Villain's Valor: A Noble Fantasy Resurrection

Chapter 87 : Truth (2)

Listening carefully to every word, I feel my mind becoming a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, trying to assimilate the overwhelming amount of information I've just received.

"How is this possible?" My words come out haltingly, reflecting my disbelief at what I've just heard. As far as I knew, any being that fell under the influence of corruption was doomed to be lost forever in the shadows.

"Child, I think you've forgotten an important detail," the being before me responds calmly. "We are dragons, at the top of the food chain, and our souls are inherently superior from the moment of our birth. We are unique beings, loved by the world, and that girl lying deep within the demon is fighting the corruption of her soul.

It's as simple as that," he adds with a naturalness that contrasts with the gravity of his words.

"But you just said you've never seen anything like this before," I retort, trying to unravel the mystery looming over us.

"That's correct," he nods proudly in his voice. "No true dragon succumbed to corruption while I was alive. But this girl, somehow, she has done it. What's even more amazing is that she refuses to be consumed by it, to be lost forever in the shadows. That's why you must help her," he concludes with a determination that leaves no room for doubt.

"Try to save her?" I repeat, letting disbelief color my words. "You must be aware that I can't even save myself... Literally, my body is broken and I'm missing an arm," I add with a note of resignation creeping into my voice. How can I hope to save someone else when I can barely stand myself?

"But your sword is the key to all of this," he continues, speaking with a conviction that bewilders me. "You're using it wrong. You don't understand the true meaning of your own sword. The blood with which it was forged doesn't belong to a corrupted creature. It is powerful, yes, very powerful, but you still don't know how to harness its true potential.

When the sword began to tremble, it was because it felt the internal conflict between the demon and you. That's why, sometimes, in the midst of your mental fatigue, you find clarity," he explains with a lucidity that leaves me breathless.

My thoughts swirl as I absorb his words. Could it be that my sword, the weapon I've carried with me for so long, holds the key to saving that girl? The idea is bewildering, but also filled with hope. If there's even a chance, however small, to make a difference, I must seize it to the fullest.

"So, how do I use it?" I ask with growing interest, eager to unravel the mystery surrounding my sword.

"I won't tell you," he replies evasively, his voice resonating with an authority that leaves no room for debate.

My expression freezes, as if a torrent of cold water had been poured over me. The abrupt refusal leaves me stunned, disoriented by the sudden denial of the information I so desperately sought.

"But I'll give you some clues," he continues, his tone now tinged with complicity. "After all, if I told you so easily, you would never progress... The key lies in your conviction and the strength of your will. As is well known, the sword is the reflection of a warrior's soul.

If your resolve falters, so will your sword," he concludes enigmatically, letting his words seep into my mind like pieces of a puzzle waiting to be assembled.

Frowning as I try to assimilate his words, I realize it's exactly what he said. "I think I understand more or less...," I begin, trying to express my understanding, although I still feel overwhelmed by the situation. "But with my current strength, I won't be able to achieve anything," I add with a touch of resignation, aware of my own limitations.

"I'll give you a small part of my power, a very tiny fraction. I don't want you to explode due to overload," he continues, his voice laden with fatigue and warning.

The word "explode" doesn't sound pleasant in my ears, so I decide to act as if I hadn't heard it. Although the idea of receiving a part of his power fills me with hope, it also fills me with a slight fear of the possible consequences. However, I can't let fear stop me now. I'm determined to accept any help I can get, no matter the risks involved.

"You must also learn to channel mana into your eyes. Only then will you be able to see the exact place where you should make the cut. Well, that's all for now," he concludes wearily, delivering the final instructions before the space around us begins to move, the darkness trembling and undulating as if alive.

"Thank you for saving me," I sincerely express, letting my gratitude reflect in my words. Without his help, I'm sure I would already be dead...

The words fade into the air, as the world around me fades into a spiral of darkness.

*****

I feel the water falling over my body again, the deafening sound of liquid hitting the ground becoming a backdrop as my surroundings fade into darkness. From the depths of my being, arises mana so pure it seems to emanate from the very bowels of the earth. The essence flows quickly through my veins, flooding every corner of my being with its power.

It reaches my brain like a burst of light, illuminating every crevice of my mind with dazzling clarity. My blood boils at a terrifying speed, as if fire itself runs through my veins instead of life itself. The pulsations of my heart accelerate, marking the frenetic rhythm of my own transformation.

In the midst of this avalanche of energy, I feel alive in a way I've never experienced before. Every cell in my body vibrates with overwhelming intensity, as if I'm about to burst into a torrent of power and determination.

The mana, overflowing and powerful, rises from my body in a dense and sinister darkness, emanating from every pore of my being and enveloping me completely. Thousands of fine mana fibers intertwine over me, forming a network of dark energy that stretches towards the sky, like tentacles seeking their prey.

I feel an incredible power filling every fiber of my being, infusing me with a strength and determination I have never known before.

In the blink of an eye, since I arrived until this moment, only a few milliseconds have passed. But in that brief moment, I have prepared my counterattack. I invoke my sword with a quick and precise movement, feeling its familiar weight in my right hand. I grab it with astonishing force, feeling its hilt merge with my being.

With a speed I had never been able to achieve before, I stand up. My muscles tense with supernatural power, propelling me forward with fierce determination. The edge of my sword meets the demon's chest, creating a gut-wrenching sound upon impact.

Bang! Boom!!!

The impact of the blow against the demon creates shockwaves that explode around me, sending it flying like a bullet. Without wasting a second, I execute an agile and precise footwork, positioning myself behind her and preparing for the next attack. But the ground begins to tremble, warning me of imminent danger. I act quickly, anticipating every move.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Thousands of vines emerge from the ground at breakneck speed. A gut-wrenching scream escapes the demon's throat as its body convulses, its branches becoming even deeper and denser. The cut in its armor has opened a considerable breach, finally managing to inflict some kind of damage.

The ground trembles once more, and this time thousands of projectiles surge from the ground, directed towards me with ferocity. My senses sharpen, and with a quick turn, I execute a vertical cut with my sword.

Boom! Clink! Swoosh!

The sound of my sword cutting through the air resonates in the place. I quickly position myself again, my eyes scanning every corner as the projectiles head towards me. As if the sword were an extension of my own being, I move with grace and elegance, in a deadly dance where any mistake could be fatal.

I can't afford to be hit by those projectiles; every move must be calculated with precision, for I know that a single mistake could mean my doom.

The demon, realizing that its attack is ineffective, undergoes an astonishing transformation. Its arms morph completely, two additional pairs of limbs emerging from its sides, bringing the total to six. Each arm turns into a gigantic, imposing, and lethal sword. At the same time, the surrounding trees begin to grow abnormally, further enveloping this place in a mantle of darkness and isolation.

I lose sight of her, but a sinister presence alerts me to her proximity. I react quickly, turning my only arm and slightly adjusting the wrist to receive the blow head-on. Tremendous pressure once again settles on my arms and body, but this time it's different. I watch in horror as the other four limbs head towards each vital point of my being.

Time seems to stand still as my thoughts return to the mention of the projection in my soul.

"Mana eyes," I mutter under my breath, focusing on bringing mana to my eyes. A burning sensation floods my being, a sharp pain runs through my brain, and blood begins to flow from my eyes. In those fleeting seconds, my sore eyes scan every corner of her body.

Finally, my gaze settles on a crucial point: the place where her heart should beat, an orb divided between darkness and the brightness of the stars.