A sudden shift in pressure causes many birds to fly out from the trees into the clouds above. Finn and Ryo exit from Axel's house, their attention turned to the sky. The faint scene of gunpowder and burning wood penetrates the winds. From the tree tops plums of smoke break over their canopies. Any noise from the area around them goes silent.
“Oh my, seems a lot worst than I feared.” Finn scoffs, leaning forward to help steady himself. “I think Axel might be in trouble this time.”
He reaches the bottom of the steps. "That boy is always picking a fight with them. He was wounded badly last time. Now this time." Finn rubs his chin, showing a little distress.
Without another word, Ryo strides off down the same path as Axel, heading to the village. His steps grow into a quicker pace without looking back. Within minutes he disappears underneath the tree lining.
“Interesting…I just hope that he makes it in time. Ho, oh.” Relaxing his shoulders, Finn stretches out his arm to both sides. His earlier weak facade disappears. Straightening up, he proceeds down the same path, however when he reaches the forest’s edge, makes a sharp left turn avoiding the path.
Wild fire ravages through the wood structures of the village buildings. Sections covered in thick smoke block our any potential light from the sky above. Wood planks buckle and crackle under the pressure of the intense heat. Small groups of villages try to control the flames with buckets of water, but it’s a losing battle. Throughout different areas of the village, rough vile individuals wearing fur and armor loot any houses left untouched. Each man brings their stolen goods to a crimson, gold outline wagon. In front two large, badly scarred and red-eye horse-like creatures wait, ready to pull the carriage. Food, jewelry and other valuables get tosses onto the growing pile like junk, some breakables shattering from the carelessness.
Injured villagers with cuts and other severe wounds litter the ground, many try to prop themselves up on a fountain barrier. Doc becomes overwhelmed with the number of injuries. Each wound address bleeds through the wrappings in a matter of minutes. Others who aren’t injured find anything they can get their hands on to turn it into a useable weapon, ready to defend themselves.
Small skirmishes break out in different parts of the village between sword wielding bandits and untrained villagers. Complete chaos engulfs everyone’s senses, creating confusion and panic. However, even with overwhelming numbers, the villagers face the looming terror of defeat because of their lack of organization. From one of the groups, J steps out, he raises his voice over the battle sounds.
“We are here for your payment! However, it seems that with this resistance we need to give out some swift punishments!” His voice booms louder. In front of him, a village tries to strike him with a pitchfork forward thrust. Laughable at best, J swiftly turns his upper body then strikes the villager’s arm, breaking it. They scream out in agonizing pain, falling backwards onto the ground.
“You lowly snakes! Gah! We are tired of your payment collections!” He manages to shout back through his severe pain.
“You talk too much.” J lifts his ax up then brings it down.
Theresa, the jeweler, accompanies a group of kids through the chaos to find a safe hiding area. Fear takes hold of the group, with a few kids crying and others too scared to move. They huddle together in the shadows of a charred-out wall.
From behind the carriage, a huge man steps out. His reddish-brown hair covers the massive scars all over his face. Bulging muscles lay beneath his leather armor and steel cover boots. His massive ax hangs from a drawstring tied across the chest. Deep intense eyes scan from one direction to the next.
“Raull the executioner is here! Finish up men! Kill anyone who puts up a resistance!” Raull orders his followers.
The groups slow progress and heavy village resistance becomes apparent, angering him. Frustrated he eyes the area, finally catching sight of Theresa and the hidden kids. A cold smile crosses his lips.
“Hm…since these vermin are having problems pay for this land.” Unhooking his ax from his back, he takes massive steps towards the frighten group. “How about we sell off some of the extra mouths they feed.” Raull stops a few feet away from the children.
Theresa jumps to her feet, throwing her arms wide open like a barrier. “I won’t let you touch these children.” Her defiant eyes betray the striking fear coursing through her legs.
