Chapter 26

  “Deha Funder was an interesting woman: intelligent, confident, and powerful. She couldn’t stand injustice and always worked to overcome it, finding the truth behind the most confusing of situations and bringing it to light. With her around, those who did wrong would be punished and those who were wronged would be saved…

  One day, this woman had crossed paths with the one and only Demon King Fael. But, back then, his identity wasn’t known. He traveled the world, appreciating its beauty and looking for ways to free his people from the hate they bore from others. Back then, all anyone knew of demons was that they were an unorganized group of monsters…”

  Drakkel couldn’t believe it. This was not what they had been told. He gazed at Peanut, who was listening to the story sadly with his ears flopped down and his head slightly lowered, before returning his attention to Ebinenda Itor.

  “On his travels, he happened to coincidentally meet Deha Funder who he helped stop a group of bandits. She had known about demons and how hated they were, but didn’t know it was unfounded until she spoke with him. After she heard about his injustice, she was determined to help, but as the two spent time together, they fell in love.

  They had a small marriage ceremony and she got pregnant not long later. After achieving the consent of her clan, Illustrious flames, they were going to hold an official marriage ceremony at the clan manor. They hoped to sever the ties of hate between the demons and humans. But…

  She paused. “Sometimes fortune doesn’t favor the good. Someone had something against the previous Demon King and on the night the two were to become officially married, Deha Funder died with her baby as she attempted to protect her love.”

  Tears welled up in Ril Lita, Piral Bifa, and Antin Jerio’s eyes as the rest looked down in sadness.

  “That was when Demon King Fael went mad. He didn’t know who to blame. After all, the killer of his wife and unborn child wasn’t made clear. So, he blamed everyone. In one night, all by himself, he eradicated the entire Illustrious Flames Swords Clan. Then, he declared war on the whole Sword Fighting world.

  During his onslaught, many died. The demons back then were very powerful. Their army was large and nearly unstoppable. And Demon King Fael himself was a force to be reckoned with. None could go toe to toe with him and he lived for a very long time and so for many years, nowhere was safe.

  His violent tendencies were unpredictable. One day, there would be peace, and another day, he would choose to haphazardly destroy an entire village or town.

  Because of all the destruction, many Swords Clans disappeared. Those who might have remained could only hope to spread their cultivation skills.

  Fearing that their swords skills would make anyone who learned them a target, many chose not to pass those on. So various new swords skills were born at this time.

  And some we could see in the form of the new young heroes who appeared. They had cultivated their own sword skills after being trained on cultivation from those from fallen swords clans and had broken through to another level of cultivation using these skills, inspiring another generation after them. We know them as the heroes who defeated Demon King Fael, the founders of the Sacred Sword, Golden Peak, and Enchanting Fans Swords Clans.

  So, ends the story of the Demon King who was wronged by another and felled without knowing his true enemy.

  Now, to the story of the young woman from the Drifting Winds Swords Clan…

  Demon King Fael’s story aligns with this woman’s because knowledge of this story had been passed down to those in her swords clan. But, many in her Swords Clan died and it wasn’t just because of the rigor of the training. They were murdered…”

  Drakkel’s eyes widened. After everything she had said, only one could have been responsible for the murder of her clan.

  “I’m sure you’ve figured it out. The one who was murdering the woman’s clanmates was most likely the one responsible for the death of Deha Funder. And the lone woman only figured this out when she saw her master for the last time. After telling her this, he warned her to escape. To take off the robes of her clan and pretend to be a common woman. He warned that although she was strong, the enemy in the dark was even more powerful. And so, she did as she was told, leaving her master and later hearing of his death.

  Distraught, she knew she had to carry out her master’s last order and continue to hide. But later, she saw something that made her defy him.

  It was the repetition of what happened to Demon King Fael so long ago. Along her travels, she met a woman named Arcadia Luma. These two hit it off immediately. The woman felt solace in Arcadia Luma’s presence and wished only the best for her. She never stayed anywhere for long, but with this woman she chose to stay for a while.

  However, even then, she had to leave eventually. After spending many years with the woman and even forming a deep bond with her to the point that they took each other as sworn sisters, she had to leave. But that wasn’t the end…

  The woman had traveled far. Bored of her mundane days, she had taken on some pupils and taught them to utilize sword energy. But she couldn't officially make them disciples and teach her skills so as not to draw the enemy chasing her to them.

  After living other lives, the two met again years later under different circumstances. This time, the woman’s sworn sister was on the run. She had traversed the whole continent and they ran into each other on Flowering Mountain.

  Then, Arcadia Luma told the woman the whole story of how she came to be there. Her husband was Demon Prince Fal-On, the son of Demon King Fael who was born from another after the death of Deha Funder. Like Deha Funder, he was confident and hated injustice, working to better the lives of the demons under him. But, he died.

