THE LEGACY OF THE SWORD MASTER

chapter twelve

The dust settled, but the tension in the air only grew thicker. Kael stood in the center of the arena, his chest rising and falling with every breath, the dark Hakana swirling around him like a phantom cloak. His eyes were still void, soulless, as if some ancient force had completely taken over.

"Four against one," he said, his voice deeper—layered. "Then let the balance be evened."

Rand wiped the blood off his mouth and looked sideways at his three friends—Jarvis, Azeal, and Denis. The fear in their eyes didn’t match the bravado in their stance.

"Together!" Rand shouted, and the four launched forward in sync, blades raised, energy swirling.

Kael moved.

It wasn’t just speed—it was something beyond human, even beyond gifted. He disappeared in a blur, and before any of them could land a strike, Lance screamed as he was hurled across the arena. His body smashed into the ground with a sickening crack. The crowd gasped.

"That’s one," Kael murmured.

Jarvis tried to stab him from behind, but Kael twisted his body, catching the blade mid-air. With a flick of his wrist, the sword shattered like glass, the shards shooting back toward Jarvis's face. He collapsed, screaming, hands over his bleeding eyes.

Azeal and Rand exchanged a quick glance and charged together, hoping their combined strength would tip the scales.

Kael caught Azeal's wrist mid-swing, his other hand clasping Rand’s throat. In one fluid motion, he swung them against each other, sending both tumbling. Dust flew again as the impact shook the earth beneath them.

“Do you see now?” Kael’s voice boomed. “The throne chose wrong. I am not to be hidden. I was born to rule!”

“Enough!” King Almond’s voice rose above the chaos. He stood now, power radiating from him, the royal seal on his chest glowing faintly. “Kael, you are still a boy in a man’s fight. This is not the way. You need to calm yourself."

Kael turned his void-filled eyes toward the king, and for a moment, everyone thought he’d attack. But then… a small flicker crossed his face. Pain? Recognition?

“Then tell me,” Kael said quietly, “why was I lied to? Why was my father’s legacy stolen? Why did he—” he pointed at Dareth “—lock away my birthright and feed me scraps?”

The king remained silent.

Tiffany stood from her seat, her face pale. “He’s not Kael anymore. Something’s taken over.”

“No,” whispered a girl beside her. “He is Kael. This is just the version they tried to bury.”

" Do you think because you have taken down a few boys your level, you think you can challenge the king and his orders? You killed your father boy. You should be lucky I took you in when the rest of the family wanted to have you hanged!"

“Liar!” Kael snarled. " You killed him and stole his Hakana. You have my birthright within your two breast and when I am ready to claim what is mine, even the gods will not protect you from my wrath!"

" Why don't you try now, boy!" Dareth said with rage. The arena was quiet with lots of fighters, mage and warriors anticipating what was going to happen between the boy and Dareth.

So far, no teen had ever hold the post of the most powerful swords man. But with the dark Hakana radiating through Kael. Maybe he could defeat Dareth.

“Do you think I am scared of you? I have trained and fought. I am not scared of you anymore. I am not the boy that watched while his father was killed. I am more." Kael said, his voice cold. “He told me in the dreams. He was betrayed. You were jealous of his powers. I should have told the world of your treachery but you were fast and you beat me to it."

Dareth’s eyes widened. “Dreams? You’ve been—”

“Connected,” Kael finished. “To him. To the past. To the truth.”

A silence fell again.

“I won't kill Rand,” Kael said. “That would be too easy. Let him live with the shame. Let him remember he was defeated by the one he mocked.”

Rand groaned from the ground, holding his ribs, eyes flickering with fear and something else—guilt.

Kael turned to the crowd, raising his hands. “You see me now. You fear me. But know this—I am not your enemy unless you make me one. I came here to train, to learn, to serve. But you pushed me. You judged me. And now…”

The sky rumbled.

Kael raised his palm, and above it swirled a dark, orb-like flame—the pure essence of dark Hakana. Everyone stepped back, horrified.

“I will take my place. Not by bloodline, but by right. And if I must challenge every noble house to do it, I will.”

Kael looked at one of Rand's friends who was getting up to his feet. " Enough of this talk!" Jarvis shouted,dusting the dirt off his clothes.

" Stand down you fool!" his father who was also an elder said from where he was seated.

The king and everyone watched in awe to see what was going to happen next.

" Do you really want to die for him?" Kael said, his dark Hakana pulsating around him like it was protecting him.

" Do you think I am scared of you? You are nothing and will be!" He said with as smirk across his face.

" You think you have the right to talk simply because you feel you are wronged? Why don't you challenge him to a duel? Why!"

The sky rumbled and it began to rain heavily. Kael's clothes slowly fell off his body revealing marks over his skin. The king relaxed in his chairs as he looked into the skies.

It been months, weeks and even days since they had a rainfall but looks like even the heaven were ready to support and defend Karl's claims and fight.

" Since you are so eager to die. Why don't you come at me then!" Kael said with a smirk.