Chapter 32: Shadows of the Night
POV: Alex
Night had fallen in Eldoria, and Alex found himself outside the inn, taking a moment to observe the starry sky. His thoughts drifted to the world he left behind—the family he missed and the uncertainty of their fate without him. But his focus returned to the present as he heard a sharp sound near his ear. Instinctively, he ducked, narrowly evading a black sword that swung dangerously close.
Before him stood two figures dressed entirely in black, their hoods covering their faces, leaving only their red and blue eyes visible. Their intentions were clear, and the fight that followed was intense and brutal. Alex skillfully dodged and countered their strikes, but they proved to be formidable adversaries.
The battle continued for what seemed like an eternity, and the sounds of clashing swords and magic echoed through the night, waking up the inhabitants of the inn. Concerned onlookers gathered outside, watching the intense confrontation.
Despite his best efforts, Alex sustained injuries from the relentless attacks. His shoulder was cut, and his left arm bore a deep bruise from a powerful blow. Determination fueled him, but he knew he couldn't allow the fight to endanger innocent bystanders.
With a surge of adrenaline, he managed to disarm one of the assailants and quickly tied them up with a nearby rope. He then confronted the other attacker, who attempted to flee. But Alex was quicker, appearing behind them and delivering a decisive blow that left them unconscious.
With both assailants subdued, Alex slung them over his shoulders and ran towards a nearby forest. Lilith and Azrael followed close behind as they escaped the prying eyes of the inn's patrons.
After half an hour of intense running, they reached a secluded spot deep within the forest, away from curious eyes. Alex carefully set the unconscious attackers down, and Lilith examined his injuries with concern.
"I'm alright," Alex assured her, although the pain was evident in his voice. "Let's focus on finding out why they attacked me."
Azrael's eyes glinted with understanding. "Their appearance and skills suggest a connection to the Shadowspire clan," he said gravely. "They are known for their stealth and deadly precision."
Alex's heart sank at the mention of the Shadowspire clan. Their reputation was ominous, and he knew he had stumbled upon something dangerous.
"We need to find out who sent them and what their motives are," Lilith said, her voice firm.
Deep in the forest, Alex, Lilith, and Azrael had the two mysterious assailants bound and held securely. Rather than resorting to violence, they chose a different approach to extract information from the captives.
Alex took a deep breath, his mind clear and focused. He knew that violence wouldn't lead to the answers they needed. Instead, he decided to use his keen observation skills and persuasive techniques to uncover the truth.
Lilith and Azrael stood by, ready to assist if necessary. They wanted to know who these attackers were and why they targeted Alex.
Alex approached the first captive, his expression determined but not threatening. "We don't want to cause you harm," he began calmly. "But we need answers. Why did you attack me, and who sent you?"
The first assailant glared back at him, remaining defiant and silent. However, Alex could sense a flicker of fear in their eyes, indicating that they were not entirely immune to the pressure of the situation.
"Think carefully before you answer," Lilith chimed in, her voice steady. "We can be reasonable, but we won't hesitate to defend ourselves if necessary."
The second assailant exchanged a nervous glance with the first, seemingly unsure of how to respond.
"We know you have connections to the Shadowspire clan," Azrael added, his voice firm. "You won't be able to hide the truth for long."
The first assailant's resolve wavered, and they finally spoke, "We were instructed to kill you," they admitted, the tension in their body easing slightly. "We don't know who hired us; we were merely given orders and promised rewards."
Alex narrowed his eyes, "kille me? For what purpose?"
"I don't know the details," the second assailant confessed, "but they mentioned something about a revenge ."
"Who is behind this?" Lilith pressed, her gaze unwavering.
The first assailant hesitated but then revealed, "We were contacted by a man who called himself a representative of the Shadowspire clan"
Alex's mind raced with possibilities. "Why target me specifically?"
The second assailant looked hesitant before speaking, "They said you humiliated their young master."
Alex exchanged a glance with Lilith and Azrael. The pieces were starting to come together, but there was still much they didn't understand.
"What do you know about the Shadowspire clan's plans?" Azrael asked, his eyes piercing.
The first assailant shook their head, "We were only told to kill you and deliver your body to their contact. We don't have access to their full plans."
Lilith stepped forward, "What about the attacks on innocent people?"
"We were not involved in those," the second assailant stated, fear evident in their voice. "Our orders were specific to killing you and nothing else."
Alex contemplated their words. It seemed they were merely pawns in a larger game orchestrated by the enigmatic Shadowspire clan.
"We have what we need," Alex said, turning to Lilith and Azrael. "Let's kill them" Azrael takes his sword from the scabbard and decapitate the captives.
The captives headless fall to the ground,with blood spraying like a fountain from their headless corpses.
As Alex, Lilith, and Azrael made their way back to the inn, the gravity of the situation settled upon them. The Shadowspire clan was a formidable and mysterious adversary, and they had to tread carefully.