Kayden’s words rang out with force and passion, each syllable brimming with conviction. The message was clear: his fate was his to decide. Not the heavens, not anyone else.
His defiance left the Grand Lord’s face twitching uncontrollably. Glaring at Kayden with seething hatred, he bellowed, “You foolish child! You’re walking straight into your own destruction!”
“Destruction?” Kayden scoffed, his voice calm yet cutting. “If that’s what awaits me, let them come face me head-on. I don’t mind destroying Hellblazer entirely if that’s what it takes.”
“Arrogant! Absurdly arrogant!” The Grand Lord’s furious growl came through gritted teeth, his cheeks trembling with rage. Hellblazer was sacred to these ancient figures, a god in their eyes. To hear it spoken of so casually was unbearable.
Unbothered, Kayden sneered, “Spare me the pointless chatter. If you insist on being Hellblazer’s loyal dogs, then your destruction is the fate you’ve chosen. Come, show me what you decrepit old fools can do.”
Raising the shattered blade in his hand, Kayden assumed a ready stance, a predator prepared to strike.
The Grand Lord’s expression darkened. “If you’re so determined to court death, don’t blame us for showing no mercy. Prepare yourselves! Today, we’ll kill this insolent brat!” At his command, the other three Grand Lords dispersed like ghosts, positioning themselves at the four cardinal points around Kayden-north, south, east, and west. Their gazes were cold, their movements sharp, radiating murderous intent.
The four Grand Lords of The Nightshade were finally making their move. Every disciple of The Nightshade held their breath, their eyes glued to the unfolding scene. This was the battle of a lifetime, a clash destined to shake the heavens and earth. The four Grand Lords, long shrouded in legend, were said to have reached the pinnacle of mastery-the fabled Master Level. They were rumored to command storms and shape the very world with their will.
“How can he possibly stand against four Master Level fighters?”
“The Grand Lords are finally stepping in!”
“To force their hand, this guy must be formidable.”
“Formidable? He’ll be a corpse soon enough.”
The disciples’ excitement turned feverish. They couldn’t wait to see Kayden fall.
Kayden, however, remained calm. Standing in the center of his encirclement, his expression was serene, his eyes gentle, as if the chaos around him didn’t exist.
Suddenly, the four Grand Lords sat cross-legged where they stood. Each closed their eyes and placed their hands on their knees, chanting softly. Moments later, strange phenomena began to materialize above their heads.
A plume of green mist emerged from one Grand Lord, within which a faint image of a dragon roared to life, its form restless as though ready to leap into the world. Another Grand Lord was shrouded in white mist, from which came a low growl, heralding the appearance of a majestic white tiger. The remaining two conjured the forms of a lynx and a massive tortoise.
Azure Dragon. White Tiger. Lynx. Black Tortoise.
These mythical beasts, visible to the naked eye, left the disciples dumbfounded. None of them had ever witnessed such a spectacle. Staring at the surreal scene, they were struck with awe.
The lead Grand Lord smirked. “You’re talented, boy. But today, your talent meets its end.”
Kayden paid no mind to the old man’s words. To him, they were nothing but relics, clinging to their age and reputation as if that alone made them invincible. How naive.
Without hesitation, Kayden raised his shattered blade and began to swing it in fluid arcs. The broken blade multiplied, forming thousands of identical weapons that spiraled around him in a protective dance.
“Attack!” the lead Grand Lord roared, and the others joined in unison. Chanting once more, they clasped their hands together and aimed at Kayden. From the union of their palms, beams of dazzling light erupted, sharp and deadly as swords, streaking toward Kayden in perfect sync.
The clash was deafening. No one could see the fighters move, but the sound of weapons clashing echoed through the air, leaving the audience stunned.
It was a battle fought in the void itself, with no physical contact. A rare and extraordinary sight, only achievable by Masters of their caliber.
Kayden stood his ground, his countless blades intercepting the Grand Lords’ sword-like energy.
From the sidelines, Lucy watched with a pounding heart. Could he really hold his own against these four?
Her instinct was to rush in and help, but she knew better. Intervening now would only hinder him. Her only choice was to stay back and bear witness to this relentless confrontation.
Despite their combined might, the Grand Lords failed to overpower Kayden. Their strength matched his, blow for blow.
“He really is a Master Level fighter,” one of them muttered in astonishment. Such power at his age was enviable, and their earlier talk of taking him as a disciple now seemed laughable. None of them were worthy to be his master.
The battle dragged on for ten minutes. Neither side could gain the upper hand. Kayden, however, had the advantage of endurance. While the Grand Lords were formidable, their age made them susceptible to exhaustion. Kayden could outlast them.
But the Grand Lords weren’t fools. Changing tactics, the lead Grand Lord barked an order. The formation dissolved, and the four leaped to their feet. Behind them, thousands of swords materialized, all aimed at Kayden.
Once again, Kayden found himself cornered. A beast trapped on all sides.
If he were at full strength, these four wouldn’t stand a chance. But with only half his power remaining, a stalemate was the best he could hope for.
Surveying the hovering sea of blades, Kayden summoned all his remaining energy. Tossing his shattered blade into the air, he watched as it ascended, then hovered above him like a guardian sword. At the same time, a massive bubble of energy enveloped his body, forming an impenetrable shield.
“Attack!” the lead Grand Lord cried, his voice like a thunderclap.
From the four fighters, a legion of spectral warriors emerged, each armed with deadly blades. With a deafening roar, they charged at Kayden, their weapons aiming straight for his heart.