Chapter 47

  Heaven’s Path was even more prosperous than Waning Crescent and Joyous Encounters. Its look could only be compared to the capital, Dragon’s Dwelling. It was protected by a tall circular stone barrier that extended five times past the average person’s height. The streets were clean and there was not a crack nor any damage on the smooth roads in sight.

  Almost all the buildings were made of expensive wood or stone and many of the roofs were lined with sturdy material.

  Even some of the stalls were well made, the calligraphy and art hanging on them appearing to be drawn by some sort of master scholar.

  The people walking around were happy, mostly dressed in clothing of the newest styles and the streets lacked any of the poor and indigent that could be seen in other cities and towns.

  It was a stark difference to all the other places they had traveled through thus far. Even the air smelled of a fresh floral fragrance.

  Standing at the entrance to the city, facing the loud chatter and large crowds, Rillian Adore said, “I’ll take the lead.”

  Drakkel silently nodded.

  He had been to Heaven’s Path before for some small sword fighting contests that took place when he was younger, but he had never stayed long enough to explore the whole city. It had also been many years and the layout had changed a lot. So, he allowed Rillian Adore to lead him down the busy streets, taking in the sights and sounds that surrounded them.

  People would glance Rillian Adore's way as he walked, staring from afar, but too fearful to approach.

  Suddenly, Drakkel heard the whispered talks of two women from the side.

  “So they're still keeping him?”

  “Who?”

  “How could you not know? It's all anyone's been talking about!”

  “Oh! You mean the Sacred Sword Swords Clan Leader?”

  Drakkel turned his head in the direction the voices were from.

  He stopped walking and quietly listened to what the two women were saying.

  “Yes!”

  The woman’s volume raised a bit as her eyes widened in realization, “Oh! Him! Yes, I heard they were still keeping him in custody. It's odd that they haven't revealed the reason why, but I heard it was something bad!”

  “I hope it isn't too bad though. My daughter lives in Immortal Peak and she told me that when her husband fell sick and she lacked the money to afford a doctor, the Sacred Sword Swords Clan Leader nursed him back to health free of charge. He even gave her some vegetables from his garden to eat while her husband was unable to work. Apparently the man is known as a saint among the citizens there. I heard that all his disciples have a similar temperament.”

  The other woman scoffed. “But isn't that also the clan where Drakkel Fin…”

  “Ssh! Rillian Adore may not be here now. But he said that any degenerate talk about that man will not be condoned. Since he left, the rule hasn't really been enforced. But who knows when he will return and who might be punished when that happens? Let's just stop talking here.”

  Suddenly, the women seemed to notice their presence. First they gazed at Drakkel, then Rillian Adore.

  Upon looking further at him, a fearful expression clouded both their features and sweat dripped from their brows.

  Rillian Adore clenched his fist and glowered at them and they both squealed a bit before scurrying away.

  As they left, their words could still be heard.

  “Wasn't that Rillian Adore just now?”

  “Yes! I think so too!”

  “But he's been gone for so long… I thought…!”

  “Stop talking! Let's just consider ourselves lucky that we escaped unharmed!”

  The women’s reactions were seen by all in the area. So if anyone was talking about Drakkel's Master before, their topic of discussion immediately changed.

  Now, all Drakkel and Rillian Adore heard was gossip about the concubines and consorts of the palace and stories about the Sword Fighting World.

  Drakkel's heart was pounding in his chest.

  “We have to go!” He said. “Please!”

  Rillian Adore nodded.

  As they were surrounded by a crowd, Rillian Adore loudly said, “Move!”

  Knowing who it was, everyone in the vicinity cleared room for him. Then, he took Drakkel's hand and ran to the Golden Peak Sword's Clan’s Manor.

  The two arrived in a little over an hour.

  When the disciples at the front gate saw him, they greeted him happily.

  “Welcome back, Senior Rillian! How was your journey?”

  “Where have you been? Are you doing ok?”

  However Rillian Adore ignored them, not answering. Instead, be pushed past them with Drakkel in tow.

  As he left the other disciple asked, “What's going on with him?”

  The one who originally spoke could only shrug.

  At this point, none seemed to question Drakkel's presence. Rumors about him must have already spread to even Heaven's Path.

  The Golden Peak Swords Clan was like a mix of an expensive manor and palace. The roofs were designed beautifully and with expensive material. But the walls were a mixture of stone and dark wood. Inside, the floors were made of marble, on top of which sat embroidered silk carpeting. On the walls were elaborate paintings and intricate calligraphy.

