Chapter 6: Duel in the Shadows
The forest clearing erupted into chaos as Kade and Riven clashed, their weapons sparking with each strike. The flickering firelight cast long, twisting shadows around them, their movements blurring as the two assassins fought with deadly precision.
Riven's curved blade moved like a serpent, striking fast and unpredictably. The shadow magic imbued in the weapon left trails of black mist in the air, distorting Kade's vision as it danced around him. Kade countered with his twin daggers, their shorter reach forcing him to stay close to Riven, exploiting gaps in his opponent's defense.
"You've grown slower," Riven taunted, his voice cold and sharp. "The guild must've softened you."
Kade sidestepped a vicious strike, his daggers darting toward Riven's side. The larger man twisted at the last second, deflecting the attack with a precise parry. "Still too quick for you," Kade shot back, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Riven grinned behind his mask, his movements suddenly shifting. He raised his free hand, dark tendrils of shadow coiling around his arm before lashing out toward Kade. The shadows whipped through the air, their edges sharp and jagged, forcing Kade to leap backward to avoid them.
"Magic now? I thought you prided yourself on skill," Kade growled, circling his opponent.
Riven's grin widened. "Skill only gets you so far. The Shadow King has shown us the true power of the void."
The tendrils struck again, faster this time, one of them grazing Kade's arm. He hissed in pain as a cold, burning sensation spread from the wound. It wasn't just magic — it was poison, something far more sinister than anything he'd encountered before.
Kade adjusted his stance, his mind racing. Riven's newfound abilities made him even more dangerous, but magic required focus. If Kade could break that focus, he might stand a chance.
---
The two assassins clashed again, their blades ringing out in the night. Kade shifted his tactics, keeping his movements unpredictable as he feinted and dodged, forcing Riven to overcommit. The larger man growled in frustration, his strikes becoming more aggressive, more reckless.
"You can't win, Kade," Riven snarled, his blade sweeping through the air in a deadly arc. "You're outmatched."
Kade ducked under the strike, his daggers flashing upward in a counterattack. One blade caught Riven's shoulder, drawing a spray of blood, but the other was deflected by the enchanted sword. Riven retaliated with a powerful kick, sending Kade stumbling back.
"You always underestimated me," Riven continued, his voice dripping with contempt. "You were the Shadow King's favorite, but I was always better. And now, I'll prove it."
Kade wiped the blood from his lip, his mind racing. Riven was strong, but his arrogance was his weakness. Kade had seen it before in countless opponents — the moment they believed they had already won.
"You talk too much," Kade said, his voice calm despite the pain in his arm. He sheathed one dagger, freeing his hand to reach into his belt. His fingers closed around a small vial — a flashbomb, designed to blind and disorient.
Riven lunged, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Kade waited until the last possible second, then threw the vial at Riven's feet. The glass shattered, and a blinding flash of light erupted from the ground, accompanied by a deafening bang.
Riven screamed, stumbling backward as he clutched at his eyes. Kade didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his remaining dagger aimed for Riven's exposed throat. But even blinded, Riven's instincts were sharp. He swung his blade wildly, forcing Kade to pull back.
The two assassins circled each other again, Riven's eyes red and watering as he struggled to regain his vision. Kade could see the cracks in his composure, the growing desperation in his movements.
---
The fight dragged on, both men bruised and bloodied, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Kade's strength was waning, but so was Riven's. The fire had nearly burned out, leaving the clearing shrouded in darkness. Only the faint glow of Riven's enchanted blade provided any light.
"This ends now," Kade said, his voice low and firm.
Riven laughed bitterly. "Agreed."
With a roar, Riven unleashed the full force of his shadow magic, dark tendrils surging toward Kade like a tidal wave. Kade didn't flinch. He dove straight into the attack, his body twisting and turning as he dodged the tendrils by inches. The poison burned his skin, but he didn't stop.
He closed the distance in an instant, his daggers flashing upward. Riven tried to block, but he was too slow. Kade's first dagger struck his wrist, forcing him to drop the enchanted blade. The second plunged into his chest, the impact driving both men to the ground.
Riven gasped, his eyes wide with shock as Kade pulled the dagger free. Blood poured from the wound, soaking the ground beneath them.
"You… think this changes anything?" Riven rasped, his voice weak. "The guild… won't stop. The Shadow King… will find you."
Kade knelt over him, his expression unreadable. "Let him try."
With a final, shuddering breath, Riven fell silent.
---
Kade stood, wiping the blood from his dagger as he surveyed the clearing. The fire had died completely, leaving only smoldering embers. Riven's body lay motionless at his feet, a grim reminder of the price of freedom.
He retrieved the enchanted blade, its dark glow dimming as the magic within it faded. It was a powerful weapon, but Kade felt no desire to keep it. Magic like that came with a cost — one he wasn't willing to pay.
Instead, he buried the blade in the dirt, leaving it behind as he disappeared into the forest. The fight had delayed him, and the guild would send more assassins soon. He needed to keep moving, to stay ahead of the hunt.
But as Kade vanished into the shadows, one thought lingered in his mind: What is the Shadow King really after?
The answer lay in the Red Desert, and Kade was determined to find it — no matter the cost.