The Author's POV

Drip! Drip!

The rain continued to fall steadily, each droplet creating a ripple as it collided with the surface of the water.

It was a dreary and ominous atmosphere that surrounded the two figures standing at the edge of the water. Their stillness only added to the sense of foreboding.

Prince Murdock's warily stared at the figure before his eyes.

He had never encountered anyone like this before. The stranger's appearance was shrouded in darkness, making it difficult for Murdock to discern any distinguishing features.

However, the sheer power emanating from the figure was palpable, sending chills down Murdock's spine.

Despite his wariness, Murdock stood his ground, his expression stoic as he faced the shadowy figure. He spoke in a measured tone, trying to keep his composure.

"What are you?"

His voice was firm, but there was a hint of trepidation underlying his words.

"..."

The figure remained silent, its dark form seemingly immobile.

"Not much of a talker, are we?"

Murdock continued to scrutinize the figure, trying to glean any information he could from its appearance. The stranger appeared to be human in build, but there was all he could make out.

"I've never heard of a human as strong as you, nor―"

Drip!

He was interrupted by the subtle sound of a raindrop hitting the water, which resounded through the air unlike any of the other drops around him. "Swoosh!" In that split second, the shadowy figure vanished from where it was standing.

"Uh?!"

Swoosh―

Murdock's eyes widened in surprise as he felt a sudden force against his cheek. He stumbled backward, narrowly dodging a swift punch aimed at his face.

"Rather hurried, aren't we?"

Murdock quipped, trying to regain his composure. As he distanced himself from the shadowy figure, Murdock noticed a cold glint reflecting off a blade being unsheathed.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, but it was too late. Murdock's gaze met with the figure's, and time seemed to come to a standstill.

The only sound was the raindrops falling around them.

Drip!

SHIIIING―! In that moment, Murdock watched in horror as his arm was sliced clean off by the blade. The pain was intense, and he could feel warm blood gushing out of the wound.

Spurt―!

Black blood spurted out, staining the water and adding to the eerie atmosphere. Murdock could barely comprehend what had just happened. He looked up at the shadowy figure, whose features were still obscured by the darkness.

"Arghhh!"

He eventually succumbed to the agony and let out an agonized scream as a result. He glared at the figure in the shadows while clutching his right hand, and he flapped his wing once.

figure became fuzzy, and then he materialized in

and he reached out his hand with the intention of hitting the

Swoosh―!

through his body, and when he turned around, he saw him standing

'Fast.'

was all Prince Murdock could think about

that was pointed at him, he was just about to take a step forward when he suddenly twisted his

past the area that he was previously in, and when he turned his head, he caught a glimpse of

It was cracked.

how it

to himself as

had faced many skilled opponents before, and he knew that

"Your mastery o―"

body to the right, narrowly avoiding the tip of the blade that brushed

Now that he understood how it worked, he wasn't as worried as before. However, he knew that he couldn't

SHIIIIIING―!

him from all sides. Just as another blade passed by his body, he flapped his wings and appeared before the shadowy figure. With his hand outstretched,

Swoosh―!

him, the figure ducked down and counterattacked with a

act quickly if

"Hup!"

way toward his stomach, Prince Murdock twisted his body, and

Boom―! Boom―!

their fight fractured the water beneath them, and thunder

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

against the shadowy figure, he flapped his wings and appeared right behind him. He didn't waste a second and kicked him down

Splash―!

against the water, diving deep under it. Prince Murdock followed him down, his figure plummeting into the water beneath, and with one quick

figure and clenched at his throat with his

as the two plummeted down from above at high speeds and bubbles followed their

Boom―!

When the

had the upper hand now, and he knew

"Tell me…"

onto his neck.

figure looked at him with a calm look, seemingly

toward the back of his head as he had many questions

you? What race are you from?

Cruch―!

the middle of a sentence when he heard a crunching sound and felt intense pain. When he looked down, he saw that a portion of his hand

"Arghhh!"

bubbles rising from his mouth, and finally let go of his throat. The shadowy figure quickly

Boom―!

crashing against a couple of rocks in the distance. The rocks

the Prince once more, brandishing a

'Shit.'

dilating

force and speed that took

but it was too late. He felt a searing pain in his hand as one of his fingers

shock. 'How

SHIIIING―!