The surprise had not worked as well as Avin would've liked, he liked to leave his opponents completely stunned, and dead, before they could even move their hands towards weapons. But then again, that kind of tactics mostly worked on a handful of enemies at once, not on a whole camp of two dozen warriors.

The first man came towards Avin swinging his axe, Avin sidestepped, moved in close, and buried his sword in Ulov's chest, and kicked him towards another coming to support him from behind in one motion.

Before the second Ulov could reorient himself, his head flew away from his neck, blood gushed and Avin was already moving.

He ducked a spear that came from behind, as two more enemies came at him.

Apparently he and Korli were the only ones to make it so inside the camp, the other Guards still half a dozen footsteps away. 

Avin found himself surrounded by three enemies now, all hungry for his blood, their eyes burning with desire for a fight, green lips pulled back in a snarl.

Avin smiled, “you all look like you're eager for a bite, well I'm known for breaking teeth–” 

Avin cursed under his breath as provocation was cut short. A sound of a horn blew into the night, from the north, that snapped the Ulov to their senses, and they frowned and focused on Avin. He had rarely seen these barbarians have that kind of serious expression, that unnerved Avin.

Avin's head turned towards north from where the horn had blew, but he immediately had to duck a spear thrust, Avin batted away another axe to his back and kicked at the third figure who came in too close to Avin– holding a knife. Avin assumed this Ulov had only managed to grab onto, in the short time.

The knife wielder stumbled forward, and using his body, as a flimsy platform, Avin jumped away from being trapped between the two Ulov welding longer weapons. The axe wielder came at him again swinging his weapon in a long arc, Avin caught the axe on his sword and kicked the man's knees out from under him. The man went down in an awkward stumble.

The spearman was two steps too late as Avin beheaded the downed axe swinger and moved into the range of the spearsharf, plunging his sword into the Ulov's neck, and pulling it back, dripping blood. 

Avin turned to find the knife holder who was trying to run away, he dashed towards him, his sword raised high to slash down. 

But when Avin saw the man– no, it was a child. Avin stopped, he knew it was the wrong thing to do, in a battle you couldn't hesitate if you wished to survive. But he took the risk because there was no enemy in his immediate range. 

The boy, seemingly not much older than Selina, looked up at Avin, with wide terrified eyes, tears streaming down his face. 

Avin felt something very wrong, the Ulov didn't bring children as young as this one to a battle. It was one of their few unofficial rules they abide by– it was necessary to preserve their futures, and even their elders were smart enough to realise that but…

‘Something is definitely wrong with these people, they've changed too much, too quickly. What is going on! This... how could they do it.’

As Avin stood above the terrified child, thinking of what to do, about three dozen Ulov charged up the slope, just as the dozen Krimzon guards made it to the camp, they clashed in the dim light of the campfire around Avin. 

Avin looked at the boy sprawled at Avin's feet, reaching for the knife he had dropped, the world around Avin became a blur, the chaos and mayhem to clashing steel, and bestial screams, reached his ears making Avin dizzy, he couldn't explain the feeling, the child kicked at Avin, Avin stumbled back grabbing at his head and closed his eyes... Only to find the spark in the distance, beyond the darkness burning with eager pulses. 

Avin's eyes snapped open and his hand snapped up to grab the knife just inches away from his neck, Avin's sword slashing open the child's stomach on instinct. Blood splashed his face, and Avin's eyes went wide. 

Before he could even understand why the spark of his spirit was beckoning to him now, he was overwhelmed with guilt and shock. But Avin smothered it with his will. He couldn't afford to be distracted right now.

He barely managed to guard against an attack, stumbling back as something heavy battered his thin blade away, almost knocking it off his hands. 

Avin grunted, and took a couple of steps back and dig his heels, the new enemy charged at him so Avin did the only thing he could afford to, he dashed forwards, batting the Ulov's weapon aside and slashed the man's throat open. And charged towards another Tulok, tall and muscular welding a spear.

