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.

became fuzzy, and then he materialized in front

he reached out his hand with

Swoosh―!

he saw him standing a

'Fast.'

Murdock could think about

was just about to take a step forward

previously in, and when he turned his head, he caught a

It was cracked.

that's how

to himself as

calmed down. He had faced many skilled opponents before, and he knew that the key to victory was to remain calm and

"Your mastery o―"

to the right, narrowly avoiding the

Now that he understood how it worked, he wasn't as

SHIIIIIING―!

by his body, he flapped his

Swoosh―!

the figure ducked down and counterattacked with a

act quickly if he wanted to avoid the

"Hup!"

to make its way toward his stomach,

Boom―! Boom―!

beneath them, and

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

right behind him. He

Splash―!

followed him down, his figure plummeting into the water beneath, and

in front of the shadowy figure

the two plummeted down from above

Boom―!

sand spilling around the area they were in. When the sand settled,

the upper hand now, and he knew

"Tell me…"

spoke, holding tightly onto his neck. He could snap

him with a calm look, seemingly

it toward the back of his head as

race are you from?

Cruch―!

of a sentence when he heard a crunching sound and felt intense pain. When he looked down, he

"Arghhh!"

from his mouth, and finally let go of his throat. The shadowy figure quickly appeared behind the Prince, and

Boom―!

the water as the Prince was thrown back, crashing against a couple of rocks in the distance. The rocks shattered

appeared before the Prince once more, brandishing a sword in hand and pointing it

'Shit.'

Prince muttered under his breath, his pupils dilating as he

figure struck again with a force and speed that took the Prince

a searing pain in his hand as one of his fingers was severed, and black blood

'How is this possible?'

SHIIIING―!