Page 226 of Savage Throne
Tragic.
Otherworldly.
The kind of sound that pierced through bone and marrow, embedding itself in the heart and soul of everyone who heard it.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Some clutched their chests.
Others covered their mouths.
Slowly, I moved the blade inch by inch, cutting deeper into his flesh.
Blood welled up around the edge, rich and dark, staining the silver steel.
The mournful song of Soaring Precious only grew louder as if the sword itself grieved for what was being done.
My father’s eyes snapped open. He formed his lips into a deranged smile.
His voice came out scratchy. “H-honn-nnor.”
The word hung in the air.
Yes. Honor. You got what you always wanted. The honorable judgement of a legendary sword.
I looked at Moni and my heart warmed as she cried.
And I finally have what I always wanted. The love of a beautiful woman.
I turned back to him and pressed Soaring Precious forward.
The song crescendoed as the final cut came swift and clean.
There.
My father’s head separated from his body, falling to the blood-soaked ground with a dull thud.
Next, a geyser of crimson blood erupted from his neck, spraying high into the air.
The crowd collectively recoiled.
Still, the sword sang.
My arms ached, my chest burned, but I couldn’t tear my gaze away from my father’s lifeless body before me.
It’s over. Finally over.
The song of Soaring Precious faded then ended.
Silence followed.
I let out a long breath.
Then, like the crack of thunder, applause erupted through the arena. It rolled over me in waves.
But none of it mattered.
Not the crowd.