Avin side stepped the spear thrust, but the Tulok anticipated it and kicked at Avin, Avin caught it on his shoulders, using it's force to get some distance as he stumbled back a couple of steps, and came back again. Their weapons clashed once, twice, before Avin feinted to catch the spear on his sword again, only to change the angle and slash downwards, opening up the man’s knees in a downward slash.

The Tulok screamed in pain, and Avin pulled his spear free from him after chopping off his arms with a follow-up second slash. 

Avin turned, twisted his body, transferring his body weight to the long weapon, and threw the spear in the distance, towards the chief, who was now being surrounded by almost ten Ulov, Avin's spear struck the one at the front making the enemy stumble and fall just a couple of steps away from Kevan.

***

Kevan saw the spear taking down the Ulov and instinctively turned to meet Avin's eyes and nodded with a smile, he wasn't sure if Avin would be able to make out the expression however.

Kevan braced himself to meet the incoming wave of enemies, his body glowing with inner light as he drank in the moon light, he took a step ready to face the new wave of enemies, but suddenly a chill went down his spine, Kevan turned–bringing his saber up to catch a huge shadow, he felt as if thunder had struck him as Kevan was flung backward, he was tossed on the ground once, before coming to his knees, his hands numb and blood flowing from his nose. 

The moonlight inside him trembled like a water jug that had been shook, and the water inside sloshing. Kevan looked up to see a huge figure in front of him, holding a great sword, at first he thought ‘Kezen?’ 

But no, the man was younger and leaner, and didn't have that crazed expression on his face. His features however, he seemed like a younger more wilder Kezen, if that was possible. One thing that did stood out was that his lips were not pale green.

“W-who?” Kevan asked, shifting his feet, and taking deep breaths to preparing himself. 

“Must be the rabbit chief Kevan. I've heard much about you.” Said the massive Ulov. He was dressed in a tattered black cloak that rippled in the air. He turned and swung his greatsword at the women who had managed to get themselves free but were thrown back to the ground from the shockwave, as Kevan had blocked the initial attack. 

In horror Kevan couldn't do anything, as their bodies were torn apart with just a swing from the stranger's massive sword.

“You bastard!” Kevan bellowed and charged forward, The huge Ulov turned back to Kevan, smiling wide. Kevan didn't know who this man was, but at that moment, he had earned Kevan's hatred.

Kevan slashed the Ulov's away who unfortunately got in his path, his blade glowing red now with the blood that evaporated from his blade, his saber reaping limbs and guts with the monotonous motions of a butcher, his eyes however burning with desire to kill fixed on the Stranger.

In moments six Ulov lay in his wake, screaming in pain and Kevin was in front of the Stranger  

“I am Reven Peacehunter, son of Kezen and the new great chief of the Ulov!" The stranger declared as he brought his great sword down on Kevan.

Their sword clashed with the sound of thunder striking a gong. Harsh winds ripping outwards from their clash as Kevan was sent backwards again, this time however he got to his feet quickly, sidestepped a thrust at his chest, and ducked back to avoid getting bisected his half. 

Twisting his body he slashed at Reven’s side, but the huge man was too quick. Kevan fell on Reven, his earlier rage poofing away as the realisation dawned on him.

‘This Reven is as strong as Kezen if not stronger.'

Reven was was good, very good with a sword of that size, he used his weight and superior strength to his advantage, not wasting energy on flashy moves, only on blocking and attacking. 

He shrugged off any feints and slashes, using his legs to kick at Kevan and even managing to graze his side, sending Kevan skidding back grunting in pain. 

The man was a Willsinger, plain and simple. Using the songs of storms, his attacks carried the swiftness of winds and strength of thunder. Which compared to Kevan's own agile and straight-forward bladesmanship, was at an advantage. 

But Kevan had his surprises too. 

Reven swung at Kevan's face, Kevan parried it aside and swung at Reven's face in return, Reven stepped back and the saber yielded a small cut Reven's already tattered cloak.

For missing to draw Reven’s blood, Kevan was punished with a kick to his chest, which he felt cracked his rib. The wind was knocked out of him as he lay sent sprawled on the grass, his eyes dazed. But driven by the instincts engraved in his body and mind, Kevan subconsciously kicked off the ground, and luckily avoided his legs getting smashed on time. 

