Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get used to the pressure of moments like this. Everyone looks at me like I know everything, but in reality, I'm just trying my best.
We were on the outskirts of the camp, I was adjusting the strap of my armor, and I wrapped my red scarf around my neck, and underneath it was my necklace. Sophia was already rechecking her equipment, and Crimzo… well, he was ready and looking at the sky strangely.
"Are you ready for this?" Andrew's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, I nodded and focused on the mission ahead of me.
We had 20 soldiers under our command. A mix of intermediate and well-trained soldiers.
Andrew spoke again. "So, what is your plan for the route we will take? Commander?" The hint of teasing in his voice didn't escape me, but his question was serious.
I crossed my arms, already thinking about the route we'd take. " We'll just take the path we agreed upon with Daniel.
Sophia nodded. "I heard there are patrols near the southern border."
"We'll be moving in the shadows," I replied, then looked at Crimzo. "You will stay behind and cover us. If we come across a patrol, we'll avoid engagement unless absolutely necessary."
Crimzo nodded slightly. "Fine. Less noise, less trouble."
One of the soldiers, stepped forward hesitantly. "Sir, what if there are reinforcements nearby? Should we prepare a backup plan?"
I looked at him. "If it comes to that, we will retreat into the forest. I think the terrain will be in our advantage, and we can regroup from there."
Andrew smiled. "It sounds solid enough. Let's go."
"Okay, let's get moving," I finally said, tightening my gear belt.
As we started walking, I saw Crimzo watching me out of the corner of his eye, and I still don't know why he volunteered for this mission, it's strange.
We moved cautiously along the narrow path through the rocky terrain, The fog was dense, the group moving silently through the ancient forest, the horses' footsteps crunching roots and fallen leaves.
The trees were tall and bent, their trunks covered in cracks and moss. Dry leaves and broken branches covered the ground, and the forest was silent except for the occasional rustle of movement.
Everyone wore protective masks, their filters humming softly. The radiation in the air was weak, but it was still safer to be careful.
Crimzo and his soldiers advanced slightly, ready for any sort of engagement.
I walked at the front of the group, my gaze fixed on the horizon while maintaining my calm.
We approached a high ridge overlooking the valley. I raised my hand, signalling everyone to stop.
"This is the place, let's wait here."
Time passed, and then Crimzo leaned low, looking through the scope of his bow. "There is movement ahead," he whispered. "It seems the guards are many."
I nodded. "We will stay here for now. Crimzo, send one of your men to scout closely. Tell him to avoid detection at all costs. I need to know their numbers and position."
Crimzo pointed to one of his soldiers, a thin guy. The soldier nodded silently and left, disappearing into the rocks and shadows as he approached the target.
The minutes felt like hours as we waited, and the tension was thick in the air. Sophia leaned slightly toward me and whispered, "What's the plan if they're heavily guarded?"
I didn't look at her, but replied calmly, "We will see, but for now, we're gathering information. We won't waste lives in unnecessary danger."
After a moment, the soldier returned, breathing heavily. "I counted 26 guards, all armed, and some of them appear to be really strong. The princess is traveling in a heavily reinforced, covered wagon. The convoy's holding position at the base of the valley, maybe taking a break, or even maybe waiting to regroup with more forces."
I thought for a moment before speaking, my voice low. "Crimzo, place your soldiers in a circle around them, so they think we are many. I want clear shots, when you see me moving aim for the archers first. Sophia, take your team and prepare to block the northern path. Andrew, you will surround the back to cut off any retreat."
"What about you?" Sophia asked.
"I will handle the distraction. Once we are in position, await my signal to engage. Remember, the priority is to capture the princess, not slaughter the convey." My tone made this clear, this was not up for debate.
Everyone nodded and moved to their positions. The fog began to lift slightly, revealing more of the valley. The team held their positions, waiting for my signal. The convoy below had no idea what was coming. I go down behind the hills, my cold gaze fixed on the guards moving around the reinforced vehicle. I ran towards it
I whistled loudly as a signal to go.
Crimzo and the other soldiers began. The arrows flew silently through the air, hitting directly the archers who toppled to the ground, dead...
A shout echoed through the convoy.
"Protect the princess! Form up!"
The guards sprang into action, drawing their weapons and tightening their formation around the carriage. The air was filled with the sounds of clanging shields.
"Hold the line! No one can pass!" shouted the leader of the convoy, he was tall and lean, with a strong build that hinted at both power and precision. His eyes were sharp and focused, always watching. His long black hair was neatly combed back. As he stood, I saw the weapon in his hands—a kusarigama.
Sophia and Andrew led their soldiers into action.
