Hitman with a Badass System
chapter-1026

Noah stood in awe as he gazed at the meticulously crafted armor before him. Its surface gleamed with a pristine white hue, reflecting the light in a mesmerizing manner. Intricate golden linings adorned every edge, accentuating the armor's regal appearance. Runes, delicately engraved, formed a pattern that seemed to dance across the surface, imbuing the armor with a mystical aura.

Beside the armor, a pair of swords rested with lion heads adorning their hilts. The swords emanated a sense of power and elegance, their blades polished to a mirror-like sheen. The lion heads bore a fierce expression, a symbol of strength and courage.

Andreas, Noah's trusted advisor, stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the magnificent armor. He began to unravel its origins and significance. "This armor," he began, his voice filled with reverence, "was crafted by the Han Torum dwarves. We both know that they were master artisans known for their exceptional craftsmanship."

Andreas continued, "It is a pity they disbanded their clan due to the Dark Lord's impending threat. This armor, Noah, is one of their greatest creations. It is said to provide unparalleled protection and enhance the wearer's abilities."

Noah's eyes widened with anticipation. He understood the gravity of the upcoming battle against the Dark Lord and the need for every advantage. "Teacher, this armor... It is beautiful,"

Andreas nodded, a solemn expression crossing his face. "Yes Noah, it is beautiful. But the armor is imbued with ancient enchantments, enhancing not only your defense but also your agility and strength. It will be a formidable asset in your quest to defeat the Dark Lord."

Noah reached out, running his fingers over the intricate engravings on the armor. He could feel the power resonating within it. "Thank you, Teacher. We need every advantage we can get," Noah declared, his voice filled with a newfound resolve.

Andreas placed a hand on Noah's shoulder, his gaze reflecting unwavering loyalty. "Remember, Noah, you are the hope of this realm. The fate of countless lives rests on your shoulders. This armor is but a tool to aid you in your noble cause."

As Noah admired the intricate details of the Han Torum armor, little did he know that the man standing beside him was not the trustworthy mentor he had come to rely upon. This version of Andreas was merely an evil fragment of his soul, pretending to be his guide, subtly manipulating him to fulfill Salesi's sinister agenda.

Andreas, or rather the imposter, maintained a facade of unwavering loyalty, his voice filled with a deceptive warmth. "Noah, this armor will undoubtedly be the key to your victory against the Dark Lord. Trust in its power and let it guide you in the upcoming battle."

Noah, consumed by his determination to defeat his twin brother and bring an end to the Dark Lord's reign, eagerly accepted his words without suspicion. He believed in the bond he had forged with Andreas, unaware that it had been tainted by deceit.

Together, they made plans, discussing strategies and tactics to confront the Dark Lord. Noah shared his deepest fears and vulnerabilities, trusting his mentor with his innermost thoughts. Little did he know that every word spoken in confidence was being relayed back to Salesi, the puppeteer pulling the strings.

As the days passed, Noah continued to train relentlessly, honing his skills and donning the Han Torum armor, unaware that his every move was being scrutinized by the imposter beside him. The evil version of Andreas reveled in his role, gathering information and plotting his next move.

In Noah's eyes, he saw only the reflection of the mentor he had grown to trust, but behind that façade lurked a darker intent. The imposter understood that as Noah's powers grew, so too did the threat he posed to the Dark Lord's reign.

At the moment, Noah stood atop the serene mountain peak, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of nature. The rising sun painted the sky with vibrant hues, while the distant ocean expanded endlessly, its waves crashing against the shoreline. The tranquil atmosphere provided a sense of peace and clarity, a much-needed respite from the impending battle that loomed ahead.

Lost in his training, Noah suddenly noticed a figure gracefully soaring through the sky towards him. A smile spread across his face as he recognized the familiar form of his beloved younger sister, Sabrina. With a soft landing, she approached him, her eyes sparkling with joy and her heart filled with anticipation.

Without hesitation, Sabrina lunged forward, embracing her big brother with all her might. Noah reciprocated the embrace, holding her tightly against his chest. Tears streamed down Sabrina's cheeks as she whispered, "I missed you so much, Noah."

Noah's voice trembled with emotion as he replied, "I missed you too, Sabrina. You have no idea how much." They stood locked in a heartfelt embrace, the weight of their separation lifting with each passing moment.

Finally releasing each other, Noah wiped away Sabrina's tears and gazed into her eyes.

