ONLINE: Blades of Eternity - Chapter 77

Chapter 77: THE REVAMPED KELVIN

At an undiscovered area located at the Eastern area outside Eldara city, a mystical rainforest could be seen standing solitary in a swamp.

The mystical rainforest was a place shrouded in an eerie, almost unnatural beauty. Towering trees, their bark glistening with a faint silver sheen, rose high into the misty air, their massive canopies intertwining like an enchanted ceiling above. Lush, emerald vines draped down like curtains, glowing softly with an otherworldly bioluminescence that pulsed faintly in the dim light. Strange flora thrived at every corner—glowing mushrooms, vibrant flowers with iridescent petals, and creeping roots that seemed almost sentient in their slow, deliberate movements.

The air was thick with moisture, the ground covered in a blanket of moss that shimmered like dew in the perpetual twilight of the forest. Every breath carried the scent of damp earth and an elusive fragrance of something ancient, as though the forest itself held secrets long forgotten by the world outside. Occasionally, soft whispers could be heard, the sound of the wind brushing through the leaves mingling with distant echoes of creatures moving unseen in the dense underbrush.

In the heart of this mystical rainforest sat Kelvin, cross-legged on a patch of glowing moss, his figure barely distinguishable from the gloom that had taken root around him. His presence seemed to warp the atmosphere, the light growing dimmer and the vibrant hues of the forest dulling in his vicinity. His once vibrant eyes had dulled, replaced with a deep, ominous shadow that spoke of untold sorrow and conflict. His face, though youthful, now bore the weight of something far darker—a constant frown etched into his features, and his aura, once fierce and resolute, now emanated despair.

Dark tendrils of energy pulsed from his core, wrapping around him like chains, intertwining with the very air around him, making him seem even more connected to the darkness that lingered beneath the rainforest’s surface. As Kelvin meditated, the world around him bent to his brooding presence—silent, oppressive, and heavy with an ominous power waiting to be unleashed.

And so, just as the rainforest remained still, Kelvin’s meditation deepening as the gloom thickened around him. The quiet hum of life seemed to recede, as though the forest itself was holding it’s breath. From the shadows, unseen but ever watchful, a ferocious beast–a hulking creature with sleek fur as black as midnight—slipped silently out of the underbrush. It’s predatory eyes, glowing like embers, locked onto Kelvin, the air around it bristling with lethal intent. It’s body was built for stealth and death, each muscle coiled like a spring ready to release it’s destructive power.

Suddenly, the beast pounced, it’s sharp claws slicing through the air, a snarl ripping through the silence like a dagger. It lunged with terrifying speed, bursting from the bushes, it’s maw wide open to sink it’s fangs into Kelvin’s unsuspecting form.

But Kelvin didn’t flinch. His eyes remained closed in deep meditation, his breath steady and calm. Just as the beast was within striking distance, Kelvin’s wrist flicked upward with a slight, effortless motion–his body barely moving from its position. A burst of dark energy shot out from him in an instant, expanding like a rippling wave, crackling with ominous power.

The beast never stood a chance. Before it could even react, it’s body was engulfed in the dark energy, vaporized into nothingness. it disintegrated mid-leap, it’s ferocious snarl cut and scattered particles that vanished into the air. The whole encounter lasted less than a second–a testament to Kelvin’s sheer power and control.

As th last remnants of the beast’s existence dissolved into the rainforest, Kelvin’s posture remained undisturbed, his focus broken. The rainforest, too, seemed to acknowledge his dominance–its whispers now subdued, the shadows deeper, more reverent. He continued to meditate, surrounding by an ominous aura as though the ferocity of the world was nothing more than an inconvenience, easily dispatched by a simple wave of the hand.

“It seems like I have started getting a hang of it” Kelvin suddenly muttered as a creepy smile slowly crept up on his face.

….

Deep within the Veilwood forest located in the academy, three boys could be seen facing a horde of ferocious beast with a solemn expression on their faces. These three boys were none other than Kaelen, Morris and Ethan.

As for the ferocious beasts, they began to gather, drawn by some primal force. They were towering creatures, with thick, muscled bodies covered in a dark, matted fur that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. Their heads were low-slung and elongated, like savage wolves but twisted with a monstrous nature, their jagged teeth gleaming as they bared their snarling maws. Glowing crimson eyes peered out from under heavy, bony brows, filled with an insatiable hunger and a collective malice.

