Chapter 55 Why?!
Why?!
Despite the damage the chain Curtis wielded caused, he and Titus didn't stop moving as they intended to break out of the encirclement entirely.
Seeing this, the Voidwalker in charge growled.
He pulled out something that looked like a small piece of cloth and pressed on it.
The moment he did, a black dome enclosed the surrounding area and its appearance caused Curtis and Titus to frown as it gave the same vibes as the barrier from before.
Curtis snorted and pulled his chain back. Up until now, the two hadn't stopped running and were nearing the edge of the dome.
The chain wrapped around Curtis' arm and he pulled back his fist, a blinding blue light suffering within the limb as he called out.
"Helios Strike." Then he threw a punch.
By pure instinct, Titus positioned himself behind his brother and shut his eyes as another blinding blue radiance erupted as the sound of a devastating impact rocked the entire place.
The ground shattered from the force and space splintered and it took Titus all his might just to stay grounded and not lose his footing.
And by the time the force dissipated, he wasn't even able to open his eyes before he was grabbed and whisked forward.
He finally opened them and saw that Curtis was carrying him over his shoulder and dashing through the hall at high speeds.
"We'll meet up with the others." He said simply and continued to run.
It was then that Titus finally heard the sounds of battle and realised that the entire Palace was under siege by the Voidwalkers.
'But how did they get in?!' He wondered as his heart felt cold.
Part of him wanted to place his confidence in the strength of the Empyrean Guards, but he knew that none of the Voidwalkers who participated in this operation would be weak. At the very least, they would be able to kill a large number of the guards which caused Titus to feel pained.
What made it even worse was that as his brother ran, he could see the corpses of numerous guards and servants, all brutally murdered.
'Dammit! Why can't they leave the helpless people alone at least?!' He gritted his teeth. And judging by how Curtis tensed up slightly, he could tell that his brother was not happy either.
Eventually, they turned a corner and saw a familiar figure that was disheveled and bleeding from his arm.
Curtis immediately slowed down and let Titus down as they approached the figure.
"Richard!" Titus immediately ran over towards the old man who had a pale face, his expression one of pain. He was clutching his arm that dangled kimply by his side as blood seeped through his fingers that pressed on the wound.
"What happened?" Curtis asked calmly yet firmly and the older man groaned.
"Those Voidwalker bastards managed to get in somehow and unleashed a very coordinated attack. I managed to kill the ones that attacked me but got injured in the process. Your siblings should be under attack as well." He said weakly and Titus frowned. He could sense how the man's aura flickered and grew weaker gradually.
The wound wasn't life threatening, but he'd be no good in a fight for sure.
"Titus, use your magic to carry him. We'll go find the others." Curtis said calmly and Titus frowned.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"How will we know where they ar-"
BOOM
The Palace shook violently as a large explosion erupted somewhere and Curtis narrowed his eyes coldly.
"That's how. Come on, let's go." He said and Titus cursed before using his wind magic to make Richard float. Then he drew a rune and pressed it against the wound.
Richard groaned as light magic seeped into the cut and it slowly began to close. It was nowhere near as good as what Christopher was capable of since it wasn't an original rune, but it was better than nothing.
The trio began to move, but they were slower due to carrying an injured person with them.
Regardless, they didn't face too much trouble as they moved as most of the fighting seemed to be outside. While the Voidwalkers that had gotten inside the Palace, according to Curtis, were focused on dealing with people like him who were the stronger individuals.
As such, Titus looked back every few seconds in case their pursuers caught up to them. Though he knew that even if they appeared nothing much could be done about it besides fighting.
They continued to go through the castle, and the more corpses Titus saw, the angrier he got. He simply couldn't wrap his head around such brutality.
He didn't know all of them, but he was familiar with most. These people had families and friends, children and parents and siblings that all cared about them. And they were killed for what? Doing their jobs? But that doesn't make sense either as the weak maids and butlers couldn't even fight! So why kill them???
