Outside the Cave
The storm subsided, and the clouds dispersed, allowing sunlight to fall on the cave that had been quiet for days but was now a battlefield filled with screams and blood.
Below, the battle was growing fiercer; the mercenaries showed their strength and combat skills, taking down many guards despite being outnumbered. But the guards didn't surrender, holding firmly to their leader's orders, who faced Gaius with courage, raising his sword despite the fear evident in his eyes.
Gaius paid no heed to the leader's attack, striking him aside with force, then pulling Harith's sword to place it on his neck, ending his life without hesitation. At that moment, reinforcements arrived from inside the cave, giving the guards a brief chance to catch their breath. But the mercenaries resumed their attack with greater ferocity, and the sounds of clashing swords and screams filled the relentless battle.
Gradually, the guards regained control of the fight and began advancing, while arrows rained down randomly on the battlefield, scattering the mercenaries' ranks. In a shaded corner of the arena stood Logan under the sunlight, blood streaming from a deep wound on his head, his body covered in injuries. The aura of blood surrounding him sent terror into the hearts of nearby guards.
Logan grabbed a flying arrow with his hand, threw it aside, then looked at the archer with red eyes and yelled, "I'm coming for you! Let's see if you can handle a close fight!"
Logan dashed towards the archers, leaping lightly and throwing three flying daggers at them as they stood behind a stone wall for protection. The archers panicked as they realized he was closing in, and one of them fell with a dagger in his chest. Logan appeared before them, laughing maniacally and saying, "It's been a long time since I had a good fight!"
But suddenly, a gunshot hit his left leg, causing him to stop briefly. Before him appeared a strong man holding a dagger, and an old man with one eye wielding a light sword.
"Leave the weaklings; our fight is with you now," said Kiran, taking a combat stance and adding, "Playtime is over."
Logan smirked slightly, saying, "Two against one with an injured opponent? Seems like justice isn't on your side."
Logan cast a quick glance at the sniper, who was standing at a distance with a bald head and a rusty rifle. He pondered for a moment, then shifted his gaze toward Gaius. Kiran continued, "There's no justice in this world; you alone bear the consequences of being here!" Then he charged at him, aiming a dagger strike at his injured leg.
"Alright, let's begin!" Logan shouted defiantly, dodging Kiran's strike, and the two clashed in a quick, precise duel, exchanging ten rounds, but Logan began to feel fatigued.
Suddenly, the old man, Son, delivered a swift strike with his sword towards Logan's neck, severing his head and unleashing a torrent of blood from his neck like a waterfall. Son coldly said, "Don't forget, I'm here too."
After the battle ended, Kiran sighed and said, "Despite losing his eye, this old man still has a deadly touch in stealth." He turned to a nearby mercenary and stabbed him, resuming his fight in the field.
In Another Battlefield
The situation changed with the appearance of "Asher" and the old man "Owen," who managed to defeat Harith and his squad. Only Gaius remained, watching his friends die one by one. A head with a dragon tattoo on its neck fell beside him, making him realize that Logan was the one who had fallen now.
Gaius screamed angrily, his eyes turning red. He advanced towards Asher, but despite his rage, he did not lose his sanity, aware of the danger posed by the rifle in his opponent's hand.
Amidst this charged atmosphere, a black petal appeared on the ground before Gaius, growing and expanding quickly to form a man with black hair and handsome features, gazing indifferently as if the battle around him meant nothing.
Everyone was shocked by the mysterious man's appearance, stepping back from their foes and pointing their weapons at him. The man looked at Gaius and calmly said, "Your mission here is over. You may leave now."
Gaius stood in bewilderment, trying to comprehend this sudden shift, then recalled the primary mission they were ordered by Chris Conner to execute — killing Oliver in revenge for his nephew. Yet, he couldn't grasp how everything had ended so quickly despite the fall of his comrades.
When Chris noticed he wasn't moving, he scowled at him and said sternly, "Leave now, unless you wish to die."
Gaius clenched his teeth and signaled his group to retreat. Then Chris turned toward the cave, placing his hand under his chin with a smile, "Old friend, wouldn't you like to show yourself?"
---
In the Command Tent
Inside the cave, while the sounds of battle echoed outside, Rian slowly regained consciousness. He felt heavy and pained, with the noises around him increasing his tension and anxiety. He gathered himself slowly, trying to understand what was happening, as his memories remained hazy and the shock kept him in a state of confusion.