The two founders of Fang continued their battle. Brayno and Ringorne’s swords clashed with each other, destroying, and slicing their surroundings.

One man feels anger at the apparent betrayal of his oldest friend, while the other feels extreme regret due to the current direction of Fang in which he feels responsible for. Ringorne and Brayno’s swords continued to clash with sparks flying across the forest.

“This fighting takes way too long. I’m going to end you.”, yelled Ringorne.

“Come to your senses. We should not be leveling or destroying any village.”, yelled Brayno.

“Binshil was killed by them! The other members of Fang were betrayed! What happened to you? You were supposed to destroy them!”, yelled a furious Ringorne.

“Should we inflict suffering on others because it happened to us?”, said an equally furious Brayno.

“Eye for an eye.”, said Ringorne.

With a heavy breath, Brayno simply told his former friend.

“Then, I have to do what I must.”

“Keep on defending them, Brayno. I won’t hesitate to destroy you.”, said Ringorne.

Raising his sword, Ringorne sprinted towards Ringorne, with a clear intent to kill his former friend.

SLICE AND DICE

With a strong and ferocious force, the leader of Fang went on the offensive and sliced the trees on the forest. Valiantly, Brayno attempted to block all of Ringorne’s attacks, but was unable to stop them.

Gashes and wounds opened up on Brayno during Ringorne’s attack. Ringorne’s fury still unabated, increased the speed of his attack, ready to destroy his once closest ally.

“Give up Brayno. Resistance is futile.”

“Never.”

Angered by this statement, Ringorne charged towards his old companion, and yelled,

SWORD STYLE: DIRECT STAB

With his speed, Ringorne managed to stab through Brayno, causing him to cough up blood. Slowly unsheathing his sword from Brayno’s body, he told him,

“If you only listened and did not betray us.”

“I’m sorry…. For everything…. But sins of a few should not… affect the lives of the many…”

“Die traitor.”, yelled Ringorne.

Brayno closed his eyes, remembering what went wrong.

SIX MONTHS AGO

Fang had risen from the ashes, ready to show its strength once again. Feeling confident, Ringorne mentioned,

“Brayno, old friend, Fang has grown its number, and we may be able to challenge the likes of Slephenne.”

“I admire your confidence, old friend, but I’m not sure if we can challenge Slephenne. That person almost wiped our entire group.”, said Brayno.

“If I’m not confident, then who would believe me, old friend?”, said Ringorne.

“You’re right. But we need to proceed with caution.”, said Brayno.

“Let us get some rest, old friend.”, said Ringorne.

“Alright”, said Brayno.

After their conversation, Angela, carrying a young Carl went inside the tent.

“Daddy!”, said an excited Carl.

“How are you today, little one.”, said Brayno.

“Okay.”, said Carl.

“Alright, now that you have seen daddy today, get some sleep.”, said Angela.

Carl simply nodded his head at his mother. Brayno then placed a small blanket inside the tent and assisted Angela in resting their child.

“Young Carl reminds me of you.”, said Ringorne.

“Hahahaha. I think he takes after his mother.”, said Brayno.

“shhhh, Carl needs to sleep.”, said Angela.

“Sorry about that.”, said Ringorne and Brayno

On the next day, a large group of people gathered outside their base. Ringorne opened his eyes in disbelief, seeing that the group is led by Slephenne.

“How did he find out our hiding place?”, asked Ringorne

“Someone betrayed us.”, said Brayno.

Garowze woke up from his slumber, looking just as shocked as the rest of the members of Fang.

“How did this happen?”, asked the old man.

“The only ones who knew this place are members of Fang. Somebody must have ratted us out.”, said Ringorne.

“We need to make some preparations to leave.”, said Brayno.

“Agreed. We just don’t have the strength to go against Slephenne.”, said Ringorne.

“There is a secret entrance behind the cave. Binshil is the one who managed to find it.”, whispered Ringorne.

