Degrade from Nobility to a Humble Slave

Martin teetered on the brink of death, feeling like he would collapse at any second. As he watched the retreating form of the queen blade locust, his chest heaved as profoundly, out of breath after his run. He never thought Zen would lead the queen blade locust away just in time to save his life!

The whistling wind rushed past his ears, and the woods fell away behind Zen on either side as Zen ran. Zen didn't choose any specific way because he had no idea where he was anyway!

Aside from running onward with all his effort, he hadn't had time to think of a plan.

The queen blade locust was chasing after him at a crazy speed. Although she had only one blade left, for Zen, she was still an invincible being.

"Scri-itch!" came the sound as a shadow of red flashed through the trees in the spot where Zen was a moment ago, leaving a ten feet long scar in the ground.

The queen was obviously much faster than Zen. In seconds she would overtake Zen!

"What now?"

questioned Zen looking around frantically as his heart gradually sank. Faced with such a powerful opponent, he didn't hold out for the fight to go his way.

"Scra-atch!"

came the ominous sound as the red shadow fell again, and at the same time the wind whizzed past. Zen surged up, avoiding the attack and rolled forward out of reach.

Colliding into shrubs and bramble as he made his way through the jungle, Zen saw a canyon come into view ahead. He looked around and noted that the canyon was about seventy or eighty feet wide.

'I'll have to jump the gorge!' decided Zen quickly in mind.

canyon, Zen clenched his teeth, directed the strength of his entire body to the feet while pulling himself into the shape of

kick off,

halfway across, the queen blade locust jumped after him, as she

can fly?" yelled Zen into the empty sky, depressed.

she couldn't fly. The wings weren't strong enough to carry

using her strong hind limbs to propel upward, she could use her wings to glide on the air for short periods.

the queen with her remaining red blade outstretched was gaining

to do? This will

couldn't stop his mind from turning to thoughts of death as he soared through the air. He couldn't dodge the red blade this time and watched as the tremendous

this crucial moment, a desperate desire rose in Zen's heart to survive.

much left for me to do!" spat Zen suddenly,

against his arm. And as he

"Kla-ash!"

connected with the broken knife but didn't break it. Sure enough, the toughness of the knife could handle blocking the attack of the queen

"Oa-ff!"

wind was knocked out of him from the force of the blade clashing into the dagger. Spitting, Zen sent a large mouthful of blood splattering through the air.

forehead throb, and his blood coursing through

like Zen had, whether they were a master at the marrow

power he absorbed from this energy into a warm current, which continually

the rest of the power from the blow injured him greatly

higher, gliding hundreds of feet above the ground until he was