Steel rang sharply through the forest clearing.
Toya and Kenshiro circled each other slowly, their swords raised, their eyes locked in quiet focus. Around them, the rebels had stopped advancing, watching the duel unfold with tense silence.
Everyone could feel it.
This battle would decide more than just the fight.
It would decide whether the rebellion could survive.
Kenshiro stepped forward first.
His blade flashed downward.
Toya blocked, the impact sending a shock through his arms. He twisted his wrist and countered with a fast horizontal strike.
Kenshiro leaned back just enough for the blade to miss his chest.
Their swords clashed again.
And again.
Each strike was faster than the last.
Ren watched from the trees, gripping his bow tightly.
"…They're both monsters," he whispered.
Aiko stood nearby, her knuckles pale around the spear she held.
"Neither of them can keep this up forever."
Daichi struggled to his feet a short distance away, one hand pressed against the wound on his chest.
"…Toya…"
Back in the clearing, Kenshiro's sword suddenly shifted direction.
The blade slipped past Toya's defense and cut across his shoulder.
Blood sprayed lightly across the dirt.
Toya stumbled backward.
Pain shot through his arm.
Kenshiro did not hesitate.
He stepped forward, pressing the attack with a storm of strikes.
Toya blocked one.
Dodged another.
But the third strike cut across his side.
His breathing grew heavier.
Kenshiro stopped briefly, studying him.
"You're losing strength."
Toya said nothing.
But Kenshiro was right.
Years of battle had made Toya strong.
Yet Kenshiro had been trained his entire life as a warrior.
The difference was beginning to show.
Kenshiro raised his blade again.
"This rebellion ends here."
He lunged forward.
The killing strike aimed directly for Toya's chest.
But suddenly—
A figure rushed between them.
Steel pierced flesh.
The blade stopped.
Toya's eyes widened.
"…Daichi?"
Daichi stood there, Kenshiro's sword buried deep in his side.
Blood ran down the blade.
Daichi laughed weakly.
"…You talk too much."
He grabbed Kenshiro's arm, holding it in place.
"Toya…!"
Toya's body moved before his mind could think.
His sword flashed.
The blade cut across Kenshiro's chest armor, forcing the White Fang to leap backward.
Daichi collapsed onto the ground.
The forest fell silent.
Toya dropped beside him.
"…Why?"
Daichi coughed, blood staining his lips.
"Because… you're the leader."
He smiled faintly despite the pain.
"If you die… the rebellion dies too."
Toya clenched his fists.
Daichi grabbed his arm weakly.
"Listen… Toya…"
"Don't throw your life away today."
"Win… later."
His hand fell.
Daichi's breathing stopped.
For a moment, the entire forest felt still.
Ren lowered his bow slowly.
Aiko closed her eyes.
Toya remained kneeling beside his fallen friend.
Kenshiro stood quietly several meters away, watching the scene.
"…Your men are loyal."
Toya slowly stood.
His sword hung loosely in his hand.
Blood dripped from his wounds.
But something in his eyes had changed.
Ren called out from the trees.
"Toya! We need to go!"
More imperial soldiers could arrive at any moment.
The battle had already cost them too much.
Toya took one final look at Daichi.
Then he turned toward Kenshiro.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Kenshiro wiped the blood from his blade.
"…You've grown stronger than I expected."
Toya said nothing.
Kenshiro continued calmly.
"But today is not your day."
The White Fang slowly sheathed his sword.
"…Run."
The word sounded almost like a command.
Then Kenshiro turned and walked away into the forest shadows.
The rebels did not pursue him.
No one had the strength left.
Ren jumped down from the tree and rushed to Toya.
"We have to leave."
Aiko nodded.
"More soldiers could be coming."
Toya looked once more at the clearing.
At the blood.
At the fallen rebels.
At Daichi.
His friend.
The one who had trained beside him since they were children.
Slowly, Toya closed his eyes.
The rebellion had survived today.
But the cost had been heavy.
And deep in Toya's heart, the anger that had burned quietly for years began to grow stronger once again.
This war would not end with small battles in the forest.
One day…
He would march directly to the castle.
And the lord who started everything would finally face the blade meant for him.