  As Rillian Adore walked through, he ignored the nods of the disciples who greeted him as well as any attempts to speak further.

  This left a path of confusion amongst the disciples in question, but Rillian Adore didn't care.

  He said to Drakkel using his sword energy, “If your master has truly been captured, he would either be in the main hall for interrogation or the dungeons. I think it would be wise to start with the hall first. That way, we can discuss what happened with my master”

  Drakkel nodded.

  It wasn't long until they reached the double-doored entrance of the main hall. Coming from it were the sounds of people talking.

  “Will you not admit it? Your disciple has been fraternizing with demons.”

  Drakkel heard the familiar voice of his master reply, “I haven't seen my disciple for seven years. Before that, he was a good boy. I had never seen him associate with demons…”

  His master's voice sounded labored- as if he was straining to speak.

  Drakkel’s heart dropped.

  Before Rillian Adore could stop him, he went ahead of him and pushed the door open. At that moment, all the eyes in the room immediately landed on him.

  Drakkel nearly smiled when he saw his master. But after observing his current state, his eyes widened and his heart shook.

  His master sat on his knees in the middle of the room. His hair was messy and his hands were tied behind his back.

  Standing around him was a group of older looking men and in front of him were some short steps leading to a golden seat atop a dais.

  The base of the chair was made with gold, but thick silk fabric still covered the spots where another older looking man sat comfortably, gazing down at Drakkel's master.

  Standing next to that man was a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a sturdy countenance.

  Although his exact age was hard to guess, it could be seen that he was quite handsome in appearance bearing long black and white hair and fine features as well as a slim, yet muscular build.

  Drakkel recognized the man on the chair to be Lorian Adore, someone he had admired when he was younger. But the man standing next to him, he had never seen before.

  Drakkel’s master looked Drakkel straight in the eyes, warranting his attention. With his disheveled and tired state he shook his head as if he was cautioning him not to reveal himself.

  Drakkel heeded his warning, making no further movements. He bowed his head and stood still next to Rillian Adore who had followed him in. But it was difficult for every fiber of his being was telling him to do the opposite.

  Rillian Adore cupped his hands and bowed to the man who sat atop the throne-like chair.

  The man smiled. “Rillian, you’re back.”

  Rillian Adore nodded. “Yes, Master..”

  The man’s smile widened. “It seems you’ve had quite the journey. You should tell me more about it when I'm done with my business here.”

  Rillian Adore turned his attention to Drakkel’s master. “Isn't this the Clan Leader of the Sacred Sword Swords Clan, Rodius Fowl?”

  He walked towards him and cupped his hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Clan Leader.”

  Rodius Fowl gave him a slight nod.

  Rillian Adore stepped in between his Master and Rodius Fowl and asked, “What seems to be the problem here, Master? Has Clan Leader Fowl done something to offend you?”

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  “Not me, but the whole Sword Fighting World.” Clan Leader Adore answered.

  “What has he done? Maybe we can ta…” Rillian Adore was about to say, but his Master put his hand up, interrupting him.

  “As my disciple, you should know better than to get in the middle of disputes without prompt. You’ve always been obedient, why speak against me now?”

  “But Master…!” Rillian Adore tried to say.

  Clan Leader Adore’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t speak! I have always indulged you and in return you have always listened to me. I don’t know if you’ve spent too much time outside, but you’re different than before! You’ve only just arrived here and you're already making trouble!”

  His fists clenched slightly. “Perhaps you need a little rest…”

  “Someone!” He called.

  Two disciples ran past Drakkel from the open door and bowed to him.

  “Drag my disciple down and keep him to the side.”

  The two disciples gazed at Rillian Adore in surprise, their eyes widening.

  Drakkel recognized one of them as Ling and the other as Trin who assisted them in Shadowy Ridges.

  Despite this, both disciples still answered, “Yes, Clan Leader Adore!”

  They headed over to Rillian Adore and each grabbed one of his arms.

  Rillian Adore pushed them away and stepped forward. “Master, Clan Leader Fowl is innocent! I’ve traveled to his Swords Clan. He’s known in his city for performing only good deeds! You must reconsider!”

  Clan Leader Adore’s face contorted in anger, “So you think you can defy me now?!”

  He put up his palm and shot a wave of sword energy at Rillian Adore.

  Drakkel's master moved just in time to not be struck by Rillian Adore's body as he flew backwards a couple of feet across the room.

  Rillian Adore’s leg wasn't completely healed, so when he attempted to stand up, he couldn't make it. The two disciples ran back and held him by his shoulders, keeping him on the floor.

