Blades & Lies

The chamber seemed to shrink around them, the weight of the moment pressing in as Evelyn stared down the assassin. The woman stood poised, her obsidian armor barely reflecting the dim torchlight, golden eyes unblinking, sharp as daggers. She didn't move, didn't even flinch, as if waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Evelyn tightened her grip on her sword, her breath slow and controlled despite the storm raging inside her. This was different from the knights they had fought before. This woman wasn't just an elite soldier—she was a killer.

Damien tensed beside her, though his movements were sluggish. He was running out of time.

Ronan shifted subtly, analyzing their opponent. "You two get the antidote," he said, voice low. "I'll hold her off."

The assassin's lips curled slightly. "You think you can?"

There was no warning.

She vanished.

One moment she was there—the next, a blur of shadow and steel was upon them.

Evelyn barely raised her sword in time. Metal clashed against metal, sparks flying as she blocked the assassin's curved blade. The impact rattled her bones, the sheer force behind the attack sending her skidding backward.

She planted her feet, steadied herself—but the assassin was already moving again. Too fast. Too precise.

Ronan intercepted the next strike, their blades ringing through the chamber as he drove forward, his attacks disciplined, controlled. But the assassin twisted like a phantom, dodging effortlessly, countering with sharp, calculated strikes.

Evelyn didn't hesitate. She lunged.

The assassin turned—just in time to parry Evelyn's strike. Their blades locked, faces inches apart.

"I expected more from you," the woman murmured, her voice smooth, almost disappointed. "The Kingdom's most promising knight, was it?"

Evelyn growled, shoving forward, breaking their deadlock. She swung again—faster, stronger. The assassin met every strike with ease, her movements like water, unpredictable yet precise.

From the corner of her eye, Evelyn saw Damien slump against the altar. His breathing was worsening.

No. Not yet.

She pivoted, feinting left, striking right. The assassin dodged—but this time, Evelyn was ready. She turned her blade, catching the assassin's wrist with a shallow slice.

A single drop of blood fell to the stone.

The woman paused, glancing at the wound. Then, she smiled.

It was the first time Evelyn felt fear.

Before she could react, the assassin moved like lightning, her blade slicing downward. Evelyn barely dodged, the tip grazing her shoulder. Pain burned through her, but she couldn't afford to stop.

Ronan lunged from behind, aiming for the assassin's blind spot—

But she spun, kicking him square in the chest, sending him crashing into a pillar.

Damien let out a weak curse. "You two… are making this look bad…"

Evelyn ignored him, her focus sharp. This woman was beyond dangerous. If they didn't end this soon, none of them were leaving alive.

Then—an opening.

The assassin flicked her wrist, preparing for another lunge—

Evelyn moved first.

She surged forward, dropping low at the last second, sweeping the assassin's legs out from under her.

The woman hit the ground with a soft grunt, and in a heartbeat, Evelyn was on her, blade at her throat.

But the assassin was not done.

With a burst of strength, she twisted, knocking Evelyn off balance. In an instant, she was back on her feet, delivering a rapid series of slashes and thrusts that forced Evelyn on the defensive.

Evelyn barely kept up, her arms screaming as she deflected blow after blow. The assassin was relentless. Faster. Stronger. Every strike was perfectly placed—this woman wasn't just skilled; she was a master at killing.

Evelyn gritted her teeth. Then I'll be faster.

She sidestepped a deadly arc, pivoted on her heel, and rammed her elbow into the assassin's side. It connected—just barely—but it was enough to stagger her opponent.

Ronan took the chance—he came from the side, slashing down.

The assassin caught his blade with her dagger, twisting in a way that shouldn't have been humanly possible. With a single motion, she spun behind him and drove her knee into his spine.

Ronan crashed forward, groaning.

Evelyn didn't let up. She surged forward, a rapid flurry of thrusts forcing the assassin back. For the first time, her opponent was forced to defend.

Then—a mistake.

Evelyn overextended on a strike. The assassin saw it.

Faster than Evelyn could react, a dagger appeared in the assassin's free hand.

Evelyn barely twisted, but the blade slipped between her ribs.

Her vision blurred. A sharp pain spread through her body.

She staggered back.

The assassin tilted her head, watching her bleed. "A shame," she murmured. "You had potential."

She stepped forward, about to finish it—

A dagger flew past her head.

She barely dodged in time. It was Damien.

Despite the poison ravaging his body, he had pulled himself up, gripping a second dagger. His gaze burned.

"Touch her again," he rasped, "and I'll make sure you regret it."

The assassin exhaled, almost amused. "You still have fight left in you?"

She moved toward him—but this time, Evelyn didn't hesitate.

With everything she had left, she lunged, slashing across the assassin's chest.

The woman hissed, staggering back. For the first time, she was truly wounded.

She exhaled sharply, stepping into the shadows. Retreating.

"We will meet again," she said softly. Then, she vanished.

Evelyn collapsed to her knees, clutching her side, blood pooling beneath her fingers.

Damien slumped forward, coughing, his entire body trembling.

Ronan cursed under his breath. "No time." He ran to the altar, grabbing the small crystal vial resting on the pedestal.

Evelyn barely managed to lift her head, her voice hoarse. "…Give it to him."

Ronan nodded, rushing to Damien's side. He uncorked the vial, pressing it to Damien's lips.

For a breathless moment, nothing happened.

Then—Damien gasped, his entire body tensing.

The antidote began working.

Evelyn exhaled, slumping back, her own wound burning. But she didn't care.

He was going to live.

And now… they had to get out of here.