Chapter 25: City of bones and dooms

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: City of bones and dooms

The rest of their journey was extremely silent. The pup slept in Morgan’s arms. White fur stained with his blood.

But Luke still looked restless even after leaving the wolves’ territory.

On the third day they finally came before The Gate of the Lawless Lands city.

The first sight that greeted them was a man hung at the wall of the gate. Burned black. Chains through his ribs. And crows fighting over what was left of the poor guy.

Morgan stopped walking when he saw it. His stomach turned violently.

"What... what is that...?"

"That’s what happens when you rob a noble House," Luke said. He didn’t even look away. "Welcome to the Lawless Lands."

"That’s not law. That’s—"

"That’s survival." Luke pushed forward. "Move."

Two guards blocked their path at the gate. With old and rusted armors.

"What are you brats doing here?" One drew his sword an inch. "This ain’t a playground."

"We’re seeking refuge," Luke said.

The guard laughed. "You? A Calamity? Kid, I’ve wiped snot off—"

A purple light shone and in just an instant

Luke’s Geno sword was at his throat.

"Should I show you?"

The guard’s face drained. He stepped back, hands up. "F-fine. Get in."

The only word that Morgan can describe when seeing the city can only be described as hell wearing a market’s skin.

Leather huts, with Fires. Calamities selling jerky that might’ve been human, bone necklaces for "luck", and weapons that screamed when you touched them.

It stank of blood, smoke, and desperation.

The entire sight makes Morgan want to throw up even more.

But what caught his attention most was of course the five tall story buildings in the city, the story buildings were far from each other. One in the West. Other in South. North. And East. They were completely divided. And what’s more the one in the middle looked like it dropped from the sky

From the one in the West came out a young lad with a

Red coat and when he smiled Morgan could see Gold in his teeth. Five guards behind him like shadows.

Morgan grabbed Luke’s arm. "Wait. That’s him. The guy from before. Who almost—"

"That’s son of House Drakell," Luke cut him off. Voice low. "Their family is the Top Five most strongest Worldwide."

"No kidding" whispered Morgan, his gaze still on Raymond

Meanwhile in the capital’s forest. Old Man Martell stood still.

Cane in both hands. Eyes closed motionless Like he’s been carved from the earth.

Then the temperature suddenly dropped

Black smoke poured between the trees. Then a black figure walked out. He was wearing a robe that completely hid his Face.

Behind him, the air twisted. Something big was breathing.

"Father," the figure said.

Martell didn’t even move. "House Martell has a mission for you, Outsider."

The hood came down.

The figure erupted in a cold laughter. Dry and hollow.

"Hah. Mission. From you?"

And behind him,

A serpent rose. It was Black as oil and 20 feet long. Eyes like dying stars.

"I’LL KILL YOU!" shouted the black figure. A translucent light screen appeared before him. Then he shouted.

`[CALAMITY: FOURTH WAVE - SERPENT EVOLUTION]`

The serpent screamed and struck.

It launched at Old man Martell ready to devour him in a single bite

BOOOOM.

Water exploded.

A translucent blade caught the serpent’s jaws an inch from Martell’s face.

Droplets hung in the air like glass.

Liues landed in a crouch. His water sword was shaking.

"Rudrick...don’t .."Liues growled.

The figure ripped off his hood. His name was Rudrick Martell. He was once the golden boy of the house Martell. The one who everyone loved. The one who everyone believed will be one of the best good doers in history. But instead he became a calamity. A fate that was far worse than death

"You don’t get to say my name," Rudrick hissed.

His serpent coiled, growing. Bones cracked and Flesh split.

Arms burst from its sides. Legs tore from its belly.

In 3 seconds it stood on two legs. 15 feet tall. Claws like scythes with Venom slowly dripping from the corners of his mouth. He looked like a monster than a serpent.

"I’ve trained for this," Rudrick said. Black veins crawled up his neck.

`[CALAMITY: FIFTH WAVE - SERPENT EVOLUTION: HYDRA FORM]`

The serpent roared. The trees literally shook.

"BROTHER, STOP!" Liues’ sword flared.

`[GOOD DEEDS: SECOND WAVE - DRAGON SLASH]`

He blitzed and ten slashes instantly came at the serpent. Each slash was like a Water dragon shooting out from his blade, screaming toward Rudrick’s serpent

SHINK! SHINK! SHINK!!

Each dragon shattered on the serpent’s new scales. It didn’t even a scratch.

Rudrick smiled. "You do not stand a chance against My serpent!."

The Hydra swung.

Its tail hit Liues like a god’s fist.

BAAM!!

Liues shot through the forest. He tore through 4 trees before he stopped. Blood in his mouth.

The Hydra didn’t wait. It launched again with Jaws wide going for his head.

Liues raised his sword. "Good Deeds: THIRD WAVE—"

Suddenly The Hydra froze.

Mid-lunge.

It convulsed violently.

Black veins pulsed under its scales. It screamed, but not in rage. In pain.

Rudrick stumbled. "What—what’s going on?"

From behind them Martell slowly walked towards the convulsing serpent.

Martell opened his eyes, suddenly he was radiating with such a frightening aura.

With his old and tired voice, he said.

"Good Deeds: Third Wave Binding."

A gold like chains suddenly tightened around the serpent, the once strong serpent was now whimpering. Rudrick was shocked seeing his non bearer Fifth Wave collapses at the hands of an old man who did not even use his Fifth Wave.

"I may be old, but am not senile Rudrick."

Old Martell was still calm, he went to the snake and placed his hands on the snake.

"I want to give you a chance back to the Family’

"Really?" Rudrick’s anger was replaced by shock.

"Yes. But we want you to ....help us."

"How? "

"Well you see. Our sources just told us that Morgan is going to the Lawless lands. And there we cannot grasp him–"

"So you want me to go and finish him up for you" cut Rudrick with a dry smile.

"This is a chance to come home-"

"At the price of my nephew’s head!"

"A price you will so willingly pay."

"How will I know that you’ll not do the same to me after I’ve brought to you Morgan’s head.?"

"Because if we wanted to kill you my dear son, then we would have.....a long time ago..."

Snake shuddered even more, vomiting blood from his mouth.

Rudrick’s gritted his teeth. Then turned and saw Liues standing, his face emotionless.

"How could you let them do this to your son!!"

"My son has died a long time ago..."

"You asshole! You really are the dog of Martell family!"

"Enough!! You will go and bring us the head of Morgan. And that’s final."

"And if I refuse.."

"Then, The martell household will finally give you rest it should have a long time ago." Said Martell.

There was a scary element in his calm voice, it made Rudrick shiver with fear. There really is no refusing for Rudricks

"Fine. I’ll do it, but just know that his blood is on your hands."

With that, Rudrick stood up and left to the woods again.