Previously, on Sword Of Vengeance
The world froze as if holding its breath.
And the sunlight recoiled, retreating into the clouds in reverse, casting twisted, eerie shadows across the land.
In an instant, the atmosphere had shifted.
A deafening crack of thunder shattered the silence, echoing as the sky began to twist in spirals, forming a menacing vortex, it struck down directly on the leader of a Leaf-like humanoid creature, sending cold chills down its spine.
The larger carriage beside the smaller one began to shudder violently as the wind surged in fierce waves and swirling rings.
Suddenly, a forceful gust erupted from within, tearing the carriage apart in an explosive cascade of splintered wood and debris ensued by a sharp gust of wind that tore through the air, whipping strands of Princess Lirl's hair against her face.
The dim eyes of the tall, Leaf-like monstrous humanoid creature quivered, shock written all over its countenance as it had just encountered a formidable enemy and was regretting why it hadn't noticed beforehand.
It rippled violently before shattering into thousands of fragments, raining down a black, sticky liquid that splattered all around her.
Witnessing the mysterious death of their leader, the inferior Leaf-like humanoid creatures became more angered than they were when they were battling General Bale.
They abruptly shifted into their berserk state; their leaf-like humanoid forms twisted and mutated into wet, foul-smelling swamps as they broke into a frantic sprint.
"Hmmn, since you're all here, don't bother leaving."
A powerful voice resonated from the heavens, filling the air with its authority.
And raging gusts of deafening wind burst from the ground, spiralling around him in a ferocious attempt to summon the ancestor of all tornadoes.
His wild, silken hair stirred, moving eagerly with the wind's force, and his eyes snapped open, glowing with white-blue energy, radiating a profound power.
Slowly, the swords scattered across the ground began to hum with a deafening sound, quivering before rising into the air.
They circled him, clinking and plinking as they spun.
The moment he extended his hands forward, a powerful bang echoed through the air and his wild, mysterious hair settled softly on his shoulders as if finally finding stillness.
Then a deep, rumbling groan resonated from the earth in response to his call.
It shook violently, sending a dangerous tremor across the area before returning to its calm state, leaving destruction in its wake.
And a surge of overwhelming energy erupted from his body, blasting outward and forcing the vicious whirlwind to dissipate, sending it spiralling off into the horizon.
As the blizzards of swords continued to flash backwards and forward like they were engaged in a dogfight, the air rippled, tearing through the void.
A shrill screech of metal against metal rang out, sparks flying with each strike.
In its chaotic state, red-hot molten metal glowed. Burning fiercely and sending waves of heat through the air the swords were forcibly merged to become one.
Pockets of intense, scorching smoke filled the air as he gripped the searing metal with his bare hands and the atmosphere blazed with a brilliant light, unveiling a radiant silver sword.
As he brought it down to his side, the sun's cold reflection flickered on the blade, burning with a simmering glow before disappearing at the tip.
His lips pressed into a thin line of anger as he strode forward.
He grips the sword tightly, his muscles tensing as he swings it with precision.
First, he delivers a series of fluid horizontal slashes, the blade cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. Then, with a swift motion, he shifts his stance and follows up with sharp, powerful vertical strikes, each one aimed with unerring focus, leaving trails of air in its wake.
With every swing, a ripple surged through the air, warping the atmosphere as if the blade commanded the elements themselves.
And in a fierce rush, it surged forward, blending seamlessly into the air and striking the Leaf-like humanoid creatures.
They were tossed off their feet, crashing backwards.
Their agonizing screams filled the air as they were consumed by crimson ember flames. And their bodies ignited, disintegrating into charred fragments.
The remains of the forest were cleaved in two, the once lush landscape now shattered.
What was left behind resembled the aftermath of a cataclysmic natural disaster—barren, scorched earth and broken trees, a scene of utter devastation.
"Lirl"
An ancient male voice reverberated in her ears, its tone deep and haunting, carrying the weight of ages long past.
It was unlike any sound she had ever heard, a presence that seemed to echo from the very core of time itself.
The voice was powerful, yet ethereal, as though it transcended the boundaries of the physical world.
The sensation it created was indescribable, a chilling mixture of awe and foreboding that coursed through her, leaving her both unsettled and mesmerized, as if she were hearing the voice of the past calling directly to her soul.
It was the voice of her saviour, calling out to her across the vast expanse of time and space.
Did he just extend his hands to her? After she had bore witness to what happened.
