The hardened faces remained unyielding, cold, watching with the intent to strike at any moment; they were only waiting for their leader's command. The night seemed endless, and the air felt like a storm of spears pressing down on everything around. Pikur tried to move, but Ibaki was held tighter still, as if Dakur's hands were tentacles keeping him trapped.
—To know him… your father and I were good friends. We worked together on several missions —Dakur smiled once again.
Ibaki didn't have time to respond. He collapsed, and Dakur caught him before he hit the ground. The wounds from the battle were still open, his strength nearly gone. It was only natural for his body to give in.
Pikur raised his sword, his eyes burning with the desire to finish the job.
—What do you think you're doing? —Dakur asked.
—I'm going to kill him —he replied, driven by an insatiable thirst for blood.
—The plans have changed —Dakur added—. We're taking him home.
—Sir, but…
—That's an order.
Dakur lowered his gaze.
—Clean up this mess —he commanded, before disappearing from the scene.
Ibaki regained consciousness, opening his eyes with difficulty. The morning light filtered through the wooden window, warm but faint. He was in a cabin, lying on a humble yet surprisingly comfortable mattress. His torso was bandaged, and he noticed that the worst of his wounds had already been treated.
He pushed himself up with effort and opened the door. The cold mountain air struck his face. In the distance, the roar of a waterfall broke the morning silence.
Outside, a few men stood guard. Children ran between the rocks, and women warmed food over a campfire. It was a small refuge, far from the world.
—I see you're awake —said Dakur, watching him from a nearby rock.
—How long was I out? —Ibaki asked, rubbing his neck with a pained grimace.
—Almost three days. I imagine you heal faster than before now —Dakur replied.
—I think so —Ibaki admitted, though he still felt a sharp burn in his side.
—Sorry about the arm —Dakur added, pointing to the bandage.
Ibaki lowered his gaze. He hadn't noticed, but Pikur had indeed managed to injure him more than he thought.
—It's fine. It'll heal —he said, brushing it off.
—You've gained the same skill your father had. Even so, I never understood why he died that day —Dakur said, his tone darkening.
—His wounds were severe… he used the last of his strength to protect me and my sister. Besides, our whole clan was…
—I know —Dakur interrupted—. The Tenchi clan was wiped out.
Ibaki felt rage rush through his body like boiling water. He clenched his fists tight.
—That cursed king… I swear I'll have my revenge.
—Do you know why they did it? Why they destroyed your entire clan? —Dakur asked, his gaze hardening.
Ibaki looked up, eyes tense and dark.
—My father wanted to stop King Nefros from awakening the Five Beasts of Destruction.
—That doesn't make sense…
—What do you mean by that? —Ibaki growled, as a thread of blood seeped through the bandage on his ribs.
—The information you were given is wrong. Lord Nefros didn't destroy the Tenchi clan. Your father… was the one who did it —Dakur stated plainly.
Ibaki took a deep breath. The pain stabbed inside him like blades. He gritted his teeth.
—That's not true. Though I don't expect you to believe me —he said, barely able to stay on his feet. His wounds were consuming him.
—I swear I'll avenge my father's death… and the Tenchi clan.
Dakur remained silent. He saw firm determination, but also the obvious truth: Ibaki was far from ready.
—If you're sure about what you want to do, I'm not the one to stop you —Dakur said—. But one thing's certain: by not killing you, I've made myself an enemy of the King of Zinaria —he added with a crooked smile.
—You have no reason to fight this battle. It's mine. I'll go… and kill him.
—Don't be stupid —Pikur cut in from the side—. You don't have even half the power you'd need. The Guardians would crush you before you ever reached the king.
—Don't underestimate me. The blood of one of the strongest clans to ever exist runs through my veins —Ibaki replied firmly.
—And where are they now? —Pikur scoffed—. Dead.
Ibaki's shoulders sank. He had no answer for that.
—Listen, kid —Dakur said calmly—. Pikur's right. The ones who killed your parents were the Supreme Guardians. Alone… you wouldn't stand a chance. Not yet.
—Maybe you have potential, I don't doubt that —he continued—. But your abilities are still incomplete. It's not enough to harden your body. They have experience, technique… years on the battlefield.
Ibaki sighed, biting his lip. He felt the truth in their words, but he couldn't let the fire inside him fade.
—I have to do something…
—And you will. I'll take care of refining your skills —Dakur said with a faint smile.
—Thank you, sir… but I don't have time to train. I must…
—Suit yourself —Dakur interrupted—. But if you're anything like your father… you'll learn quickly. He was one of a kind. He adapted to every fight as if he had lived it before.
—I don't have time. I'll leave tonight.
—Are you sure about that, kid? —Dakur asked, still calm.
—It's my decision.
—Fine. But you'd better leave tomorrow —Dakur replied, standing—. Everyone's looking for you, and you're in no shape to face them.
Ibaki nodded silently and bowed in respect.
—Thank you, sir…
His words were sincere, but his gaze drifted toward the horizon, where the sky was beginning to cloud.
Far away, hidden among the mountains, shadows watched the refuge with predatory patience.
A voice whispered in the wind:
—They've found him…
A black raven took flight and vanished into the clouds.
The next hunt… had begun.