Chapter 11: The Four Serpents
The storm outside the palace howled like a beast.
Orimo ran through the shattered courtyard, carrying Ryuki in his arms, her blood dripping onto the cobblestones.
Ryuki (weakly): "Why'd you do that…?"
Orimo (breathing hard): "There's no way you can win. We have to retreat."
Ryuki: "At least… let me fight."
Orimo (gritting his teeth): "No. You can't win. He's a monster."
Rain splattered against his face as he dashed through the smoke. Then—
A calm voice broke through the chaos.
Old Man: "Follow me."
An old man stood in the middle of the road, rain sliding down his gray cloak. His eyes glowed faintly red beneath the hood.
Ryuki's eyes widened in disbelief.
Ryuki (whispering): "Old man… Erik Traz."
Orimo (panting): "You know him?"
Ryuki (nodding, trembling): "Yes. He's… the Erik Traz."
Before Orimo could speak again, the air trembled.
Four figures emerged from the fog — their auras twisting like beasts circling prey.
Orimo gently set Ryuki down, cracking his knuckles as he faced them.
Orimo: "Move."
Narration:
The Four Serpents of the King had arrived — the enforcers of Daegmon Kira's will.
Kaen Rugo — The Crimson Serpent
Veyra Solen — The Shadow Serpent
Dravein Kross — The Iron Serpent
Serica Vale — The Mind Serpent
Lightning flashed across the sky as Kaen stepped forward, fire burning from his blade.
Kaen (grinning): "I'm afraid that's impossible."
Before he could strike, Serica placed a hand on his shoulder.
Serica (calmly): "Wait. That man… He's Erik Traz — the legendary swordsman of Ryuta Konan."
Kaen (snapping): "Who cares?"
Kaen lunged — his sword flaming, aura flaring red.
THUD!
The ground quaked as his blade met Erik's. The impact shattered the street, windows exploding outward from the pressure alone.
Kaen (straining): "I… can't… hold—!"
In an instant, Kaen was launched through the air — body spinning violently before vanishing into the distance, crashing through the ruins far beyond sight.
The rain stopped for a heartbeat.
Erik lowered his sword slightly, eyes softening, a faint smile under his breath.
Erik: "Today's kids… so noisy."
The three remaining Serpents froze — eyes wide, their instincts screaming at them to retreat.
Dravein (growling): "We'll deal with you later, old man."
They turned and vanished into the mist, leaving behind the echo of thunder and the old swordsman standing like a relic of war.
Orimo looked at him in awe — realizing he had just witnessed a glimpse of power that legends were built on.