THE LEGACY OF THE SWORD MASTER

Chapter ten

The figure emerged from the mist and Kael ease up when he saw Dareth. The man had a sword right in his hands as he walked towards Kael.

He had a grim look on his face as he approached.

Kael bowed his head slowly to the ground as Dareth got closer. He looked around the arena and smiled. " I remembered where it all started. Your father and I, in this same sand. But then he could beat me easily and father didn't think twice before handling his Hakana over to him." Dareth said with a smirk.

" Do you think you can fight my son and win?" He asked staring at Kael who looked back each time to make sure he was save.

Kael said nothing but only stared at Dareth.

Dareth could feel the hatred in him burned. " Are you angry because i didn't allow you to train or are you hiding something from me?" He asked taking another step closer to Kael who was now feeling a bit scared.

" Do you remember my rules when I took you into my house?" Dareth asked.

Still Kael said nothing. He simply held his dagger for any unforseen circumstances.

" Rule number one ; You are not allowed to train or fight but you didn't listen and you even..." Dareth stopped and looked around. " Give me a reason why I shouldn't strike you where you stand." he said with vermin.

" You can try." Kael said slowly, finding the strength to reply Gus uncle.

Dareth chuckled, " Are you now talking back to me boy? You think because you have sparred for some months now, you have the right to talk back at me?"

Kael clenched his fist in anger. " Do you think you are worthy of that energy between your chest?"

The words hit Dareth like a wave. " What did you say to me?" he asked taking out his blade gently.

" How long do you think you can onto it? That Hakana right inside of you. How long?" Kael said again.

He remembered the look his father had on his face. His mother and how many of his father's servants were killed. " Do you think I didn't see you." Kael said gulping down the mucus at the end of his throat.

He was scared and Dareth could see it. " You killed him and absorb what shoud have been mine. But I am going to get stronger and get back what is rightfully mine. Rand, do you think years, months of trianing can save him? Do you think he can survive in this arena tomorrow?" Kael looked at his uncle now with a threatening eyes.

" Then why don't we make sure there is no fight tomorrow." Dareth said immediately.

He drew his sword and dashed towards Kael like lightening but Master Harond was around the corner looking at them

He heard everything, Kael had been saying and now he understands why he had always wanted to fight. Many had thought he was the curse that erased his household and killed his family but he heard right today.

Dareth was the villain.

Master Harond shield, Kael from the strike and looked at Dareth who was fuming with anger. " Ah, we weren't expecting you, Master Dareth." Harond said jokingly.

" I can you have met our janitor. He is to fight your son tomorrow." He said smiling

Dareth controlled his breath and let his Hakana to rest. " I heard. Hope to see a good fight tomorrow." He said walking into the institute to see his son.

Master Harond looked at Kael and patted him on the back. " Give it you best tomorrow son. You can do it."

Kael was surprised to see Master Harond a bit nice towards him. He watched the man disappear into the building while he gave the arena one final look again.

Tomorrow was going to be a big day.

The morning came cloaked in silence, heavy and thick like the fog that curled around the edges of the training grounds. But the arena was anything but quiet.

The stands overflowed with spectators—squires, nobles, warriors, and mystics. The King sat high upon his gilded seat, flanked by his royal Mages dressed in robes that shimmered like storm clouds, and the Sword Masters whose very presence made even the bravest flinch.

This was no longer just a student spar. It was now an official trial of strength, honor, and lineage. The duel of the century.

Whispers rippled through the crowd as Kael walked into the arena. He was dressed in simple training gear, the blade strapped to his back still wrapped in cloth. His eyes scanned the stands briefly, catching the disbelieving faces of those who had once mocked him. And finally darting towards Tiffany who was seated right beside her father.

But his gaze settled on Rand, already at the center, spinning his spear with theatrical flair, feeding off the crowd’s cheers. His armor gleamed in the sunlight, his confidence blinding. Kael looked towards the stand and saw the look on his uncle's face.

“Try not to die too quickly, janitor,” Rand said, smirking.

Kael said nothing. He dropped the cloth from his blade and revealed a dark steel sword etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly.

The Sword Master rose and raised a crimson banner. “Begin.”

Rand struck first, lightning-quick. His spear came at Kael like a storm, sweeping low, high, and then lunging straight for his heart.

Kael dodged with fluid precision, his movements almost unnatural, his feet gliding over the sand. The crowd gasped as his blade met the spear with a clang that echoed across the stone walls.

They clashed—metal on metal, speed against instinct. Rand's strikes were wild but powerful, enhanced by his awakened Hakana, his body crackling with golden energy.

Kael's Hakana hadn’t revealed itself, and yet, he danced through Rand’s attacks like a shadow—calm, unreadable, dangerous.

“Show them!” Rand roared. “Show them your weak you are!"

Kael’s blade slashed Rand’s thigh in a blur. Blood spilled. The crowd screamed.

Rand snarled, releasing a pulse of his Hakana that forced Kael back. Sand lifted into the air in a whirlwind around them.

Rand followed the attack immediately with a skillful air slice moving faster than any human possible.

" I knew it!"

" I know Kael was no match for him."

" He should have let Valor fight him."

The onlookers all Whispered as Kael fell to the ground. His gaze went to Tiffany who was looking with horror in her eyes and back to Dareth who was smiling.

Blood trickled down from the cut as Kael landed on his knee and fell to the sound.

A loud shout erupted from the spectators seat with with of them chanting Rand's name.

But then...

The air trembled. A black-purple aura unfurled around him like living fire. The ground beneath his feet cracked. Mages stood in alarm. Even the Sword Masters leaned forward anticipating the next action.

The arena was silent with Karl's ragged breathing louder than anything else.