Both parties stood firm, the tension between them crackling like a drawn bowstring ready to snap.
Evelyn stepped forward slightly, her blue eyes cold and unwavering.
"You must be the bandits who have been terrorizing the villages," she said, her voice clear and sharp as a blade.
The leader, a broad-shouldered man with greasy blond hair and a mocking grin, gave a theatrical bow.
"Yes, we are. But you're slightly mistaken, beautiful," he said with a sleazy smirk.
Nick's brow furrowed in disgust.
"What an absurd manner. You should learn how to speak to a lady properly," he snapped.
From behind him, Auxen peeked over his shoulder, muttering, "He's right though."
The bandit leader chuckled and shrugged.
"My apologies. I'm not exactly a gentleman," he said casually. Then, with a mock flourish, he placed a hand on his chest.
"Let me introduce myself properly. The name's Rhodes Lightbane, Captain of the Third Wing of the Cult of Vrag. It's truly a pleasure to meet you, but unfortunate that it will also be your last."
Jace chuckled, a low, confident sound that made even Evelyn glance at him, slightly surprised by the change in his aura.
"Nice intro you gave there," Jace said, resting his hand on the hilt of his blade. "And you're right. This will be our last meeting—because you're not walking away from this."
Evelyn's eyes widened slightly, her earlier impression of Jace shifting.
Maybe... just maybe, he wasn't all talk after all.
Rhodes grinned wider, baring yellowed teeth like a wolf scenting blood.
"Enough talk. Boys 'attack!' "
With a chorus of roars, the bandits surged forward all at once.
But they had made a fatal mistake.
They weren't facing helpless travelers.
They were facing The Black Luminaries.
Jace was the first to move.
In a blur of motion, he unsheathed his sword, Nightlily. The blade sang through the air as he stepped into the oncoming bandits. His movements were sharp, deliberate. every swing deflected an incoming attack, every riposte left an enemy reeling. Sparks danced from clashing steel, the ring of metal against metal echoing across the field.
Beside him, Nick activated his signature technique 'Body Enhancement'.
A faint glow traced his muscles as his body surged with supernatural strength and speed.
With twin daggers flashing like twin comets, he weaved through the chaos, slicing tendons, slashing thighs, dropping enemies before they could even react. His footwork was clean, his strikes precise, wasting no energy.
Evelyn stood perfectly still for a heartbeat, one hand resting lightly on her sword's hilt, the other bracing the scabbard, a stance reminiscent of ancient elven swordmasters.
She closed her eyes. Breathed.
And whispered "Frost Slice."
In a single, fluid motion, she drew her blade.
A sharp, silver arc flashed through the air.
The ground beneath her feet cracked with a sharp crunch as a wave of freezing energy burst from her sword.
Three bandits froze mid-charge, literal ice creeping up their limbs, before shattering like brittle statues when the blade cut through them.
Auxen, true to his nature, stayed clear of direct combat, scanning the battlefield for opportunities to support from the rear if needed.
The Black Luminaries fought with lethal efficiency.
Still, numbers took their toll.
Panting, Nick stumbled back, the glow of his body enhancement spell flickering out.
"Jace... I'm at my limit..." he managed to say, breathing heavily.
Jace locked eyes with Evelyn across the chaos. A simple, unspoken nod passed between them.
He turned back to Nick without missing a beat.
"That's fine. Cover us from the back. Keep any stragglers off."
Nick gave a strained grin and nodded.
"On it."
The battlefield fell eerily silent.
All the bandits -every single one- lay defeated, unconscious or frozen, groaning where they fell.
Only Rhodes Lightbane remained, standing tall with his massive broadsword, his smirk never wavering.
The real battle was just beginning.
To be continued...