As the echoing footsteps drew closer, Ellie's expression shifted from determination to steely focus. She crouched low, her mind racing with strategies. Azad watched her, knowing she was a master at turning the tables.
When the guard rounded the corner, he was an imposing figure clad in dull armor, his eyes scanning the shadows with boredom and vigilance. He carried a sword at his side, the blade glinting in the dim light, and a heavy club rested on his back, giving him an air of confidence. He whistled a tuneless melody as he approached, oblivious to the danger lurking just a few feet away.
"Get ready," Ellie whispered, her voice barely a breath. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pouch filled with powder they had collected in the dungeon. It was made from crushed herbs and minerals—strong enough to distract, but safe enough not to draw too much attention.
Azad felt his heart race as Ellie swiftly moved into position behind a nearby pillar, her body pressed against the cold stone. With the guard just a few steps away, she held the pouch tightly, her breath steady and controlled. She waited for the perfect moment, watching as the guard's attention shifted, his head turning slightly to the side.
"Now!" she hissed and hurled the pouch at the ground near the guard's feet. The powder burst into a cloud of fine particles, shimmering in the air as it exploded outward like a small, colorful firework. The guard stumbled backward, momentarily blinded and disoriented, coughing as he inhaled the potent mixture.
Seizing the opportunity, Ellie darted forward with an almost unnatural speed. She unsheathed a small, sharp dagger from her belt, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light. The guard, still trying to clear the dust from his eyes, had no time to react.
Ellie closed the distance between them, moving with the precision of a predator. She pivoted to the side, using the guard's momentary confusion against him. With a swift, practiced motion, she slashed the dagger across the guard's throat, her movements quick and clean.
The guard's eyes widened in shock as he grasped at the wound, the blood spilling from his neck like a crimson waterfall. He stumbled, the world around him fading to black as he crumpled to the ground, his heavy armor clattering against the stone floor echoing through the corridor.
The echo of metal striking stone reverberated ominously, slicing through the stillness of the dungeon like a warning bell. Instantly, the atmosphere shifted. From the shadows, two more guards—alerted by the noise—turned sharply, their faces twisting in confusion and concern. Their eyes locked onto the fallen guard, now a lifeless heap at Ellie's feet.
"What was that?" one of them barked, his voice thick with alarm as he instinctively tightened his grip on his sword. They shared a fleeting glance, uncertainty washing over their expressions before moving toward the sound, instincts honed by years of service urging them into action.
"Get ready!" Ellie hissed, her pulse quickening as the sound of approaching footsteps drew closer. She glanced back at Azad, her expression fierce, determination etched in every line of her face. They needed to act fast; they were now on borrowed time.
The first guard stepped into the dim light, the torchlight glinting off his armor, revealing the look of shock on his face as he took in the scene before him—the blood pooling on the cold stone floor and the crumpled body of his comrade.
"Alert the others!" he shouted, his voice ringing out with urgency as he began to back away, preparing to raise the alarm.
Ellie didn't hesitate. "We have to take them out before they can call for help!" she urged, adrenaline surging through her veins as she readied her dagger again. The urgent situation ignited her instincts, and she knew they had to move before the guards could gather reinforcements.
As the second guard joined his companion, panic flashed across their faces. Their training kicked in, but it was too late. Ellie lunged forward, her movements a blur as she and Azad launched into action, determined to silence the threat before they could alert the rest of the guards to their escape.