War

Riding his nightmare,Null and his army galloped through the countryside , occasionally coming across villages and hamlets.

until he noticed a lone rider coming in their direction.

'bandits?' he thought then perished the thought, he would pay to see which bandit would attempt anything at an army of 2000.

Observing as the rider stopped a short distance away from his, he also raised a closed fist signalling a halt.

From this distance he couldn't get a good look at the individual in front.

he looked beside him,signalling Kane,the general quickly got the hint,he spurned his steed making way towards the stranger

He watched them talk for about a minute before Kane started returning and the stranger rode off.

" Word from baron durian, the count rides to meet us with an army of 4000" kane said immediately he returned.

"Then let's not keep him waiting he said then continued his gallop with the black guard following behind "

He wasn't surprised by the counts actions, only if the count was a fool would he think a seige would be in his best interest.

...

After galloping for two more hours Null and his army broke out of the treelines,and found themselves in a clearing, signalling a halt, he squinted his eyes faintly recognizing an army in the distance.

Making a signal he spurred his horse slowly closing the distance between the two army's, he once again signalled a halt.

Assessing the army before him, he could easily tell the men at the front of the formation holding shields and spears with short short swords at their hips were veterans of war. while the ones at the end of the formation about 2000 of them were less experienced, he could see obvious gaps in their formation

He was brought out of his thoughts by the by the man in front of the army, galloping towards him, likely the count judging by the exquisite silver armor he wore.

He spurred his horse to meet him halfway, stopping 20 feet a way from each other.

A silence lingered between them for a full minute as the sized each other up, only to be broken by the count.

" I wasn't expecting your arrival your grace, to what do I owe the visit " said the count respectfully

But he wasn't going to be playing this game with him, he took a glance at the opposing army, before looking back at the count.

" I take it you won't be going peacefully "he said in a cold voice

" You're grace I hope on account of my relationship with your father you give me a chance, although I missteped my loyalty is unquestionable " Lucas said his voice remained full of respect

Null regarded the man Lucas Bracken, noticing the slight twitch of his hand that were on his blade

"No" his voice remained cold

" Roderick?"

"Dead"

" What a fruitless conversation we have had your grace "

"Prepare yourself" with those words he turned his horse to leave

He had barely taking a step before he unsheathed his sword and blocked an overheard strike from the count, his steed buckled and fell to it's knees from the overwhelming force of the strike.

He looked at the count and noticed his eyes filled with overwhelming rage and a hint of surprise, he put more strength into his grip and swung his sword, throwing the count a few steps back.

He noticed the surprise in the counts eye had turned to full blown shock, smacking

His steed on its rear, it neighed, then put some distance between them .

He looked back to see the black guards riding towards him he put some power in his voice then roared " don't interfere"

They didn't stop their charge, but he noticed

Their gazes were now focused behind the count.

" Peak aura awakening " he was brought out of his thoughts by the words of the count.

" Such talent, is that the source of your confidence?" Null simply look at him not replying

At this point the black guard charged past them, but neither of them moved, their focus heightened.

" I'll have you know I've reached the iron core stage ,this battle won't go how you think it will " said the count

"Im aware, your son believed presenting that information would save his life "

" And you're here anyways "said the count his voice colder, subtly observing the surroundings

" Don't bother looking around there no one else here "

" Nothings changed, I'll just have to end this quickly " Lucas said ingnoring his words

A silence settled between them, they waited not sure what they were waiting, but they waited.

The air between them thickened with tension, Null grip tightened around the Blackfyre sword the familiar grip bringing

sense of calm.

The last nightmare blew past them, as if some sort of signal, they moved

Lucas came at him, his first strike came in fast,a wide powerfull arc aimed at his midsection. 'too wide' he side stepped his body moving practiced ease,in the same breath, he countered - a simple stab aimed at the count's throat

But the count met the attack with mirrored ease with the guard of his sword, he deflected his sword just wide of his neck.

Then turned retaliating with a kick aimed at his chest, Null blocked with an arm though the force sent him a few feet back.

Steadying himself he looked up only to see the count in position delivering an overhead strike ,he brought his sword up just in time to block, the force rattled his arm,muscles tensed he exerted force then swung his sword pushing the count back

Looking up to the count he knew there were just testing each other, the battle was just about to start

The falling of leave a leaf became their signal, and then they danced.

Steel clashed with a deafening clang,the sharp sound cutting through the stillness.

As they moved like shadows in dim light, Nulls sword cut through the air in swift arc. Lucas was quick, his blade intercepting the strike with a swift parry

Null twisted, narrowly avoiding the blow the edge of the blade scraped against his armor,

But his eyes remained steady, locked on his opponent. Lucas was skilled,his movements were sharp and deliberate each of his attacks were calculated, but he had faced worse, a lot worse

" Is that all you have boy " he ignored the obvious taunt

He turned slightly to look at the battle in the distance,and he wasn't surprised by what he saw.

" Losing focus in battle, no matter your talent you are still- " the counts voice paused, Null threw him a look and saw him staring wide eyed at the battle unfolding before him.

At this points the counts thoughts were chaotic, he knew war. He knew what was expected when a Calvary went against a sword shield infantry that were prepared for the charge.

He had expected some losses on contact but the situation should have stabilized after all he had put his strongest and most experienced soldiers at the frontline all aura awakening stage warriors.

So he really found it hard to understand,how 2000 black armored men were wreaking havoc at the center of his formation right now

Null watched the counts body visibly shake for a few seconds before he regained composure turning to him

" Let's end this " the counts voice were cold and distant

"Yes, let's " he calmly watched as the count charged towards him he could see the determination burning in his eye, so he decided to reciprocate.

" Flowing Shadow Form "