strength and vengeance

"It’s been a long time, Zenob."

"Let's end this, Baron. Right here, right now."

The air crackled with killing intent. Baron sneered, his blade dripping with malice.

"You’re in such a hurry. Aren’t you happy to see me again after I destroyed your family, Zenob?"

Slash.

"Hey now, don’t be in such a rush to die. You're getting too heated... Fine, I’ll play with you for a bit."

Fists collided, blades clashed. Then, Baron leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper,

"I’m going to kill your child. Just like I killed mine when you took him away! Hahahaha!"

"Leave my daughter out of this! If you lay a single finger on her, I’ll drag you to the deepest pits of hell!"

Slash.

"Too slow. You’re pathetic."Baron’s fist connected, the sound of bone shattering echoing through the ruins. "Die, Zenob. This is the end."

I woke up gasping in Sophia’s house. My knuckles were white as I gripped the bedsheets.

"Ugh... mm..."

"Sophia? What’s wrong?"

"Papa... he isn't home yet. It's been so long, and he hasn't returned."

I stood up, wrapping my hands in leather bandages.

"I understand. I’ll get ready and go search for him."

"I’m coming with you, Gav!"

"Are you sure? It's dangerous out there."

"I’m sure. I can't just sit here."

"Alright. Let’s go."

We searched everywhere until we reached the back of the Guild.

The copper scent of blood hit me first.

"SIR ZENOB!!"

"PAPA!! WHERE ARE YOU, PAPA?!"

Our breath hitched. Sophia’s eyes filled with tears as she collapsed to her knees.

"Papa... what happened to you? This can't be happening!"

"Sophia..."

Zenob coughed, blood staining his lips.

"Don’t cry. You two... need to leave. Go far away... to a place where the flames of war won't reach you. Understand?"

"No! Don’t say that! No, Papa!"

"Quiet now... Gav, come here."

"Yes, Sir Zenob?"

"Can I entrust my daughter, Sophia, to you?"

"Sir... why are you saying this?"

"That man is coming. Take Sophia and her mother and get out of this country now. Please... protect them. HURRY! GO!"

"Let me go, Gav! Let me go! PAPA!"

"Sophia... don't be stubborn... take care of your mother..."

"PAPA!!"

We fled back to the house. I told her mother, Rachel, everything. We had to leave before the sun came up.

"Sophia, stop crying. If you keep this up, your beautiful face will be ruined."

"How can you joke at a time like this?!"

"Sorry... I'm sorry."

I pulled her into a hug.

"Gav? I want to avenge my father."

"For now... just rest in my arms. Okay?"

She cried until she fell asleep. I carried her to her bed but didn't sleep. I sat by the door, clenching and unclenching my fists. If that man showed up, I had only my hands to stop him.At dawn, we prepared to leave. But as we opened the door, a massive shadow blocked our path. It was him.

"Why are you here?"

"You again, brat? You're a persistent little fly. Who even are you?"

"What do you want with them?"

"Isn't it obvious? I’m here to finish the job. Total annihilation."

"You bastard...!"

"Get out of my way, or I’ll kill you too."

"Sophia, Ms. Rachel! When I give the signal, RUN! Get to the Guild and use the random teleportation circle. I’ll buy you time. Ready... one, two... RUN!"

"Haha! Run all you want, you fools!"

"Your opponent is me!"

I stepped forward, throwing a heavy jab.

"Hmph. I’m surprised you’re still alive after I put a hole in your stomach."

"SMOKE BOMB!"

"Cough! You little brat! DIE!"

PUNCH.

He was too fast. My fists were hitting nothing but air.

"You actually dodged that?"

PUNCH. PUNCH. His strikes were like iron hammers. My vision blurred.

"Gah... damn it... my consciousness is..."

Darkness threatened to take me, but then—Thump-thump. My heart beat like a war drum. My knuckles began to glow, and my eyes burned with a crimson light.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!"

"I’LL KILL YOU! I’LL KILL YOU!"

I lunged, my fist moving at a speed I couldn't explain.

"Ho? Your mana just spiked. That power... it feels familiar."

SUPER PUNCH. The shockwave cracked the ground beneath us.

"Tch. You're moving like a different person compared to that useless brat from before. But it’s over!"

He swung a lethal blow, but someone stepped in front of me.

"Ms. Rachel?!"

The impact was sickening. My power vanished as I stood there, paralyzed in shock.

"Gav... protect Sophia... go, now...!"

"MAMA!!"

I grabbed Sophia’s hand and lunged into the teleportation circle.

"Gav! Mama is still there! Please, we have to go back!"

"I’m sorry... I’m so sorry, Sophia. I wasn't strong enough."

"No! Let me go back!"

"We can't! We'll both die if we stay!"

The light enveloped us, and the world vanished.

We landed in a dark, unfamiliar forest. Sophia screamed and begged to go back until her voice gave out.

(Forgive me, Sophia. I have to do this for your family. I won’t let you die. I’ll become a monster with these fists if I have to. I’ll get your revenge. I promise.)

"Sleep for now. It’s safe here."

I set up a campfire and made some soup. The silence was heavy.

"Sophia, eat. You need to keep your strength up."

Her face was hollow, her eyes red and swollen. She ate in silence.

"Tomorrow, we head for Gavan. From there, we’ll go to the Village of Sona. We’ll hide there and train until we are strong enough."

"Okay. I’m going to sleep."

"Goodnight."

I watched the fire, looking at my bruised, shaking hands. She’s completely broken.

"Gav..."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Can you hold me again? I’m... I'm cold."

"Of course. Come here."

"Thank you, Gav..."

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