For a moment everything stopped.
No one moved, not the soldiers, not Elira, not the wind. Everything was still frozen around the golden glow that was growing in Ronan's hand.
The glow was not overpowering, not yet. It was clear that something was happening. It felt old like something from a time ago something special and forgotten but now remembered again.
Varik spoke up his voice quiet "The Holy Crest Symbol, so the stories of the bards travelling the borders are true." His voice sounded different sure more careful.
Ronan did not say anything he just kept looking calm and distant like he had been through this before.
The light grew, slowly on purpose until it took shape, a blade not pulled out not taken out of a sheath but made from the light itself the Holy Sword.
The sword was not big not decorated with jewels its design was simple, clean, perfect like it did not need to prove what it was.
When the sword was fully formed the air changed the pressure on the battlefield felt heavy unavoidable some soldiers took a step not because they were scared but because their bodies told them to.
Varik noticed, of course he did. He said, "Hold your ground." calmly but even he did not take his eyes off Ronan.
Kael breathed out slowly behind him "Tomas, is that magic?"
Tomas said quietly "No, it is not, it's like a blessing from a Goddess."
Elira did not say anything because now there was no doubt Ronan was special.
Varik raised his hand and this time there was no waiting, "Advance!" he said.
The soldiers moved, fast, disciplined coordinated three from the front two from the sides an attack pattern.
Ronan did not move, not until they were close then he stepped forward one motion, one strike, the blade of light cut through the air not with force, but with precision.
The soldier's weapon broke, shattered, erased from the impact but did not throw him back it just stopped him completely like his body forgot how to move.
The second strike came away faster, cleaner, another weapon gone another soldier stopped, no blood, no violence, just control.
Tomas whispered, "They are not being cut they are being nullified."
Kael narrowed his eyes "He is holding back his strength."
Ronan did not answer, because he already knew more soldiers moved in changing tactics they aimed not for him. Around him toward Elira.
Ronan's eyes moved, a little and that was enough he moved, faster than before one step and he was already there the blade flashed once a clean arc and every weapon aimed at Elira disappeared, gone, like they never existed.
The soldiers froze, not by command but because they realized, this was not a fight this was one sided, Varik's face hardened, "Enough!!!" he said, he stepped forward finally unlike the others he did not rush, did not wait he drew his blade slowly on purpose.
"If you are holding back…" he said, "Then you are underestimating me!"
Ronan met his gaze for the time directly "I am not underestimating anyone." he said and then they moved, Varik struck first, fast precise, a clean cut aimed for Ronan's shoulder, Ronan raised the Holy Sword just enough steel met light and for a moment they held.
Varik's eyes narrowed, "So your sword can be resisted." Ronan said nothing then he moved, a turn, a redirection and Varik's blade slid away off balance Ronan did not counterattack he stepped back resetting that made Varik pause.
"You really are underestimating us! You think you can humiliate us by not killing a single soldier here?!" Varik shouted, Ronan lowered the blade slightly "No " he replied, a beat "Then you have already lost!" Varik smiled faintly "We shall see " Ronan said, he stepped back raised his hand "Withdraw!!!" the command cut through the battlefield the soldiers did not wait they pulled back immediately disciplined, controlled.
Kael blinked, "That is it?"
Tomas said quietly "No, this he's just collecting information." Varik turned away but stopped, slightly "Next time…" he said, without looking back "We will be prepared." then he was gone the soldiers following without question silence returned the glow faded, slowly the Holy Sword disappeared into nothing.
Ronan stood still breathing steady like nothing had happened. Then his hand trembled, just slightly, a flicker, a fragment gone, "Ronan?" Elira's voice, soft careful he did not respond, because for a moment he did not remember why she sounded familiar only that she mattered and that feeling was the thing left.
The night grew quiet again but nothing, about it felt the same because now the truth has been revealed, the hero is confirmed to be alive, and the world would soon remember him.