He felt his blood boil, but he knew it was pointless. His anger wouldn't bring them back. Moreover, he was too weak to get his revenge.
'Dammit!' For the second time, a deep sense of helpless despair settled over his heart. Sure his elder brother was here. But what about the next time? And the time after that?
He always used to think those people who valued strength above all else were dumb since he believed there was more to life than getting stronger. But he understood now that without strength, one would simply be crushed by a walking giant.
The simple truth was that without strength, one wouldn't be able to protect those things they cared about and would always have to live in fear of something stronger than them taking away those things they valued.
Might makes right, and if you aren't strong, you're in the wrong by default.
'I hate it.' He thought in his heart as cold anger rushed through him.
And it was at that moment, in the corner of his eye. He saw movement.
He didn't sense it, he didn't feel any Mana either or hear any sound. In fact, The air didn't even seem to get separated. Yet he knew his eyes couldn't be playing tricks on him.
His body moved before he could think and he swung his sword. Muscle memory taking control as all the movements he's practiced until they become instinctual erupted out at this moment.
However
When his sword hit the knife his eyes widened when the thing barely budged. And the shocking thing was that no one was holding it. It was simply that heavy and forget blocking it, changing its course seemed to be a steep challenge.
He didn't have time to think about where the knife even came from and poured all his strength into his sword and sparks exploded from the collision. But he was able to redirect it at least a small bit.
Then blood spilled
Titus' eyes widened and he turned towards his brother who had fallen to a knee.
A slight groan left Curtis' mouth as in his back, the knife could be seen sticking out mere inches away from where his heart was supposed to be.
Blood streamed down his back and stained his clothes red. Titus wanted to rush to him, but fekr a sudden chill and spun only to see a black blade mere inches away from his neck. And the wielder? Richard.
The older man had a cold expression as he swung his sword. His gaze towards Titus no different from the way someone looked at a chicken being slaughtered.
Titus was shocked. But he didn't have time to as his mind spun. If he didn't dodge them he'd lose his head. He didn't have time to cast a barrier and doubted it would be able to do anything even if he managed to pull it off.
'Move Move MOVE!' He shouted in his mind as he tried to duck out of the way. But it was no use. The blade was too close and too fast for him to dodge.
However, before the despair could set in, he suddenly felt his body become lighter. Much lighter.
Before he had time to dwell on it, he quickly ducked under Richard's strike and countered with a swing of his own.
The older man showed a trace of surprise as he retreated and avoided getting slashed.
Then Titus entered a defensive stance and stared at Richard. Rage burning through his eyes.
'It all makes so much fucking sense!' He cursed in his mind.
It didn't take a genius to know that Richard had betrayed them. Now that it had happened, it made so much sense.
How were the Voidwalkers aware that Curtis had the Legend Sword Shard? How did they know that he would be separated from his siblings? How did they even get in undetected in the first place?! The Palace was one of the most well defended places on the planet!
Moreover, Richard said that he'd killed some Voidwalkers that attacked him. But where were their corpses? In the first place, where had Richard even come from?
Titus knew the man's schedule like the back of his hand and knew that he should have been in his Father's office at that time. The time the siblings used to run away since the attack started shouldn't have been enough for him to reach where they had found him in the Palace.
Unless he risked injury and used magic to boost himself away when he fought the Voidwalkers, but he said he killed them. Sure that could mean he'd immediately fought without regard for his own safety, but with the man's strength and the strength of the Voidwalkers, he should have been hurt more than an injured arm.
"Why?!" Titus roared. He didn't turn back to look at Curtis because he was more than certain the man would attack him immediately. Enjoy exclusive content from empire
Richard simply stared at him coldly and raised his sword, a standard double edged blade. He had no intention of responding.
Titus gritted his teeth and hardened his gaze. He wouldn't let his emotions get the better of him. Until Curtis had recovered somewhat, he would fight Richard.