Curseborn Saga - Fade to Black Read Online Free

perfectly timed. Ronin had just initiated a counterattack on Storm, leaving the bell on his left side completely unguarded. Caim grinned—the bell was his. But at that same moment he felt the searing pain of a blade rip a deep gash up his hip and through his shoulder. Blood arced over his body like the crescent of a moon and the last thing he saw was a rising figure of black with burning eyes. Caim began to fall.
    “Storm?” He could barely speak as he fell through the air. Spinning down headfirst, his sight grew hazy, but there was no mistake—the blade that had struck him was his brother’s.
    Storm turned to face Ronin as Caim’s falling body disappeared beyond black clouds, racing towards a grave of fire and ice.
    “Storm!” roared Ronin. “You would strike down your own brother in hopes of surpassing your own limitations!? You know where he falls, and you know what lies beneath! His mind will be taken by them !” Ronin stared grimly at his grandson. “I always knew you were broken, Storm … but I never once thought it was of your heart.”
    Storm grinned wickedly. “Shows how much you know, old man.” Holding his katana out straight in a taunting motion, Storm spiked his aura enormously, releasing the cage of energy held within.
    Ronin grasped the hilt of his moonlit blade. “Your coldness I once thought could have been kindled with warmth, but I see now that it cannot. It would seem that the truth of your past haunts you more deeply than even you will admit, or understand. You have failed, Storm … and now you will fall.”
    “Don’t speak of my past as if you cared! You were the one who betrayed us, lied to us, and like I said …” Storm clenched his hilt tighter and whispered, “Caim and I might not even be brothers.”
    Ronin honed in on Storm’s words, carefully investigating their inner truth. Us? Thought Ronin with suspicion. Was there any part of Storm that still held fondness for his brother? Something felt off as flashes of Caim’s falling body came into his mind.
    “What’s wrong, old man? You’ve gone quiet.”
    Ronin’s eyes focused on Storm’s. “Your aura is far more unstable than normal, Storm.” He silently observed Storm’s every movement, looking and watching for any sign of his heart.
    Storm merely grinned, and raised his blade towards Ronin’s throat. “The world crumbles and melts beneath us ,” he said. “The stars cast vengeance upon us , and you are merely concerned with my aura? Don’t make me laugh, old man. I will not be taken off guard. I don’t care how powerful you are!”
    Ronin’s eyes were grave as he spoke. “So be it, Storm. You, the broken child, will now learn the truth behind your weakness.” Ronin held his blade out before him, mirroring Storm, and released a torrent of dark green energy that twisted and turned around his blade like a serpent, bringing forth a sound so feral that the destruction of the world seemed to dim in comparison.
    Storm’s eyes flashed wide. What was this enormous power pouring forth from Ronin’s blade? He could suddenly taste fear and for a moment, doubts arose. One wrong move and I’m done. He gripped his hilt tighter. No, I will not die, he thought. Not here. Not now! Not when I’ve come this far!
    Ronin laughed maniacally. “Is that fear I sense from you, Storm? Do you sense it? My conviction? It is unlike yours. It is the reason you will now fall. It is the difference between one who truly bets their life, and one who cannot let go. Now, prepare yourself!” His last words sang like a deathly whisper.
    Ronin vanished. A tenth of a second later, Storm felt Ronin’s presence take form above him. With pure instinct, Storm parried the crushing blow with his blade. The power of Ronin’s attack pushed down hard into Storm’s guard, and he felt his body hurtling towards the rising ice. Fast!!! His thoughts screamed. The wind around him grew crazed, whipping up and around his body wilder and faster.
    Storm’s