The clearing seemed to shrink as the tension grew, suffocating like a rope tightening around the neck. Castian breathed heavily, the pain radiating from his injured leg and spreading through his body like an unrelenting wave. The metallic smell of blood mingled with the damp scent of the earth, creating a pungent contrast to the bucolic scenery around him.
Before him, six of Feng's soldiers moved with calculated precision, like predators circling their prey. Their eyes, cold and determined, reflected the moonlight filtering through the treetops. Castian knew they were no ordinary warriors; Feng wouldn’t waste mediocre men on such an important mission.
The dagger in his hand felt heavier than ever. He gripped its hilt tightly, trying to ignore the trembling in his fingers. His mind worked frantically, assessing every detail—the soldiers’ formation, the uneven terrain beneath his feet, the rapid pounding of his heart.
"Castian!" one of the soldiers called, his voice echoing among the trees like the cry of a raven. "It doesn’t have to end this way. Hand over the Celestial Pearl, and we’ll spare your life."
Castian tilted his head, a dry laugh escaping his lips."And leave it in Feng’s hands?" His voice was hoarse, laced with irony. "I’d rather die here."
The soldier didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he exchanged a meaningful glance with his companions, as though evaluating their next move. Then, with a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Advance!"
The first two soldiers lunged at him, moving with the synchronicity of wolves hunting in a pack. Castian held his position, waiting for the right moment. His muscles were tense, the pain in his leg throbbing like fire, but he wouldn’t give in.
When the first strike came—a sword slicing through the air toward his head—he ducked swiftly, feeling the blade pass mere millimeters from his face. Taking advantage of the moment, he spun his body and drove the dagger into the attacker’s side. The man’s cry of pain echoed through the clearing, but he didn’t fall.
Before Castian could react, the second soldier attacked from behind. He heard the sound of footsteps on the soft earth and turned just in time to block the blow with his dagger. The impact reverberated through his arm, nearly knocking him down, but he held his ground.
"Not bad for an injured man," the second soldier mocked, a cruel smile on his lips.
"Is that all you’ve got?" Castian retorted, blood dripping down his temple.
He shoved the soldier back, using what strength he had left. However, before he could regain his footing, a third attacker emerged from the right, wielding a long, gleaming spear. Castian stepped back, his eyes fixed on the weapon’s point.
The man advanced but stumbled on an exposed root. Castian seized the opportunity to disarm him, striking the spear away with a calculated move. His victory was short-lived, though. Another soldier, who had been hanging back, attacked from the left, the blade of his sword slicing shallowly across Castian’s ribs.
The scream of pain was involuntary. He staggered, pressing a hand to the wound as blood seeped between his fingers. His breathing grew heavier, and for a moment, the clearing seemed to spin around him.
"You won’t take me down so easily!" he roared, his voice filled with fierce determination.
The soldiers momentarily hesitated, perhaps surprised by their opponent’s resilience. Castian seized the pause to adjust his stance, ignoring the pain that threatened to topple him. He knew he couldn’t afford to falter.
Then something changed. The wind, which had been a gentle breeze, grew stronger, almost violent. The trees swayed intensely, and the sound of rustling leaves filled the air. A shiver ran down Castian’s spine. It wasn’t just the wind. There was something more.
The soldiers noticed it too. They glanced around, confused, as if expecting something to emerge from the darkness.
"What’s happening?" one of them murmured, his voice tinged with unease.
Castian didn’t know the answer, but he didn’t need to. He saw the hesitation in their eyes and knew it was his chance.
With a primal scream, he charged. His dagger slashed through the air, piercing one soldier’s chest. The man fell with a muffled sound, and Castian wasted no time. Spinning around, he grabbed the fallen spear and hurled it at another attacker. The weapon struck its target with precision, bringing him down instantly.
Two remained.
"He’s injured, but still dangerous," one whispered, his gaze fixed on Castian.
The other nodded, raising his sword."We need to finish this now."
The two advanced together, coordinating their movements. Castian tried to dodge, but exhaustion finally caught up to him. A blade struck his shoulder, drawing a cry of pain. He staggered but refused to fall.
"I won’t give up..." he murmured, more to himself than to his enemies.
Something inside him ignited. Perhaps it was the strength of desperation or the wind itself that seemed to shield him. He dodged one strike, his agility surprising even himself. With a swift move, he slashed at one soldier’s arm, forcing him to drop his sword.
The last enemy attempted a final attack, but Castian was faster. He grabbed a fallen sword and, summoning every ounce of strength he had, delivered a fatal blow.
Silence returned to the clearing.
Castian dropped to his knees, his body trembling with exhaustion. His chest heaved as he struggled to breathe. Around him, the soldiers’ bodies lay still, blood staining the ground.
He looked at his hands, covered in blood, and felt the weight of guilt pressing on his chest. It wasn’t the first time he had killed, but each life taken left a mark on his soul.
"This never ends, does it?" he murmured, lifting his gaze to the sky.
The forest didn’t reply.
With difficulty, he rose to his feet, his steps heavy and unsteady. He knew he didn’t have much time. Feng would send more men, and these were just the beginning.
As he disappeared into the darkness of the forest, the wind blew again, gentler this time, almost like a whispered farewell.
The battle was over, but the war was just beginning. Castian knew he was racing against time, and every second mattered. His mission wasn’t just to survive but to protect the Celestial Pearl—and with it, the fate of everyone around him.