The wind grew cold, the sky turned grey, and thunder vibrated through the air.
The trees danced with the wind as the two sides stood face to face, ready to bathe the forest in blood. The one who had found them showed no mercy. He would stop at nothing until he got what he desired.
"Stay back and keep the scroll safe. I'll find an opening, and when I do, you run for it. We must not lose it at all costs..." the boy whispered to the girl.
The girl nodded in agreement.
She knew this was the only choice they had if they wanted to secure the scroll.
[Whoosh...]
"Where did he go?" the boy asked hastily, looking around.
[Whooshhh....]
The man suddenly appeared behind them.
For a brief second, everything seemed to stand still.
The boy's eyes widened.
Fear, confusion, and shock overtook his mind. His body froze, unable to react or dodge the incoming attack.
[BOOM!]
The attack struck with tremendous force.
Reinn was smashed into the ground.
Blood gushed from his mouth as his body lay motionless for a moment.
"REINNNNN!!"
The girl's scream echoed throughout the forest.
Reinn coughed violently, blood escaping from his lips. Yet, using the last bit of strength he had left, he shakily raised his sword.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!!"
With a desperate cry, he swung his sword with everything he had.
[SHATTERED...]
The sword shattered into countless pieces.
Its broken shards rained onto the ground, clattering against the earth in a mournful sound.
Reinn's breathing became rough and wet.
Using what remained of his strength, he shakily pushed himself upright with the broken handle of his sword.
He looked forward.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Reinn smiled.
A weak, almost defiant laugh escaped him, followed by another cough of blood.
"Ha... hah..."
[BOOM....]
The sight enraged the man.
How dare someone who was already standing on the edge of death laugh at him?
The kick struck Reinn with devastating force.
His body was launched through the air, crashing through one tree after another.
CRASH!
BOOM!
CRACK!
Each impact crushed another part of his already battered body until he finally came to a stop.
"Tsk... What a waste of time."
The man dusted himself off.
Then his eyes shifted toward the direction where the girl had run.