Just then, a sudden change occurred!
The snow mist on the battlefield's flank was suddenly stirred by a fierce aura!
A small team, numbering only a dozen or so, charged out swiftly from within.
Their movements were even swifter and more precise than those of ordinary Hakkah Guards.
Their timing and point of entry were incredibly cunning, precisely at the moment Skala's squad, after breaking through, was preparing to accelerate towards the Hakkah Guard's rear!
At this point, the cavalry's previous charge had just expended its speed, and the next charge was still being prepared.
The members of this small squad moved in perfect unison, their eyes hollow, looking like soulless killing machines.
Wielding scimitars or long spears, each strike aimed directly at a vital point, instantly taking down several wolf riders on the periphery of Skala's squad,
Tearing open a gap!
Skala's heart sank, and he roared as he turned, directing the Paladins to block the gap: "Stop them!"
However, when his gaze swept over the leader of this hunting squad, he instantly froze.
It was an equally tall Ice Troll.
Years had carved deep lines into his face, and his temples were streaked with frost-white, but his burly physique still contained immense power.
He wore the Hakkah Guard's standard enchanted soft leather armor.
Those eyes—those eyes Skala had once known so well—now lacked the emotions of a living being, leaving only hollowness and deathly stillness.
Father!
The father who was forcibly taken away by the followers of the Snow Leopard Loa Hakkah in Tok-Aak!
The father he had once fought desperately to reclaim, only to suffer a crushing defeat!
This shocking truth instantly blanked Skala's mind.
In that less than half-second gap, a sinister hunting spear pierced through the snowstorm, aiming directly at his exposed waist and ribs as he turned!
"Captain, look out!"
Gollon's deep shout instantly jolted Skala awake from his trance!
He was tied up with another Chosen, so he definitely couldn't help Skala.
Relying on his keen combat instincts, he twisted his waist sharply, dodging sideways.
Rip!
The sharp spear tip grazed the enchanted leather armor on his side, making a dull tearing sound.
A deep gash was torn in the leather armor, and icy coldness instantly invaded.
The spearhead pierced through the leather armor, scraping against his skin, leaving a burning pain.
The sharp pain made Skala gasp, his body swayed, and he nearly fell from the Ice Wolf, cold sweat instantly soaking his undergarments.
But a deeper chill condensed within him.
"Father!" Skala's roar pierced the battlefield's clamor, carrying indescribable pain and anger.
His only response was an even fiercer attack.
There was not the slightest ripple in those hollow eyes, only icy killing intent.
His father's hunting spear once again thrust towards Skala's throat!
Precise, deadly, emotionless movements.
Skala frantically parried this fatal blow, but the Ice Wolf beneath him was not so lucky.
It was struck by another of Hakkah's Chosen, bringing Skala down with it as they tumbled to the ground.
Fortunately, the speed of the fall was not fast, and Skala agilely leaped away, avoiding injury.
He discarded the long spear made for charging, drew the battle-axe from his waist, and looked with burning eyes at his approaching father!
Skala tried to find a familiar trace in his opponent's eyes: "Look at me! Father! Wake up!"
However, his father's attacks were like a fierce storm, relentless.
Each thrust and sweep went straight for vital points, forcing Skala to respond with all his might.
Skala gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his forehead.
He abandoned the idea of attacking vital points, instead targeting his opponent's wrists, weapon, and joints, intending to disarm or incapacitate him.
"Clang!" The battle-axe deflected the spear tip aimed at his heart.
"Thud!" The axe blade grazed his father's arm, leaving only a shallow bloodstain.
Skala dodged a fierce sweeping attack, then backhanded the end of his axe handle into his father's spear-wielding wrist.
Each parry and dodge felt incredibly difficult.
The wound on his waist was constantly torn by the intense movements, and the pain was excruciating.
Even heavier was the indescribable, immense sorrow in his heart.
This cold and ruthless hunter before him, and the father in his memories who taught him hunting skills and gave strength to his desperate tribesmen, overlapped and tore apart.
Just as he barely parried another spear tip aimed at his ribs, a scorching sensation suddenly came from his chest!
It was the divine emblem personally bestowed by the Dragon God Obsidian!
It clung to Skala's chest, now scorching hot like a red-hot branding iron!
This sudden burning sensation was like a key, instantly opening the floodgates of memory:
His father's rough yet warm large hand, holding his small hand, taught him how to grip a stone axe, how to track prey.
That bitter winter when the tribe was abandoned by Hakkah, his father stood in the wind and snow, his eyes weary but firm, telling the despairing tribesmen, "As long as there's life, there's hope."
And at their final separation, when his father was forcibly dragged away by Hakkah's guards, those eyes, filled with pain and reluctance, yet still firmly fixed on him.
Then came the Emberglow Dragon, descending in the wind and snow; its flames not only brought warmth but also broke the lock of despair, bringing hope and true salvation.
These images instantly washed away Skala's hesitation and sorrow!
The burning sensation from the Divine Emblem flowed into his limbs, dispelling the pain in his waist and the fatigue in his body!
"For Ital'ruk! For the Emberglow Dragon!" Skala let out a deafening roar!
This time, there was no longer pain or confusion in the roar, only a resolute determination to burn his bridges!
His movements became swift once more!
His long-lost combat instincts began to return!
Facing his father's next fatal spear thrust, Skala no longer dodged but instead took a sudden step forward!
"Clang!" The battle-axe swung upwards at an incredible angle, accurately striking the spear shaft at its weakest point!
Crack!
The sturdy spear shaft broke with a snap!
The immense impact caused his father to stumble, leaving his guard wide open!
Skala did not hesitate for a second!
He lunged forward, his shoulder crashing hard into his father's chest!
"Boom!"
With a dull thud, his father's burly body was forcefully knocked back, crashing heavily onto the frozen snow.
The enchanted armor instantly shattered, and the broken spear in his hand flew out!
Skala was right behind him, the cold axe blade hovering above his fallen father's throat.
Just a slight push, and it would all end.
His father lay on the snow, his hollow eyes staring at the grey sky, as if oblivious to the imminent threat of death.
His lips moved, but the words he uttered were not what Skala wanted to hear: "For—Hakkah—"
"No!" Skala's voice was filled with anguish, but the axe blade remained steady. "Hakkah betrayed us! Look at me! Father!"
His other hand urgently delved into his chest, trying to retrieve the Dragon God's Divine Emblem to save his father.
Just then, a chill erupted from Skala's rear-left side without warning!
A figure materialized from the wind and snow—the true form of the Snow Leopard Loa, Hakkah, had arrived!
She was elegant and deadly, her sharp claws moving silently, aimed directly at Skala's undefended back!
"Watch out!" Two of Skala's personal guards, without hesitation, lunged forward, attempting to block her.
Pfft! Pfft!
The shrill sound of claws tearing flesh echoed all around.
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