The Forbidden Element

The night air was thick with the scent of blood.

Surya stood frozen, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. Around him, the bodies of fallen rebels lay motionless, their blood pooling beneath the silver moonlight.

And standing at the center of the carnage was him.

The Executioner.

A towering figure clad in midnight-black armor, his long cloak fluttering behind him like the wings of death itself. A massive, crimson-stained greatsword rested against his shoulder, its blade still dripping with fresh blood.

The Executioner tilted his head slightly, observing Surya with a chilling stillness.

"So... you're the one who caused all this trouble." His voice was eerily calm, carrying the weight of countless lives he had taken. "Surya Raj."

Surya's grip tightened.

"Who sent you?"

The Executioner let out a small, amused chuckle.

"Does it matter?" He lifted his blade, resting both hands on the hilt. "Your rebellion ends tonight."

Without warning, he vanished.

A flash of black steel cut through the night.

Surya barely had time to react—he twisted to the side, feeling the wind of the Executioner's blade slice inches from his face. The force of the swing shattered the ground, sending dust and debris flying.

He landed a few feet away, heart pounding.

He's fast.

Surya had faced powerful warriors before, but this man—this monster—was different.

The Executioner turned to him, unfazed. "You dodged." A faint smirk played at his lips. "Not bad."

Then, he charged again.

This time, Surya met his attack head-on.

Their blades clashed with a thunderous BOOM. The force sent shockwaves rippling through the fortress, toppling broken structures and scattering rubble. Sparks danced between them as Surya pushed against the Executioner's raw strength.

But he was losing ground.

The Executioner pressed forward, his overwhelming power threatening to crush Surya beneath his might.

"You're strong," the Executioner admitted. "But strength alone won't save you."

His blade pulsed with dark energy.

Then—he swung again.

Surya barely managed to block, but the impact sent him flying backward, crashing through a stone pillar.

Surya groaned, pushing himself up from the rubble. His vision blurred for a moment, but he forced himself to focus.

He couldn't afford to lose here.

Not now.

Not when so many people were counting on him.

The Executioner slowly approached, dragging his massive blade behind him. "Disappointing," he mused. "I expected more from the so-called 'Prince of the Seventh Kingdom.'"

Surya wiped the blood from his mouth. "Then you'll regret underestimating me."

A flicker of golden light pulsed around him.

His energy surged, crackling in the air like a living force.

The Executioner paused. His red eyes narrowed. "Hmm. Interesting."

Surya vanished.

This time, he was the one attacking.

CLANG!

Their blades met once more, but now, Surya was moving faster. His strikes came sharper, his movements precise. He weaved through the Executioner's defenses, landing small but effective cuts across his black armor.

The Executioner grunted, seemingly amused. "That's more like it."

Then, he did something unexpected.

He let go of his sword.

For a fraction of a second, Surya hesitated.

And that was his mistake.

In a blur of motion, the Executioner grabbed Surya by the throat and slammed him into the ground.

A crater formed beneath them. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, shaking the entire fortress.

Surya gasped as the air was forced from his lungs.

The Executioner leaned down, pressing his grip tighter.

"I was sent to kill you," he said, his tone cold and merciless. "But before I do—"

His red eyes gleamed.

"I want to see what makes you so special."

(TO BE CONTINUED...)