The stars blinked out one by one.
It was the omen all seers feared—a night with no starlight, when fate would shift and swords would speak louder than prophecy.
And in that night, they came for Serian.
---
The Assassins of the Holy Order
They moved like shadows, cloaked in divine enchantments and silent prayers.
Handpicked by the High Priest himself, each one bore a title:
The Blade of Judgement. The Chain of Heaven. The Whisper of Silence.
> "The anomaly must be cleansed," their leader intoned. "By will of the gods."
Their target: a lone soul meditating beneath the crumbling sanctuary, surrounded by fading runes and cursed soil.
Serian.
---
Azel's Warning
The moment the assassins crossed the threshold, a burning sigil ignited.
Serian's eyes opened—gold flickering to crimson, calm fading into ancient rage.
> "They've come to test us."
"Let them." Azel purred.
"You should run," Lira whispered. "You're not ready."
But Serian stood.
> "I'm always ready."
---
The First Blow
The Blade of Judgement struck first—his blade splitting space with a divine slash meant to decapitate without sound.
Serian dodged, barely.
Blood spilled—not his, but the stone's, as runes ruptured beneath his feet.
> "You bleed this world," Serian whispered. "Let's see if it bleeds back."
He raised his hand—and shadows surged.
---
The Battle
Chains of light met blades of void.
The Whisper of Silence tried to shatter Serian's soul with holy incantations—but Azel laughed, and turned it back.
The Chain of Heaven bound Serian in midair—but he smiled.
> "Did you forget?"
With a pulse of forbidden qi, he twisted free—unleashing a technique stolen from both hero and demon.
> "Echo Breaker."
The entire chamber exploded.
---
Aftermath
Only one assassin remained breathing, crawling toward the exit.
Serian stepped over him, eyes empty.
> "You were sent to erase me," he said. "But you just proved I exist."
Then he walked away—leaving the survivor to deliver a message:
> "Tell your gods… if they want war, I'll show them hell."
---
Elsewhere — Hero Clone Awakens
Miles away, the Hero clone jolted awake—his heart racing, sword drawn, as if something had struck him.
> "What... was that?"
The mirror in his tent cracked.
And behind it… for just a moment… his reflection grinned.
---
To Be Continued…