System : Rise Of The Eternal Warrior

CHAPTER 4

Kieran barely had time to process the scout’s words before the figure lunged at him with alarming speed. His heart hammered in his chest, but instinct kicked in, and he reached for the blade at his side, drawing it just in time to parry the scout’s attack.

The scout’s eyes gleamed with malice as they locked gazes. “You’re not the hero you think you are,” the scout hissed, twisting his blade in a fluid motion to force Kieran back.

Kieran gritted his teeth and fought to maintain his balance. “I’m not a hero, but I won’t let you destroy this world.” He pushed against the scout’s relentless assault, his muscles straining with the effort.

Rowan’s voice cut through the tension. “Kieran, focus! They’re after you, but they’re not alone!”

Before Kieran could respond, another scout appeared from the shadows, flanking him from the left. The first scout smirked, sensing the shift in the fight’s dynamic. Kieran’s breathing grew heavier, and his mind raced. The two scouts were faster, more skilled than anyone he had fought before.

“You’re outmatched, warrior,” the second scout sneered, raising his blade as the two circled Kieran.

Kieran’s heart pounded as he backed away, trying to read their movements. The two scouts were closing in, their synchronized attacks making it impossible for him to find an opening. “I’m not done yet,” he muttered, refusing to back down.

He swiped his sword in a wide arc, blocking their attacks, but it was clear that he was tiring. His muscles screamed for relief, his body protesting the intensity of the fight. Rowan, however, stood several steps away, watching, his eyes calculating.

Rowan’s calm voice broke through the chaos. “Kieran, remember what I told you about the System. You need to tap into it. It’s the only way to win this.”

Kieran’s mind flashed back to the words Rowan had spoken to him when they first met. The System... it’s more than just a weapon. It’s a force that can alter reality itself.

The realization hit Kieran like a bolt of lightning. He had the power. It wasn’t just about the sword; it was about controlling the energy, the very essence of this world. If he could just tap into the System the way Rowan had hinted, maybe he could turn the tide.

But there was no time to think.

With a roar, Kieran surged forward, swinging his sword with newfound determination. The first scout barely managed to block the blow, but the second scout was caught off guard. Kieran’s blade grazed the scout’s side, drawing blood and forcing the man to stagger backward.

“Impossible,” the second scout muttered under his breath, shock and disbelief crossing his face.

Kieran’s confidence surged, but the victory was short-lived. The first scout, his eyes burning with fury, launched himself at Kieran again, his movements quicker than before. Kieran barely had time to react as the scout’s sword cut through the air, grazing his shoulder.

Kieran hissed in pain but didn’t flinch. His grip tightened on his sword, his mind now focused on something far greater than the fight before him. The System was still there, lingering beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.

Rowan’s voice rang out again. “Kieran, you have to—”

But before Rowan could finish, the first scout pressed his attack, forcing Kieran to retreat, blood dripping from his wound. The second scout, seeing his opportunity, advanced again, striking with precision. Kieran’s world seemed to narrow as he fought desperately to keep them both at bay.

I can’t keep up like this... Kieran’s mind raced, his thoughts scattered. But then he remembered. The System. Rowan said I could change this reality.

In a split second, Kieran closed his eyes and reached for the energy that lay just beneath the surface of his consciousness. He didn’t know how, but he trusted Rowan’s words. With a fierce focus, he began to tap into it. His vision blurred, his senses heightened, and an unfamiliar warmth flooded his chest.

The air around him seemed to shift, and when Kieran opened his eyes, he felt an immense surge of power. The scouts paused, momentarily taken aback by the sudden change in the atmosphere.

Kieran’s grip on his sword tightened as he stepped forward, every movement now laced with the energy of the System. The two scouts took a hesitant step back, fear creeping into their eyes.

“You... you’re using the System?” the first scout stammered, his confidence faltering.

Kieran nodded slowly, his voice low and filled with authority. “And it’s not something you can control. Now, get ready.”

With a flash of motion, Kieran moved faster than he ever thought possible. His blade struck with precision, cutting through the air like a flash of lightning. The first scout barely had time to raise his sword to block, but Kieran’s strike shattered the defense with ease. The scout was sent sprawling to the ground, groaning in pain.

But Kieran didn’t have time to savor the victory. The second scout charged at him, rage burning in his eyes. Kieran’s heart pounded in his chest, his body moving instinctively. He shifted to the side, dodging the incoming strike with an agility that surprised even him.

In that moment, everything changed.

Kieran’s mind, now fully attuned to the System, allowed him to anticipate his opponent’s every move. He sidestepped, ducked, and dodged with ease, his sword cutting through the air in a blur of motion. The second scout’s attack was nothing more than a feeble attempt to keep up with Kieran’s newfound speed.

With a final, decisive blow, Kieran’s sword pierced the second scout’s defenses, sending him crashing to the ground. The scout let out a cry of agony before falling silent, his body limp.

Kieran stood over the fallen enemy, panting heavily, but his heart was still racing with adrenaline. He had done it. He had used the System, and it had worked. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over.

Rowan approached, his gaze filled with a mixture of surprise and approval. “You did it. You tapped into the System.”

Kieran wiped the sweat from his brow, his body aching from the fight. “I... I didn’t expect it to be so powerful.” His voice was filled with awe and disbelief.

Rowan’s expression darkened. “That’s only the beginning. The System can give you power, but it also takes something from you. Be careful, Kieran. It will change you.”

Kieran nodded, but the warning only fueled his resolve. “I’ll control it. I’m not going to let anything stop me from taking down Malrick.”

Just as Rowan began to speak, a dark shadow fell over them, and the ground trembled beneath their feet. Kieran’s blood ran cold as a figure appeared in the distance, its form shrouded in darkness.

Rowan’s face tightened. “This is it... We’ve been found.”

Kieran turned to face the approaching figure, his sword raised, ready for whatever came next.

The shadowed figure spoke, its voice deep and ominous. “You think you can stop me, Kieran Albright? You are but a mere pawn in a much larger game. You will fall... just like everyone else.”

Kieran’s grip on his sword tightened. “We’ll see about that.”