  Clan Leader Adore said, “If you want to find out what's going on, just stay there quietly and watch.”

  Then it was as if he suddenly realized something.

  He turned his head and gazed at Drakkel who was still standing near the entrance. “And who might this be?”

  “He’s my new assistant!” Rillian Adore quickly answered. “He has nothing to do with this!”

  Clan Leader Adore shot a hard glare at Rillian Adore and he quieted down.

  He smiled. “Very well. Let’s let him witness our interrogation of the Sacred Sword Swords Clan Leader.”

  He got up from his seat and stepped towards the staircase, stopping right before the first step. “Is it true or is it not true that your disciple is working with the demons?”

  Rodius Fowl shook his head. “I already told you. My disciple was a good boy. Besides, I haven’t seen him in a while. How would I know what he’s been up t…”

  Clan Leader Adore shot a blast of sword energy at Rodius Fowl and he doubled over in pain, coughing up blood.

  “No!” Drakkel screamed.

  He ran over to his master and stood between him and Clan Leader Adore.

  “My master is right…” He said. “I would never do that.”

  Clan Leader Adore’s eyebrows went up, “You would never? What do you mean?”

  “Don’t!” Rillian Adore yelled. “Don’t say anth…!”

  Clan Leader Adore quickly turned to the disciples and said, “Hit his silencing acupoint.”

  Rillian Adore suddenly stopped speaking and all was quiet.

  “Continue,” Clan Leader Adore said. “What do you have to do with this?”

  Rodius Fowl coughed as he said, “Don’t… Don’t… Drake…Please—”

  It all happened in a moment.

  Drakkel suddenly heard the sound of choking coming from behind him.

  His eyes widened and he turned his head back.

  His master’s eyes were bloodshot and he appeared to be in extreme distress. He struggled to breathe as his body jerked around still bound.

  Then, he locked eyes with Drakkel and a single tear drop fell from his cheek before he fell limply to the ground, not getting back up.

  Drakkel couldn't believe it.

  His heart pounding like a drum in his chest, he turned his back to the Clan Leader of Golden Peak to check on his master.

  First, he put two fingers under his nose, then he checked his pulse. Only after doing both of these things did he realize…

  His master was dead…

  Suddenly, every breath felt like he was breathing in dust. Though he greedily took it in, it wasn't enough. It was as if he was plummeting down into an endless abyss.

  At the same time, gasps of surprise, chatter, and questions sounded from all around him.

  “What happened?”

  “Is he dead?”

  “Who did it?”

  As they talked, memories of his master flowed through Drakkel’s mind. The times they spent together flashed through his vision like raindrops falling into a puddle.

  Each memory was like a sword slash cut against the skin. And with each slash, he slowly felt himself losing his mind.

  Just then, among the cacophony of voices, something cracked. It was like a delicate teapot broken from the inside out from the pressure of water burning too hot.

  His vision tunneled and his surroundings blackened.

  The air grew heavy.

  In the darkness of night, a stormy sky met surging waves. As crackles of lightning spread through the sky, a mountain shattered.

  Drakkel's sword energy flowed through him like a torrent, aspiring to engulf all that stood in its path.

  He screamed.

  With his anguish and suffering, his sword energy went out of control.

  His birthmark throbbed.

  The throb turned into an ache and the ache turned into a burn.

  A foreign type of energy, one that seemed to be trapped from within, mixed with his own. He allowed it to invade his body, pushing through his channels and finally exiting his skin.

  Tears fell down his face as the corners of his lips slowly curled upwards.

  He laughed.

  It was a maniacal and twisted laugh, tinted with sadness and pain.

  He slowly stood up as gasps erupted from all around.

  “Demonic energy!”

  “A demon!”

  The elders went on guard as several younger disciples rushed into the room.

  “Who are you?!” Clan Leader Adore asked.

  Drakkel laughed again as the tears continued to fall from his eyes.

  Clan Leader Adore asked again, “Who are you?!”

  With a wide smile on his face, Drakkel answered simply, “Why, Drakkel Fin of course.”

  The people around him whispered.

  “So he hadn’t disappeared after all? I mean, I saw him from afar once. I suppose he does look a little like Drakkel Fin.”

  “Were the rumors true? Was he working with demons all this time?”

  Drakkel threw his head back, letting out a laugh that garnered the attention of all present in the room, causing them to stop talking. “Gossip! Whispers! You people never get bored, do you? It's the same! It’s always the same! The truth doesn’t matter! Only what you want to believe does!”