Getting back on his feet Kevan leveled his saber at Reven who looked at him with a bored expression. 

“There is something I can't get my fingers on, tell me rabbit, I heard my father faced two of your chiefs, and won, you should've expected to fight him, yet you came alone? Are you that much stronger than the other chiefs?”

Kevan smiled in return, “who said I came alone?” 

Reven smiled in return, “Oh, are you expecting some dramatic last minute save? Now that your men are outnumbered three to one.” 

“Outnumbered? Look there Reven Peacehunter.” Kevan said pointing towards a figure moving like a ghost reaping blood and life.

Reven turned towards the man, no, the boy: Avin and the slaughter he was causing, he had already reduced the number of new Ulov warriors by a third. 

“He hasn't even awakened his spirit yet you know.” Kevan said getting his footing right again, getting ready to attack, “I'm not running out of time and, and am surrounded as long as that boy works his magic, you on the other hand are.” 

Reven regarded Kevan again and this time all the arrogant-confindence was gone. 

“I really didn't want to escalate it but oh well, I suppose I must pay for my arrogance in my first conquest" with that... he pulled a horn from the folds of his cloak and blew on it. 

And then a roar followed from the north and east, men hooted and bellowed from the shadows of the forest, slowly they emerged from the darkness of the forests. 

With that Reven smiled and began his attack again, and Kevan returned it with an attack of his own.

In truth Kevan had prepared more, but the second part of his plan, was taking its sweet damn time. 

Kevan cursed as he ducked away from dozens of slashes and jabs, the Ulov chief seemed to have lost interest in Kevan, and was playing with his food. Kevan saw it clearly, but he didn't have the luxury to complain.

Parrying another swing, Kevan spun on his heels and swung at Reven's neck, which the huge man managed to avoid by a hair's breath and in return kicked Kevan's side again, sending down to his knees. Pain like spikes shot through his torso, the moonlight inside him trembled, eager for release. 

Reven stood above the chief, and grabbed him by his hair and pulling his head up, Kevan tried to swing with his saber but Reven batted the weapon away like it was a toy. 

Kevan looked up at Reven, as he raised the greatsword up–to swing down at Kevan. 

‘Ah to hell with it.’ Kevan thought. 

As Reven's sword fell, Kevan opened his mouth and white light spilled out from it, with the sound of a hundred owls hooting in unison, and struck Kevan in the chest with a blinding silver–white explosion, sending the Ulov great chief flying back. 

The entire battle field which was momentarily drowned in that light, went still, everyone pulling their hands up to shield their eyes from going blind. 

Kevan groaned and coughed blood as he got to his feet, he walked up, and pulled the saber up and looked down at the fallen figure of Reven, his cloak was burned away, ashes flakes drifting up into the winds. 

A horn blew, this time from the south, both the Ulov and the Krimzon guards who were surrounded and had dwindled in number greatly turned. 

Figures emerged, with torches in the night, with red eyes and disheveled leather armors. And from among them emerged The Chief of Flery, Pevena Leria. 

“And she has the hall to get cross with me when I get late.” Kevan said with a curse, he started walking towards his men to organize them into formation, “Korli, Genfi–” His words were cut off and Kevan spun on his heels. 

Reven's dark and smoking figure was on his knees, he groaned and pushed himself to his feet. His face was intact except some of his long hair was buried away at the tips as the great Ulov chief regarded Kevan with that same arrogant toothy smile.

His tattered cloak was burned away and what was hidden beneath it revealed itself. 

Reven's tall figure was covered in golden red steel wires, they glowed softly with a silver white light, moonlight in the form of steam rose from its small pores. The wires curled and twisted in jagged yet purposeful form. It was an armor which moved and rippled to accommodate Reven's muscles and body.

The bizarre and mesmerizing steel wires making up the armor, seemed to move and ripple on its own as if alive. 

“What–”

“If that had hit me in the face, I would be dead. I can see why the Ulov have never managed to defeat the Krimzons. But it ends today, with me, I have come prepared for your tricks little rabbit.”