The Moonlight Swordsman



The Blood Dragon's penetrating eyes never left the group of four Sword Emperors trapped inside his blood bubbles. There was a visible tension in the air as the two parties stood motionless, caught in a showdown of enormous might and will.

In the face of this silence, Vespara finally broke the spell and did something. Black smoke erupted from the ground beneath the Blood Dragon, suggesting the entrance of some ominous force.

From the depths of the night, two enormous green hands reached out and grabbed the Blood Dragon, restraining his formidable presence.

Suddenly, the Sword Emperor's clones vanished, and only the real thing remained. His blade sparkled with the raw energy of lightning and glowed with an exhilarating brilliance.

He mustered all his might and swung wildly in a half circle, slicing clean through the blood bubble.

As the Sword Emperor's blade tore through the confining barrier, the air buzzed with anticipation.

His weapon moved in one seamless motion across the gap between the shattered bubble, the Blood Dragon, and the ground below them. The earth trembled and cracked open in response to the sword emperor's blow.

The Sword Emperor swiftly returned to Vespara's side; his attention fixed on the blood that was once again transforming from the body of the blood dragon mage.

"ohooo, nice nice, but now it's my turn,"

The Blood Dragon mage waved his hands, and a flock of blood wyverns appeared. The creatures took shape in the air, their medium-sized bodies exuding a crimson hue. Their eyes glowed an intense red, while menacing spikes adorned their forms, adding to their ferocious appearance.

ROARRR...

ROARRR...

ROARRR...

...

With thunderous roars and the beating of wings, each wyvern propelled itself forward with immense speed, closing in on Vespara and the Sword Emperor.

"Puny birds," Vespara murmured slowly.

As her eyes shimmered with an eerie black glow, Vespara swiftly gestured towards the ground.

In a single moment, a cloud of menacing black smoke rolled in and engulfed her and all her surroundings.

From within the smoky veil emerged a horde of peculiar creatures, bearing three heads and boasting two pairs of muscular arms.

These hideous beasts looked like ghoulish ogres on steroids. Vespara gave them a burst of force, imbuing them with a primal energy that manifested as earthen armor.

Long, pointed spikes made of rugged earthen metal emerged, forming a menacing array atop their newly adorned figures. United, they grasped their spears firmly, ready to face the oncoming wyverns with unwavering resolve.

"Hunt those birds,"

RAWRRRR..

RAWRRRR...

RAWRRRR...

Each ghoulish ogre let out a howl that echoed through the air in a coordinated display of savage might.

With their raw muscles coiled and brimming with strength, they raised their spears high into the air.

They threw their weapons with incredible accuracy and speed, sending them hurtling through the air. Like avenging ghosts, the spears slashed through the air, leaving behind trails of black smoke charged with the eerie energy that permeated the battlefield.

*Kyyyyaaa*

With lethal accuracy, the spears found their intended targets, plunging deep into the wyverns' bodies.

The impact caused the winged creatures to falter and plummet from the sky, their once-mighty flight now reduced to a tragic descent.

Dark and sinister forces infused the spears, which ripped through the wyverns' flesh and quickly ended their lives.

As the life force drained from the fallen monsters, the spears seemed to absorb their blood energy, as if feasting on the very essence that sustained them.

"She has become really strong; not only can her power weaken and drain souls, but now it is also draining my blood energy from the monsters too," Blood Dragon pondered as he quietly stood and watched the scene unfold before him.

Emerging from the billowing black smoke, a relentless tide of ghoul ogres materialized, their monstrous forms taking shape in the depths of the valley.

More and more of these nightmarish creatures emerged from the shadows, and their numbers rose steadily, like an ominous swarm.

From a distance, the mages and nobles stationed nearby observed the minuscule figures gradually multiplying, their presence becoming increasingly conspicuous against the backdrop of the deep valley.

"Oye, how many of these creatures are you going to summon? I am fighting alone, damn it," Blood Dragon replied.

"I will go all out if that's what it takes to end your life, old man."

"She isn't really thinking of killing me, right? *Sighh* I have to stall them till the morning; why did I even agree to do it?" Blood Dragon sighed and thought.

In an instant, agony consumed him as a searing pain tore through his body. Half of his arm was cut, leaving a trail of scarlet liquid that pooled beneath him.

A sharp, precise slash had cleaved through his flesh, leaving a raw, gaping gash from which dark, viscous liquid flowed.

"How bold of you not to pay attention against two Grade VII Mages," the sword emperor spoke.

*Tsh*

As if on cue, the body of the Blood Dragon suddenly erupted, sending droplets of blood flying in every direction. Both Vespara and the Sword Emperor were momentarily stunned by the unexpected explosion.

The Blood Dragon reappeared from the depths of the abyss in perfect condition, as if unaffected by the previous conflict.

"Don't get cocky about killing a mere blood clone, I was preparing something for you guys,"

HIHIHHEHWHHAHAHAHHA....

HEHEHEHHE....

OHOHOHO...

AHAHAHAHA....

More and more Blood Dragons rose from the depths as the abyss revealed its hidden horrors. Their similar shapes multiplied, dominating the sky.

"Now that I have a small army too, shall we try again, Miss 'War Goddess'?"

"Fuckerr...." Vespara whispered.

RAAWRRRR...

HIYAAAHAHAHAH....

Vespara and the Blood Dragon each ordered their troops to charge at each other, and fierce combat broke out as a result.

Meanwhile, the sword emperor transformed into a lightning bolt, darting across the battlefield. Wherever he went, replicas of the Blood Dragon popped off like balloons.

In a terrifying display of strength, the ghoul ogres swung their spears with lethal accuracy, piercing through the clones, while the clones of the Blood Dragons brandished their blood swords, swiftly cleaving through the ogres.