Canor wasn't sure how long he'd been running, with Eris still in the form of a thin red snake albeit smaller than in the war, wrapped around his neck.
Still, he felt his legs aching, and no matter how much magic energy he poured into them to keep them going, he could tell he was at his limit.
Looking over his shoulder Canor saw Corcilus, now a tiny speck in the distance, and decided he would rest for a small moment.
Eris was still slumbering, despite bragging about easily being able to crush Moros if she striped, her current form said otherwise.
In the two decades Canor had served the red serpent, he had never seen her so disheveled. Apart from maybe the day he met her...
It was in the eastern continent, and Canor led his crew of mercenaries, the scorpions, an elite group of trained killers.
The temple loomed in the dense jungle, its ancient stones covered in moss and overgrown foliage. Canor, his heart pounding, emerged from its shadowy depths, narrowly escaping the failed assassination attempt. His dark cloak clung to his sweat-soaked body as he sprinted through the thick vegetation.
Behind him, shouts echoed through the night, the temple's guards in pursuit. Canor's sharp senses and agility served him well as he navigated the treacherous terrain. The red moon overhead cast an eerie glow on the jungle, creating an ominous backdrop to his escape.
As he raced through the dense foliage, his mind flashed back to the failed mission. The target, a high-profile noble, had proven to be more formidable than anticipated. The scorpions had underestimated the temple's defenses, leading to chaos and a narrow escape.
Canor's mind raced, considering his options. He couldn't return to the hideout immediately; it would be too risky. The scorpions needed to regroup and reassess their strategy. He needed a moment to catch his breath and plan his next move.
Finally, he stumbled upon a hidden alcove concealed by vines. Gasping for air, he sank to the ground, the damp earth beneath providing some relief. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, ensuring he hadn't been followed.
It was in this tense moment of solitude that Canor first encountered his downfall, in the shadows stepped out a figure cloaked in a white shroud, her face hidden.
Canor clutched his spear tightly but it was two late, his world flipped, the shrouded girl disarming him instantly and rolling him onto the floor in some kind of chokehold.
He knew struggling was pointless but he tried anyway, darkness crept in...
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Canor awoke to the cold, metallic bars of a cage, disoriented and groggy. The damp, dimly lit cell offered no comfort. As his senses slowly returned, he realized the gravity of his situation.
A hooded figure approached, the same one who had bested him in the jungle. The shroud concealed the stranger's face, leaving an air of mystery. Canor struggled to rise but found himself weakened, his limbs heavy.
"You're awake, Scorpion," the hooded figure spoke, the voice echoing through the confines of the cell. "I am Vesper, servant of the Lord Regent."
Vesper's words hung heavy in the air. Canor's heart sank as the reality of the situation dawned on him. The scorpions, his comrades, including his father, had met their end.
"The scorpions... my father," Canor's voice cracked, a mix of grief and anger. "What have you done?"
Vesper's gaze remained hidden beneath the hood. "The scorpions' treachery led to their demise. The Lord Regent has deemed them a threat to the realm. Your father's fate was sealed along with theirs."
Canor's fists clenched as he struggled to maintain composure. "What is the Lord Regent's aim? Why did he order our execution?"
Vesper paced outside the cage, her silhouette shifting in the dim light. "The scorpions were a disruptive force, interfering with the Lord Regent's plans. He seeks stability, control, and your organization posed a threat to that vision."
The words stung Canor, the weight of his failure pressing upon him. He felt a sense of responsibility for the demise of his comrades and the disbandment of the scorpions.
Now, Scorpion, you have a choice," Vesper continued. "Serve the Lord Regent or meet the same fate as your brethren."
Canor's jaw tightened. The options before him were grim, and he knew that whatever path he chose would irrevocably alter his destiny. As Vesper awaited his response, Canor's thoughts raced, contemplating the dark journey that lay ahead.