Chapter Ten

Heat flares, looking at the girl in the yellow robe curled up on the floor underneath the boot of a bandit. "Get your foot off of her," Eden snaps. He can see the bandit looking him up and down then bursts out laughing.

"You want me to put my foot down? Then come and make me, One Star!" The other bandits start to laugh too upon hearing, “One Star.”

Eden scans the room. People locked in numerous cells cowering and huddled. Six bandits, each with an axe or a sword. No Armaments. None of them are Legions. The girl on the floor meets his eyes with the hint of hope in them. A smirk appears on his face. "Gladly." In a flash, he darts toward the closest bandit still laughing his head off. Eden slams his fist right into the bandit’s face and sends him flying against the cobblestone wall.

Silence.

Eden puts a foot in front of him, raises his shield, and tilts his blade. “Who’s next?”

The leader snickers and nudges at his men. "Go and kill this kid!"

"Yes, sir!" The bandits all charge at Eden, pulling out their weapons and roar in unison.

Eden's leg twitches; he lunges himself toward the wall of bandits. Sanders’s words echo within him. Eden, you know you can't take on everybody at once, so take one out at a time. It'll turn the fight in your favor.

Eden sets his sight on a bandit to his left. He launches his body into the air foot first, slamming into his enemy in the face and sending him flying. That’s one!. The others charge at Eden, surrounding him. He swiftly kicks the bandit to his right. Two! Then the one behind him. Three! Another one swings his sword but Eden slams it away with another kick then circles to his other leg and bashes his enemy in the neck. Four! Then jumping into the air, Eden twirls as his fifth opponent tries to cut him but misses, giving him an opening to strike a heavy blow. Five!

The bandits tremble back up to their feet and step away from Eden like they’re more wary of him now.

"No way," says the bandit leader from the back. “Hurry up and kill him already! He’s just a One Star!”

Leg twitches, Eden lunges to the closest bandit in a flash; his fist whistles in the air and connects. He thrusts his shield into the gut, quickly spins again, and slams his foot in the same spot, sending his opponent crashing to a wall.

From behind, bandits take a swing at Eden, a twitch in his arm makes him react and clashes his sword with theirs. He bashes his foot into the one on his right then quickly smacks and slams the other into submission until the body hits the floor. Eden lunges toward the last three men, then jumps and extends his leg, smashing the center bandit in the face and knocking him unconscious.

The last two bandits gasp while looking down at their fallen comrade; they grit their teeth and attack Eden from both sides. "Just die already!"

Eden raises both Armaments to block both of their strikes. Then he punches the hatchet out of one of their hands, then quickly stops the other bandit's attack as they try to swing again with his sword; Eden lands an elbow to the gut and smacks the other's face. Both of the bandits have their eyes shut and their body looks as if they're in limbo. Eden lunges his shield at one of the bandit's gut, making him stumble back. He shouts once and delivers a heavy blow to the other one sending them rolling in the opposite direction.

Then swiftly, Eden sweeps the floor with his leg tripping the last bandit down as he’s still stumbling from the punch. The bandit hits the ground and yelps. Eden follows up with his sword raised high and slams his sword against the already down bandit with a roar, making his opponent jolt his limbs up. The bandit cries and rolls his eyes back into his skull.

Silence fills the dungeon once more except for the bandits laying on the floor groaning or unconscious. And Eden stands at the center, holding his shield with the grey one star on it close.

The bandit leader slacks his mouth while Eden returns with a glare, then he points his blade directly at him. "Now get your boot off the girl."

The leader looks down at the girl who’s not covering herself anymore; she just stares at Eden with a firm eye contact. He clicks his tongue and removes his foot. "Alright, tough guy." The bandit leader stuffs what looks like a purple gem into his pocket and draws his sword. "Let's go a few rounds."

Eden steadily slides his foot on the concrete and gets into his stance; he tightens his grip on the Armaments and takes a deep breath while keeping his eyes on the last bandit.

The bandit leader viciously grins at Eden and starts to play with his sword. Swinging, twirling, and tossing it around like it’s a toy, then the blade thrusts straight at him.