  “Shut up you vile thing!” Clan Leader Adore responded. “What sort of magic have you been using to hide your appearance and what seductive tactics did you use to beguile my disciple?”

  Drakkel turned to face him.

  “Beguile?” He laughed. "He chose to go on his own volition!”

  “But who cares, right? I mean, you certainly don’t. After someone died wrongfully on your watch, instead of looking for the culprit, you focus on me!”

  His eyes narrowed as he continued, “Unless the culprit was you!”

  Clan Leader Adore appeared shocked. “Everyone knows I was standing right here when Clan Leader Fowl unfortunately died! You were the closest to him! How do we know you're not the one who killed him?! Demons are devious creatures by nature after all!”

  Drakkel’s anger flared. With his fists clenched, he growled and every word he said after was accompanied by a chilling cold. “I would never kill my Master!”

  A wave of demonic energy spread through the crowd. Everyone placed up a barrier of sword energy to block it.

  “I suppose we’ll find out when we bring you in,” Clan Leader Adore responded. “Everyone! Take down this demon!”

  The crowd of disciples and elders took out their Greatswords and attacked Drakkel. But with his newfound energy, Drakkel found it far too easy to defeat them.

  One by one, he knocked them out until half of them were down. But the energy boost wasn’t lasting. He was already starting to grow tired.

  After knocking out a group of disciples, he sagged his shoulders forward and panted, trying to catch his breath.

  Clan Leader Adore, who had not joined in on the fight and had instead stayed watching in his original spot with the assistant that stood beside him, said, “It looks like we’re wearing you down, demon! Don’t stop everyone! Keep going!”

  The remaining disciples moved forward to attack when another disciple ran in from the outside.

  “Clan Leader! Demons! A horde of them are running through the streets and heading straight for Golden Peak manor!”

  Clan Leader Adore’s eyes widened as he gazed at Drakkel. “Did you not hear him?! Obviously this demon is calling for backup!”

  Whispers of fear and uncertainty reverberated through the crowd.

  “It couldn't be, right? Only one demon had the ability to call on others.”

  “Could it be the return of Demon King Fael?”

  At the mention of the old Demon King, the room erupted into an uproar.

  “But, wasn't he killed by the founders of the Sacred Sword, Golden Peak, and Enchanting Fans Swords Clan?”

  “Well this obviously wouldn’t be him, but his descendant!”

  “Don’t you remember what power he held? If it's true, can we even beat the demon that stands in front of us now?”

  “Don’t hesitate. He’s alone and surrounded! We should do what our Founder did and defeat the Demon!”

  “That's right!” Clan Leader Adore shouted. “We must beat back this threat before it becomes too strong! Hurry and capture him! We can deal with other problems later!”

  The whole room of people screamed, “Yes, Clan Leader!”

  Drakkel grimaced.

  He no longer had the energy to fight. He had to get away.

  At that moment, he instinctively turned his head in Rillian Adore’s direction. Rillian Adore’s face was enshrouded with sorrow as his gaze met Drakkel's.

  Looking at him, the corners of Drakkel's lips turned down before he closed his eyes and resolutely shifted his attention to the entrance.

  Using his sword energy to knock back any who stood in his path, he headed towards the exit of the room.

  With his Sword Master status, he was able to just barely slip through most attacks and if not, knock out or knock back the people attacking him.

  After fighting dozens of Sword Fighters through the halls and corridors, he finally made it to the outside of the Swords’ Clan where it was now raining heavily.

  Upon doing so, he indeed sensed many presences heading towards the clan. It seemed that they weren't lying.

  He hopped onto the tall walls surrounding the Golden Peak Sword’s clan with ease, looking back at the disciples that tried to follow him.

  None of them were cultivated enough, so they couldn't catch up. Instead, they yelled curses, insults, and challenges at him.

  As he thought of what occurred, he turned around and without a moment more of hesitation, quickly left the city.

  He traveled in no particular direction.

  All he knew was that he wanted to get away.

  Away from the anguish, the pain, and the sorrow. Away from everything.

  Later, he found himself dashing through a thick forest.

  That was when he felt a sharp drop in his sword energy.

  As he leapt over a thin stream of water, his sword energy suddenly stopped flowing and so his sword step followed.

  He fell onto the ground near the stream, covered with water and dirt and unable to get back up.

  As he laid on the cold wet ground, tears began to fall from his eyes.

  He stayed in the dirt, crying for a long time before his eyes closed and he entered a deep slumber.