EPISODE 14 : THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE
720 Words
The assassin disappeared.
For a heartbeat, the courtyard stood frozen.
Then steel clashed.
Lucas's sword met another blade with a deafening crack, sending sparks flying through the air. The impact shattered the stone beneath his feet as the assassin reappeared only inches away, his smile never fading.
"So they weren't exaggerating," the man said. "The Alpha King truly is a monster."
Lucas answered with another strike.
The assassin twisted aside, barely avoiding the silver blade. Even so, the edge sliced through his cloak, drawing a thin line of blood across his shoulder.
His smile finally disappeared.
Behind Lucas, Cedric raised his staff.
"Protect the prince!"
The estate guards formed a defensive circle around Asher and Vivian, shields locking together as more enemies poured into the courtyard from the eastern corridor.
These invaders wore no banners.
Their faces were hidden beneath black masks, and they moved with frightening discipline, ignoring everyone except those standing between them and Asher.
"They're not here to conquer," Cedric muttered.
"They're here to kidnap him."
Asher tightened his grip on the sword Lucas had given him days earlier.
His heartbeat echoed inside his ears.
This wasn't training.
These enemies intended to kill anyone who stood in their way.
A masked warrior broke through the defensive line and charged toward Vivian.
Without thinking, Asher stepped forward.
Steel met steel.
The force of the collision sent pain racing through his arms, but he held his ground.
The attacker looked surprised.
"You can fight."
"I can survive," Asher replied.
The warrior attacked again.
This time Asher remembered Lucas's lessons.
Don't meet strength with strength.
Move.
He shifted to the side, allowing the blade to pass harmlessly before striking the attacker's wrist with the hilt of his sword.
The enemy cried out, dropping his weapon.
Before he could recover, one of the estate guards finished the fight.
Vivian stared at Asher in disbelief.
"You've improved."
"I still have a long way to go."
Across the courtyard, Lucas and the assassin continued their duel.
Neither had landed a decisive blow.
The assassin moved like smoke, attacking from impossible angles, while Lucas blocked every strike with calm precision.
Then something caught Lucas's attention.
The assassin wasn't trying to defeat him.
He was buying time.
Lucas's eyes swept across the rooftops.
Three dark figures raced toward the rear entrance of the estate.
"The archives," he whispered.
Cedric heard him.
"The royal records..."
If the enemy reached them, they would discover documents proving Asher's true identity and the locations of the remaining royal loyalists.
Lucas immediately understood the real mission.
The attack on the courtyard had only been a distraction.
"Cedric!"
The old adviser turned.
"The archives!"
Cedric's expression changed instantly.
He pointed toward Captain Rowan.
"Take ten men. No one enters that library!"
The captain saluted before disappearing with his squad.
The assassin laughed.
"So you figured it out."
Lucas's silver eyes narrowed.
"You never intended to leave here with the prince."
"No."
The assassin's voice remained calm.
"My orders were to erase every trace of the old royal bloodline."
At those words, Asher felt a chill run down his spine.
This attack had never been about capturing him.
Someone wanted history itself to disappear.
Suddenly, a tremendous roar echoed through the estate.
Every person in the courtyard stopped.
The sound came from beneath the mountain.
The ancient stone beneath their feet trembled.
Cedric looked toward the northern cliffs, horror spreading across his face.
"No..."
Lucas followed his gaze.
Far above the estate, a section of the mountain had begun to collapse.
Huge boulders broke free, crashing toward the hidden tunnels that served as the civilians' only escape route.
"It's another trap," Cedric shouted.
"They're trying to bury everyone alive!"
Lucas didn't hesitate.
He pointed toward Asher.
"Take Vivian and help evacuate the tunnels!"
"What about you?" Asher asked.
Lucas turned back toward the assassin.
"I'll make sure he never leaves this mountain."
The assassin smiled once more and slowly raised his blade.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Asher looked at Lucas for only a second before turning and sprinting toward the underground passage with Vivian and a group of guards close behind.
Behind him, another thunderous clash echoed through the courtyard as two of the strongest warriors on the mountain met once again.
Neither intended to walk away from the fight.
- Writer