Amused, Raull snickers at the pathetic sight. His large hand grips Theresa by her collar, yanking her into the air. On the ground behind her, the children weep, their cries grow louder. Other villages try to intervene but their efforts fail when Raull uses his ax to swipe them away. Bandits rush in to keep them busy.
“You, a lowly peasant, think you can talk to me like that?” A deep red glint flashes in Raull’s eyes with his stare piercing through Theresa’s chest like a dagger.
His ironclad grip tightens on Theresa’s collar, cutting off her airway. She struggles, fighting to get fresh air into her chest. The ax moves just inches away from the left side of her face. Its blade draws closer completely obstructing her left side view with silver steel.
“I’m going to use you as an example, it’s about time you people know what happens when you defy the superior humans.” Raull whispers to Theresa. Her eyes overwhelm with tears streaming down her face. Unmoved, Raull raises his ax back then releases it in a sideways swing.
Clang!
A large chuck of metal flies in from the left, smashing into the ax. The force throws the ax off its course and causes Raull to stumble sideways. Another piece comes at his hand, just barely scratching his knuckles. Surprised, Raull releases Theresa from his grasp. She lands on the ground coughing and wheezing.
“I thought I told you to stay away from this village.” Axel growls at him. In his left hand, an old rusty bronze sword glistens from the surrounding flames. At his feet a few of Raull’s henchmen lay sprawled out, unconscious.
“Hmph.” Raull snorts returning Axel’s gaze with a glare of his own. “So, the would-be hero comes out to play again.”
Without warning, he heaves the ax into the air right in Axel’s direction. Determined, Axel lowers into a defensive stand, bringing his sword upwards to counter the ax’s blade. Sheer brute force chips away metal from the sword causing him to fall sideways avoiding direct contact. The ax continues its path, shattering a charred wall behind Axel. Wood splitters fly past his head when he glances back. Small wounds appear on his cheek and just below on the side of his neck. Blood trickles down, mixing with sweat.
“I heard that you have been giving my men a hard time. It’s because of you that I needed to make this trip out here.” Raull smirks, holding out his hand, palm up.
Axel’s impatience grows from his foe’s taunting. “Cocky for someone who left themselves defenseless.” He sprints at Raull, sword raises for a direct slash attack. Mere inches away from contact, a cold chill stab him in the back.
“Look out!” A shout rings out from a weakened Theresa.
The handle from Raull’s ax slams in the center of Axel’s back. Pain rushes through every bone, temporarily constricting his air way, causing him to let out a wheezing gasp. His body pulls forward, slamming onto the ground. In front, a confident Raull grips the ax, swinging it in a circle above his head. On the ground, Axel gasps for air, trying to get his bearings to stand up again. He pushes himself to his knees but his arms given out. Collapsing on his side, he can only look up at Raull paralyzed from the pain. Noticing the battle between them, villagers try to shout words of encouragement to Axel.
“An ax…that…comes back?” He coughs out the words.
“To be honest I am surprised. From what they have told me, you gave them a run for their money time after time. Your nothing but an impudent child with laughable sword skills. Now due to your interference again this whole village is getting a punishment. How about death?” Raull’s words turn the air icy. Through the pulses of pain, Axel lifts his head up. From the corner of his eye, the sight of many villagers shows both fear and rebellious determination. His eyes shift back up to Raull, an unwavering glare covers them.
“It’s my…fault?”
“I like that expression, those eyes. It makes breaking you worth it as you watch everything get striped away. The guilt of failure will be all that’s left.” Amusement washes over Raull’s face. Pleased by his words, he raises his ax over his head.
In a moment the world around Axel slows to a standstill. All the shouting, fires and sword clashes fade out. A crescendo ringing fills his ears, accompanied by the deep pounding of his heartbeat. A numbness spreads over his arms and legs. Adrenaline fills his veins and his muscles scream out for him to move.
Raull’s maniacal laughter fills the air. He motions his ax downwards, aiming for Axel’s lower neck. Anticipating the blow, Axel’s clenches his eyes shut.
“No! I can’t die here!”
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