“What the hell have you done to him?!” Arth snapped and pulled out his Blackwinter sword. Then he bent his knee, preparing to rush to the enemies. “Arth!” Lucas called. “Stop it now. You still have something to do.” Arth tightened his grip on his sword, trying to control his anger after seeing the Chief’s bloody condition, like they had been torturing him every second. And that just made him want the Divine Knight’s head already. “We’ll handle this. You and Janshai go now,” Lucas told him. Arth looked sharply at Kael who was still smiling in amusement. He wanted to kill him so badly, but he had to stick to their plan. So he let out a huge breath and then turned to Alice. “Be careful,” Alice told him. “No, you should be the one to be careful,” Arth replied.

 A loud crash thundered inside the mansion, coming from the figurines which fell and shattered to the floor as Arth slammed hard against them. He winced, muttering a curse. He couldn’t fight in this very enclosed space, as it was difficult for him to move and evade. Arth recovered on to his feet, picking up his sword. He already had a cut on his left cheek, his black hair messed up. One second he was catching his breath, the next he blocked another strike from the Grand Knight’s sword. Every attack of his had been dealing heavy blows, pushing Arth back, struggling. “What’s the matter?” the Grand Knight asked as their blades clanged against each other. “Is this all that you have?” Arth gritted his teeth as he was now being forced backward, his shoes sliding on the floor, so he couldn’t lock himself on his position. “I’m just gett

 “Give up now, kid,” Dain told Arth whose face had now been beaten up. “You cannot win.” ‘I only blocked a couple of hits from him … but his attacks are becoming stronger than before. He must’ve already been using his trump card,’ Arth thought, holding his wounded waist. It was bleeding again, as he had received another direct hit from Dain’s fist. “You’re using your Empyreal Ability,” Arth said as he wiped the blood on his lips. “Are you not?” “Oh, so you finally figured it out? Bingo! You’ve got great eyes,” Dain pointed a finger at Arth, “Pugnus Inexorabilis … that’s my ability. The damage of my attacks keeps on growing every time my fists land a hit on my opponent. So blocking my punches won’t do you any good … you won’t last for long.”

*** “Where am I?”   Arth looked around him. He was standing in an endless meadow, the fresh wind brushing his face with the grass tickling underneath his feet.   “Am I … dead?” He raised his head, seeing the fluffy clouds floating amidst the ocean sky. The sunlight gave him warmth, kissing his entire body, gentle and peaceful.   Arth turned around, only to find a very familiar girl standing ahead. “Alice?” he said, furrowing his brows.   She wore a beautiful white dress, with her long hair flailing with the wind. Her hands were on her back as she seemed to be looking somewhere far ahead. She looked so perfect in Arth’s eyes.   “Alice!” His face brightened up as he ran for her.   Alice turned her head, a lovely smile plastered on her face, her eyes blinking several times. “I’m taking my leave now, stupid,” she said in her sweet, soft voice. &nb

“Where do you plan to go after this?”   Silence followed, only to be filled by the crackling woods of the fireplace. Kael was sitting on the chair at the end of the table, looking at Tristan who had stood near the windows.   “Back to my village,” Tristan replied shortly, gazing at the snowfall outside.   Kael stared at the young man for a moment, then he nodded. He was dressed on his white long-sleeved garment, his chest and abdomen completely wrapped up with linen, covering the severe burn he had from his previous encounter with Lucas.   He pushed himself up to his seat, then went to stand beside Tristan. He couldn’t walk properly because of his injured right leg. Their last battle had cost them so much … damage and loss. They lost Dain, Maester David, and the Grand Knights protecting him. Only three Grand Knights were left in the Order, but they’d been severely injured after they fought against tha