The clash of steel against steel echoed through the narrow corridor. Aelric's blade struck true, sparks flying as it met Cassiel's sword. His movements were sharp and controlled, his focus unrelenting despite the chaos around him. "Do you think you can win this, Aelric?" Cassiel sneered, his voice cutting through the noise. His strikes came faster now, relentless, forcing Aelric to give ground.
"You've always underestimated me."
Aelric gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he deflected another blow. "And you've always been blind, Cassiel. Blind to the rot in your kingdom, blind to the people suffering under your rule.
Their blades locked, and for a moment, the two men were inches apart. Aelric could see the fire in Cassiel's eyes, the barely restrained fury that burned beneath his composed exterior. "You speak of suffering," Cassiel growled, his voice low, "but you know nothing of it." With a burst of strength, Cassiel shoved Aelric back. The force sent him stumbling, but he quickly regained his footing, his sword raised once more. Behind him, Kaelina and Haldric watched anxiously, their escape route blocked by the prince and his guards.
"You're outnumbered," Cassiel continued, his tone mocking.
"Surrender now, and perhaps I'll be merciful." Aelric's lips curled into a bitter smile.
"Mercy from you? That's a lie if I've ever heard one." Without warning, he lunged forward, his blade aimed for Cassiel's unprotected side. The prince parried, but the force of the attack drove him back a step. Kaelina seized the opportunity. "Now!" she hissed, darting forward with surprising speed. Her elbow connected sharply with the nearest guard's side, and as the man stumbled, she grabbed his dagger and plunged it into his arm.
The guard cried out in pain, his grip on his weapon faltering. Aelric capitalized on the distraction, spinning to disarm the second guard with a well-placed strike. "Go!" Aelric barked, his voice commanding. Kaelina didn't hesitate. She grabbed Haldric's arm and started toward the moonlit exit. But as they moved, Cassiel's voice rang out, cold and furious. "You're not leaving." In an instant, Cassiel surged forward, his sword a blur. He struck down the wounded guard without a second thought, his blade slicing cleanly through the man's chest. Blood sprayed across stone floor, and J Kaelina froze, he, eyes wide with shock.
"You dare defy me?" Cassiel hissed, his gaze locked on Aelric. Aelric stepped between Cassiel and the others, his sword raised. "If you want them, you'll have to go through me." Cassiel's lips twitched, a dangerous smile playing at their edges. "Gladly." The two men clashed again, their movements a deadly dance. Cassiel's strikes were calculated, precise, but Aelric met them with equal skill.
The corridor seemed to shrink around them, the walls echoing with the sound of their battle.
But Aelric knew he couldn't keep this up forever. He was outmatched in endurance, and Cassiel's fury only seemed to fuel his strength. "Kaelina," he called over his shoulder, his voice strained. "Get him out of here. Now." Kaelina hesitated, torn between obeying and staying to help.
But Aelric didn't give her a choice. "Go!" he shouted, his tone leaving no room for argument. Kaelina swallowed hard, then tightened her grip on Haldric. "Come on," she urged, dragging the injured man toward the exit.
Cassiel's gaze flicked toward them, and Aelric saw the moment he realized their plan. "No," the prince snarled, breaking away from Aelric. But Aelric was faster. He shifted his stance, slashing downward with his blade. Cassiel barely managed to block in time, the force of the blow sending him reeling. "Your fight is with me," Aelric said, his voice low and dangerous. Cassiel's eyes narrowed, his chest heaving. "You've made a grave mistake, Thorne." "You'll have to catch me first."
Before Cassiel could react, Aelric shoved a nearby torch from its sconce, sending it clattering to the ground. The flames caught on the dry straw scattered across the floor, and within moments, the corridor was ablaze. Smoke filled the air, thick and suffocating.
Cassiel coughed, his grip on his sword faltering as the flames closed in. Aelric turned and ran, the fire covering his retreat. He caught up to Kaelina and Haldric just as they reached the gardens, the cool night air a sharp contrast to the inferno behind them. "Did you-" Kaelina began, but Aelric cut her off. "No time," he said, his voice rough. "We need to move"
They disappeared into the shadows of the garden, their breaths coming fast and uneven. The distant sound of shouting guards spurred them on, but Aelric's mind was already racing ahead. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot. Cassiel would come for him-of that, he was certain. But as the moonlight filtered through the trees, Aelric couldn't ignore the strange, hollow ache in his chest. For a moment, he had seen something in Cassiel's eyes. Something more than anger. Something that made his resolve waver, if only for a heartbeat. Shaking the thought away, Aelric pressed on. The vas no room for doubt . No not now .
Not when the game has only just begun.