Echoes of the Abyssal Blade: Path to Free Will-Chapter 35: Nyx Family

Jonan stood in silence, as Elias's words constantly echoed in his mind. He couldn't understand why he was called insecure just because he felt that killing family members of the bandits was too much.

He couldn't grasp what Elias meant, but maybe later on, he might understand. For now, he had to focus on breaking through the limit of his strength attribute. Without getting stronger, he couldn't be assured of keeping himself safe.

As he made his way back to the main tent, from the corner of his eye, he noticed Marla approaching. Neither of them said a word as they entered the tent, where Edric was with Astrid.

"Where is Elias?" muttered Edric in a deep voice.

Jonan replied, "He said he would be poking around a bit, and in the meantime, we can rest in the tent and then resume our journey."

Jonan sat beside Astrid and asked, "Can I know where you are from so that we can help you get home?"

Astrid's face turned dour at the mention of home. After stuttering a bit, she said, "I... I... I don't have a home."

Jonan was dazed as he listened to her. After carefully choosing his words, he asked, "That man with you, who was he?"

Recalling the man, Astrid's eyes became teary. She said, "I also don't know who that uncle was, but he rescued me from the slave owners who abducted me from my village."

Jonan felt upset that Astrid had to go through so much despite being young, whereas he had taken his life in the Starfall family castle for granted. Beyond the castle, survival was a struggle.

"Ok, but how did you get here? Your home must be far away from here," Jonan asked.

"Yes, it was far away. Even I don't know where it might be. I don't know the name, nor do I know anything. After being kidnapped, I found myself a bit far from here, where that man tried to save me. Except for this cloth he gave me, telling me to show it to those who can be trusted, apart from that he didn't say anything."

Astrid handed the cloth over to Jonan, who grasped it and began examining it. The fabric was green with an insignia of green wings and a crystal situated between them.

Looking at the insignia, he felt that he knew it but could not recall from where.

However, Marla's reaction was different, panic washed over her face.

Seeing her panicked expression for the first time, Jonan presented the cloth to her. His hand moved forward, but noticing his action, she stepped back and said, "I cannot touch the cloth. Not even any of us are worthy to touch it. Please keep it with you, or you can give it back to the girl," Marla said somberly.

Noticing her startled appearance, Jonan nodded and asked, "Do you recognize this insignia?"

"This insignia belongs to the great hero of humanity, Arthessa. It's okay that you were the one to hold it. You might not realize it, but this simple cloth has her sorcery embedded in it. Anyone other than those of noble blood who holds it might be targeted for the rest of their life."

"The man saving the small girl must have been someone sent by the Nyx family to take care of her. With his death, they must be alerted, and I don't think it will take much time for them to get here."

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Jonan was surprised by the Nyx family's efficiency. From Marla's words, he understood that this seemingly ordinary cloth must have a tracker on it, which meant the Nyx family knights were already on their way.

Before Jonan could process this information further, a faint rustling came from outside the tent.

Then, a voice cold and authoritative echoed, "Come out. Now."

Edric's eyebrows were raised but he didn't take any action, Jonan exchanged glances with Marla and Astrid. The young girl trembled, clutching her knees, she didn't know what was right or wrong.

Jonan stepped forward and peered through a slit in the tent's fabric. Outside stood five figures clad in green and silver armor, their visors covering their faces. Each was armed, their stances predatory.

Female knights from the Nyx family.

Jonan exhaled sharply and whispered, "They're here."

Edric and Marla tensed. They had to act carefully. The Nyx family was powerful, and if their real identities were exposed, it would complicate things beyond measure.

Jonan stepped out of the tent first, his hands raised. "We come in peace," he declared.

The lead knight lifted off her helmet, showing a sharp-faced woman with green eyes that seemed to bore into your soul. "That is not your decision to make," she stated. "You possess something that belongs to the Nyx family."

Jonan's heart was racing. "You are referring to the cloth. We discovered it along with the girl. We had no idea what it was."

The woman's eyes flicked to the tent. "Then surrender the girl and erase your part in this affair."

Jonan went rigid. Something did not add up. Why were they armed to the teeth if all they wanted was the girl? He dared a quick look at Marla, and she very subtly shook her head. She had noticed it as well.

"We cannot just hand her over," Marla asserted, taking a step forward. "She is in our custody."

The knight sneered. "Oh, is that it? Then we will simply eliminate you."

There was no time for Jonan to react before the knights charged, swords flashing. Jonan had mere moments to parry as steel struck steel.

Marla unsheathed her daggers and danced between a knight, slicing at the weaknesses in their armor.

Jonan sidestepped an oncoming blow, rolling away before striking back with a precise punch that sent his opponent reeling.

The knights were merciless. Their blows carried deadly precision, forcing Jonan and Marla onto the defensive. But Jonan had been trained well, he sidestepped another attack, striking at a knight's exposed shoulder.

"Astrid, stay in!" he shouted.

The girl sat in the corner of the tent, holding the cloth up to her chest.

"We need to finish this," Marla snarled, deflecting a blow from Edric.

Jonan bit his lip. They couldn't duel these knights all day. He needed to come up with something to finish it.

And then, inspiration hit him. "The cloth!" he shouted at Astrid. "Wave it high! Show it to them!"

The moment Astrid raised the cloth, the knights hesitated. Their eyes flickered to the insignia, their movements faltering.

Jonan didn't waste the opportunity. He struck down his opponent and lunged at the leader, knocking her weapon away.

"Enough! If this cloth holds such importance, then killing us will only disgrace the Nyx family. Do you really want to bring shame to your own house?"

The leader's face contorted with anger. But she had a feeling he was correct. Slaughtering them now would raise more questions than they cared to, and she could feel this eerie feeling, that if she were to use her true strength, she would be taken down instantly.

This was a sensation, she greatly disliked, she gritted her teeth. "This is far from over."

In one fluid movement, she indicated to her knights, and they disappeared into the darkness.