Sabrina's eyes filled with concern as she asked Noah about their parents and their elder sister, Rowena. Her voice quivered with worry as she hoped for positive news. Noah took a deep breath, his gaze filled with a mixture of sadness and determination.

"Father and Mother are imprisoned by the Skyhall," Noah revealed, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. Sabrina's eyes widened in understanding, for she too was aware of the Skyhall's cruel actions.

"They will only be released after I defeat... Ghost," Noah continued, using the name by which he referred to the Dark Lord. Sabrina's brows furrowed, and her voice trembled as she pleaded with him.

"Noah, there must be another way. We shouldn't have to fight our own brother," Sabrina implored, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and sadness. She clutched Noah's arm, her eyes searching his for any sign of hesitation.

Noah shook his head gently, his expression resolute. "Sabrina, you must understand. The Dark Lord is not our family anymore. He has embraced darkness and poses a threat to the world. If I don't stop him, countless lives will be lost."

Sabrina's eyes welled up with tears as she struggled to accept Noah's words. The reality of the situation weighed heavily on her, the thought of her own brother transformed into a malevolent force difficult to comprehend.

As Noah's words sank in, Sabrina's mind raced with memories of her encounters with Ghost. Even before learning his true identity as her brother, she had always felt an unexplainable connection to him. When Sabrina was captured by vampires, she had secretly prayed for her brother to come and save her, and to her surprise, it was Ghost who appeared to rescue her.

Despite the world labeling Ghost as the embodiment of evil, Sabrina refused to accept that her brother was truly wicked. She held onto the belief that there was still goodness within him, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

"If we can find Rowena, she will be able to release Mother and Father. She wouldn't allow her own brothers to fight to the death," Sabrina asserted, clenching her fist with determination, yearning for their elder sister to be by their side.

Noah sighed, knowing that Rowena's whereabouts remained a mystery. Many believed she had perished, but Noah knew deep down that it would take more than a celestial beam to extinguish her indomitable spirit.

"This battle between Ghost and me must happen, Sabrina. He took Alicia's life... She was my wife. I must avenge her," Noah confessed, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.

"Noah, you must understand that Alicia had the opportunity to walk away," Sabrina explained, her voice filled with empathy. "But her heart was consumed by the intense hatred she felt towards Ghost for what he had done to her brother. It was that overwhelming hatred that fueled her determination to confront him."

As Sabrina spoke, Noah raised his hand, signifying his desire to interject and share his own perspective.

"If I were to kill Gaya, Ghost's wife, would that be enough for him to forgive me?" Noah posed the question, his voice heavy with the weight of their complicated family dynamics.

"The feud between Ghost and the Skyhall has endured for far too long, Sabrina. I must bring an end to it, regardless of the fact that he is my brother," Noah concluded, his heart burdened by the difficult choices he had to make.

"You should return to the Akilan realm and stay there until the battle is over, Sabi," Noah's voice trembled with emotion, his eyes welling up with tears. His love and concern for his sister were palpable in his words. "If something happens to me in the battle, I need you to be safe and find a way to save our family."

Sabrina's heart skipped a beat upon hearing Noah's plea. Her mind and emotions were thrown into turmoil. On one hand, there was Noah, her brother whom she had known and grown up with since childhood. On the other hand, there was Ghost, her recently discovered brother who had been abandoned by their mother. Sabrina couldn't bear the thought of either of her brothers falling in a battle, regardless of how long she had known them.

"I refuse to stand by and watch my brothers fight each other. I will find a way to stop both of you," Sabrina declared, her voice filled with newfound determination.

Noah looked slightly surprised at her resolve, but deep inside, he sighed, understanding Sabrina's naivety. As he looked into her eyes, Sabrina embraced him once again, holding him tightly.

"I will not let our family be torn apart," she whispered, her voice filled with conviction. Noah returned her embrace, a gentle smile forming on his lips. However, unbeknownst to Noah, as Sabrina hugged him, Sabrina retrieved a teleportation scroll from her belongings. Activating it swiftly, she spoke resolutely, "I am doing this for the sake of our family."

In an instant, a radiant white light enveloped Sabrina, whisking her away before Noah could react. She disappeared from his sight, leaving him with a mix of emotions.

Before Noah could react, Sabrina vanished from his sight, transported to another location. With unwavering determination, Sabrina set her sights on the Dark Castle, where she intended to confront Ghost, her other brother.