The sun shone high in the sky, casting short shadows across the dusty road. The midday heat hung in the air, making the earth give off a faint dry smell. The road to the capital was lined with ancient trees whose twisted trunks seemed to watch over the passing travellers.
Luis walked alongside Hernán, enjoying the fresh air despite the scorching sun. He could have flown or run at high speed, but he wanted to observe every detail of his surroundings. Every rock, every path, could tell him something about the world that had changed in his absence.
He also had another reason to move forward calmly. Since leaving the cult, he had sensed hidden presences following them. They were subtle movements, passing shadows that disappeared before he could bring them into focus. He didn't need to see them to know they were there. Experience taught him to recognise when he was being hunted.
What intrigued him was not their presence, but their patience. So far, the assassins had not attacked. Were they waiting for the right moment or simply watching him? Luis narrowed his eyes, feigning calm, but his senses were alert.
—Master, why don't we run? With my speed, we could be there in a few hours.
Hernan asked, glancing nervously at the trees.
He knew where the capital was, but he had never left the sect. The outside world was vast, unknown, and that made him uncomfortable. He preferred to move quickly, to get there as soon as possible and get back to his training.
Luis smiled slightly, without turning to look at him.
—Don't worry. To grow, you need to know the world, to understand it beyond the walls of the sect.
His master's words echoed in his mind. Strength was not only cultivated by exhaustive training, but also by knowledge and experience.
The sound of crunching wheels broke through the quiet. A carriage appeared in the distance, moving at a slow pace on the dusty road. It was a sturdy vehicle, of dark wood and polished metal accents. At the wheel, an old man with a weather-beaten face was accompanied by a burly man whose watchful gaze revealed his role as guardian.
When he saw them walking, the old man stopped the carriage and addressed them curiously.
—What are two young men doing travelling alone in this place?
Luis replied with a polite smile.
—We are going to the capital, but we don't have the money to pay for transport.
The old man gave a short laugh, as if remembering his youth.
—What a coincidence. I'm going to the capital too. There's room in the carriage if you'd like to join me.
Luis narrowed his eyes, gauging the man's intentions before replying.
—Wouldn't it be a bother?
—Of course not. I would feel bad leaving two travellers alone in such a desolate place. Besides, there are bandits on these roads. Having company would be an advantage.
Luis nodded, and with a slight nod of his head, motioned Hernan to come up.
As they entered, they were surprised to see a young woman of hypnotic beauty. Her skin looked like porcelain, her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders and her lips curved into a charming smile. In one hand she held a silk fan, which she moved naturally.
—Hello, how are you? My name is Lili,— she greeted in a soft but confident voice.
—A pleasure. My name is Luis, from the Creation Sect, and this is my partner Hernan. I hope I won't inconvenience you during the journey.
The young woman returned his greeting with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with interest.
—I've never heard of that sect... I'm sure they are strong men.
—Not at all, we're just apprentices,—Luis replied, not letting the conversation reveal too much.
Hernan observed everything in silence, surprised. He had barely been with his leader for any length of time and still didn't know him well. It was strange to see him speak so naturally, hiding his true identity so effortlessly. How could he keep his cool in a situation like this? Something didn't fit.
The carriage was moving smoothly. Luis watched the scenery through the window. It had been a long time since he had travelled comfortably in a carriage. Before, he preferred to fly, to feel the freedom of the wind on his face.
He also liked to camp in the woods, capture beasts, raise them and study their behaviour. Now, the leisurely pace of overland travel felt strange to him, as if it were a throwback.
Hernan, exhausted, fell asleep. He was not used to travelling outside the sect, and the journey was wearing him out mentally.
—Your partner looks tired,—Lili commented.
—I'm sorry. It's his first trip out of the sect, I'm sure he's finding it hard," Luis replied, without looking at her. He was still deep in thought.
The atmosphere in the carriage grew thicker, as if something invisible hovered in the air. Luis felt a slight shiver, but did not react immediately.
Lili moved her fan subtly.
The air around Luis changed. A slight vibration ran through the carriage, but no one else seemed to notice.
Suddenly, the fan spun swiftly in her hand, and in one graceful motion, Lili threw several hidden daggers, which pierced the air with deadly precision.
