Chapter 4 : Truth Unraveled

“Remember me, Tom? I hope you haven’t forgotten about me yet, because I haven’t Tom.” Renshaw said, in his calm voice.

“What is the meaning of this? How come a group of shrine destroyer mingles with army from another country? Unless…” Tom said.

“I know what you are thinking, and the answer is yes, I or the so-called shrine destroyer is a part of the Scrown Purist Army. All of this is part of our great king scheme.”

“Scrown Purist Army? What is the meaning of that?”

“I hate to talk for too long, but for this occasion only, considering all of you soon will meet your maker, I will be tolerant for a bit. I, as you all know, am Renshaw Bellamy, commander of Scrown Purist Army, Scrown Kingdom army, in charge of purifying the southern side. I am also a member of The Five Purist Warrior, the most elite group in Scrown Purist Army. We…”

“Five Purist Warrior? What is that again?”

“Don’t interrupt me when I am talking, or don’t your parent teach you manner? We are special unit who receive order directly from our great king, Lord Schuuster, and are blessed with extraordinary power that you won’t be able to imagine!”

“To hell with that! What your bastard king wants actually?” one of the wounded militiaman said.

At first, Renshaw didn’t react. Then, suddenly he disappeared, and the next second, he is in front of that man, and another second, that poor man is split into three. Before anybody can react, Renshaw has walked back calmly to his group.

“Huh? What the…what does this mean?”

“That is the punishment for people who dare to said anything about our king. He is the son of great Skelcrown himself and nobody, even us, can speak anything bad about him! Not that we will do it, anyway,” Renshaw replied, still in his calm voice.

“Last question, what is your motive?” Tom said in a voice trembling with anger.

“Our motive? Oh yeah, we are on a mission to purify this land from the filthy blood, like you people.”

“That’s all I need to know! Now, all of you, die!!!” Tom shouted, as he and his group charged forward.

The Scrown soldiers also charged forward, and the battle begin. With what seem to be very unbalanced battle, it seems that this battle shall end soon. But, Leo, Tom, and Hagol give such a great fight that after almost half of the Scrown soldiers is either killed or wounded, that they managed to be cornered.

“Impressive, very impressive. But this is the end for you all. The game ends here. Any last word?” Renshaw said.

“Never!!!” Leo, Tom and Hagol said it at the same time, although this seems to be an empty threat. All of them are wounded on every parts of their body, and seems unable to continue the fight any longer. Tom suffered the most wound.

“I will not expect less. But before that, catch this, Tom,” Renshaw said as he threw something onto Tom.

Tom catches it with one hand. And is totally surprised with the thing he is holding.

Leona necklace.

“What does this mean!?” Tom asked, in a trembling voice.

“Oh… so you do not recognize the necklace of your dearest one?”

“Impossible, how could this be?”

“Yes, it could be, as you have seen yourself.”

“How does this happen?”

“I will tell you, but only if you fight well.” After saying this, Renshaw held his sword up.

“Damn it. Die you!” Tom shouted and charged forward. So does Leo and Hagol.

Tom fights madly. He swings his sword here and there without aiming really well. This causes Renshaw to be able to block all his attack. Leo and Hagol fight well, but their stamina is running low.

“Hah! Is this your best shot? I am unimpressed at all. If you want me to tell you, do it better!” Renshaw provoked Tom.

“You will get it!” Tom shouted, and his swing is more forceful than ever. But still the blow is not enough to hurt Renshaw even a bit.

“I am beginning to get bored, Tom. I guess the game ends here.”

And with one deadly and accurate blow, he hit Tom’s sword so hard that both swords are shattered. Tom can hardly take the shock on his hand and falls to the ground as the result. His hand feels dead.

“Well, before I deliver the finishing blow, let me tell you how all of this happened. After our last meeting, I quickly ordered my agent to spies on you. In just a few hours, I have known all I need to know about, your house, your family, and your friends. So, when I attacked the city, I left my soldiers to make your two best friends and the city guards busy. I went to your house at once, and see your wife…”

“Why…, why must you disturb my family?” Tom interrupted, still in trembling voice.

Renshaw give a kick to Tom face and Tom face hits the ground. “Haven’t I told you don’t interrupt me? Well, as I was just saying, I found your wife and children. Then I start to chase them. Unfortunately, some of the city guards spring up from nowhere and attacked me. By the time I am finished with them, your family is already gone. I give pursue and with the blessing of Great Skelcrown, I managed to find them beside the river. I launch three quick slash, and I guess it is right on target, because your whole family fell to the river at once.” Now a mad smile on Renshaw face. “It is such a great fun, and after killing them, I found the necklace I just gave to you beside the river, so now I am returning it to you. Aren’t I a considerate person?”

“You….BASTARD!!!” Tom shouted angrily, springs up at once, and with all his strength deliver a very powerful punch with all his might, straight onto Renshaw face. Renshaw, not ready for this, take the punch directly without able to even avoid it a bit. He fell to the ground too.

“How dare you do this, even a thousand death is not good enough for you!” And with that, Tom jump, and kick the face of Renshaw who is just trying to get up directly. Renshaw flew a bit and fell down again with a loud thump voice.

Tom tries to kick Renshaw again, but this time Renshaw is faster. He rolled away and jump up quickly. He wiped away the blood on his mouth and nose.

“You filthy kind! You shall pay for the insolence you just done!” And with that, Renshaw draws out his sword and held it straight. Tom tries to deliver another punch, but this time, Renshaw gives a very powerful kick on Tom stomach, causing Tom to fall to the ground again with a groan.

“Now you die!” Renshaw said, and held his sword highly, ready to swing.

As he was holding the sword highly, an axe suddenly flies to him. Renshaw dodge it just in time. The axe missed him and hit a half burned building instead, and falls to the ground with a loud clanking noise.

“He will not die yet, because we are still here!” Hagol bellowed with his tired yet determined voice.