Chapter 5 : Escape from Levogard

“Hah, someone is trying to make an empty threat!” Renshaw said in a mocking tone.

“See for yourself first, and see who is big mouthing!” Hagol replied.

Renshaw looked around, and is rather surprised. His whole group of soldiers is either killed or wounded badly. One last standing soldier is being hit on the head by Leo with his mace. A thump sound and that soldier lies flat on the ground.

“So…, I guess you are better than your friend here. Interesting, very interesting.. But all of this is not without a price, I assume?”

What Renshaw said is true. Hagol body is full of cut wound, and one of the cut seem to have hit the eye, because his left eye is bleeding. Leo is no better. He is also full of cut wound, and his head is bleeding rather badly. Soon, he falls to the ground.

“Leo!” Tom shouted. “Are you all right?”

“Still breathing, if that what you want to know. A little rest will make me feel much better.” Leo replied.

“Hmm…, still talking big when he himself is already unable to stand still.” Renshaw said sarcastically.

“Keep your mouth shut, will you?” Leo said to Renshaw. “You are no better. Look! Your nose is bleeding again. Guess your wretched god is unable to do anything about it. That’s quite a punch, Tom.”

“Don’t mention it.” Tom said as he get up and walk to Leo.

Renshaw wipe away the bleeding on his nose quickly. “How dare you belittle me and our Great Skelcrown. You are beyond forgiveness and will all die a very terrible death! I will show you the true power of Great Skelcrown! Grant me the power, o Great Skelcrown! Blesetgratcrown!” As he finished the word, Renshaw power seems to multiply.

“Now you all shall witness the true power of a man blessed by Great Skelcrown Himself.” And without any delay, he runs quickly and jump onto Hagol, sword held highly.

Suddenly, Leo have run to Hagol side, pushing him away. But, as the result, he is hit by the sword on the chest. Blood spurted.

“Arghhh!!!” Leo groaned.

“No!!!” Tom shouted, take a sword that lies on the ground, and charged toward Renshaw who is preparing to launch the second swing. Renshaw sees him, and turn around quickly. Tom swings the sword forcefully, but Renshaw blocked the sword with ease. Tom keeps on swinging the sword forcefully onto Renshaw, but Renshaw blocked or evaded every attack with ease. It almost look like a child fighting against an adult.

Hagol has picked up his falling axe and tried to intervene, but even without seeing Hagol coming, Renshaw use his elbow and hit Hagol straight on his stomach. Hagol falls to the ground at once.

“You see, all your friends have fallen, what about if you are next?” Renshaw said in a mocking tone.

“Never, before I kill you!” Tom replied, still swinging his sword rather wildly.

“Well, now you are talking. I shall allow myself to be entertained for a while then. Give me your best shot, Tom!”

“Damn it! Die you!”

Tom keeps on attacking, until his attack become weaker and slower. He is already losing his stamina. Renshaw, in other hand, seems to look just fine. In another ten minutes, Tom had stopped the attack; instead, he uses the sword as a crouch. He is breathing very fast.

“Done, already? I guess it’s the time anyway. I am getting pretty bored.” Renshaw said, and as he finished the word, he dash toward Tom quickly. Sword held highly, as he is swinging the sword, Hagol pushed Tom from behind. The sword hits Hagol and Hagol does not even groan.

He falls without sound.

“No!!!” Tom and Leo shouted.

Renshaw sighed. “Why do I always fail to hit the target which I really wish to hit? No matter now, you are next, Tom.” And he raises his sword again and swings it forcefully. Tom managed to dodge it in time, and the sword hits the ground, creating a small hole on the ground.

“You! You have hurt my family, friends and my beloved city. I swear, from now on, my sole purpose in life is to kill you!” and with that, Tom gather all his remaining strength and charged onto Renshaw.

Renshaw blocked the attack, and Tom sword is broken.

“Hah! So that’s your best shoot, Tom?” Renshaw said.

Tom can not even say anything. He can only look at his broken sword, and prepare himself for the worse.

Hagol suddenly comes from behind of Renshaw, hacking the axe right onto him. Renshaw dodge it in one easy move, and the axe nearly hits Tom, who sits down at once.

“Tom! Take Leo and run away from here!” Hagol said.

“What about you?” Tom asked.

“Don’t worry about me. I am very strong! He won’t defeat me!”

“But…”

“Don’t hesitate. I do this because I want to repay Leo kindness…I will try to survive! But you must go as far as you could too! Heal your wound!”

“Ok, then. If you say so….take care!” Tom said and put Leo to his back, then walking as fast as he could from the battleground. Renshaw just watched, but strangely, it seems his eye is empty, as if he is listening to someone else in his mind.

“…But I only say I will try to survive.” Leo said, in a low voice, after Tom has walked far enough.

“Hmm…”Renshaw attention is suddenly focused on what Hagol said. “You think you can defeat me?”

“I would say yes, but deep in my heart I feel great peace, for at least my life is worth two lives.”

“Which mean very clearly that you already know you will be defeated, and worst, killed by me. I really appreciate such kind of bravery yet foolishness. What are you doing this for? Dying a heroic death?”

“Don’t you dare to insult my intention. Never have that thought cross my mind even for a moment that my action is for people to sing about my deeds. No! This is something you will never understand, because it is greater than friendship. I am protecting things that are dear to me!”

“Something dear to you? How interesting. And what have you done so far? What will you do?”

“I have failed with Levogard, and almost failed with Leo too. But I shan’t fail again. If I fail, I will pay with my life!”

Renshaw clapped his hand scornfully. “What a great lecture and what a great vow! Oh! It is almost a pity to kill you. Yes, almost. But this is duty. Any last word?”

“Tom and Leo, may you live on, and kill this beast for me. Now, for the greater battle ahead, die you!” Hagol charged with all his strength onto Renshaw.

At this time, Tom and Leo is already on the hill which overlooked Levogard, in fire. Smoke can still be seen, and at some place, fire is still burning.

“I will never forget this! I shall make everyone who did this pay!” Tom cried.

“Yes…make them pay!” Leo who sits beside Tom said. “How is Hagol now, I wonder? I sure hope he has split Renshaw into million pieces. I sure hope he did. Anyway, what should we do next?”