them in opposite directions like ragdolls.

Again they rose, angrier, faster.

"This fossil is really pissing me off," Luther growled, frustration etched across his face.

Johnny spat to the side. "Sick of getting tossed like a toy. Let's stop playing. We kill him now."

Their eyes glowed brighter, muscles swelling with raw alpha energy. They charged once more, their blades singing death songs. Jonathan's footwork remained elegant, his throws precise but with every pass, he moved slower. His breathing grew heavier. His palms trembled.

James, bloodied and watching from the ground, was awestruck.

(Teacher is amazing… They can't even land a hit on him.)

But Jonathan wasn't so sure.

(Each time I throw them, they come back stronger. It's like I'm just fueling their fury. I won't last… Percival, where are you?)

Meanwhile, Sam had reached Percival's chambers and began pounding frantically.

"Captain Percival! Captain Percival!!"

Inside, Percival sat at his desk, silently thumbing through old letters, reminders of Annabelle. His eyes were tired, his heart heavier still.

"Go away," he muttered. "I'm not in the mood."

Back in the garden, sweat streamed down Jonathan's face. His throws had become labored, weaker. He hurled them again, but this time they recovered instantly. He tried to throw Luther, nothing happened.

"Hah!" Luther laughed. "Tired, old man?"

Jonathan staggered back, barely dodging their renewed assault. Then his heel caught a stone, and he stumbled. Luther saw the opening.

With a cry of fury, Luther slashed. The blade cleaved through Jonathan's left arm and halfway into his torso. Blood burst from the wound as Jonathan dropped to his knees.

James cried out, "TEAAACHERRR!!"

Jonathan looked at his severed arm. The blood pouring from his side. He turned toward James, eyes warm, even through the pain.

"You were… my best student," he said softly. "Goodbye."

Then Johnny stepped forward and plunged his sword through Jonathan's mouth. The blade burst out the back of his head. Jonathan's body spasmed… then stilled.

The sword was withdrawn. Jonathan collapsed onto his back. Lifeless.

James stared, trembling, as tears streamed down his face. "Teacher…"

Johnny let out a howl of laughter. "Finally! Damn, that was satisfying."

Luther wiped his blade. "That fossil was way too much trouble."

They turned toward James, still weeping.

"He's a noble vampire," Johnny sneered. "Might be a good gift for King Siegfried."

As James stood, fury overtaking grief, his eyes glowing red with rage, Luther punched him hard across the jaw. James collapsed, unconscious.

"Hah! What was he gonna do? Bleed on us?" Luther mocked.

Back in Percival's room, Sam burst in.

"Two Alpha werewolves! They attacked! Jonathan's fighting them alone, he's protecting James!"

Percival stood. The letters fell from his hands.

(They dared attack… when I feel like this?)

He picked up his greatsword and strapped it to his back. His eyes began to glow gold.

The air in the room thickened. Sam staggered, then dropped to her knees, choking for breath.

"C-Captain… I… I can't…" she gasped and passed out, vomiting onto the floor.

Percival didn't speak. He ran.

Across the estate, King William and Queen Juliet awoke with startled gasps as Percival's aura swept through the manor like a storm.

Back in the garden, Johnny and Luther paused. They felt him.

"He's coming," Johnny said, pale. "It's Percival."

Luther smiled grimly. "Good. I want to see if he's truly the strongest of the 36 Heroes."

"You're mad. That aura… it's worse than Siegfried's." Johnny slung the unconscious James over his shoulder. "Goodbye, Luther. I don't think I'll see you again."

He ran off into the shadows, heading back to the werewolf kingdom.

Luther stayed, sword drawn.

"I don't plan on dying," he said, though the sweat on his brow told a different story.

Then came Percival.

He stepped into the garden, golden eyes glowing like the dawn of death. His greatsword slid from his back into one hand.

Luther's stance tightened. His throat bobbed.

(This pressure… This is insane. So this is Percival Kaisen. The Tiger. The strongest of the 36 Heroes… But don't think this'll be a walk in the...)

He never finished.

With a single downward slash, Percival shattered Luther's sword. The blade continued through him, slicing his body clean in half.

Luther's world tilted.

(Huh… why am I… falling? Are those… my intestines?)

His upper body hit the blood-soaked ground. Then the lower.

Percival shook the blood from his blade, then slid it back onto his back. His golden eyes dimmed.

He knelt beside Jonathan's corpse.

"Damn it… old friend," he whispered, gently closing the fallen master's eyes. "You didn't deserve this."

Then he rose.

"One got away… and took James," he said quietly. "This isn't over."