The cold steel pierced through Aiden's back, and the world seemed to move in slow motion. Durek's menacing smirk filled his vision, and the mocking laughter of the soldiers echoed through the dungeon.
He tilted his head, watching Aiden's stunned expression with cold amusement. "Ah... that look." he murmured, his voice smooth but laced with malice. "You didn't think it'd be me, did you? That's the best part!!"
"Did you really think someone like me would waste loyalty on you?" he sneered, wiping the blood off the blade with a flick of his wrist.
Aiden's breath hitched as pain shot through his body. "Help… me." he muttered, looking toward the group of soldiers who exchanged amused glances. Their laughter grew louder, the sound bouncing off the dungeon walls like the taunts of fate itself.
One soldier stepped forward, placing his boot on Aiden's wound. "How can you be this dumb, my Lord? " He pressed down harder, eliciting a groan from Aiden. "No one's going to help you."
Aiden gritted his teeth and asked, "Why? I've never mistreated you or anyone here. Why betray me?"
Durek chuckled, stepping closer. "It's not about mistreatment, my dear Lord. It's about opportunity. When we heard that your little fortress was making progress, we couldn't resist. What was once a forgotten ruin now holds promise—and profit. But attacking outright would've drawn the empire's wrath. And then there's that dog of the empire, Marius Ashford. He's too dangerous to confront directly."
Durek leaned in, his grin widening. "But you? You made it easy. Desperate to expand your fortress, you brought us in and left your strongest guard outside. You practically handed us the keys."
Aiden's voice was steady despite the pain. "And after killing me? What then? How will you handle the consequences?"
"Well, there's no harm in telling a dead man." Durek said with a sneer. "We'll kill you and the others in your group, then fabricate a story. We'll say the dungeon's monsters were too strong. When we return to the fortress, our allies will already be in position to ambush and wipe out the rest of your forces. As for Marius? We've enlisted our guild leaders. Together, they'll handle him."
Aiden clutched his wound, blood seeping through his fingers as he glared at the stabber, his voice trembling but steady with defiance. "The fortress.." he rasped, his breath shallow as he fought through the pain. "It's not even worth that much. Barely holds any value. So why?"
"Once the fortress is ours," Durek replied with a perverted smile, " we'll sell the men, women, and children as slaves. The profits will be more than enough."
Another soldier chimed in, licking his lips. "We should enjoy some of the women first. That blonde with the big breasts would be great."
Aiden's voice cut through the vile suggestions. "You're a disgusting bastard."
Durek laughed. "Disgusting, perhaps. But pragmatic. Now, bid farewell, my Lord." He raised his sword for the final blow.
Suddenly, a blinding light illuminated the dungeon. Cries of confusion filled the air as they all turned to see what had happened. Durek's arms lay severed on the ground, blood spraying from his wounds. He screamed in agony.
Aiden stood tall, his eyes cold. "Don't kill them all, Marius. We need some of them alive."
From the shadows, Marius stepped forward, his sword dripping with blood. "Yes, my Lord." With a swift motion, he cut down three soldiers in an instant, their bodies collapsing like ragdolls.
One of the remaining soldiers, driven by desperation, lunged at Aiden, shouting, "If I'm going to die, I'll take you with me!" But before he could reach him, his head separated from his body. Aiden stood over the falling corpse, his blade gleaming. The other traitors, now terrified, tried to flee, only to be intercepted and slaughtered by the loyal soldiers guarding the dungeon entrance.
One man, paralyzed by fear, dropped to his knees. "This was… a trap… We were the prey all along," he muttered in disbelief.
Aiden approached him, his voice calm. "Tell me, why target my fortress? It's still hard to believe your guild leaders would be involved for such a small prize."
The man, trembling, pleaded, "Forgive me! Spare me, and I'll tell you everything!"
Aiden smiled faintly. "Go on."
The man hesitated, eyes darting around. He thought, "If I can fabricate a convincing story, I might escape." He began speaking, but before he could finish, a sharp swing of Aiden's sword severed his arm. The man screamed in pain.
Aiden knelt beside him, his tone almost gentle. "You don't have a damn clue, do you? I knew it all along."
The man's voice faltered. "Then… why… ask me?"
Aiden's grin turned icy. "Because it's fun to watch a man grasp at false hope, only to realize it was never real.", he whispered.
The traitor's eyes widened in horror. "Mon…sters…" he stammered before Aiden ended his misery with a single stroke.
The dungeon fell silent as everyone stared at Aiden, their gazes flicking between him and the man he'd spoken to. Whatever Aiden had said, it had hit like a sledgehammer, leaving the man's expression twisted in a mix of shock and something close to fear. Aiden broke the tension. "We're heading back to the fortress." He turned to Durek, who was writhing in pain but still alive. "You and your lackeys will deliver a message to your leaders: you killed me. Marius will be returning to the fortress. Understand?"
Durek, too terrified to protest, nodded weakly.
As the traitors were escorted out, Aiden turned to Marius. "Stick to the plan. Be prepared for their ambush."
Marius gave a faint smile. "As you command, my lord."
Aiden's gaze hardened. "Let's show those fuckers what happens when they dare to lay their eyes on whats mine."