Chapitre 24: Season 2; Chapter 4: Intruders

Lawrence came out the hallway of the library and met a servant already prepared his sword. "Your highness! Your sword!" she said and handed the sword.

Lawrence took the sword and nodded at the servant. "Start the defenses, prepare the artillery and shoot any intruders that dare to lay a hand on you," he commanded, and the servant nodded.

Everyone on the manor was already taking out hidden artillery and sharp weapons, hiding in the corners of the entrances and exits. It looked as if they knew what to do. Lawrence rushed out and saw a figure covered in a cloak.

"He... lp." it pleaded as the figure collapses.

Lawrence instinctively rushed towards the injured and went behind her. He looked at one of his hidden servants and signaled to take the collapsed figure safe. Lawrence was left behind and as he stared at the silent roundabout. A man appeared across the roundabout at the entrance of the forest in his assassin outfit.

The man had a malicious aura and sent goosebumps on Lawrence's body. A black mask covered the pursuer's face, except for his mouth. His wide grin was visible from afar. He emitted a dark aura and rushed toward Lawrence with no hesitation.

Lawrence drew his sword and readied his stance. He inhaled deeply and exhaled. His eyes filled with concentration the surrounding as the intruder approached him. Just ten meters away from him and his eyes and aura changed into a killing intent.

The intruder flinched and stopped his movement. He jumped behind, spacing himself away from Lawrence. His grin turned into a frowning lip. "Who are you," he asked.

Lawrence did not give a response.

The pursuer smirked and raised his hands, "I'm only here for an individual you placed inside your manor. If you give her to me, I will not make a ruckus."

Lawrence did not move. His mind immediately calculated everything.

The pursuer felt ignored and maddened, "I will only ask again, give her to me." he ordered.

Lawrence withdrew his sword and sighed, "Who are you." he said, not asking but ordering.

The intruder smiled, "I'm an assassin, as you see." sardonic, he replied.

Lawrence's face was poker, "How cynical." he stated. "I will give you one chance if you don't retreat now. I will have no choice but to cut you down," he warned.

The pursuer's face turned grim, then he laughed. "You? A mere child? Cut us down? We've apprehended you're so-called 'guards,' and you think you? A small individual could defeat me?"

Lawrence's face twitched in annoyance, "You're not alone?" he groaned. "Such a burden."

The pursuer grew impatient and leaped towards Lawrence, his daggers ready in both of his hands. Lawrence sighed and drew his sword as quick as a wind, countering the blade aimed at his head. He smiled at his success.

The man retreated a few meters away and sneered. "You aren't just a mere child." he groaned, suddenly emitting a gaunt intent to kill. "Then forgive me for not holding back," he said. He replaced his two daggers with another one, a stiletto, a sharp and long one at that.

Lawrence smiled, "I'm shivering." he mocked.

"You will do more than that." the man said in a mocking voice.

Lawrence smirked, "Enlighten me," he said casually, still grinning.

Lawrence sight fuzzed, the pursuer moved and left a foreshadow behind him, it was as if two people. Lawrence stepped backward, dizzy. He attempted to swing his sword upfront but failed to hit anything. Slowly the pursuer's figure disappeared, and as if vanishing behind him, he smacked the behind of Lawrence.

Lawrence groaned. 'Poison?' he asked himself, retreating and focusing his gaze at the attacker.

"Feeling hazy?" the man mocked, licking the edge of his stiletto.

Lawrence's face turned unfriendly. He focused and imagined his mana seeping out of his body, cleansing the impurities inside him. The place seemed clear but foggy. 'I've been inhaling this poison without knowing? How clever.'

"Salvia divinorum." the man stated, suddenly sniffing a purple flower.

"How mischievous of you," Lawrence smirked. He focused his inner soul on protecting the outer layers from any impurities.

The pursuer's face turned serious, "You're not supposed to have your proper conscious." he sneered. "How?"

Lawrence smiled mockingly, "That's for me to know, and you to find out." he lashed onto the man, catching him off guard. Lawrence's sword clashed with his stiletto. The attacker hopes to strengthen his grip on his weapon but failed as Lawrence's sword shifted onto his left cheek.

He failed to keep his balance, shocked by the kill drive. He tumbles backward, far from Lawrence's reach. As his lips turned uneven, he glared from the ground towards the calm Lawrence. He wiped the cut from his cheek as the blood trickled down from his finger onto the cement ground.

Lawrence stared at the man. As if his whole instinct told him to eliminate the attacker before everything goes south. Without saying, it was the best option to lessen the burden when the other assassins arrive to assist the current man trying to harm Lawrence. He knew the best choice but hesitated.

