Ishnofel watched from the shadows. The dim light of the moon outlined his silhouette, casting his figure over the ruins and the leaves stirred by the wind. His gaze fixed on Ruwi's house, where the faint glow of the torches illuminated the silhouettes of Jesus's sent ones. The training was rudimentary; each movement, clumsy and predictable.
—Poor fools… they think a sword will save them —he whispered with a disdainful smile.
But something stopped him. Ruwi's eyes... that color reminded him of his wife and his dead child. A flash of memory crossed his mind like a lightning bolt in the dark, but he didn't have time to explore the thought.
The appearance of Liz shook him like a blow to the chest.
His breath became erratic. His skin tightened as if his own rage were boiling inside him.
—Did Liz have a child...? Is that bastard my nephew? —he muttered through clenched teeth, his fists tightening until his knuckles turned white.
No longer holding back, Ishnofel raised his arm in fury and with a single blow destroyed the door of Ruwi's house. The wood exploded into splinters, the roar resounding like thunder. The wind swept the dust from the impact, and his figure emerged from the mist like a demon from hell.
Camila felt a chill run down her spine upon recognizing him. Her face twisted with rage and pain.
—He's the one who killed my grandparents! —she shouted with uncontrollable fury.
César immediately stepped forward, his body placing itself between Ishnofel and the young ones. His eyes were fixed on the enemy, but his voice was calm and firm.
—Liz, take them to a safe place. I'll handle this demon. — César said seriously.
—We're not leaving you alone! —Ruwi protested, his voice trembling.
Daniel, with his sword trembling in hand, planted himself beside his friend.
—It's six of us against him —he said with determination.
—I'll avenge my grandparents! —shouted Camila, her eyes burning with rage.
Rosenda firmly placed her hand on his shoulder.
—We'll defeat him! —Rosenda shouted with conviction.
César looked at them sternly, then smiled calmly.
—Don't worry, I'll be back. Trust me. — César smiled confidently.
The young ones hesitated, but César's aura instilled a strange confidence in them. Liz, though worried, nodded and guided them out of the house, leaving César standing before Ishnofel.
The demon flashed a twisted smile.
—We meet again, César. When I left you, you were just another student. Now, I'm the master. — Ishnofel explained proudly.
César twirled his sword fluidly and held it confidently.
—You're a master of being a poor student. Your hatred consumes you. — César spoke, ready with his sword.
Ishnofel threw his head back and laughed.
—You shouldn't have returned, old man. You'll regret it. — Ishnofel said with malice.
With a single step, Ishnofel closed the distance and unsheathed his sword with deadly speed. The blade cut through the air with a fierce whistle.
César reacted instantly. He blocked the strike with precision, the clash of metal echoing with a sharp sound. Sparks flew from their swords, lighting up the gloom of the house.
Ishnofel pressed hard, pushing him back. César barely managed to resist, but instead of showing fear, he smiled.
—I see you're still fighting with rage instead of technique. — César said, dodging the demon's attack.
—Shut up! — Ishnofel growled, swinging a horizontal slash.
César barely dodged, tilting his body with grace. He spun on his own axis and launched a thrust directly at Ishnofel's chest, but Ishnofel moved with superhuman reflexes, blocking with ease.
The battle intensified. Each strike was a flash of light reflected on the steel blades. Ishnofel attacked with brutality, his almost inhuman strength shaking César's arms with each impact.
The veteran warrior kept his composure, dodging and counterattacking with precision. It was a dance of death, a battle between unleashed fury and refined technique.
But Ishnofel was clever. He waited for the right moment.
He took advantage of a brief vulnerability, a gap in César's defense.
With an unexpected twist, Ishnofel deflected his opponent's sword and, in a single move, drove his blade into César's chest.
The sound of steel piercing flesh resonated through the house like thunder.
César gasped, his eyes widening in surprise and pain.
The air left his lungs with a strangled wheeze.
His sword slipped from his fingers.
Blood began to pour from the wound, dark and hot, soaking his clothes.
Ishnofel held him in place for a moment, savoring the scene with cruel satisfaction. Then he pulled his sword out with a violent yank, letting César fall heavily to the ground.
—Pathetic… — Ishnofel whispered, spinning on his heels to walk away.
The young ones came running, hopeful... but when they saw César on the ground, their world stopped.
Liz rushed to him, falling to her knees, her trembling hands pressing against the wound of her beloved.
—No, no, no... César... — she whispered, her eyes filled with tears.
César opened his eyes with effort, his breath ragged.
—Liz... my love... my time is near... I love you... — he whispered, with a faint smile.
Liz sobbed and kissed him, her tears mixing with his blood.
Ruwi watched the scene with a lump in his throat. It was all his fault. He turned and ran to his room, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Liz found him minutes later, hugging himself, his body shaking with sobs.
—I'm the one to blame... If I hadn't been born, my parents... César... — Ruwi whispered with tearful eyes.
Liz knelt beside him and hugged him tightly.
—Don't say that, my love. Your parents would be proud of you. — Liz said, kissing him on the forehead.
Daniel, Rosenda, and Camila joined, surrounding Ruwi with their support.
—Without you, who would be my brother? — Daniel said with a sad smile.
—you always help us, Ruwi. You're special —whispered Rosenda.
—you're strong, friend. Don't let the sadness take over you —Camila added.
A light began to shine.
The cloudy sky cleared, and the sun illuminated the house.
Jesus appeared with a warm smile, placing his hand on Ruwi's head.
—You know why I chose you —he whispered—. You're stronger than you think.
Faith was reborn in Ruwi's heart.
The battle was not over yet.