Against The Eternity Chapter 18: [17] Chapter - 7: The First Kill (Part - 2/2)

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[17] Chapter - 7: The First Kill (Part - 2/2) Jai stepped closer to Eklavya, lowering his voice despite the chaos tightening around them like an invisible noose. “Eklavya,” he said firmly, urgency cutting through his usual warmth, “leave. We’ll hold them off.” It was not an order born from authority alone, but from instinct — the protective reflex of an elder who had watched the boy grow and refused to see him fall here. Eklavya shook his head once, slow and unwavering. “No,” he replied quietly. “I’m not running.” There was no bravado in his tone, no reckless pride — only certainty. Anshvi turned sharply toward him, irritation flashing across her eyes. “You’re only at the Third-Eye Chakra. If you stay here—” Her warning was shattered mid-sentence. The air itself screamed. A four-star Grandmaster warrior erupted forward, tearing through space with terrifying speed. The ground cracked beneath his step, wind exploding outward as his sword descended toward Eklavya’s throat in a flawless killing arc. There was no hesitation, no testing strike — only execution. But the blade never reached its target. Anshvi moved just in time. One instant she stood beside Eklavya; the next she appeared before him, her form blurring into motion too fast for ordinary sight. Her twin spear rose, intercepting the strike with perfect timing. Steel collided with a thunderous crack that shook the valley walls. Shockwaves rippled outward, blasting dust and loose stones into the air as she slid backwards, boots carving deep trenches into the ground before finally halting. “If anyone wants him,” she said, voice cold enough to freeze flame, “you’ll go through me.” The Grandmaster hovered briefly, stabilising himself, eyes narrowing with genuine interest. “A five-star Grandmaster… at your age. Fascinating.” A Master Warrior beside him laughed darkly. “Then we’ll kill her together.” Their auras ignited simultaneously, violent pressure tearing upward into the sky. They attacked as one — blades and ki cutting through the air like lightning. Anshvi surged forward to meet them, weapons clashing with explosive force as the three figures shot skyward, becoming streaks of light colliding amid bursts of thunderous shockwaves that rolled across the valley like a gathering storm. Below, Jai roared and charged into the remaining enemies. His fist crashed into a Master Warrior’s guard with bone-rattling force, sending the man sliding across stone before Jai pivoted seamlessly, blocking simultaneous attacks from surrounding one-star Grandmasters. Sparks burst with every collision. Steel shrieked. Battle cries echoed against the cliffs. And amid the chaos, a two-star Practitioner Warrior approached Eklavya slowly, cruelty curling across his face. “Bad day for you, boy.” Eklavya exhaled softly, and a faint smile appeared on his face. “You think you know who you’re fighting.” His hands moved — swift, precise, forming seals ingrained into muscle memory through relentless secret practice. “First seal… open.” A tremor surged through him. One by one, his nine chakras ignited, pulsing like blazing stars. The channels connecting them lit with scorching ki, energy roaring through pathways never meant to carry such force. His ki core throbbed violently, awakening like a heart reborn. Then the surge came — power bursting outward, sharp enough to split the wind itself. His irises turned an unnatural, piercing blue. His breathing slowed. His presence deepened, stabilising at the level of a one-star Master Warrior. It wasn’t a true breakthrough but borrowed soul power. But on a battlefield, borrowed strength could decide life and death. The green sword appeared in his hand, humming eagerly as if recognising its moment. The practitioner lunged. Eklavya stepped forward instead of retreating. Time seemed to slow down around him because of his increased speed. He saw everything — the shift of balance, the exposed flank, the fatal opening hidden beneath confidence. His blade moved without hesit