In the shadows of history, beyond the reach of mortal eyes, the Immortals have waged their secret wars, bound by the sacred code: *There can be only one*. "Eternal Duel: Untold Chronicles of the Immortals" brings to light the hitherto unseen sagas o...
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Chapter 1
The rush of the wind through the trees was the only sound that accompanied Eliara's steps as she walked the narrow path. The forest was ancient, the trunks of the trees gnarled and thick, their canopy casting dappled shadows on the ground. It had been her sanctuary for decades, a place of solace and reflection.
Eliara paused, her keen senses detecting a presence nearby. A twig snapped behind her. In a fluid motion, she drew her sword, the blade gleaming in the filtered sunlight. She turned to face the intruder.
"I mean you no harm," a deep voice said. A tall figure emerged from the shadows, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. He was an Immortal, like her, his aura unmistakable.
Eliara lowered her sword slightly but did not sheath it. "Who are you?" she demanded.
The man stepped closer, his features coming into focus. He had a rugged, timeless quality to his appearance, with piercing blue eyes and dark hair. "I am Karsten," he said. "I've been searching for you, Eliara."
Eliara's grip tightened on her sword. "Why?"
Karsten smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "My teacher, Grayson, has told me much about you. He says you are a formidable warrior, but that you have taken a foolish vow."
Eliara's jaw clenched. "My vow is my own business."
"A vow never to take a life," Karsten mused. "It's a dangerous thing, in our world. It makes you weak."
"It makes me human," Eliara countered.
Karsten shook his head. "We are not human, Eliara. We are Immortal. We live by different rules."
"I choose to live by my own rules," Eliara said firmly.
Karsten's smile turned predatory. "Then you will die by them."
In a flash, his sword was in his hand, and he lunged at Eliara. She parried his blow, the clang of metal on metal echoing through the forest. They fought fiercely, their swords a blur of motion. Karsten was strong and fast, his technique flawless. But Eliara had centuries of experience, and she matched him move for move.
They broke apart, both breathing heavily. Karsten's eyes glinted with a mix of admiration and frustration. "You are as good as they say," he acknowledged. "But you can't win. Not if you won't kill."
Eliara adjusted her grip on her sword. "I don't need to kill to win."
Karsten laughed, a harsh sound. "We shall see."
He attacked again, pressing his advantage. Eliara defended, but she was tiring. She needed to end this, and soon. She feinted left, then spun right, her blade slicing across Karsten's chest. He stumbled back, surprised.
Eliara pressed her advantage, driving him back with a flurry of blows. But Karsten was not so easily defeated. He countered, his sword a whistling blur. Eliara barely managed to deflect a thrust that would have taken her head.