She thought, gasping in dismay and fell on her butt, taking in the beauty of the handsomeness that stood before her.
First, his milky complexion stood out, a smooth, almost ethereal hue that seemed to glow in the light.
His silver hair flowed like liquid mercury, cascading in soft waves that framed his handsome face—sharp features softened by a strong jawline and piercing eyes that seemed to hold ancient wisdom.
Below, his broad chest was defined by sculpted muscles, the contours of his abs and ripped stomach visible, each movement highlighting the sheer power beneath his skin. His form exuded strength and grace, a perfect harmony of raw physicality and beauty.
He was so tall that when she pulled her up, her head was only reaching his abdomen.
Is that how short she was?
He seemed to radiate a soft, otherworldly glow and the silhouettes of his form flashed back and forth through time, each transient motion blurring with the next, as if his very existence were caught in a loop, struggling to hold onto his current stance.
The faint, shimmering afterglow of his presence hung in the air, distorting the space around him as if time itself was bending to accommodate his being.
Every flicker of his image felt like a glimpse into a moment both distant and infinite, frozen in the midst of an eternal dance.
The way he has managed to do that is something she'll never be able to comprehend.
Behind him, the sky began to shift as a new dawn broke through the thick clouds. The first rays of light stretched across the horizon, bathing him in a warm, golden glow.
It filters through the lingering mist, casting long, radiant beams that seem to wrap around him, highlighting every angle of his figure. The brilliance of the morning sun created a halo effect, illuminating him as if he were touched by something divine, while the clouds parted in awe, allowing the light to pour freely over him.
"Sorry, it took so long."
He said, crouching down to her height. So she could take a better look at him.
But Princess Lirl shook her head, disapprovingly and hugged him instead sobbing on his shoulders.
Gently, he brought up his hands and patted her.
"You're safe from now on."
He said, closing his eyes.
After she had wept for some time, her tears finally subsided; she gently pulled away from his embrace, her body trembling slightly.
Her gaze fell on his hair, and she reached out tentatively, her fingers hovering above it for a moment, as if unsure whether to disturb the softness. With a deep breath, she finally brushed her fingertips through the silky strands, the texture smooth and damp, almost like wool after a soft rain.
It was cool to the touch, yet warm with the faint pulse of life. She gently tucked a lock of hair behind his ear, feeling the delicate weight of it between her fingers, as though each strand were a fragile thread of something precious, angelic in its quiet beauty.
Her gaze shifted to look into his eyes.
They dilated into a silver hue, mirroring the colour of his hair. The eyes were clear and gleaming, their surface shining with an almost metallic lustre that she could even see her reflection vividly in it.
Princess Lirl swallowed hard, reluctantly tearing her gaze away from his intense eyes, her eyes drifted downward, tracing the sharp contours of his chiselled nose, which added a striking depth to his already captivating face.
Her gaze then shifted to his delicate lips, small yet perfectly shaped, enhancing his allure even further.
Her eyes lingered for a moment on his Adam's apple, watching it move with each breath, its subtle motion adding to his allure and making him seem even more captivating.
For the first time, she wonders how it feels to kiss a man.
The thought of him possibly belonging to another woman before what happened to him sowed nothing but a seed of jealousy in her heart.
It's not fair that a god like him should belong to only one woman. Even if he does, she wouldn't mind becoming one of his women as well.
"What's your name?"
She whispered, dazed by the strong desire to kiss him.
He briefly breaks away from her intense gaze, struggling to piece together the fragments of his mind and recall his name.
"I don't remember having a name"
He said after a long pause.
His only memories were fragmented and hazy—visions of a cataclysmic battle consumed by unrelenting flames, culminating in his defeat at the hands of a shadowy, malevolent force and glimpses of a fleeting, blurred image of a woman being pulled away from him into a portal.
Whenever he tried to recall memories of her, his mind was bombarded by fragmented images, a deafening screech, and a blinding blackout, accompanied by an excruciating pain that felt like it would tear his head apart.
Whoever she is, there's one thing he knows for sure, Lirl isn't the one.
"Good, I'll call you Xena from now on."
She smiled and leaned on him and kissed his lips.
It was soft, as if his lips gently fused with hers, the sensation tender and warm. The moment lingered, each breath shared between them sending a rush of warmth through her, leaving her breathless.
It was a feeling, both intimate and reassuring, like the world around her faded away, leaving only the comforting presence of the connection between them.