  He died by the hands of the Golden Peak Swords Clan…

  Unlike his predecessor, Demon Prince Fal-On’s wife knew who did it. Yet, she lacked the power to stop them even though she was a Sword Master.

  With her, was a baby... a son.

  After finding out, the woman was worried for her sworn sister. As her sworn sister had done, she told of what she knew and the two were now aware of the deepest secrets that the Empire held. So, although also in hiding as well, the woman decided to join Arcadia Luma on the run from her enemies, assisting in protecting her child as well.

  But, the Empire was only so large. Enemies were everywhere.

  In the end, they were confronted by several demons and Arcadia Luma sacrificed herself…”

  Drakkel had thought as much but now he was certain.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  They were surrounded by demons, but not Sword Fighters. The eighth demon division really must have been working with the Golden Peak Swords Clan.

  “During her last battle, she unlocked Sword Epiphany and took down the sixty demons chasing them all by herself, giving the other woman the opportunity to escape.

  The other woman longed to stay by her Sworn Sister’s side, but Arcadia Luma was beaten and full of injuries and reinforcements were coming.

  She, with the remainder of her energy, shouted a plea for her sworn sister to take her baby and leave.

  She said to keep the knowledge they had both learned alive with her baby. If she did so, then someday, they might both have retribution.

  She gave the woman a vial of poison and two notes, one for her child and one for a man named Rodius Fowl that she wanted her sworn sister to leave her baby with.

  In the end, with more reinforcements coming, she forced her sworn sister to perform a Swordfighter’s promise.

  With this promise, the sworn sister of Arcadia Luma could not go against her word. So, she left with her sworn sister’s baby and her sworn sister went against the demons alone.

  This woman cursed her fate as the only one to survive the truth. She lost her master and she lost her friend and both times she was the one who was saved.

  She couldn’t take it anymore. So, after doing what she promised, she found a place she could stay where she wouldn’t be bothered and with these regrets in her heart, she could only cultivate without a care for her life, longing to never be a burden again…”

  She sighed.

  “We all know the order of sword skill. The first is Sword Valiant, then Sword Hero. Above is Sword Sworn, Sword Spirit, then Sword Master. Then above those are Sword Epiphany and Sword God.

  The woman spent the rest of her life cultivating in the perils of Densai Forest where Sacred Beasts who had evolved into Divine Beasts lived. In the end, she found that she had reached the highest level of cultivation and was ready to ascend… But, she had regrets and one with a heavy heart, could not rise to the heavens…”

  Drakkel couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Based on the story, the woman must have been Ebinenda Itor. So, she had even made it past Sword Epiphany?

  Ebinenda Itor continued, “What I have said is all that I am allowed to tell you. I must leave.”

  Ebinenda Itor got up and headed out the door and the group got up to follow her.

  She went over to the lake they bathed in and stepped onto the water. However, instead of sinking, she floated. Her feet hit the surface like they were walking on solid ground.

  As she stepped, small ripples flowed out from under her. Unlike when one used their sword step to barely touch the surface of the water, requiring lots of energy to do so, she walked on the water like there was no difference between it and the ground.

  The group could only watch in awe as she reached the center of the lake. Once she did, she turned around to face them. “My deepest regret was that no one knew the truth of Demon King Fael and Demon Prince Fal-On and that I couldn’t protect my sworn sister. But, with the appearance of her son which I left long ago and now that I've told my story, my heart feels lighter and I can move on.”

  For the first time ever, her expression fully lightened and a smile appeared on her face. “What I have just said has been recorded by my devoted partner, Pri, who has been with me over the years. Please use it well and make sure my dear friend is no longer wronged. I could not do it in this life, but I hope you can.”

  Drakkel nodded.

  Now that they had what they needed, he was sure he could fulfill her wish.

  A second later, the bird who followed Ebinenda Itor phased through the door and flew into the sky, circling around her before landing on Drakkel’s shoulder.

  “My, Pri, I’m sorry for leaving you like this. But, when you evolve into an immortal beast, we will meet again.”

  The bird cawed as if it understood what she said.

  Ebinenda Itor looked up at the sky. “With this, I bid you farewell. May we all meet again in the future.”

  She turned to Lior Gaunlet, “Lior, you and Xilto were wonderful students. Be well…”

  With her last words, her body became like a mass of fireflies. Small yellow lights dispersed as her figure slowly disappeared and before them her body vanished, the remnants disappearing into the air.

  From the side, Drakkel thought he heard Lior Gaunlet quietly whisper, “Master...”

