The Fool’s Ascension

Jarek barely had time to process before Caden was on him.

The man's curved blade sliced through the air, striking with a precision that only came from years of experience. Jarek had fought skilled swordsmen before, but Caden moved like a predator, each motion designed to kill.

Jarek dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a slash aimed at his ribs. His sword came up to block the next strike, the clang of metal on metal ringing through the cavern.

He gritted his teeth.

Caden was faster than before.

Stronger.

More dangerous.

Caden smirked. "You've gotten sloppy, Thorn."

Jarek's arms ached from the force of the clash, but he forced himself to grin. "Nah. I just like making you think you have a chance."

Caden's eyes glinted. "Still full of empty words."

He lunged again.

Jarek barely parried in time. His footing slipped on the damp stone, forcing him back. He needed space, but Caden wasn't giving him any.

Then—

A dagger flew past Jarek's shoulder.

Caden twisted, barely avoiding the blade as it embedded into a nearby crate.

Jarek used the distraction to break away, stumbling back toward Tobias and Sylva.

Sylva already had another dagger in hand. "I assume negotiations failed?"

Jarek panted. "Yeah. He's still a murderous backstabber."

Tobias groaned. "Fantastic. What's the plan?"

Caden rolled his shoulders, looking annoyed now. "I'd prefer to kill you myself, Jarek, but I'm not arrogant enough to fight all three of you alone."

He snapped his fingers.

Immediately, shadows shifted across the cavern.

Figures in black cloaks emerged from behind crates and tents, weapons glinting in the dim torchlight.

Jarek swore.

Sylva narrowed her eyes. "They were waiting for us."

Tobias sighed. "Of course they were."

Caden's smirk returned. "You should have stayed dead, Thorn. Now you'll die properly."

Jarek grinned. "You know, people keep saying that, but I'm still here."

Caden's smile didn't waver. "Not for long."

He flicked his hand forward.

The assassins charged.

The Battle Begins

Jarek reacted instantly, bringing his sword up to deflect a dagger aimed at his throat. He twisted, knocking the assassin off balance before driving his elbow into their ribs.

They stumbled back, gasping for air.

Tobias had already drawn his rapier, parrying an attack from another assassin. He ducked beneath a slash, spun, and landed a quick strike across their arm.

Sylva moved like a ghost, her daggers flashing as she weaved between enemies. One assassin lunged—she ducked, slashing across their leg before flipping her blade and burying it into their side.

Jarek barely had time to admire it before Caden was back on him.

Their blades clashed again, the impact sending vibrations up Jarek's arm.

Caden's expression was cold, calculated. "You can't win this, Thorn."

Jarek gritted his teeth. "I've heard that before."

He pushed forward, striking fast.

Caden dodged—just barely.

His smirk faltered. "Hmph. Maybe you aren't completely useless."

Jarek saw his chance.

He stepped in and aimed a brutal punch at Caden's jaw.

It connected.

Caden stumbled back, glaring at him.

Jarek grinned. "Didn't see that coming, did you?"

Caden wiped blood from his lip. "Cute."

Jarek barely saw the counterattack.

Caden's blade slashed across his side, cutting through his coat. Pain flared as blood spilled down his waist.

Jarek gasped.

Caden kicked him hard in the chest.

Jarek crashed against a wooden crate, the impact knocking the air from his lungs.

Sylva turned, eyes narrowing. "Jarek!"

Caden raised his sword for the finishing blow—

Tobias tackled him from the side.

They tumbled across the stone floor, Caden cursing as Tobias tried to pin him down.

Jarek forced himself to stand, clutching his side. The wound wasn't deep, but it hurt like hell.

Sylva grabbed his arm. "Can you fight?"

Jarek exhaled. "Yeah. Not gonna let him have all the fun."

She nodded and turned back to the assassins still surrounding them.

Jarek followed.

A Desperate Escape

The battle wasn't going well.

They were outnumbered. The Black Dagger Syndicate's assassins were well-trained, their strikes fast and precise.

Jarek's side throbbed with pain. His movements were slower now.

Tobias barely dodged a sword swing, his breath ragged. "I hate assassins."

Sylva parried two attacks at once, sweat beading her brow. "We need to end this fast."

Jarek scanned the cavern. They needed a way out.

Then he saw it.

A wooden scaffolding built against the cavern wall. It led up to a higher ledge—one that connected to another tunnel.

Jarek shouted, "There! We climb!"

Tobias cursed. "Oh, great. More climbing."

Sylva didn't hesitate. She grabbed a dagger, hurled it into an assassin's shoulder, and made a run for the scaffolding.

Jarek followed, gritting his teeth through the pain.

Caden saw what they were doing.

His eyes darkened. "Stop them!"

The remaining assassins rushed forward.

Tobias slashed his rapier, cutting one down. "Move, move, move!"

Jarek hit the base of the scaffolding and scrambled up, ignoring the burn in his limbs. Sylva was already ahead, leaping from platform to platform with ease.

Tobias climbed behind him, panting. "If I die climbing, I'm haunting you."

Jarek grinned. "I'd be honored."

Below them, Caden grabbed a bow.

He fired.

Jarek barely dodged as an arrow whizzed past his ear, embedding into the wood.

Caden fired again.

This time, it hit.

The scaffolding shuddered as an arrow struck one of the support beams.

Jarek's stomach dropped.

It's going to—

CRACK.

The wooden beams gave way.

The entire structure collapsed.

Jarek leaped.

His fingers caught the ledge, his body dangling over the drop.

Tobias grabbed his wrist just in time.

Jarek's breath hitched. He looked down.

The scaffolding had crashed to the ground, burying several assassins beneath the wreckage.

Caden stood below, glaring up at them.

Jarek pulled himself up onto the ledge, panting.

Sylva was already at the tunnel entrance. "We need to go. Now."

Jarek took one last look at Caden.

Caden's smirk returned. "Run while you can, Thorn."

Jarek's jaw tightened. "We'll see who's running next time."

Then he turned—

And disappeared into the tunnel.