Brigante Ark - Chapter 163

At this time of his life, he is not surprised that sooner or later someone will get him. But at the hand of a despicable man, no honor to keep, a traitor, he refuses his death to be at the hands of a lesser man.

In his dying state, Timber still has his warrior expression, stiff and hard, rejecting to let his sword down. He stared at him, detesting him. Finally, he broke and was on his knees. The cut on his neck was not deep, but his nerves were primarily slashed.

Jett had too felt the exhaustion of the aftermath. He had expected this, after all, he’s up against one of the leaders of Tribunal hunters. He moved forward, one step away from Timber. He can never be reckless despite the damage has done.

Timber dared to glare at him, even groaning.

“Do your worst.” Timber spat.

“With pleasure.”

Timber was never the man who hope nor know how to pray, but at the climax of his life, for the first time, his eyes beg for a miracle. And alas, he closes. The moment his head lowered, Jett raised his blade. Took a deep breath and swings.

At that moment, he started to think back to the days when he’s younger. Youngblood, thirsty for some action, and brash. No sense of responsibility, even though he’s a depose himself, it never crossed his mind about the consequence of his actions, yet, he found himself listening to his mentor about the ‘weaknesses of many things, so what he prefers to call.

Taught, he learned that everything has weak points if one should be patient and calm. A rough and hot-headed battle will do no good at one’s side.

He learned, if there is no immediate weakness, then there is certainly a limit to the enemy’s abilities. All should do is to wait, patiently, once the enemy hits his limit, then that’s the right time to exploit his other weaknesses and turn the tide on his side.

Just as now.

The blade that was supposed to behead him snapped and shattered into many pieces. He felt Jett’s mana shaken. It was the moment that he’s looking for. An opportunity that he must not let go of.

Timber beamed widely. His head quickly raised just as his fist mounted on Jett’s chin that make him fly away and crash on the pyramid.

Gathering his strength, Timber gritted his teeth and stood. Still shaken, his physique struggled to remove the instilled trauma in his body. He is at his dire, and he is on his edge. What more is, to say the least, that they’re not on the same side of the coin.

Jett had already gotten a general understanding.

He gasped, feeling the lack of oxygen. Timber picked a leaf, place it at the surface of his neck, muttering spells. It turns green and bright, then it dissipated as if they were ashen smoke.

He sighed in contempt and rejuvenated. The wound is starting to repair itself, although slowly. His mana is depleted in half, so he doesn’t have that proper compensation to properly heal himself. It was better than being on the brink of death. Only if he could laugh all of this aside, but it would turn out that he must take this matter seriously.

The towering energy began to whirl with its ominous screech. One might compare the horrid sound from a banshee scream. It is mortifying and yet, the dancing of light is majestic and wondrous. Regardless of the received damage, Timber sloppily walks towards the path.

“Almost there. I know I promise to your father that I won’t lay a hand on you nor lead you to your peril, but you’ve grown stubborn and obsessed with obtaining power.”

The Timber once again muttered spells. The trees, grasses, and the land itself grew dried, their life left them and was transferred to one single man.

He touched the land and closed his eyes.

“Forgive me for the insolence, but I must borrow your power this time so that I can have the means to stop this former hunter student of mine. I’m the one who drove him this way, so, it is right that by my hand I will end his chaotic charade.”

“By the means of ending, you don’t me, do you, Master?”

An eerie voice creeps in his spine.

Without a second thought, Timber turned at the sounding of someone’s voice. He swung a roundhouse punch but only to feel it didn’t connect. Hannibal bent backward and felt his knuckles swish on his nose. With a mighty push, a destructive force threw Timber away.

“I never have thought of this, but, that boy, is he you knew pet?”

“What he is to me matters not to you, Hannibal.”

“So it is. I wonder, how long will you keep under your leash him before he’ll disappoint you, or rather, you’ll disappoint him?”

“All this time, you’re still holding with that grudge?”

“Of course, I am!” He shouted, not hiding his anger.

“I thought you’d be better than that.” Timber sneered. “You of all the people knew what you’re doing was wrong. We are the Tribunal Hunters. Our job is to make sure that to protect the balance of this world.”

“Protect the balance?! Do you realize how hypocritical your words are?! People from different nations who are greedier than me exploit this nature you are talking about and here you are doing NOTHING.”

Despite the anger turmoiling inside him, Hannibal was still able to tame it.

“And you think lending your troll armies to nations will help fix it?!”

“At least I’m doing something.”

“This… this rally of yours, it will cause a lot of deaths. You and Jett will be responsible for those deaths including bearing enemies. You think you’re ready to carry that burden?”

“I already am.”

“And what about now?”

“What about now?”

“This raid of yours, what will you get out of it? What are you planning to do with that relic?”

“Oh, you mean the gateway?” Hannibal asked, watching the towering light.

“Please, don’t tell me you’re going to drag a monster and attempt to control it. That would be completely foolish.”

“No. I’ve struck a bargain. There is someone that I should send to the other side, no matter what.”

“Whatever the end of this, it mustn’t be good. I must stop you at all cost.”

And he was ready to cut the ties.

Timber put away his sword. It won’t be fair if he fought with a weapon as Hannibal didn’t bring any arms, only his magic, and his martial arts. Hannibal came first to him. The crunch of boots on the ruck. Timber is also approaching.

Almost in sync, their legs stretched out straight, boots dug on the ground, while the back leg was bent, giving them a solid stance and they fire. Their fist booming and snapping in the air.

Timber’s muscles are relaxed which gave off more speed compared to Hannibal, he’s too tense and stiff, focusing his fist for more power.

Felt that he’s at disadvantage, he draw back hastily.

Up high above, the full moon is at its peak, bleached the sky with blue light and with the twinkling dots. The beauty and its grace.. And yet no one had their eye on it.