"To graze another is the hardest choice for a human being," he paused. "It's a decision that will determine whether you stay human or become a monster." Lawrence calmed down. He then aimed his sword at the man, emitting a killing drive.

The pursuer flinched, his eyes blazed. Why do I feel fear? he thought. "What's your name," he asked Lawrence.

Lawrence's face was still serious, but he answered. "Elijah. Elijah Sage."

The man stood abruptly, "You're a Sage?" he uttered in complete disbelief. "I should've turned a blind eye. An imperial offspring with no protection but is a shield himself. Young but strong. Potent and Radiating. I feel dirty for trying to harm a child." he said. Without expecting a reply, he charged towards Lawrence with full force, throwing his two previous daggers at him and aiming his stiletto at the chest of Lawrence.

Lawrence's mind filled with excitement as three weapons started heading towards him, a dagger aimed at his head and another aimed at his stomach, as well as the charging pursuer, in his hands a stiletto sharper than any regular knives, ready to cut open his heart. The sound of the air concentrated through Lawrence's eardrum. So gentle, so vivid, so calming..., everything moved at a slow pace, and Lawrence- ready to slash anything into two.

His movements were so fast. The observers were not able to catch up. He blocked the two daggers flying towards him and stopped the stiletto just on time, shifting the dagger's aim upwards. Before the assassin could regain his balance, Lawrence had already prepared to strike his side. In a flash, he moved and left his stiletto flying to flee from the strike of Lawrence.

Lawrence, shocked by the sudden movement, stood and stared at the assassin far from his grasp. His face twitched, "Who are you? And why did you chase after that wounded?"

The assassin took off his mask and showed his face. His blue eyes stared intently at Lawrence, "I'm a mercenary ordered to kill that escapee from an illegal faction. Helios An." he answered.

'Mercenary hired by an illegal faction. It seems they've taken someone prestigious.' Lawrence thought. "You are not an assassin sent to kill me, but a mercenary sent to kill the wounded," Lawrence stated. "I would have turned a blind eye if this happened outside my land. But to threaten and assault an imperial on his grounds means declaring war against the Emperor of The Continent Sage." Lawrence growled.

"It's far too late," Helios said before attacking once again. This time he pulled out an Anelace Dagger behind his back and rushed towards Lawrence. Before his Anelace could pierce through Lawrence's chest, Lawrence countered it once again with his sword.

Lawrence maddened as he spoke, "Then to end this will be the only way."

Helios used his strength that outmatched Lawrence's that pushed him away. Overwhelmed by the brute force, he was knock off onto the ground. Before regaining his balance, Helios dagger was already ready to strike from above. Luckily, Lawrence evaded the attack by sliding to his side.

Lawrence stood right after sliding and prepared his sword. He inhaled calmly, stretching his mind and predicting the movements of Helios. He closed his eyes and imagined a few seconds and opened them. Lawrence stood, anticipating the strikes of Helios. His eyes dazed at Helios foreshadow and lost track of him.

Just then, he lost track of Helios then he felt a pang behind his head. He fell onto his knees and forced his head to turn behind to see Helios. What happened? he thought, as the assassin prepared to strike once again, this time in an advantage. But before Lawrence fell, he managed to wake himself by stabbing his left thigh. Lawrence urged himself to shift his sword to clash Helios's Anelace- protecting himself from the strike.

Lawrence's concentration heightened to the highest. Then mist started enveloping Lawrence, as well as the surrounding. His body glowed vibrantly in the thick fog, making him visible from afar with such a noticing glow. It was a golden color, enveloping his body, making him seem like a light source. It was as if heightening his concentration triggered something. Suddenly, from his position, he opened his eyes as the outline glowed orange, and inside it glowed pure yellow. It was fascinating, almost alluring.

His body started getting brighter and brighter, like a bomb about to explode. His senses dulled, and conscience collapsed. It was as if he fell into a deep slumber. The sudden activity made Helios retreat meters away from Lawrence.

"An awakening?" Helios asked in disbelief.

The light that shrouded Lawrence gleamed brighter than the light, blinding everyone and everything around the surrounding. The beam of light strowed - up to the heavens - and slowly, the blinding gleam elapsed. Just then, the mist changed into orange flames.

"Orange Flames?" Helios asked his self. "The weakest Combustion Inheritance."

Lawrence's eyes still glowed orange and yellow. His body stopped gleaming light, and yet he was not himself. He stood like an unconscious person. Helios took the initiative and charged towards Lawrence, Anelace aimed at his heart.