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Chapter 7 - RONGER: CHAPTER 7 : BROKEN KNIGHT [VOLUME 1]

Early Morning

"Hey, Xander! Wake up! It's already 8 o'clock!"

Xander slowly opened his eyes, feeling the weight of Alex still asleep on his chest. Ember peeked into the room, smiling as she saw both Alex and Ben curled up against Xander. She walked over and clapped her hands.

"Guys! Wake up! Time to eat!"

Alex stirred, rubbing his eyes, while Ben grinned at him.

"Yo, Alex, let's go to the washroom!"

Ben helped Alex freshen up, and when they entered the dining hall, they immediately got distracted by the TV. Plopping onto the couch, they became completely engrossed in an old Rambo movie, forgetting everything else.

Xander, shaking his head, brought over a bowl of food and sat beside them. Without a word, he started feeding both Alex and Ben, alternating between them like it was second nature.

John approached him, arms crossed. "So, what's your plan? Why don't you come with me to the Hunter Association?"

Xander didn't look up. "No. We're going to meet my comrade—my knight."

John nodded. "Then I'll be heading out. But make sure you introduce him to us when he arrives."

Xander gave a small nod. "He'll come here himself."

Once Alex and Ben were done eating, Xander stood and walked over to Ember.

"Sister, can you cook one more plate for dinner tonight? Look after it, please."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You and your formal requests. Alright, I'll make sure it's ready."

Xander chuckled, then headed upstairs to change. When he came back down, dressed in crisp formals with his shirt neatly tucked in, Ember raised an eyebrow.

"You look like some ordinary office worker now."

Xander smirked. "There's no comfort in this, I swear. By the way, do you have a bike?"

Without hesitation, she tossed him a key. "It's in the garage!"

Xander walked into the garage and spotted a dust-covered cloth draped over something. His curiosity piqued.

Ben sprinted ahead, his excitement bubbling over. "Alex, let's pull it off!"

Together, they yanked the cloth away, revealing a Triumph T120 Bonneville—a classic beauty with a modified engine.

Xander's eyes gleamed with passion as he ran a hand over the polished surface. He grabbed two helmets and turned to the boys, securing them snugly on their heads.

Once he settled onto the seat, he gripped the handlebars and started the engine.

VROOOOM!

The deep, throaty roar of the engine echoed through the house, shaking the walls. Alex and Ben scrambled onto the back, holding onto each other tightly.

With a firm grip, Xander released the clutch and twisted the throttle.

As the bike roared to life, Alex clung tightly to Xander's waist, his voice rising over the wind. "Father! Where are we going?"

Xander's lips curled into a small smile. "We're going to meet someone special."

Alex tilted his head. "Who?"

"Your uncle," Xander said, his voice steady. "Your mother's younger brother."

Alex's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… I have an uncle?!"

Xander chuckled, shifting gears as they sped down the open highway. "Because some stories are meant to be told at the right time. you know what hislover name is also start with sam "

Alex's excitement only grew. "What's he like? Is he strong? Does he have a sword? is aunt looks pretty and beautiful"

Xander's gaze softened as he looked ahead. "You'll see soon enough."

VROOOOM! the engine with full throttle .

The tires spun for a split second before gripping the road—then, in a flash, the bike surged forward, cutting through the morning light.

As they sped past towering buildings and colorful shopping malls, Alex's eyes widened in awe.

Ben, just as mesmerized, muttered, "So many shopping malls…" He kept staring at everything as if it were a dream.

Leaving the bustling city behind, the vast mountains and open highways filled them with excitement. Ben started shouting into the wind, his voice full of exhilaration, and soon, Alex joined him.

Other riders on bikes and in cars noticed the two boys and cheered as they passed. A group of long-distance bikers rode up beside Xander, chatting briefly with Alex and Ben before zooming ahead.

Xander smiled, enjoying the journey just as much as they did.

After two hours of riding, they reached a forest road. The bike came to a stop in front of an ancient monastery.

Alex and Ben jumped down eagerly, stretching their legs. Alex turned to Xander and asked, "What is this place, Father?"

Xander ruffled his hair. "This is a monastery. Stay close and be respectful."

Holding their hands, he led them up the stone steps. He knocked on the heavy wooden door. Moments later, it creaked open, revealing a monk who studied them with calm, knowing eyes.

Xander bowed slightly and said, "I need to meet Sam. I am Xander, Brave Light's author."

The monk nodded in acknowledgment and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.

As they walked through the monastery, Alex looked up at his father, puzzled. "But isn't our surname Foster Cane?"

Xander gave a small nod. "Yes, Alex, that was your mother's surname. But we also carry another name—our true identity." He paused for a moment, then said firmly, "Brave Light's Author."

Alex's mind raced. He had read that name before—in the Heaven's Forbidden Archives.

His breath hitched. "Wait… we're the ones who can part and maintain the balance between light and darkness?"

Xander met his gaze. "Yes. That is what Brave Lights are born to do."

The monk leading them stopped in front of a large door. An elder monk stood waiting, his expression unreadable.

"We will go inside now, Brother Xander," the old monk said.

Xander nodded and gently pulled Alex and Ben behind him.

With a deep breath, he chanted, "Abhimatha Buddha."

As his voice echoed through the corridor, he pushed the doors open.

