Word count: 2000 words
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The heavy iron gates of the ancient cemetery groaned open, revealing a landscape of decay and death. Brain took a deep breath, the cold air mixing with the faint scent of rotting flesh. Without hesitation, he sprinted forward, his grip tightening around his sword.
The first wave of undead rushed toward him, hollow eyes glowing with eerie malice.
His movements were precise and sharp. The moment his blade met bone, the clash of steel against skeletal remains echoed through the night.
Using the breathing technique he had been taught, he felt the power surge through his muscles, his strikes sharper, faster. Yoriichi's words echoed in his mind. 'Once you master the breathing technique fully, you will gain an affinity with an element.'
It could be fire, water, wind... Whatever it may be. 'I'm close. I can feel it in my body. I just need to push further.' He thought.
Dozens of skeletons and zombies swarmed him, but his blade danced among them, cleaving through their brittle bones as if they were mere twigs. His feet moved instinctively, dodging their clawed hands and rusted weapons.
The exhilaration of overwhelming his foes fueled him. His goal was clear, to make an impression, prove his strength, and elevate the princess's standing. If he succeeded today, her influence would only grow.
The soldiers watching from behind hesitated at first, stunned by Brain's fearlessness. Even Gazef momentarily froze, his brows furrowing in surprise. He knew Brain was strong, but this?
'It looks like I will have to increase the intensity of my training.' Gazef thought with an excited smile.
"Don't just stand there! Push forward! We will not let him fight all by himself!" Gazef ordered, snapping out of his daze. The soldiers roared in response and charged into the fray, cutting down the undead with renewed vigor.
By the time the reinforcements reached Brain, he was already deep within the enemy ranks. His breathing was steady, his attacks relentless.
However, something caught his eye, two figures moving through the battlefield with terrifying efficiency.
Momonga and Narberal!
He had been briefed about them by his lord, Meliodas. Their power was undeniable, yet they masked it so well that even with his growing strength, he could only get a faint sense of their true capabilities.
The way they cut through the undead was unlike anything the soldiers had ever seen. Where Brain relied on speed and technique, Momonga exuded an eerie, almost effortless dominance.
Every sword swing destroyed erased multiple foes in an instant. Narberal moved with deadly grace, her lightning magic reducing anything in her path to dust.
Despite their overwhelming presence, Brain felt something stir in him, determination. He would not allow himself to fall behind.
As he cleared a wide area of enemies, their paths finally crossed. Brain stood amidst a pile of vanquished undead, breathing deeply, his sword still dripping with ectoplasmic residue. Momonga, clad in his adventurer disguise, regarded him with an impassive expression, while Narberal observed him coldly.
"Impressive," Momonga remarked, his tone neutral. "Your skill is evident."
Brain gave a respectful nod. "And yours as well. Your speed in dealing with them is remarkable."
"Efficiency is key," Momonga replied. "Anyways there is no time to waste. We will proceed left. If you take the right, we can cover more ground."
Brain glanced at the battlefield. The plan made sense. "Agreed."
Nabe gave him a disgusted glance. "Don't fall behind," she said, her tone haughty.
Brain smirked, though his pride stung slightly. "I'll do my best."
"Nabe! How many times have I told you to treat them with respect..." Momonga's voice was fading into the distance as the duo left a slightly confused Brain.
He ignored this short exchange and glanced to the right, where he was supposed to go. He noticed a big clearing, but before heading there, he looked back to where he came from.
It seemed his and Momoga's efforts were giving the soldiers behind an easy time slaying those monsters. With a sigh of relief, he walked forward.
Brain moved cautiously through the clearing, his sharp gaze sweeping the area. The eerie silence felt unnatural. No more undead. No signs of movement. Just the distant sound of clashing steel and the occasional cries of battle from the cemetery behind him.
'Strange…'
He tightened his grip on his sword. Something wasn't right. His instincts sharpened through years of combat, screamed at him to be on guard.
Then, a voice.
A playful, almost mocking voice slithered through the air.
"Oh?~ Look what we have here… A little knight wandering all alone. That's dangerous, you know?"
Brain turned sharply toward the source, his stance ready.
Leaning casually against a half-crumbled stone pillar was a woman, her legs swinging back and forth like a little child.
She had sharp golden eyes that gleamed with amusement, a wicked grin stretching her lips. Short blonde hair reaching her ears and bang above her eyes, she wore an armor made from medals and metal plates of adventurers she had killed.
On the back of her waist was a weapon strap holding three identical daggers.
'Her daggers are shaped weirdly...' Brain noted immediately.
The woman tilted her head, sizing him up like a predator does its prey.
"You're looking at me like I'm some kind of monster. That's a little rude, don't you think?~" she pouted mockingly. Then, with a chuckle, she placed a hand on her hip. "I guess I can't blame you. You're right to be nervous. After all… I've killed sooo many knights just like you."
Brain didn't flinch. He met her gaze, unwavering.
"Tch. You talk too much." His voice was flat, uninterested. 'What an annoying woman.'
Clementine laughed. A twisted, delighted laugh. "Ohh, I like you! You've got some guts. But I wonder… How long will that last when I start breaking your fingers one by one? When I hear that satisfying crack?" Her eyes gleamed with sick anticipation. "Ahh~ I just love seeing strong people turn into sniveling worms before they die…"
Brain's grip on his sword tightened. The sheer bloodlust she radiated was immense, proof of just how many lives she had taken. But instead of fear, he felt something else.