Arm twitching; Eden clashes his sword. The bandit leader swings and Eden repels against it. Sparks light up the room like firecrackers as his blade disagrees with the bandit.

Eden's eyes widen at the bandit's blade ferociously approaching him with speed. He quickly brings his shield up to block and grunts to the impact.

The bandit, still spinning his sword playfully and his smile is dire as if Eden can hear him snicker just by looking at the grin.

Keeping his guard up, Eden searches for an opening, waiting.

"What's wrong?" The bandit swiftly cuts at the shield creating more sparks. "Where did all that bravado go?" He laughs.

Eden tightens his grip on the shield and grunts at every blow. His eyes trained on the bandit's movement; his gaze darts from the sword and the bandit's action.

The bandit lets out a shout and swings his sword at Eden's feet which he quickly reacts and counters it with his blade.

Then the bandit twirls his body and jumps, raising his sword above Eden. With another shout, the blade rains down.

Eden gasps, quickly raising his shield against it. The blow staggers him, making him retreat. Got to fight back. But the bandit charges and slashes toward him. Then Eden spins his body and launches his foot toward his opponent.

But the kick doesn’t connect as the bandit leader quickly pulls his gut in and jumps back. "That trick won't work against me.” He wags a finger at Eden.

Eden growls and closes in, thrusting his sword but is immediately deflected, then he quickly raises his leg up and kicks but is also blocked. Eden simultaneously punches and slashes at his opponent, but none of his attacks can land. This guy is good! His chest tightens and his teeth baring. There are no openings. Every time Eden strikes, the bandit responds by cutting it off.

A shout rips from Eden’s throat; he directs the side of his steel blade for the head. It doesn’t connect. His sword arm gets grabbed and the bandit bursts out a vile laugh at Eden then pulls him to the side with the steel edge rushing for his chest.

Arm twitches. Now! Eden grabs both of the bandit's arms and pulls him to the ground then shoots his foot into his opponent's gut, launching the bandit over him.

The bandit lands in a heavy thud but immediately gets back up like nothing. “What’s wrong One Star? Why aren’t you trying to kill me?”

Eden rises back on his feet and doesn’t reply. Sweat trickles down the side of his face and his breathing hardens. But still, Eden locks on to the bandit leader, gripping his Armaments tighter. He shouts and lunges forward.

Exchanging blades with the bandit lights the dark dungeon with bright orange sparks. Then he sweeps his leg at the bandit, but misses. Eden turns around and swings his other leg and misses again. “Quit moving and let me hit you already!”

The bandit leader lunges toward Eden with a grin with his sword in both hands. Eden advances as well, letting out a roar and holding his shield up.

Clang!

The force from the bandit pushes Eden back. His feet skid across the concrete, almost making him fall; he grits his teeth and shifts his footing. Eden grabs the bandit's wrist, turns around, and flings him over. But can’t, feeling a hand pushed against his back, stops him from throwing the bandit.

Eden growls and drops the arm and slams his elbow to the bandit’s head, then he swiftly turns, jumps, and shoots his leg to the gut.

The bandit groans loudly as he rolls back over his fallen comrades. He lifts his head and glares at Eden. He grasps for a nearby axe and leaps toward Eden. "Why can't you just die already!"

The sword and axe come rushing down at Eden. He quickly raises his shield up and blocks it. But the bandit ferociously swings his weapons in a circular motion, not letting Eden have a chance to counter. Then the bandit’s axe clamps onto the shield and pulls it down. A loud gasp escapes from Eden’s throat.

Blood soars through the air; a hot searing pain travels throughout Eden's arm. He lets out a cry, and his eyes sting, but he tightens his grip on the Armaments and goes back in.

"One Star!" The people in the cells cried.

Eden's heart races. Blood drenches his entire shoulder and drips from his arm and grits his teeth. “I’m not done yet!”

The bandit raises both of his weapons then brings them down together.

Eden covers himself with the shield. The impact almost makes him stumble, but he holds his footing. Now! Eden flips the sword, gripping it in reverse, shouts, then slams his fist in the bandit's gut.

