Chapter 4: The Bloody Blade
The blinding rays of the sun shined upon his sword, highlighting his vulnerability in the face of his impending battle. His sword, a trusted companion, glinted with a cruel sharpness, eager to taste blood. The man, a formidable foe, stood tall, his shadow casting an ominous darkness over the ground. Artemis' heart pounded with determination, yet he couldn't shake the weight of the task ahead.
I've never killed anyone before but I couldn't just let this man get away with what he took from me.
"Stay back Amelia, I'll handle this." I say with a serious tone and expression.
All the running took a bit of a toll on me, plus I had been working before she took me away. But I have to give it my all.
With a swiftness that belied his exhaustion, Artemis lunged, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. But the enemy, a master of combat, sidestepped with ease, his laughter echoing across the field. Artemis' strike met only air, and he cursed under his breath.
The fight intensified, each clash of steel sending shivers through Artemis' weary body. Bloodlust filled his opponent's eyes as he countered every blow, their blades dancing in the beautiful sunlight, Artemis's arms burned, and his breath came in ragged gasps. This adversary was way more skilled than anything his father could have taught him.
In a desperate move, Artemis feigned exhaustion, lowering his guard. The man's eyes narrowed, and he lunged, driven by arrogance. But Artemis' strategy paid off—with lightning speed, he spun, his sword finding its mark. A gush of crimson stained the earth as the man quickly fell to the floor.
Artemis stood over the fallen body, his sword dripping with the blood of the man he just slain. Victory had been claimed, but at what cost? The thrill of battle turned sour as the reality of the gruesome scene hit home. Artemis' mind screamed with the weight of his actions, for he knew that though the man had deserved his fate, it did not make the taking of a life any easier.
In that moment, Artemis realized that sometimes, the greatest struggle was not with the enemy, but with the darkness that dwelled within.