NOVEL WEB Chapter 17: Defeat
Helen's sharp eyes narrowed as the two knights stepped forward, blades drawn. The fight, which had once been a desperate struggle, now shifted. What had been a grueling 1 versus 4 now became 3 versus 4, and the tide began to turn.
"Knights!" Helen called out, her voice firm despite her exhaustion. "We need to subdue them, not kill them! We need to question them on why they had targeted the prince."
"Yes, Ma!" one knight replied with a nod, his sword held at the ready.
The assassins didn't speak. Their presence remained ominous, cloaked figures blending into the shadows as though they were the darkness. Their movements were fast,too fast for the knights' eyes to follow completely. Yet Helen stood at the front, her sword steady as her gaze darted to every corner, reading their patterns.
Without warning, one of the shadow assassins shifted. His blade glinted as he lunged directly at Junior.
Helen's eyes widened. "Get down!"
Junior barely had time to flinch before Helen intercepted the strike, her blade deflecting the assassin's attack with a harsh clang. Sparks flew from the clash, and Helen gritted her teeth, her strength pushing the figure back.
"Damn it!" she hissed. "They're targeting the prince!"
The two knights immediately understood the shift in tactics. "Protect His Highness!" one shouted, rushing forward to clash with an assassin while the other knight flanked to cut off their escape.
The assassins, sensing the knights' movements, adjusted. Their attacks became chaotic, blades flying in unpredictable patterns. Yet, amidst the confusion, they focused their strikes on Junior.
Helen was everywhere. She dashed between Junior and the assassins, her sword a silver streak as it blocked every shadowy blade aimed at him. Her body moved with precision, her boots skidding across the dirt as she parried and struck in quick succession. Her fatigue was visible now,her breaths were heavier, her movements a fraction slower,but she refused to let her guard down.
One of the knights growled as he swung his sword, locking blades with an assassin. "Why can't we hit them properly? They're too fast!"
"Just keep attacking,give them no time to rest" Helen barked back, kicking one of the assassins backward before spinning to block another's strike. "Follow my lead and don't let up! They're at a disadvantage in a full brawl now!"
The knight on her left adjusted his stance. "Understood, Commander!"
The two knights pushed forward, working together in tandem. One knight drove an assassin back with a series of heavy strikes, while the other darted in, aiming to disarm him. Helen moved alongside them, her blade cutting through the chaos with unwavering precision. She blocked yet another strike aimed at Junior, her steel meeting shadowy steel.
"Are you two blind?" Helen grunted, deflecting a blade that would've sliced across Junior's chest. "They're using me as their guide! I'm the only one who can see them clearly."
"Then we'll follow your rhythm, Ma!" one knight replied, sweat dripping down his brow as he struck again, his sword connecting with the assassin's shoulder.
The shadow assassin staggered but recovered quickly, his movements serpentine as he avoided the knights' strikes.
Helen shouted to the knights, her voice sharp. "Push them toward the center! Corner them!"
The knights obeyed, forcing the assassins into a tighter space. Helen moved like lightning, intercepting every hidden strike aimed at Junior. Her focus was unshakable, but the strain was written all over her face.
The assassins grew more aggressive, desperate now that they were cornered. One of them snarled, lunging at Helen with both blades aimed for her chest. Helen twisted, sparks flying as she parried the dual strike. She drove her boot into the attacker's stomach, knocking him back just as one knight slashed, cutting the assassin across the arm.
"They're weakening!" Helen shouted. "Keep the pressure on!"
One of the assassins hissed, his voice finally breaking the silence. "You… can't win this."
"We already have," Helen shot back, her blade slicing through the air as she parried and struck another assassin to the ground.
Junior watched in awe, still shielding Emma behind him. His heart pounded as the battle unfolded in front of him,each movement of Helen's sword a reminder of her strength and resolve.
The fight pressed on for several more intense moments. The knights coordinated their attacks, forcing the assassins to stumble back with every strike. Helen darted between them, cutting through the assassins' defenses like a storm.
Finally, one by one, the assassins fell to their knees, swords knocked from their hands. Their cloaks were torn, and blood stained the ground beneath them. Helen stood above them, panting but victorious, her sword pointed at their chests.
"It's over," she said coldly. "You're coming with us."
The assassins exchanged a glance,one so quick it was almost imperceptible. Then, without warning, one of them reached into his cloak, pulling out a small, black vial.
"Stop them!" Helen shouted, but it was too late.
The assassin smashed the vial to the ground. Flames erupted instantly, engulfing him and spreading rapidly to the others. The fire roared to life, unnatural and violent, swallowing the four figures whole.
Junior's eyes widened. "What are they doing?! They're burning themselves alive!"
Helen cursed under her breath, stepping back to shield Junior and Emma from the heat. The knights moved quickly, trying to put out the flames, but the fire was relentless. It blazed unnaturally, consuming the assassins' bodies until nothing remained but ash.
Helen's face darkened as she sheathed her sword. "Fuck," she muttered.
Junior stared at the smoldering ground, his voice low. "They were willing to die just to keep their secrets…"
Emma clung to Junior's arm, her face pale and fearful. "What does this mean, Junior? Who were they?"
Junior didn't answer immediately. He stared into the ashes, his thoughts racing. "Whoever sent them… doesn't want us to know the truth."
Helen turned to the knights, her tone sharp. "Search the area. Look for any clues—anything they might've left behind."
"Yes, Ma!" the knights replied, spreading out.
Helen exhaled deeply, her expression tense. She looked at Junior, her voice softening slightly. "Are you two alright?"
Junior nodded, though his hands were still clenched. "We're fine… thanks to you."