Chapter 54: From Above

"I was careless. It appears I've underestimated you quite a bit, I apologize." The large warrior said somberly as his gaze lingered on the stump where his wrist and fist used to be.

Now it was severed and covered in a thick layers of spreading ice that encased his skin.

The rest of the ongoing battles had frozen and halted t this moment, each and everyone drew their gazes towards the massive man with shivering eyes and wide mouths.

Those of the Ntuli Tribe wanted to immediately rush out for their Chief but knew better than to display such a pathetic act during a battle. It would do them more harm than good when it was all over.

That was why no one, not Isha, or the captain said a word to Barak and only stared somberly at his broad back.

Barak raised his gaze and looked ahead. About a hundred meters away, a pile of rubble began to shake and move. Large chunks of stone and rock tumbled apart as a slim figure clad in exquisite full-body armor emerged.

Sonia, covered in dirt and dust, appeared relatively unscathed. In one hand, she held a long silvery sword, its blade like untainted glass with a ghostly glint. Traces of frozen ice lined the exquisite blade, giving it a cold, chilling beauty. In the other hand, she held up a large slab of concrete with the rest of Barak's fist still clenched around it.

Her expression was as cold and indifferent as ever, but her azure eyes had grown darker and more somber. There wasn't a single scratch on her armor or skin. It was clear that Barak's sudden attack had done no damage beyond sending her flying.

Once the cohorts of Allan Fort saw Sonia emerge unscathed from the wreckage, their hearts burned with pride and vigor. Witnessing her successful attack on the opposing leader was a beacon of glory, reigniting their dignity. The barbarians seemed insignificant now.

As Sonia stepped out of the rubble, the rocks tumbled away. Her steady gaze locked onto the large warrior, and she advanced with measured steps. She discarded the severed wrist she held like trash and brandished the glassy silver blade of her sword. Each step she took resonated like shattering glass, and the ground beneath her feet turned to ice along her path.

"You pitiful barbarians. You should have chosen to be civil when you had the chance... " James lamented pitifully while shaking his head sideways.

He side glanced at the slowly approaching figure of Sonia, who's lips breathed out turbid air and emanated a chilling cold that slowly seeped into the surrounding. Giving her the vague impression of walking through misty clouds.

Just as she advanced, Sonia suddenly said coldly.

"Just then...you said something. 'He's not like us'.... who? What was that? "

James shot another glance, but this time at the large warrior.

'He? '

Barak reserved his words and remained quiet as he stared at her somberly.

"...I see." Sonia muttered simply and the air began to vibrate.

Her figure burst with a a wave of azure Mana, and a suffocating pressure spreas through the surrounding. The dark clouds above rumbled and wind howled with a crackling air.

Thin layers of ice spread across the ground from underneath her feet, and those closest to her scurried backwards warily. As the howling winds picked up, it became sharper, colder, and more ferocious.

Isha shivered slightly and breathed out white misty air and her eyes sharpened.

Sonia's Mana explosion was like a geyser, and slowly covered the environment in a rising blizzard.

Barak's figure finally moved.

Barak's lips curled into a smile, savagery flashing in his eyes. He peered through the summoned blizzard and assumed a stance reminiscent of a martial art position, his sole arm extended forward. He fought to restrain himself, but excitement coursed through the large man. At last, a worthy opponent—a powerful warrior—had arrived.

Despite his eagerness, Barak remained aware of his duties. He would savor this battle, but ultimately, he would eliminate all intruders.

"Come," Barak grinned, his voice a low growl. The two figures blurred into motion.

-BOOM!

The air erupted at the point of impact, sending a terrifying shockwave rippling outward. A jagged trail of tall ice shot up from the ground, and the cold air lashed at everyone's skin, as if a snowstorm had descended.

Barak and Sonia moved at speeds imperceptible to the average eye. The earth was torn asunder, and the air resounded with deafening bangs like exploding drums. The atmospheric Mana surged wildly, and arctic flakes of snow rained down from above.

Sonia moved with flawless precision, her movements a deadly dance of disaster and diabolic grace, like the wind of a blizzard. Each arc of her glass-like blade froze the air, leaving glazes of ice in its wake.

Those who watched did so with a mix of awe and horror at the battle unfolding before them. Among them was James, who retained his composure. All traces of a smile had vanished from his face, replaced by cold, dark calculations in his black eyes.

'Things have escalated, but this is good either way,' he thought. 'The Ntuli Tribe has grown too pompous lately. It would serve us well to reduce their numbers or, better yet, take down one of their strongest officials.' His gaze followed the tumultuous winds and the ferocious fight, lingering on Barak's bulging figure.

It didn't take a genius to identify who held the highest authority. Barak's imposing power was evident. Given the Ntuli tribe's obsession and respect for strength, James easily determined that the large warrior held a significant position within his tribe.

In the end, it was the Ntuli Tribe who made the first move by killing one of their own. It would only be fair if a few of their number perished. No one would complain.

Yes, indeed, the Ntuli Tribe had initiated the conflict, and the Knights from the Fortress were merely acting in self-defense.

But James was an opportunist, and he never left things half-done. While the others were transfixed by awe and horror at the unfolding battle, the pale young man with a long, sleepy face moved stealthily.

His figure seemed to blend into the darkness of the world, suddenly emerging next to Isha. There was no bloodlust, no excessive movements, no apparent aggression—just a cold ruthlessness.

Two seconds later, before the female warrior or anyone else could grasp what was happening, James's already black eyes deepened further. The bastard sword hanging from his waist slid out of its scabbard as silently and deadly as a dagger.

But suddenly, James froze in place, his shoulders trembling.

'What is this feeling?!' An incomparably suffocating sensation filled his mind and permeated his bones.

James's senses were tingling madly, and his instincts demanded he run. But even then, he didn't dare move, feeling a petrifying gaze bore into his back from above.

He wasn't the only one.

Everyone else drawn into the confrontation that was unraveling became rigid all of a sudden. Sonia's usually motionless eyes sharpened, and her ghostly still face stiffened. The air suddenly felt heavier, making it hard to breathe.

Despite the oppressive atmosphere, she managed to raise her eyes to the sky, where an insurmountable presence spread a demanding pressure from above.

Standing tall in the grey sky amidst black, rumbling clouds, there was a man... No. There was 'something,' with long black strands of hair as deep as the darkest night, and a crimson gaze that bore down on the earth from above.

Watching solemnly from the bleak heavens, Huey Blade cast his gaze down at those below and said, "What is all this?"