Chains of Yesterday

Axilya didn't waste a second. A flurry of violet miniature swords materialized around her, each one sharp and humming with destructive energy. With a thought, she sent them flying toward glowing runes in mid air.

She moved with incredible efficiency, each blow shaking the ground beneath them. The air crackled and popped as raw energy filled the space, the pressure of their clash distorting the surroundings, the stones underfoot cracked, the air rippled with invisible force.

Meanwhile, Ian battled through the remaining enemies. His Obryx-crafted weapons shifted fluidly in his hands, swords, spears, whips, cutting them down one after another. 

And on the other side, beyond the chaos, Xucis stood still, facing a lone figure blocking his path. A dark mask covered the lower half of his face, leaving only his sharp eyes visible. Faint scaled ridges traced along his exposed cheekbones and down to the jawline, catching the light with a dull shimmer.

The two regarded each other for a moment, the sounds of battle fading into the background. 

Xucis tilted his head slightly. "Are you the one who will be dealing with me?"

The man gave a slight, almost sheepish smile beneath his mask. "I wouldn't dare. Your reputation's a little too loud for that," he said lightly.

"I'm just here to hold you down for a little while."

Xucis' eyes glinted with amusement. "Can you?"

"I'll try my best," the man said, lowering into a stance.

Without warning, Xucis moved, his form blurred, his body shifting into a stream of liquid that flowed across the ground and reformed in an instant behind his opponent. A razor-thin blade of high-pressure water slashed outward, cutting cleanly through the man's defenses, forcing him to stumble back.

The man tried to fight back, throwing precise, heavy strikes and bursts of energy, but it was like trying to pin down smoke. Xucis flowed around every attack, shifting between solid and liquid with terrifying ease. Blades passed through him harmlessly, punches struck only splashes of water. His counterattacks were sudden and brutal, sharp jets of water that could cut through steel, freezing shards launched with pinpoint accuracy.

It wasn't much of a fight. It was a slow, inevitable collapse.

In one swift move, Xucis sliced clean through the man's arm. Blood splattered the ground, but the man gritted his teeth and didn't fall. Instead, he pulled a heavy, rune-etched weapon, a strange device crackling with energy, and slammed it into the ground.

Chains of light burst forth, wrapping around Xucis in a glowing cage.

Xucis raised an eyebrow as he tested the bindings. "This won't hold me for long."

"I know," the man said, panting. "But if it buys even a little time... enough for them to finish their task and leave..."

Xucis laughed, low and amused. "Oh boy... you really didn't do much research on my dear sister, did you?"

The chains crackled violently as Xucis' body shifted and surged against them, the first signs of the inevitable break already beginning to show.

Before the other man could even think...

A loud blast rang through the air, followed by a painful cry. He turned sharply, eyes wide, to see his partner stagger backward, blood seeping through the enchanted robe. Axilya had already adjusted, her violet swords cutting through the air with deadly precision. The runes that had once danced around her opponent now lay shattered in pieces, each broken symbol exploding in a flash of light and energy. Her opponent's side was ripped open by a brutal strike, blood spilling across the ground.

The man's eyes widened in horror, but there was no time to waste. He quickly moved to his partner's side, his hands trembling as he tried to stabilize. "Come on, we need to go now!" he muttered, gritting his teeth in desperation.

He grabbed his injured comrade and started pulling him toward the dense forest. Once Xucis breaks free, we're all dead. Who the hell is this monster girl? He had never encountered anyone like her. In all his years, never had he seen a First Order injure a Second Order. It was supposed to be impossible.

With one last glance at the battlefield, he forced himself to move faster, dragging his partner through the chaos as he escaped.

But before he could even get far enough, Xucis shattered the last of his restraints with a devastating surge of power. He stood, free once more, and moved with terrifying speed, intent on cutting off their retreat.

But Axilya stopped. She raised a hand, her gaze calm and steady. "Let them go," she said in a firm voice. "Someone else will take care of them."

Xucis paused for a moment, he hesitated, then let them go, watching the fleeing figures disappear into the distance. With a heavy sigh, he turned his attention back to the battle ahead.

The remaining enemies, those Ian had been fighting, also realized the tide had turned. One by one, they broke away from the conflict, retreating into the shadows. The battlefield began to quiet, leaving only the remnants of the fierce battle.

Ian stood, his chest heaving as the adrenaline slowly ebbed away. He wiped his brow, exhausted but relieved. The fight was over, at least, for now. He reached down and carefully removed the covering that had been shielding Myrra.

As soon as her face was revealed, Myrra moved swiftly, her arms wrapping tightly around him. She hugged him fiercely, her grip strong but gentle, as though she never wanted to let go. Ian held her just as tightly, his own relief evident in the way he returned the embrace.

In that moment, Myrra made a silent promise to herself, a vow etched deep within her heart. From now on, I won't let him fight alone.

On the other side, through the dense forest, the figure of one of the retreating men raced through the underbrush, carrying his injured companion. His breath was ragged, his movements frantic as he dashed through the trees.

"Stop..." the injured person gasped, her voice weak.

