36 First Walk of Madness (1/2)
One of my favorite early chapters. I feel it's one of the most memorable. As always, please feel free to let me know if you have any thoughts!
Floating above Lineir in the treetops was precisely one of those lower sect elders that Mei was talking about. He was wearing the black robes of the Nero Sect and hovering atop a two meter long immortal sword as wide as a man. When Lineir showed no reaction he called again in an imposing tone of authority,
”Kid, where did you come from? Did you see a hooded figure go this way? I'm looking for an old man coming from the city of Dracherus, he may have been flying or on foot, and the Nero Sect will pay greatly for any information on him. Have you seen anyone matching this description?” The man had a very arrogant manor, while his words may not have been that imposing, showing that he wasn't of very high birth, his manner and the fact that he expected all of his questions to be answered without question revealed his true nature as a Nero Sect disciple. Lineir still didn't answer. A bubbling force was welling up inside him, as if a gushing red spout of blood was bursting through his burning veins. Mei was trying to get Lineir's attention,
”Kiddo, answer him, the Nero Sect is looking for you. He has no idea who you are. Unless you want to alert his suspicions and have to fight the entire sect then say something!” But Lineir was still standing there frozen. The man floating above finally got suspicious. While Lineir didn't fit the profile, and he never imagined that he was the same man who had dominated the arena with such a terrifying aura, he figured that this youth knew something and was reluctant to say it.
”Do you know such a man? Come on, the Nero Sect will definitely reward you handsomely. Just come with me now...” He swooped down on his flying sword, and made to grab Lineir. Immediately, as he swooped down, Lineir's eyes which had been squeezed tightly shut this whole time snapped open.
”Fight the entire sect you say, Master? That sounds like an excellent idea!”
*SHICK*
From Lineir's elbows came his bone scythes and his eyes slitted like that of a feral animals. A murderous dark aura came from him, and before the man on the flying sword could react, Lineir was whirling about, completely bypassing the outstretched arm and it was as if the reaper's very own scythe had risen from hell itself to tear out his soul through his throat. The man didn't even have time to shout before dropping dead, his sputtering blood streaming out to water the dirt. Mei wryly said,
”Well, I didn't say you should fight the whole sect, but at least you see how easy it is to deal with these hollow elders. As I said though, you are still technically in the same realm of power as them. It's good that you killed him quickly, if he were to actually call out and assemble with more of them, it could get dangerous fast. One ant alone can be squished, but an army is far more difficult to exterminate.” Lineir was taking slow deep breaths, but his heart rate was spiking to no end.
A slow character formed its way across his eyes in blood.
”To guide you on the first path, I leave behind one who knows.”