  After the disappearance of Ebinenda Itor, the area was quiet. The intense energy that once influenced it had disappeared and the once ethereal glow that covered it was gone. Now, it felt ordinary as if such a presence never existed in the first place.

  The bird, seeming sad about its owner, flew off Drakkel and onto Peanut’s head, where it sat with a lowered head and a depressed expression.

  “We should go now,” Drakkel said. “With Ebinenda Itor gone, this place may no longer be safe.”

  Everyone in the group agreed and after packing their things, they headed out.

  However, as they were deciding where to go, they realized that none of them knew their way through the Forest.

  If they left without a guide, they might get lost, or even worse.

  However, Ebinenda Itor’s bird seemed to pick up on this.

  It squawked in Ebinenda Itor’s voice, “Pri knows the way!”

  It spread it's wings and flew into the sky. “Follow, Follow…”

  The group was initially surprised by the bird’s ability to talk. But soon, quickly moved on.

  With danger hiding around them, they didn't have the time to stand around.

  As Pri flew, they followed her path and after around half a day, they reached the end of Densai Forest.

  Once they got out, Peanut returned to his sword form and Drakkel placed Lingering Regret in it’s sheath.

  He didn’t blame the sword for reverting after everything that had happened. It really did save them earlier.

  After making sure Lingering Regret was settled in it's sheath, Drakkel looked around and noticed something.

  Their surroundings were nothing like when they entered.

  However, the place felt extremely familiar.

  With a few moments of contemplation he finally realized. They entered through the south but exited through the north.

  The north end of Densai Forest consisted mostly of grass not covered by trees. Since the place wasn’t an approved living area, grass and forestry had grown over the roads long ago. Now there were no clear roads or paths present.

  “Where are we?” Lior Gaunlet asked.

  “The north entrance of Densai Forest.” Drakkel answered. “In fact, if you keep heading North, you should reach Immortal Peak.”

  Lior Gaunlet nodded. “Oh, so that’s how it is. Then…”

  “Yes, we should probably head our separate ways now.” Drakkel said.

  Ril Lita grabbed onto Drakkel’s arm and cried, “Drakkel! Do we really need to? After hearing all of that, I have to say that your life is too pitiful! I don’t think I'll be able to sleep at night knowing what I know now! Maybe I can stay and help!? You can bring me with you and I can… maybe I can…!”

  “Stop, Ril!” Drakkel shouted

  Ril Lita stopped talking.

  “Don’t you see? There is nothing you can do now! If I take you with me, you’ll only be a hindrance! My reputation is already like this! Do you want to make it worse?”

  Ril Lita lowered his head.

  “Look,” Drakkel said, turning to face him. “I plan to reveal all these things to the Emperor. Instead of coming with me, can’t you wait with Lior Gaunlet and then help me when the time comes?”

  Ril Lita nodded, a pout forming on his face.

  Drakkel continued, “I would only tell my plans to someone I considered a friend. So, surely, you know what I think of you?”

  Ril Lita’s eyes widened. “Friends? Are we really?”

  Drakkel nodded.

  Ril Lita smiled. “Fine. Then I'll wait with Lior to back you up. I understand that before then, you don’t want us to reveal what we heard in order to not give someone else a chance to sway the Emperor’s opinion.”

  Drakkel was impressed. The man was quite capable.

  Ril Lita went over to grab Lior Gaunlet and said, “Then, we’ll see you later, Drakkel.”

  Drakkel bowed his head.

  After everyone else said their goodbyes, Lior Gaunlet and Ril Lita left in the direction that Drakkel pointed out.

  Drakkel then addressed the group, “The closest entrance to the underground labyrinth is in a small forest between Prancing Hills and Immortal peak, so…”

  Drakkel’s eyes narrowed. He suddenly felt something approaching.

  “Someone is coming,” He said.

  The group got into defensive stances and running in from the distance was a large group of white and golden-robed disciples. Leading them, was Ling who now seemed more mature with a taller figure and a larger build.

  The large group stopped in front of the smaller one and Ling stepped forward. “We’re here to apprehend you, Demon King Drakkel! If you don’t come with us quietly, we will be forced to kill you!”

  Drakkel nearly rolled his eyes. He was actually getting tired of the way he was referred to. But, as shown at the Sword Summit, even if he said that it wasn’t true, no one would believe him.

  He was only sad that their bamboo hat covers were destroyed in the sacred beast attack, or he could have at least tried to pretend to be someone else.

  He sighed. “You all already know my answer. If I come with you, I can only wait to die for crimes I didn’t commit. So, why would I follow?”

  Ling looked at Rillian Adore, who narrowed his eyes at him.

  Then his gaze darted back to Drakkel.

  “Justice always prevails in the end!” He shouted. “If you don’t want to come quietly, then we can only take you back in a casket!”