The bandit stumbles back from Eden and coughs while holding his stomach then looks up with wide eyes.

"You're open!" Eden shoots his fist through the air as it whistles with speed and smashes directly into the bandit’s face. Then he swiftly follows with the side of his sword.

Smack!

Eden unleashes a booming howl; his fist bashing and his sword slamming his opponent again and again, pummeling the bandit until his face is covered in plumps of bruises. Then Eden rushes behind the bandit and wraps his arms around the waist. With a loud roar, he lifts with all of his might and slams the bandit against the cobblestone floor.

Blood gushes from the bandit leader’s nose with his eyes rolling back into his head.

Eden sheathes his Armaments, hangs them on his back, then turns to the townsfolk.. "Is everyone all right?" He gasps.

They all nod, their expressions glowing with relief.

"Are you alright?" Eden extends his trembling hand out to the girl in the yellow robe on the ground. She stares back at him, eyes twinkling.

"What about you? You're hurt badly,” she asks.

"Oh, this?" Eden forces a chuckle and pushes through the searing pain as he raises his arm and clenches his fist. "This is nothing."Then he actually smiles, feeling a warm sensation inside of him as he pulls the girl up. Her eyes are red and puffy, probably from crying, but now they’re soft and not filled with fear. I did it! I saved her! I saved the townsfolk! So this is what it feels like to be someone's hero!

Eden searches through the unconscious bandit leader and finds a key to the dungeons, freeing the townsfolk; they all cheer and thank him then gather through the pile of riches and return each other's belongings back.

A lady tends to the girl's wounds by ripping her dress; she wipes and covers it with the cloth. "Are you okay, young lady?" she asks.

"Yes, I'm fine now,” the girl replies.

A man hands the girl a book covered in dirt then her eyes widen as she picks up a satchel from the pile and frantically searches through the pile and the bandit leader for something

Eden tilts his head and approaches the distressed girl, eager to help. “Is something wrong?” he asks.

"My brooch is missing! Has anyone seen my brooch?"

The townsfolk all aid in searching for a pin, going through the bags, floor, and the pile.

The girl lowers her head and sighs heavily. Eden can see her eyes become wet and dull.

Eden searches along with everyone. There on the ground, a few feet away from where he fought with the bandits, is a purple pin. Eden raises an eyebrow; the brooch has a black crystal skull in the center with three purple gem snakes circling it. "Is this what you're looking for?”

The girl turns her head, widening her eyes. She rushes to Eden and snatches the brooch off his hand, making him slightly jump at how quick she is. The girl holds the pin to her chest and shuts her eyes; tears streaming down her face.

"It must've fallen out of that guy's pocket while we were fighting," Eden slightly chuckles to lighten the mood.

The girl gives him a small smile, "Thank you."

Eden smiles back and nods his head. "All right, people, let's get you guys out of here."

"Yes, let's. You and the girl need a doctor fast," says a nearby lady.

“Yes I do.” The pain in his arm throbs as he guides everyone out of the prison up to a wide room that looks to be the main hall of the fort. Torches ignite along the stone walls and pillars, showing him the way out. Destroyed tables, shelves, and barrels litter the place along with countless bodies of unconscious bandits everywhere. Some of them hang from the rails of a staircase leading up, a couple buried under wooden debris, and most lie on the cobblestone floor with their limbs spread out like a storm had hit and sent all of them flying.

"Did the One Star really defeat all of them by himself?"

"Unbelievable."

"Have you guys already forgotten what he did down in the cells?"

"This One Star is different."

The townsfolk all chatter about Eden’s feats behind him, making him grin as he listens to their astonishment. Finally at the doors leading out of this place, Eden bursts through the doors, feeling the warm spring breeze hit him and the townsfolk all cheer for their freedom.

"Excuse me, One Star!"

Eden turns around to see the strange girl in the yellow robe again; he raises an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"What was your name again?"

"Was it that forgettable?" Eden laughs and scratches his head. "It's Eden, Eden Alistar." He warmly smiles at the girl.

The girl smiles back. "I'm Eleanor Celestine. It's nice to meet you."