The horde moved in near-perfect unison, their clawed feet trampling the underbrush and shaking the ground with each thunderous step. Some of the beasts stood on all fours, their sleek, sinewy bodies built for speed and agility, while others reared onto hind legs, towering above the rest, revealing sharp talons the length of short swords. Their backs were ridged with spikes that ran from their necks to the tips of their muscular tails, which thrashed about with alarming force, capable of tearing trees from their roots with a single swing.

As the horde swarmed together, their low growls and snarls blended into a terrifying chorus, like the ominous rumble of an approaching storm. Their breath came out in visible puffs, thick with heat, as saliva dripped from their fangs, pooling on the forest floor and causing the ground to sizzle wherever it landed. Some had dark wings tucked close to their backs, leathery and torn, hinting at the ability to glide in for sudden strikes from above. Their hideous faces were twisted in grotesque expressions, a blend of fury, hunger, and madness.

Kaelen, Morris, and Ethan stood ready as the horde encircled them. The beasts moved with predatory grace, their eyes never leaving their prey, as they awaited the moment to strike. They were a pack of nightmares, and the three companions faced them with the knowledge that one misstep could lead to overwhelming chaos.

“Hey why don’t we play a little game?” But right before they engaged with these beast, Kaelen suddenly suggested with a competitive spirit.

“Game? What kind?” Morris quickly asked with a confused look on his face. Even Ethan was bewildered by what Kaelen just said.

“Whoever kills the most ferocious beast here will get to ask for a favor from the other two, and this favor must be granted at any cost” Kaelen said with a glittery eyes.

“Hmmm… Well if this favor won’t be far fetched, then an in” Ethan said as he nod his head slightly before he turned to Morris and asked “Are you in young master?”

‘Why do I feel strange about this game?’ But Morris didn’t reply immediately as he thought pensively.

Roar!!!

But not long after, he heard a roar from one of the ferocious beast which quickly brought him back to his senses. Not daring to ponder in that situation any longer, he finally conceded “Yeah am in.”

“Great, now let the game… Begin!!” Kealen exclaimed out of sheer excitement. It seems like the ferocious beast was waiting for a signal because as soon as Kaelen made that statement, The horde of beast lunged forward with feral intensity, their snarls ripping through the air as they closed in on Kaelen, Morris, and Ethan, The three stood their ground, unwavering, their eyes focused, and their weapons ready.

Morris, standing off to the left, was the first to react. His scepter glowed with a brilliant blue light as he muttered incantations under his breath. A wave of arcane energy shot out from him, sweeping across the beast, slowing them as they charged. With a swift motion, hurled bolts of pure mana into the horde, each one detonating on impact, sending bodies flying in all directions. Several of the beasts were incinerated in the blasts, their howls echoing through the forest as they turned to ash.

On the right, Ethan was a blur of motion, his twin daggers flashing in the dim light of the forest. He weaved between the hulking forms of creature, cutting through fur and flesh and deadly precision. His strikes were methodical, targeting vital points with the cold efficiency of a trained assassin. One beast fell to his knees, it’s throat slit cleanly, while another staggered backward as his daggers found it’s heart. Ethan moved faster than the eye could follow, cutting through the monsters as though they were nothing more than shadows.

In the center of the chaos stood Kealen, his Blade of Eternity gleaming in his hand. He watched the largest of the beasts–the most ferocious of them all–towering over the others, it’s glowing red eyes locked onto him with singular intent. It’s massive form rippled with raw muscle, and it’s jagged teeth dripped with venomous saliva. This one was the alpha, and Kaelen could feel the palpable aura of dominance radiating from it.

But Kaelen, Morris and Ethan didn’t know that far above them are two young men. One of the young men is actually the military prodigy, while the other is surprisenly Julian who Morris faced in the pre-match training.

“How high is your success rate when facing him in the upcoming final stages of the tournament that is happening in two days?” The military prodigy suddenly asked as his eyes were fixed on Kaelen who is about to face the alpha of the horde him and the others are fighting. When Julian heard what the military prodigy asked him, he was even fazed or hesitant as he calmly yet confidently answered.

“A hundred percent!”