36 Chapter 36: Brideknapped 2 (2/2)
A bellowing laugh erupted across the valley as Ryas drew his swords back and the boy cowered down.”Is that what they told you and you believed them?”How fucken ridiculous Ryas laughed again.”Do you know who I am?” He asked.
”No.Should I?” The boy's confidence returned.His golden eyes bore back at Ryas — his dark features were familiar.
”You should.That woman is my wife, not my sister,” Ryas said.
”The Regent would never lie to us,”
”Men will lie to anyone if it serves their purpose.Don't be easily fooled.”
”He said you're a murderer of Woman and children.
”I've killed those who deserved it.I don't take innocent lives.”
”Why should I believe you?” The boy asked.
”The fact that I didn't kill you yet,” Ryas bent down until he looked into the eyes of the boy.”You can't return to Novas.Go to Murai if you survive the journey there.I will allow you to join one of my Captains ranks,” Ryas stood up then wiped his blades on the two dead guards.
The boy also rose to his feet, ”Why are you letting me go?”
”Thank your eyes they have saved you,” and he walked away.
”The Regent has her.He's going to marry her today.You can find him on the other side of Town,” the boy said.”The townsfolk are innocent; they don't know any better.Only what Lucan has taught them.”
Ryas stopped, ”Tell me your name?”
”I don't have one.”
Ryas sneered, ”Find one before we meet again,” he walked away and past the guard's horses where he noticed a bow and arrows.Ryas took them and left.
He raced back to Novas, passed the Inn, and Catia who stood outside her shop.She tried to wave him down, but he rode straight down the dirt road ahead.He had to get to Yuliah.If anything happens to her, he will kill everyone responsible.
The seconds turned into minutes as he continued down the path until the buildings thinned out and only a few scattered buildings remained.Yuliah's screams burst out from down the road.Ryas stopped his horse then crept alongside the broken fence.His eyes were tight and straight ahead.
Slunt over his shoulder hung the arrows he took from the dead guards.He now stood next to a rundown house and peeked around the corner. Twenty guards, 21 including Lucan who stood right in the middle.Five women and two old Men.Another twenty villagers.His heart raced as he hid behind the fence again.
Seven arrows, it's all he had.Three at a time the most he could shoot.His arm lifted straight up and his fingers curved around the bow.His right-hand nocked three arrows across the bow, he stepped out and released.
They were so occupied no one noticed Ryas as he let the arrows soar through the air.Three guards drop right behind Lucan before he turned around.
The crowd of villagers scatters, while the woman screamed and ran in all directions.
Three more headshot kills, followed by an arrow through the heart for four unlucky guards.
”Kill HIM,” Lucan spits out.
With both swords in hand Ryas took another four lives making his way closer to Lucan.He glanced at Yuliah who fought to free herself but was still held to her knees while two old Men held a chicken close to her head and some incense sticks.
His body exploded with the Ethereal Spirit as he launched his swords straight ahead and killed the two guards next to Yuliah.The remaining guards moved in as he kicked and punched them back.
The old Men trembled as the chicken and incense sticks shook in their hands.
”Stop whatever the fuck it is your doing.If you two want to live,” Ryas chucked a shield at them freeing one of the chickens from the Old Man's fingers.
Lucan drew his sword and stepped behind his five wives.He shoved them forward.”No, continue the ceremony,” he barked at the two Men.
Now that she was free Yuliah stood up, kicked the two Old Men between the legs as they tried to restrain her.Knocking them over and ran back inside the shed.She slammed the door behind her.Ryas looked pissed.She could see it in his face and when he released his Ethereal Spirit.He would kill everyone.Yuliah knew it, and she couldn't watch it.Her entire body trembled.Forget them all.They didn't help her why she should save them.
The guards had their shields out and circled Ryas.”He's strong as fuck.Be careful,” Lucan called from behind his wives.
A few brave guards jumped at Ryas.Their movements were quick and stealthy.Faster than a Man.They almost matched his moves.
Ryas punched a guard in the chest as he lunged too close.The guard rolled across the dirt gaged but stood back up.With that force, his chest should have caved inward.A Man would have died already.Ryas looked over at Lucan.”What are you?”
Lucan laughed from behind his wives.”A new breed of Nomens.We will become more powerful than the Geneoshi or any other being.You must be the great General Ryas Ib,” Lucan mocked.”I thought you'd be bigger.”
”A new breed huh?”Ryas half-smiled.”That explains why you look like a bunch of underfed mutts.Let's test how strong your new breed of Nomens will be,” he moved slowly as the remaining seven guards followed along with him.
The guards rushed forward and grabbed onto his waist and limbs.”Bring him down,” they yelled out.Grunting and pulling on Ryas.He shifted from side to side dragging the guards with him.His fists rained down on them, but they held on tightly.
Ryas released more of his Ethereal Spirit this time.The strikes and blows he delivered now knocked them down and then out cold until none were left standing.
”It's just you and me now Lucan.You fucken coward,” Ryas dashed at Lucan who pushed his wives forward.
They broke out into screams as Ryas dodged them shoving two of Lucan's wives aside.
He now stood in front of the shed and retrieved one of his swords from the dead guard.
He turned to find Lucan charging right at him and swung his sword up, blocking Lucan's strikes.
”The Nomens will sing songs about me.How I defeated the great General Ryas and even took his woman as my own.”Lucan laughed.
He snickered at Lucan and lunged forward, and he exchanged blows with him until they both grew tired.Then released the full power of his Ethereal Spirit.
Lucan's overconfidence caused him to plow forward towards Ryas again, who knocked the sword out of Lucan's hand and closed in on him.With three powerful strikes to his stomach, chest, and head Lucan flung backward and rolled into the side of his old Manor.
Ryas took his time walking over to Lucan and then knelt beside him, ”Let's see what kind of songs they'll sing about you now Nomen Breeder,” and plunged his sword into Lucan's groin then cut away.
Lucan's pupils rolled back into his head, and only the whites of his eyes remained.
”Noooooo!”A Woman's voice screamed.”What have you done!”She charged at Ryas, but when he turned to face her, she stopped midway.
”Don't make me kill you too,” he glared at her then made his way toward the shed.”Yuliah, open up it's me,” Ryas knocked on the door.
The screams and fighting died down outside.Yuliah knew it was over.She undid the latch and pushed open the door.Her arms shook as she rushed out to hug him.”Ryas,” Yuliah grabbed for his hands.He was the most incredible person she knew — the only one who would take on the whole world for her.Tears dropped from her eyes.
The left side of his lips curved upward as he reached for Yuliah's hand but suddenly stopped.
”Die, Demon,” a Woman's voice screamed from behind him.
It was the same sound she heard when Liang stabbed Yujen.A blade through flesh, right out his left side.Yuliah could see the silver tip covered in blood as Ryas landed inside the grasp of her left arm.It was one of Lucan's wives.
No...No... NO,” her eyes gleamed crimson.The Ethereal Spirit surged through her body stronger than before.She lifted her right arm towards Lucan's wife and swung.Lucan's wife skidded backward and landed next to his bleeding body.
Yuliah's voice screamed out in pain as her entire body exploded into a fiery flame.