The Swordsman 4: The Final Book (Pt.1-2)

B4 Chapter 23: White-Eye

Lanz rose to his feet, his gaze locked on Rein, ready to launch another attack. But as he prepared to unleash his power, he deactivated his White-Eye, the intensity fading from his eyes. He felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him as Rein turned and walked away.

Rein headed toward the ominous presence of The Supreme Phoenix, but as he approached, he suddenly collapsed. His body felt heavy, as if being pulled apart, and he realized with horror that he was disappearing. A black hole materialized before him, a swirling vortex of despair, and he understood the implications: with Lanz having killed Shona, his freedom was now an impossibility.

Determined not to succumb, he stood and began to walk, but was immediately met with Marielle's fierce assault. He tried to evade her strike, but it caught him off guard, sending him stumbling back.

Before he could recover, Nhar charged at him, launching an attack with fury. Rein, quick on his feet, caught Nhar and brought him crashing down, choking him. Just as victory seemed within reach, Yuri arrived from behind, catching Rein by surprise. Rein activated The Freedom Phoenix, conjuring a shield just in time to absorb Yuri's attack.

Yuri's strike collided with the shimmering barrier, sending him hurtling backward, his hand burned from the backlash. Rein seized the moment, wielding his Fiery Sword, and launched an attack aimed at Yuri. The blast exploded, sending Yuri flying away amidst a fiery eruption.

Amidst the chaos, Rein spotted Javi standing defiantly, his two White-Eyes glowing with determination. Javi charged at Rein, a battle cry escaping his lips, but Rein sidestepped the attack. Javi, fueled by desperation, flashed behind him in an instant, aiming to stab.

Rein barely managed to evade, flickering away as Marielle rushed to Yuri's side. She cradled him gently, panic rising in her chest as she examined his wounds. Blood soaked his clothes, and horror struck her when she saw that Yuri had lost his right arm and both eyes.

"Yuri! Are you alive?" she cried, her voice shaking with fear.

"Marielle? I can't see!" he responded weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

As Marielle held him tightly, she reassured him, "You're going to be okay. Just hold on!"

Tears streamed down her face as she saw the extent of his injuries. "You can't fight anymore, Yuri. I'm so sorry," she said, grief overwhelming her.

As The Supreme Phoenix faded into the distance, Rein's eyes widened. Desperate, he attempted to rush toward it, hoping for a glimmer of power. Suddenly, Lanz appeared behind him, striking his legs and sending him crashing to the ground. Rein crawled desperately, but Lanz didn't relent, slashing at Rein's left arm.

Despite the pain, Rein's arm began to heal slowly, empowered by The Freedom and Dark Phoenix still within him. Marielle and Yuri approached, determination etched on their faces.

"We need to take The Freedom Phoenix and give it to him," Lanz declared, glancing at Yuri.

"Please, he's Yuri! We can't lose anyone else," Marielle pleaded, tears brimming in her eyes.

Yuri, fighting against his injuries, reached up and touched Rein's forehead, beginning to absorb the power of The Freedom Phoenix. Rein felt his strength waning, immobilized as the energy drained from him.

But in that moment of desperation, Rein activated The Final Dark Phoenix, a surge of dark power erupting around him. The shockwave sent everyone reeling, and in a flash, he seized Nhar, stabbing him with his sword. Javi watched in horror, frozen as he tried to rush to Nhar's aid. But before he could reach him, Rein vanished with Nhar's lifeless body, the world around them swirling.

As Javi, Lanz, Marielle, and Yuri began to fade, returning to their original time, the black hole closed around Rein, sealing him within its depths once more.

Marielle cried out, her heart breaking. "We couldn't retrieve Nhar's body!"

Lanz wrapped his arms around her, a fierce determination burning in his eyes. "We will bring him back, I promise," he vowed, his grip tightening around her as they faced the uncertain future together. The remnants of hope flickered within them, kindled by the bonds of friendship and the unyielding spirit to fight against the darkness threatening to engulf them all.