Before he could even react, he felt an invisible force seize him. His body seemed frozen in mid-air, unable to move. Panic surged through him, but it was useless, his body remained suspended.

A rune appeared out of nowhere, glowing faintly. It twisted and reformed into the shape of an old elven man, his long silver hair flowing in the wind, his eyes gleaming with the wisdom of ages.

Seeing the old elf, the injured person's face drained of color under her mask as her body slowly descended back to the ground.

The elven man's voice was low and sorrowful. "What has become of you, Anarzee?" He shook his head, disappointment clear in his features.

The restraints around them faded, but neither Anarzee nor her companion moved. They stood still, their bodies tense with fear and uncertainty.

Anarzee looked away, shame filling her eyes, and barely whispered, "I didn't expect to see you here, Dean Nyvorlas...." Her words trailed off, her once strong will faltering.

Her companion's mind went blank as the name rang out in his ears. Nyvorlas Palamin, Dean of Rulmose, A Fourth Order. The name carried a weight few could even imagine, a casual strikes from someone of his level could obliterate entire worlds. The fourth order being were at the very top of the hierarchy on this planet. How was someone like him involved in all this?

Nyvorlas's gaze softened, though disappointment lingered on his features. "You used to be so bright, so full of life. What happened to you, Anarzee? Now you're attacking your own students?"

Anarzee opened her mouth, the words stuck in her throat. She remembered her time at Rulmose, when she was one of the top students, her talent in Runes unmatched, though not like Axilya's monster level. Nyvorlas had been her mentor, the guiding hand in her journey, the faculty at Rulmose provided with all the care and protection when she needed But what about her, what did she do in return?

She wanted to explain, to say so much, but the words wouldn't come. Finally, her voice cracked, "My brother was killed…"

Nyvorlas sighed, his expression filled with sorrow. "Your brother was always a troublemaker… causing chaos, and you, always cleaning up after him, always falling into his mess."

Anarzee clenched her fists, unable to look him in the eye. His words hit too close to home.

"And now you're part of the Quiet Testament..." he continued, his voice laced with regret.

Anarzee's heart twisted. She knew it was true, she had ties to the Quiet Testament, through her brother, though she'd never wanted this life. She had tried to stop him, to pull him out of it, but love... love had kept her trapped, pulling her deeper into a world she never asked to be a part of.

She opened her mouth, but the words escaped her. Silence hung heavy between them, the weight of their shared past too much to bear.

Nyvorlas looked at her, then shook his head once again, a quiet understanding in his eyes. "It doesn't matter now. We'll have a lengthy conversation, but not here."

With a flick of his hand, the air shimmered, and all three of them vanished without a trace, leaving the forest once again silent.

Meanwhile, back on the battlefield, Ian and the others were finishing up the grim task of cleaning the area. Most of the attackers lay dead, but a handful had survived, barely. They would be questioned.

Xucis wasted no time. Using a few tricks, both mundane and not, he loosened their tongues quickly enough. One of the surviving men, bloodied and terrified, finally gasped out the truth: they had been sent for Ian.

At that, Ian, Axilya, and Myrra exchanged glances. All of them looked particularly surprised, truthfully, it should have been Myrra they were after. Why Ian?

They pressed the attackers for more, but it became clear they knew nothing beyond their orders. They hadn't even heard of Myrra.

Ian let out a long breath of relief. As long as Myrra wasn't the target, he could manage. If it was just him... he'd find a way to handle it.

"We'll find out more soon," Axilya said, her was voice low but certain.

Satisfied, they decided to leave the rest to Xucis. He would handle the cleanup and deal with the authorities.

Later, back at Xucis' house, Ian, Axilya, and Myrra sat together, each lost in their own thoughts. As the tension eased, Ian finally shared everything he knew with Axilya, the truth about the "Lord's Blood" and other related stuff, even Myrra didn't know most of it, leaving both girls in their own thoughts.

Evening fell, and Xucis returned with a few law enforcement officers in tow. They conducted some brief inquiries, but it didn't last long. Given the circumstances, self-defense, combined with the fact that the attackers were tied to a terrorist organization, the matter was quickly closed.

The next morning came early. It was time to leave. Classes were waiting, and everyone had other matters to attend to. They gathered their things and sat down for a quick breakfast while waiting to say goodbye to Xucis.

As they ate, they noticed movement from the corner of their eyes, two, maybe three women quietly slipping out of the house, their clothes slightly disheveled as they tried not to draw attention.

Ian notices it first but pretends not to react. Myrra glances once and quickly looks away. Axilya saw it too. She said nothing, only let out a small sigh, her face calm but clearly resigned.

When Xucis finally appeared, casual as ever, Axilya spoke in a steady tone. "Brother, you really should start being more serious about life. Not everything will always stay a game."

Xucis chuckled lowly, his usual careless grin in place. "I hear you," he said with a shrug, not offering any promises.

Axilya shook her head slightly but said no more. Ian and Myrra offered polite goodbyes, and together they left, the morning sun rising behind them as they made their way back toward Ial Themar.