“Alright. But we need to gather enough men to help us. We may be in for another ambush.”, said Brayno.

“Agreed.”

Angela quickly rushed towards Brayno’s side, carrying Carl.

“Dear, what is happening. The entire camp is in a state of panic.”

“We are being ambushed. Hurry, find a safe place to hide. I apologize for bringing you and Carl to this place.”

“It is my fault as well. I was the one who insisted on meeting up with the old gang.”

“Sorry for dragging you into this.”, said Ringorne.

“No worries about that. We as Fang should always expect the unexpected.”, said Brayno and Angela.

Sensing danger, Ringorne directed the members of Fang to follow him. Quickly seizing all the equipment at the encampment, Fang went towards the western end of the cave of Kalegort, braving all the treacherous parts in the area.

Finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, they were greeted by an unexpected guest.

It was Slephenne and him alone.

“Hahahahaha. Do you fools think you could outsmart me?”

“How did you know this exit?”, asked a bewildered Ringorne.

“I have my spies, right Garowze.”, said Slephenne.

“I’m sorry, but he has promised to pay me a substantial amount of money to betray you.”

“How long were you trying to deceive us?”, asked a now furious Ringorne.

“About a month now.”, said a sorrowful Garowze.

Despite his betrayal, Garowze genuinely had an affection to the members of Fang, and secretly wished that nothing bad will happen towards them.

“What about the condition of our deal.”, said Garowze.

“Oh, about only taking Ringorne?”, said Slephenne.

“Yes. That was our deal, isn’t it? Take Ringorne and a select group of men, while saving the rest of Fang.”, said Garowze.

“Deals change. Pray that I don’t change it further.”, said Slephenne.

“What! You’re going to kill the children and other members of Fang?”, asked Garowze.

“Who says I’m going to kill them. My lord wants more labor, and more property. Hahahahahaha. Why would I kill such precious commodity?”, said Slephenne.

“So why did you let us rise again, if you intend to finish us off.”, said Ringorne.

“To get enough value from your group. The first iteration was too old.”, said Slephenne.

“Arrgh.!”, yelled Brayno

WOOD SWORD STYLE: FORWARD SLICE

Motioning towards Slephenne, Brayno intended to finish him off. However, the young man simply produced a ball of wind and kicked it at Brayno’s face.

The impact of the attack set Brayno back, causing him to hit the entrance of the cave.

Ulmar and Lakish went on the attack, the former transforming into a bear and the latter, using magic to cause his blades to glow.

RUNE MAGIC: SHADOW SLASH v2

BEAR CLAW: FISTS OF DESTINY

With both attacks aimed towards Slephenne, Ulmar and Lakish put all their might in an attack, but just like with Brayno, a swift kick knocked them backwards.

“I expected better from Fang. But you’re way too easy. Hahahahahaha. Destroying your pathetic group will be a breeze.”

Furious at the prospect of the fates of the children and orphans that they have protected over the years, Ringorne attacked Slephenne.

With anger in his eyes, Ringorne yelled,

SLICE AND DICE

Slephenne, simply was quick enough to dodge the attack, and leapt towards Ringorne. Anticipating this attack, Ringorne managed to block the kick of the former with the use of his sword.

“Hahahahaha. You’re not as weak as your friends. This is perfect. I’m going to destroy you.”

“Not while I am breathing.”, said Ringorne.

SWORD STYLE: MEGA SLASH

With his attack, Ringorne is determined to finish his opponent, but Slephenne was just simply evasive and had managed to dodge all his attacks.

“I am an elite guard after all. A puny group like yours will never ascend to my level.”, said Slephenne.

“Elite guard, you may be, but we have each other’s backs.”, said Ringorne.

“Are you sure about that?”, said Slephenne with a vicious smile.

Realizing what Slephenne meant. Ringorne yelled,

“Brayno, Ulmar, Lakish and Angela. Protect the young ones!”

Standing from the vicious attack of Slephenne, the three men prepared themselves and got ready to defend Fang.

