Seraphs of the Emperor’s Judgment

Chapter 66: Joining

"Hah!"

The two warriors engaged in close combat once more. Their blades traced shining trajectories of jagged grey and ghostly blue in the air, bright sparks erupting from the clash of their weapons.

Soshyan fought with every ounce of courage, strength, and skill he could muster, but he knew it was still hopeless.

His opponent effortlessly parried every single one of his attacks, casually leaving wounds on his body—deep enough to draw blood, but not enough to be fatal.

Cold blood surged into his mouth, and then another damaging strike sent him staggering backward.

The abilities of the Gloom Walkers were virtually useless against an enemy who did not rely on the Warp.

"Since when could the standard for a commander be this low."

Sol coldly raised his sword level with his eyes, then flicked it forcefully. A string of blood beads splattered onto the deck, forming a crimson arc.

"If this were ten thousand years ago, you wouldn't even be qualified to be a Squad Leader."

Soshyan coughed violently twice. He knew only his last shred of resolve was keeping him standing, but this battle would not last much longer."Have you said enough?"

Soshyan asked, coughing up blood.

"You're serious, aren't you? You truly think you can defeat me."

Sol approached him, head tilted, sword in hand.

In response, Soshyan nodded, spitting out another mouthful of cold blood.

"Come over and try."

Abruptly, Sol launched a fierce assault. The rapidly spinning longsword turned into a storm of blades before Soshyan's eyes, drawing low growls from the warriors watching below the ring.

Suddenly, Soshyan forcefully hurled the sword from his hand. Such a move caught Sol off guard, causing his movements to slow for a split second.

This split second was exactly what Soshyan wanted. He instantly threw himself at his opponent, erasing the distance between them in a flash.

The two warriors crashed into each other, Soshyan attempting to smash his fist into the other's face.

But Sol was only surprised initially. His combat instincts allowed him to react immediately, tilting his head to negate some of the force.

Following that, he showed Soshyan just how massive the gap between them truly was.

Sol directly tossed his own sword aside. The moment Soshyan threw another punch, Sol's left hand slid past Soshyan's elbow and thrust fiercely upward.

The fist of the Astral Knights' Chapter Master slid right past his opponent's shoulder.

Sol gave his opponent no time to recover; his right fist swung into Soshyan's face, smashing him backward.

Blood from his nose and mouth sprayed into the air.

Then, Soshyan was violently yanked back. His opponent rained ferocious blows upon his torso with elbows and knees.

Only then did he realize that Sol was not merely an outstanding swordsman, but a brutal fighter as well.

Fury and hatred spewed forth from every thunderous impact; they grappled and tumbled like street thugs.

Such immense power was enough to kill a mortal several times over, yet Soshyan merely felt pain in every inch of his muscles and bones.

"Hnnngh-ahhhhhh!"

After enduring a squall of rapid-fire strikes, Soshyan let out a wild roar steeped in frustration and fury, suddenly erupting with a burst of strength that shoved Sol away.

Subsequently, he leapt into the air, tackling his opponent to the ground.

As he fell, his right knee smashed heavily onto one of the man's arms, and he used his own body and left arm to pin his opponent's torso down.

Soshyan raised his right arm high, intending to bring his fist down on Sol's face, but the Emperor's Children legionnaire raised his free hand and caught Soshyan's wrist.

The two warriors became almost static, locked tightly in a face-to-face contest of strength.

Soshyan gritted his teeth, forcing his restrained arm downward with all his might.

Meanwhile, Sol stared into Soshyan's face, seeing the profound frustration and indignation within; he was resisting an inevitable defeat.

"You still have hope, Soshyan."

Hearing Sol's whisper, Soshyan pressed his arm down with even greater force. He couldn't even imagine that his body could house such tremendous strength.

Just as he was tasting impending victory, Sol suddenly smiled and forcefully thrust his hand upward. Simultaneously, he bent his right leg and drove it upward with a violent shove, unleashing an unimaginably powerful force in an instant.

It was with this force, amidst the gasps of the onlookers, that Sol flipped Soshyan entirely off him.

Soshyan crashed heavily outside the ring. Lying flat on his back, blood trickled from his mouth like fine crimson threads.

Subsequently, Sol towered over him, the sword in his hand stopping right at Soshyan's throat.

"You've lost."

Soshyan took a deep breath, standing up on his own before the other warriors could rush up to support him.

"Yes, I have lost. I will honor my promise. When the Starfire exits the Warp, you may choose to leave."

Sol took a deep look at him, sheathing his sword, and said:

"You are a tenacious and flexible warrior. I take back what I said earlier; given time, you are fully qualified to become a member of the Blades of the Court."

Soshyan took a few heavy breaths without speaking.

But at that moment, Sol suddenly roared at the spectating warriors:

"Do you want to know exactly why your Chapter Master failed?"

He stepped back onto the fighting ring.

"Then come up and try me, one by one."

"I'll go!"

Farzad angrily snatched a pair of axes from the weapon rack, shoved past the crowd, and leapt onto the metal ring.

Watching this scene, Soshyan pondered something in his heart.

Barely twenty seconds into his thoughts, he heard a dull thud. The robust Squad Leader had been thrown completely off the ring, landing in a highly embarrassing face-down posture.

After that, Soshyan watched, dumbfounded, as the Chapter's recruits stepped into the ring one after another, only to be struck down one after another.

At the most absurd point, Sol demanded three warriors come at him at once, and then proceeded to throw them all out, one by one.

The one who lasted the longest was Armin; he held out for over thirty seconds.

Because he was the most cautious and steady of all the challengers.

But after scrambling to block his opponent's attacks, which resulted in his guard being left wide open and his shield being kicked away, it all came to an end.

Looking at the Space Marines lying all around the ring, Sol stood perfectly straight on the platform like a javelin. Resting both hands on the pommel of his sword, he turned his gaze toward Soshyan, the only one still standing.

"Chapter Master Soshyan, is this the result of your teachings?"

"I..."

Soshyan was left speechless.

"Can you make me a promise."

Sol's next words left him somewhat baffled.

"What... promise?"

"When the time comes, I hope you and your Chapter will assist me in killing someone."

"Who?"

"You are still too weak now. When you are strong enough, I will tell you."

Soshyan caught the underlying meaning in the other's words, which tempted him greatly, but he also had reservations.

Seeing him remain silent, Sol instantly saw through his concerns and followed up:

"Rest assured, this will absolutely not violate your morality or loyalty. That man is a traitor, an abominable and despicable traitor."

"A former Emperor's Children."

Sol nodded.

After considering it for a moment, Soshyan replied:

"Very well, by the Emperor, I give you this promise. When you require it, I and my Chapter will do our utmost to assist you in eliminating that archenemy."

"Thank you."

Soshyan stepped into the ring and extended his arm toward Sol.

The man smiled faintly, releasing his grip on the sword to clasp Soshyan's hand instead.

"A pleasure to meet you, Instructor Saul Tarvitz."

"A pleasure to meet you, Chapter Master Soshyan Alexei."