Short. Sharp. Deadly—just like him.A soft breeze rushed through, carrying the scent of cherry blossoms and fresh earth. As the door fully opened, Alex and the others widened their eyes in awe. Before them stretched a breathtaking landscape—a vast expanse of lush green fields, a crystal-clear river winding through like a ribbon of silver, and an endless sky painted in hues of soft blue with clouds drifting like whispers. At the far end of the scenery, a magnificent sakura tree stood tall, its pink petals dancing in the air, forming a serene and almost ethereal glow.

Beneath the tree, sitting upon a large boulder, was a man. His long hair cascaded down his back, and in the center of his forehead, a faint white mark, resembling a crown, gleamed amid the falling petals. His wings, partially extended, shimmered as if reflecting the very essence of the natural world surrounding him.

Ronger turned to the monk, his voice firm yet pleading. "Please! Protect them, monk!"

The old monk smiled kindly, pressing his palms together in a gesture of assurance. "Abhimatha Buddha... Leave them to me. But you—help him."

With a single motion, the monk summoned a protective barrier around the group, a shimmering bell-shaped dome enclosing them. Ronger exhaled slowly before stepping forward, his eyes locked onto the man beneath the tree. As he approached, his voice rang out, filled with urgency and frustration.

"Hey, fool! Wake up! How long are you going to sit there drowning in sorrow and anger? We can't change the past, idiot! We can't!"

Silence.

The man did not move, did not react. The gentle breeze carried away the words, yet the weight of them hung heavy in the air.

Ronger clenched his fists, his voice trembling. "Brother, we made an oath—to protect, to face the universe for justice!"

Slowly, the man opened his eyes. His gaze was calm but filled with an immeasurable depth of sorrow and wisdom. His voice, low and steady, carried a divine resonance. "We are the sons of bright universe. We became the sun and the moon—to guide those who seek direction."

Without hesitation, he reached for his sword.

Ronger smirked, unbuttoning his shirt and tearing it open, exposing the old scars across his chest. "The pain, the struggle... It's for the people we love and the ones we must protect."

The man gripped his sword tighter, his lips curling into a bittersweet smile. Then, without warning, he leapt into the air, wings spreading wide as he soared towards Ronger, his voice rising into a song. "We are the gods of the battlefield!"

Ronger met him mid-air, his own sword of light flashing as he roared in reply, "We never fall back or fear!"

Their voices rang through the heavens as they clashed, the force of their collision sending shockwaves rippling through the sky. The very air trembled with their power as they exchanged blow after blow, their strikes too fast for the human eye to follow. The sheer energy of their battle cracked the earth below and sent ripples through the river.

Bruce, watching from behind the protective barrier, turned to the monk with wide, questioning eyes. "Why are they fighting like that?"

The monk sighed, his gaze never leaving the duel. "Look at their eyes, child."

Alex focused, and suddenly, he saw it—the unshed tears glistening in the man's eyes.

"He's crying..." Alex whispered. "Why?"

The monk's voice was solemn. "Because he lost his family. From that day onward, he locked himself away, meditating in solitude for a century. He only awakens when the world calls for him. He lost himself, his peace, his bonds... his light."

Alex's heart clenched. "But his family is still alive!"

The monk turned sharply, eyes filled with surprise. "How do you know that?"

Alex's voice was firm. "Because... he's my uncle. My mother's own brother."

The monk inhaled sharply, realization dawning upon him. His eyes welled with tears.

"turn out the universe don't aboundant him "

The battle raged on, but something had changed. As their blades met, their voices rose in harmony:

Light shines from our clash.

Brother, we swore an oath to protect.

To face the universe with justice.

We are the sun and the moon.

To guide those lost in darkness.

Their final clash split the sky, scattering clouds with its sheer force. Then, as the energy settled, the two warriors slowly descended, their breaths heavy, their eyes locked onto each other.

Samuel, at last, had cooled. Landing gracefully on the stone where he had once meditated, he turned to Ronger, voice breaking. "I'm sorry... I couldn't protect Alex."

Xander stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You did what you could. Now, let me tell you everything."

Samuel's eyes darted to Alex, desperation lacing his voice. "Where is he? Is Alex here?"

Ronger simply pointed.

Samuel's breath hitched as he moved towards Alex, his steps slow, almost hesitant. Then, in one swift motion, he pulled the boy into his arms, holding him tight as his shoulders shook with silent sobs. "Forgive me... for not protecting you... for not being there for your mother..."

After a long moment, he pulled back, his hands gently wiping the tears from Alex's face. He gave the boy a soft smile. "Hey, kid... I am Samuel. Your mother's brother. They called me Samuel Brave Light Ender. I am your blood, and I am here now. I don't know who raised you in my stead, but I would like to thank them."

Alex hesitated, eyes flickering with uncertainty. "No... I can't..."

Ronger placed a hand on Samuel's shoulder. "Don't force him, Sam. His mark bears the symbol of gold thunder and wings. Let's not disturb that matter."

sam understand , " is it heavens ?", xander nods at him . Alex took a deep breath before looking up at Samuel with a small smile. "Uncle... can I call you Sam Sam?"

Samuel blinked, glancing at Ronger with a glare. "You idiot! What have you been telling him?"

Alex smile and ask "I want to call you that—like my mother used to!"

Samuel chuckled, ruffling Alex's hair. "Fine, but don't use it outside, alright?"

Alex grinned. "Yes, Uncle Sam Sam!"

Samuel leaned against Xander with a sigh. "So... where are we going?"

Xander smirked. "To John's house. ."

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