“Do you seriously think I can only use one mole.”, said Slephenne.

Suddenly, some members of Fang stabbed their companions but were unable to attack Binshil and other younger members due to the quick protection provided by the commanders of Fang.

“Half of your group is gone. I thought you would protect them.”, taunted Slephenne.

“Arrgh. You monster. I will finish you!” yelled Ringorne

SWORD STYLE: EXECUTION

With a stabbing motion, he charged towards Slephenne. Slightly slowing down, Ringorne changed his motion into a more slicing one and delivered a strong blow towards Slephenne who barely managed to dodge the attack.

“Good. Your anger excites me. Maybe you’re not as weak as I have thought you were.”, said Slephenne.

“Fang shall live.”, said Ringorne.

Sensing an opening, Slephenne leapt towards Binshil, ready to kick him, but was intercepted by Ringorne who was kicked so hard that an entire cliff collapsed.

With anger in his eyes, Binshil picked up Ringorne’s sword and charged towards Slephenne.

“Hahahahahahaha. Now a kid tries to kill me.”

Still laughing, a smoke bomb was launched towards him. Looking around, he saw that Garowze was the one who threw the grenade at him.

“I may not be a strong person, I may be a coward, but no one should take a kid.”

“Hahahahaha. Even a lapdog would dare challenge me. Fool.”

While distracted, Slephenne was suddenly stabbed by somebody, causing him to spill blood.

Turning around, he saw that Binshil was successful in his attack. Now filled with fury, he charged his fists with wind, and yelled.

WIND MAGIC: KNOCK OUT BLOW LEVEL 10

The force of the attack, caused Binshil to cough out blood, knocking him towards the cave entrance.

Charging towards the kid, Slephenne delivered a mighty kick towards his opponent crushing his bones and completely shattering his body.

As he lay wounded, Binshil can only express regret and gratitude.

I’m sorry Master Ringorne. I was not strong enough.

Before he could deal the finishing blow, someone managed to grab Slephenne.

It was Garowze. Telling the members of Fang,

“Fang, I apologize for what I did. I only took the money to help my dying kid but knowing what this monster has done. I won’t take it. I just hope that my family will forgive me. Brayno, Ulmar, Angela, Lakish, take Binshil and Ringorne, and get away from this place. Now!”

“What are you going to do.”

“It doesn’t matter. Just run.”, said Garowze.

Brayno and the rest of the commanders followed Garowze’s instruction and fled. When the commanders and Fang were out of sight, Garowze muttered some incantations and said to Slephenne.

BOOM: EXPLOSION

A large explosion was heard near the entrance of the cave of Kalegort, presumably killing Garowze and Slephenne.

“What shall we do now, Brayno.”, asked Ulmar

“Let’s try to heal Binshil first.”, said Brayno.

Once they were at a safe camp, Ringorne has woken up. As he opened his eyes, he saw a panicking Brayno.

“Ringorne, go to Binshil’s side, now!”

“What happened?”

“Slephenne broke him. Angela despite her efforts, cannot save him this time.”

Panicking, Ringorne rushed towards Binshil. The kid, although heavily wound managed to say some words,

“Master Ringorne… Thank you… For the time… You have taken… Care of… Me… I… Glad… To… Be… Member… Fang…

“Be strong Binshil”, said a tearful Ringorne.

“Sorry… I… not… strong… enough…”

“No, please don’t die.”, said Ringorne.

“Take… Care…. Thank… You…

And with that, Binshil muttered his last word, and closed his eyes for good.

The night is once again filled with sadness. And Fang will soon go to a much darker path.

PRESENT DAY

Still filled with anger, Ringorne prepared the killing blow, ready to finish his closest friend, when suddenly, a ball of fire hit him straight in the face.

“Who dares?”, asked Ringorne.

“I will challenge you.”

“Who you are you, young upstart?”

“My name is Morgana. I am going to defeat you.”