The moonlight pierced through the canopy of the vast forest, casting eerie shadows across the ground. In the stillness of the night, the only sound was the hurried footsteps of three swordsmen, their boots crunching on the forest floor. They were chasing him — the traitor, Grahill, who had stolen vital intelligence from the nation of Heldenheim. If he delivered that intel to the criminals waiting on the other side, it would spell disaster.

  Captain Shain Kinami led his squad, two loyal warriors — Raizo and Johin — hot on the heels of the betrayer. The three of them had trained together for years, but now, their bond was tested by Grahill’s treachery. Kinami could feel his pulse quickening as he drew his sword.

  "Raizo! Johin! Keep up!" Kinami barked as he pushed forward, cutting through the dense forest with calculated precision.

  Suddenly, Grahill stumbled. Kinami seized the moment. He closed the gap and swung his blade, slashing at Grahill’s back. The traitor hissed in pain but didn’t falter. He continued running, his feet kicking up dirt as Kinami pursued him, agile as ever.

  Kinami leaped from a tree branch, landing in front of Grahill with his sword raised high. "It ends here, Grahill!"

  But in a flash, Grahill tossed a small pouch at him. Smoke billowed out, thick and choking. Kinami’s vision blurred as he inhaled the foul mist, coughing violently. His senses were overwhelmed.

  "Captain!" Raizo and Johin arrived just in time to witness the chaos. "Captain, are you alright?"

  "No," Kinami coughed, struggling to speak. "Go after him. Don’t let him get away."

  "But sir!" Johin protested, but Kinami’s stern gaze silenced him.

  "Go. I’ll catch up."

  Reluctantly, the two young swordsmen nodded and pushed forward. Kinami, still enveloped in the smoke, closed his eyes. His thoughts drifted back to the past.

  Flashback:

  Grahill had once been a comrade, a member of their squad. They had trained side by side, fought together in countless battles. But now, everything was a lie. Grahill’s betrayal wasn’t just a blow to their mission — it was a wound to their very trust.

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  Present

  The smoke began to dissipate, and Kinami pushed himself to his feet, the images of the past still fresh in his mind. He wiped his brow and sprinted after his comrades.

  Meanwhile, Raizo and Johin had continued the chase, cornering Grahill against a massive tree. But they weren’t alone. Three figures stood in their way, perched like predators in the branches above.

  “Grahill,” one of them spoke, a cold smile crossing his lips. “You did well. But who are these?”

  “They’re the swordsmen of Heldenheim,” Grahill sneered, his eyes flickering with disdain.

  Raizo stepped forward, anger burning in his chest. "Grahill! You damn fool! Why would you do this? Why betray us, betray your country?"

  Grahill's eyes narrowed. "What do you care, Raizo? You think I owe you anything?"

  Before Raizo could respond, Johin stepped forward, his voice grim. "Anyone who betrays their own country deserves to die."

  A shadow passed over their faces, and without warning, one of the men from the trees leapt down. His name was Luople. His speed was unmatched, and in an instant, he was upon Johin.

  Johin raised his sword to block the attack, but Luople was too strong. With a swift motion, Luople’s blade pierced Johin’s side.

  “No…” Raizo whispered as his comrade crumpled to the ground, lifeless in an instant.

  Luople stood over him, unfazed. “Weaklings,” he muttered. “Not even worth my time.”

  Raizo's eyes burned with rage. "You monster!" he screamed. He turned on Grahill, his sword raised in fury. “This is your fault!”

  Raizo slashed at Grahill, the blade cutting through the air, but Grahill was quick, stumbling backward. The two men fought with fierce intensity. Raizo, desperate, used his unique ability — Mud Slap — sending a wave of thick, sticky earth to slow his opponent.

  Luople was caught off guard, but with a flash of his sword, he cut through the mud, launching himself at Raizo. The strike landed deep, and Raizo collapsed, his vision fading.

  Kinami arrived just in time to witness the aftermath. His heart clenched as he saw his comrades lying broken on the forest floor.

  “No…” Kinami whispered, his voice shaking with grief and fury. His eyes locked on Grahill, the man who had once been a brother.

  “Grahill,” Kinami growled, his voice cold with rage. “You won’t have time to regret this.”

  Luople, seeing Kinami approach, sneered and raised his sword to strike. “Another one? I’ll deal with you too.”

  But before Luople could react, Kinami closed the distance in a blur of motion. With one swift strike, Kinami drove his blade through Grahill’s head. The traitor fell, lifeless, to the ground in an instant.

  Luople and the remaining two figures brandished their swords, ready for battle.

  Kinami narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening around his blade. The forest was silent, the air thick with tension.

  1 vs 3.

  Kinami was alone now, facing down three enemies. But he was no stranger to overwhelming odds. The fight had only just begun.

  To be continued...