Amidst the darkness that cloaked the military fort of the Earth Kingdom in Valonia, a shadow slithered stealthily past the vigilant guards. It weaved through the night, its movements as fluid as silk, until it reached a slumbering sentry. With nimble fingers, it coaxed the keys from the guard's belt, each motion careful and deliberate.
As the guard stirred, on the cusp of waking, the shadow froze, blending seamlessly with the night. It waited, bated breath, until the guard's snores resumed, and then resumed its surreptitious mission. This dance of near-discovery repeated itself until the keys were spirited away, stolen by the shadow's deft touch.
Unseen and unheard, the shadow traversed the corridors, slipping into the archive room. There, amidst rows of meticulously organized files, it selected a few choice documents before bringing them close to a flickering torch adorning the wall. Flames licked hungrily at the papers, devouring secrets and erasing evidence.
Moving with purpose, the shadow ventured further, its destination the holding area. Within the dimly lit chamber, a solitary prisoner, a frightened teenager, stood on high alert. At the sound of approaching footsteps, the teenager's voice quivered with nervous anticipation. "Who is that? I can hear—"
In an instant, Jayce materialized out of thin air, his presence commanding and intimidating. He clamped the boy's mouth shut and forcefully pressed him against the cold prison bars. Minutes ticked by, the silence hanging heavy, and Jayce released his grip, preparing himself for the fatal blow.
But before he could strike, the boy's whispers filled the air, desperate and pleading. "Please, I know why you're here. I swear, I won't reveal the spy's identity to anyone."
A flicker of pity crossed Jayce's features, his resolve wavering. He unsheathed his sword, its gleaming edge catching the faint light. The boy's pleas continued, his voice laced with regret. "I wish my father had never revealed himself as the spy," he lamented, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
Jayce paused, his sword poised for a lethal strike. Curiosity gripped him, and he questioned the boy. "Your father is the spy?"
With a trembling nod, the boy confirmed his father's treachery. "Yes, he's an Earth Kingdom General stationed here in Valonia. During the Great War, he sabotaged the Earth Kingdom military and passed sensitive information to the Kingdom of Fire."
Sheathing his sword, Jayce issued a command to the boy, his voice firm. "Wait here," he instructed, before vanishing once again into the ethereal night.
Soon, screams of alarm pierced the fort's tranquility as fire engulfed a distant section of the stronghold. Chaos erupted, and in the midst of the commotion, Jayce reappeared. Seizing the opportunity, he recited a spell, his voice resonating with power. His sword crackled to life with electricity, its blade ablaze, and with a mighty strike, it shattered the prison wall.
Jayce opened the cage, the door creaking on rusty hinges, and beckoned the teenager to follow. Together, they vanished into the enveloping darkness, their escape marked by the echoes of distant alarms and the fading cries of the fort's disarray.
General Urgot walked wearily into his home, perched on the cliff overlooking the vast expanse of the blue sea near the port of Valonia. Two guards stationed at the entrance snapped to attention, saluting their superior as he passed by. More guards were strategically positioned at various entrances throughout the house, their watchful eyes scanning for any signs of danger.
Inside his bedroom, General Urgot shed the weight of his armor, exchanging it for comfortable nightwear. With practiced precision, he slipped a dagger beneath his pillow, a precautionary measure ingrained in his nightly routine. Ready to retire for the evening, he settled onto the bed and began counting down from 100, a method to calm his mind and beckon sleep. Yet, fatigue claimed him before he reached 49, his consciousness surrendering to the embrace of slumber.
When General Urgot awoke, he found himself bound to a chair, a gag stifling his protests. His eyes widened in disbelief and alarm as he took in his captor—Jayce, seated nonchalantly on the edge of his bed, the glint of a dagger catching the dim light.
Attempting to free himself, the General strained against his restraints, his muscles bulging with futile effort. Jayce pressed a finger to his lips, urging silence, and with deliberate poise, unsheathed the dagger, its cold steel gleaming ominously. The General's eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and resignation.
Jayce's voice was steady and purposeful as he spoke, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "The Duke sent me, so you know why I'm here."
A look of defeat washed over the General's face, his body slackening in reluctant acceptance. Jayce, sensing the shift in demeanor, posed a question, his voice laced with a hint of sympathy. "Will you be quiet if I remove the gag?"
The General nodded, his eyes imploring. The gag was removed, and he coughed and spat, regaining his voice. "I knew this day would come, and I'm ready to die. Please, just tell me about my son. I know you had to follow orders, but did he suffer?"
Jayce's smile held a glimmer of reassurance as he cut the ropes that bound the General, returning the dagger into his trembling hands. "Your son is alive, and I'm about to take you to go and meet him. I will stay behind and burn this place so thoroughly that people will think you are dead. Since you've been a spy for such a long time, I assume you have an exit plan of some kind."
The General's face lit up with a renewed sense of hope, gratitude etched in his features. "I have a boat in—"
Jayce interrupted him, his voice firm. "I don't need to know. Just go."
With heartfelt thanks, the General hurriedly made his way out of the room, his steps guided by a newfound purpose. Jayce, left alone, set the house ablaze, skillfully orchestrating the destruction with meticulous precision. Flames consumed the walls, devouring the evidence of the General's existence, leaving behind only ashes and charred remnants.
The world outside would soon mourn the loss of General Urgot, an obituary penned and an empty casket buried in his stead. But in truth, he would sail away with his son, embracing a second chance at life, while Jayce would fade into the shadows, his mission accomplished.