Excitement.
She was strong. He could tell.
But so was he.
Confidence surged through him. The weeks of training, of pushing himself beyond his limits, had transformed him. He wasn't the same man he was before.
Brain exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. "You're disgusting," he said plainly, meeting her golden gaze with cold steel. "And I'm going to enjoy shutting you up."
Clementine's grin widened. "Ooh~? Is that a promise? I hope you can keep it."
Then she moved.
[Strong Body]
[Stride of Wind]
[Greater evasion]
[Greater Ability Boost]
Her body twisted unnaturally, her joints flexible beyond human limits as she shot forward like a serpent. Her fingers curled around two daggers, each aimed to tear through Brain's flesh with pinpoint precision.
Brain didn't back away.
[Greater speed]
[Impenetrable Fortress]
Not only did Brain use martial arts, but he also for the first time used his breathing style, although he did not have an element yet, Yoriichi taught him some moves.
"Breathing Technique: First Form, Flowing Strikes."
With a swift inhale, his body moved fluidly, sidestepping just as her daggers sliced through empty air. He countered immediately, his sword slashing in an arc toward her ribs.
But Clementine twisted mid-air, her unnatural flexibility allowing her to bend backward beyond what should be possible. She grinned as she landed lightly. "Not bad~"
Brain's eyes narrowed. 'Fast and slippery.'
She dashed forward again, her attacks relentless.
[Triple Thrust]
Three rapid stabs aimed at Brain's throat, heart, and stomach.
Brain barely managed to parry the first two, but the third nicked his side. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his tunic.
Clementine giggled. "First blood's mine~"
Brain ignored the pain. He had no time for distractions. He steadied his breathing and retaliated.
"Breathing Technique: Second Form, Rippling Strike."
His sword lashed out, his movement almost weightless. Clementine's eyes widened as she barely twisted away, but the tip of his blade still grazed her shoulder, cutting deep.
She hissed, stepping back and clutching her bleeding arm. Then, her lips curled into a wide, crazed grin.
"Oh~ You are not helpless after all. But let's see how long you last!"
She reached behind her back and pulled out one more dagger and shot it in his direction.
The speed at which the dagger was traveling was almost inhuman. Precisely aimed at his heart.
Brain gritted his teeth. 'I can't dodge it…'
"Breathing Technique: Fourth Form, Unyielding Fortress!"
He shifted into a defensive stance, his sword moving at blinding speed deflecting the dagger to the sky, but the recoil sent his arm upwards. This gave Clementine an opening.
"Tch—"
She brought her dagger close to his torso and twisted her wrist.
*Boom*
An explosion of fire sent Brain flying backward.
Pain flared, his skin was burnt, but nothing life threatening. 'Usualy I never wear armor, but it saved my life this time.' He made a mental note to thank Renner later for this high quality armor.
He stood on his feet, raised his sword then charged forward.
Clementine met him head-on.
Their blades clashed.
Sparks flew as steel met steel. Clementine was fast, her attacks erratic and unpredictable. But Brain had something she didn't...
Discipline.
Each strike was measured. Each step was calculated, applying minimal effort, accompanying that with his breathing technique...
Slowly, he began overwhelming her.
Clementine's grin faltered. "Oh? You're not tiring? That's annoying."
Brain didn't answer. Instead, he feinted left and then drove his sword into her side.
She gasped as the blade pierced flesh.
Blood poured from the wound, but she refused to fall. Instead, she retaliated with a brutal knee to his stomach, forcing him back.
She staggered, panting. "I'll… I'll kill you, you bastard."
Brain taunted her with a 'come' sign with his hand. "Try."
Clementine's body trembled, but her eyes burned with rage. She lunged, deciding to deliver a final attack to kill her opponent, she no longer wanted to play with him.
Brain saw an opening.
'Breathing Technique: Fifth Form, Crescent Slash'
With a single, clean motion, his sword cut deep into her chest.
Clementine stumbled, her body shaking violently. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the blood-soaked ground.
She coughed, blood dripping from her lips.
Brain quickly got on top of her and cut both of her Achilles tendons in the back of her ankles.
"AAAGHHHH!" She screamed, but no one was there to hear her.
Her hands trembled as she tried to crawl away, but her limbs refused to obey, it was futile.
Tears welled in her golden eyes. "No… No, I don't want to die… Please…"
Her voice cracked, her arrogant confidence shattering.
Brain stared down at her, his expression cold.
He thought of the people she had slaughtered. The knights she had tortured. How many had begged her for mercy, just as she was doing now?
He tightened his grip on his sword.
"This is what you deserve."
Without hesitation, he drove the blade through her neck.
Clementine let out a choked gasp. Then, her body went still.
Brain pulled his sword free, flicking the blood from the blade. He exhaled deeply, the adrenaline fading.
Her head rolled to the side, but he stepped on it. "I'm gonna need this." She is most likely wanted, given the number of people she killed, he will deliver her head.
"My job is finished here, guess it's time to go back."
TO BE CONTINUED --->
Hey everyone! Author here.
If you've got an anime character you'd love to see summoned into the story, feel free to drop your suggestions, including which character you'd like to see and what rank you think they deserve. Your input might just shape the next events in the story!
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