Chapter 7: The Clash of Bloodlines
The battlefield was chaotic, filled with the echoes of clashing weapons and the heavy scent of blood. Zion faced off against Vex, Steel fought Takeshi, Kai battled Mob, and Ardyn found himself in an unfair match against Darana and Aiko.
Ardyn scoffed, his dagger spinning between his fingers. "Two against one? That's hardly fair."
Darana smirked. "Nothing is fair in battle, little boy."
Aiko lunged forward, her speed blurring as she activated Phantom Dash, her movement so fast it seemed like she left behind ghostly afterimages. In an instant, she struck Ardyn with a powerful kick to the ribs, sending him skidding back.
Ardyn growled, wiping his mouth. "Bitch, I'm coming for you."
This time, when Aiko dashed toward him again, Ardyn was ready. He anticipated her move, catching her wrist mid-attack and twisting her body around. With a grunt, he slammed her into the wall, the impact sending cracks spiderwebbing across the stone.
Aiko wasn't done yet. She flipped backward and activated Death Lotus, spinning rapidly while launching a barrage of small, razor-sharp knives at Ardyn. The air whistled as the deadly projectiles sliced through it.
But Ardyn wasn't just some weak fighter. He dodged every single knife with precision, his movements fluid and calculated. He smirked. "Ha! My grandpa's training was worth it."
Before Aiko could react, he dashed forward, grabbing her arm and twisting it painfully. She let out a sharp cry as he plunged his dagger deep into her stomach.
"NO!" Darana shouted.
In a desperate attempt to save her sister, she activated Phantom Dash, appearing behind Ardyn in an instant. But Ardyn was already moving. With a terrifying expression, his eyes began to glow red, his rage fully unleashed.
He didn't just dodge Darana's attack—he countered with pure brutality. Still holding Aiko, he lifted her effortlessly and tore through her body, leaving her bloodied and broken. With a final motion, he threw her aside like discarded meat.
Darana's face twisted with rage. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
Meanwhile, Steel was in a fierce battle with Takeshi. The Ezra warrior wielded Bloodwater, manipulating liquid blood to form weapons. Takeshi lashed out with Blood Whip, sending a wave of crimson energy toward Steel.
Steel leaped back, dodging just in time. Takeshi didn't let up, forming a Blood Spear and thrusting it forward. Steel gritted his teeth and sidestepped, countering with a powerful kick to Takeshi's stomach.
Takeshi staggered, but quickly retaliated, summoning a Blood Tide Wave that crashed toward Steel like a raging tsunami.
The crimson wave engulfed Steel, and for a moment, everything was silent. Then—
CRACK!
A violent boom echoed through the air as Steel burst out of the wave, completely unscathed. Takeshi's eyes widened in disbelief.
"H-How?!"
Steel grinned. "You think blood can break steel?"
Before Takeshi could react, Steel activated his Dead Elbow—his most powerful and lethal move. With an earth-shattering impact, his elbow crashed into Takeshi's chest.
BOOM!
The sickening sound of bones shattering filled the air. Takeshi's body jerked violently before collapsing lifelessly onto the ground. Blood trickled from his mouth as he lay there, completely unconscious.
Lord Ezra, who had been watching the battle from the shadows, narrowed his eyes.
"They're far stronger than I expected…"
Zion, still clashing with Vex, glanced at Steel and smirked. "Damn, you didn't even give him a chance."
Steel cracked his knuckles. "Didn't need to."
Kai and Mob continued their battle, swords clashing in rapid succession. Sparks flew as their blades met, neither willing to back down.
But the real spectacle was still Ardyn. Darana charged at him in a blind rage, but Ardyn had fully awakened the Bloodline of Izzo. His eyes, now a deep, burning crimson, radiated an ominous glow.
"Your sister screamed before she died," Ardyn taunted.
Darana let out an animalistic scream and lunged at him with all her might. But it was already over.
Ardyn sidestepped effortlessly, his dagger flashing. A single precise strike—straight through Darana's throat.
She gasped, choking on her own blood as she fell to the ground, twitching. Ardyn knelt beside her, his expression cold.
"You thought you were strong?" he whispered. "You were never on my level."
Darana's eyes rolled back, and her body stilled.
Steel glanced at Ardyn and let out a low whistle. "Damn. Remind me to never piss you off."
Ardyn wiped the blood off his dagger, his glowing red eyes fading back to normal. "If we win, we're staying here," he said, his voice eerily calm.
Kai and Zion exchanged glances. They had won the battle—but the war was just beginning.
Lord Ezra, watching from the estate, clenched his fists.
"These warriors... they are monsters."