The blades flashed for an instant in the intense midday light. All of them aimed mercilessly at Luis's vital points.
However, just before touching him, they stopped in mid-air and fell to the ground, as if an invisible force had pushed them back.
Luis let out a faint smile, without taking his eyes off the landscape.
—Why don't you let me enjoy the view more?
The words disconcerted Lili. He already knew he would be attacked. He had never let his guard down or fallen under her spell.
The young woman frowned.
—I wanted to kill you quickly and without suffering, but you seem to want to suffer. All right... «Explosive Wave».
Luis reacted immediately. Without wasting time, he kicked Hernan, who was sleeping soundly. His body flew out of the carriage, rolling on the ground until he woke up with the impact. Dazed and bruised, he felt the sting of dust and dirt scraping his skin.
Confused, he struggled to his feet, his heart pounding. His heart was pounding. What had happened?
He saw the carriage moving away, but before he could react, it exploded from within, as if something had destroyed it from its core.
The roar shook him completely.
The old man and the young man jumped out of the rubble, landing on their feet near the spot. With a wave of their hands, their clothes changed to black robes with the insignia of the Dark Shadow Sect.
Hernan felt a chill. They were assassins sent by another sect. He forced himself to take a deep breath, forcing his mind to calm down.
He looked toward the carriage, desperately searching for Luis. When the dust cleared, she saw him hovering in the air, unperturbed, holding Lili by the throat with one hand. While he remained untouched, without a scratch, the young woman looked disastrous. Her skin was pale, her clothes in tatters and her body trembled involuntarily, as if the impact of her own attack had punished her alone.
The two assassins, seeing the scene, drew their swords in fury.
—Release Miss Lili, or your death will be worse,—the old man snarled, though his voice lacked firmness.
Hernan, hearing this, prepared to help Luis, but Luis stopped him with a stern look.
—Don't worry, I'll take care of them. I'll leave the others to you.
Hernan nodded, observing his surroundings. He noticed two more men standing behind him, swords in hand. If their leader had not warned him, he would never have noticed their presence.
A shiver ran down his spine.
—Let's kill him quickly, so we can help Miss Lili,—said one of the assassins.
—I agree, brother.
They both threw themselves on Hernán.
Meanwhile, Luis watched his rivals with a completely different expression. His face transformed, reflecting indifference, hatred and a palpable bloodlust.
The assassins felt a slight emptiness in their stomachs.
Instinctively, they stepped back.
—I'll have some fun with you,—Luis muttered, his voice cold—, If you tell me who sent you, I promise to leave your bodies whole. Otherwise...
A creepy smile formed on his lips.
Lili, still trapped in his grip, trembled. An indescribable fear coursed through her body. As a Sect assassin, she should fear nothing. She had always been ruthless, using her charms to manipulate and eliminate her targets.
But Luis was different.
The old man and the young man felt the pressure too, though they tried to conceal it.
They had to save his lordship. If they failed, the leader of the alliance would kill them, for Lili was one of his women.
—«Shadow Court».
The old man swung his sword, which went dark as night. In one swift movement, he swung two black slashes at Luis: one aimed at his head and one at his arm.
But Luis did not move.
He was still smiling.
He squeezed Lili's neck even tighter as the attacks impacted on him.
What was terrifying was not his lack of reaction.
What was terrifying was that the cuts didn't even scratch him.
He had not even been moved from his place.
He was still there, holding Lili without paying any attention to her.
The assassins felt the dampness on their hands. Without realizing it, they were sweating.
Luis brought his mouth close to Lili's ear and murmured a few words.
Lili, hearing what he said, began to tremble uncontrollably. A shiver ran down her spine, and her body went into a sudden convulsion.
The assassins looked at her, stunned.
They didn't know what the man had said to her, but whatever it was, it had been enough to send her into a panic attack.
Doubt sowed itself in their hearts.
Luis threw Lili's body to the ground with contempt. She fell limp, breathing heavily.
Without expression, Luis reached down and stepped on her head. Then he kicked her arms and legs, effortlessly breaking them.
Finally, he dragged her close to the old man and the young man with a sweep of his foot.
—I give them to you. Broken dolls are of no interest to me.