Sophia's spear moved with precise control as she struck, driving the tip into the guard's neck. Her soldiers stayed close, holding their formation without hesitation.
From the rear, Andrew stepped forward, his long sword cutting through the air. "Come on, then!" he called out, his blade slamming into the first guard and knocking him down. His sheer strength kept the enemy off balance, while his team moved in to keep up the pressure, forcing the remaining guards to retreat.
"Protect the princess! Don't let them near the carriage!" another guard shouted desperately, trying to gather his comrades.
I moved like a shadow; my goal was the centre of the convoy. A pair of guards rushed me, their swords aimed to cut me down.
I easily avoided the attack, blocking the second guard's sword. With a sharp movement, I disarmed the first guard, targeted his foot, and kicked him, knocking him to the ground. I then turned around and dodged the second guard's strike, striking him hard on the shoulder. They both fell without making a sound, As I tried my best to avoid killing them.
The leader of the guards finally charged forward. "What do you think you're doing?" His eyes, sharp and fearless, locked onto mine.
I didn't flinch. "I'm here to take the princess. That's all. Now step aside."
He didn't move; the problem is that -kusarigama.
This weapon was a sickle attached to a chain. It was capable of cutting with quick, precise strikes, while the chain could tangle or strike with deadly force, but it required exceptional skill to use it effectively.
I raised my sword. My left hand held the light blade, designed for quick, graceful strikes and defence. In my right hand rested the heavier sword, he's designed to break through armor and deliver devastating hits.
Together, they formed my style, speed and power in perfect balance.
But this man… his stance and weapon told me this wouldn't be like any fight I'd faced before. A Kusarigama was unpredictable. It had range and variety and required precision to counter. This required more than just strength or skill.
The atmosphere grew tense as we faced each other and the sounds of fighting and swords clashing all around us. His chain began to move.
I shifted my weight, adjusted my grip, my focus narrowing on his every move.
He started the fight, spinning the weighted end of his kusarigama in the air while keeping the sickle firmly in his hand. Suddenly, he hurled the iron ball toward me. I dodged it easily, but it wasn't going to be that simple. He wasn't trying to hit me; he was trying to wrap the chain around me.
I noticed his plan in time and quickly slipped under the chain to avoid falling into the trap. Without giving him a moment to retrieve the chain, I charged towards him. My heavy sword swung toward him with force, but he skilfully blocked the strikes with the sickle.
As I closed in, aiming a strike at his head, the iron ball on the chain came at me from the right. I stopped my attack and quickly deflected it with my lighter sword, only to find his sickle slashing at me immediately after. Suddenly, I found myself on the defensive, parrying blow after blow.
His movements were coordinated and continuous, the sickle and iron ball moving as if they were extensions of his body. Every move was precise, every strike calculated. It was clear that he has mastered his weapon. If I stayed within his range, I wouldn't last long.
I stepped forward, using the momentum of the fight to create an opportunity. When the opportunity arose, I delivered a powerful kick directly to his stomach. His body was solid, But the effect was enough to perturb him a little.
He backed off for a moment, and I took the chance to breathe. A deep breath, sharp focus, and unshakable courage—those are all it takes to dominate a fight. I rushed him again, this time more determined.
He threw the sickle directly at me. It was too fast for me to dodge, so I blocked it with my lighter sword. But then, as if reading my move, he swung the chain, forcing me to raise my heavy sword to stop him. The chain wrapped around the blade, and with a strong pull, the sword was ripped from my hand.
I realized that retreat was not an option. Now retreat would mean defeat. It was now or never. With a burst of speed, I leapt towards him, swinging my lighter sword over his shoulder. He retrieved the sickle in time to block the blow, but in doing so, he lost control of the iron ball, which wrapped itself around my heavier sword that was still lying on the ground.
This was my chance. I landed a series of strikes, each one sending him off balance. With a swift step to the right, I slashed his shoulder, drawing blood.
He responded with a powerful kick that I managed to block, but it forced me back. He glared at me, his breathing heavier.
I surged forward with an aggressive charge, without leaving room for him to rest. This time, he hurled both the sickle and the iron ball at me, one from each side. There was no way to block them both. I dropped to the ground, ducking under the attacks, and used the momentum to slide behind him.
When I jumped up, with my blade aimed at his back, he barely turned around in time to block it with his sickle. But his injured shoulder had betrayed him.
I pressed harder, my blows penetrating his defences until I landed a hard blow in his chest. He fell to his knees on the ground, gasping for air. He was bleeding as he looked at me with wide eyes.
I quickly finished him off, my sword cut his throat. As the leader's body hit the ground, the battlefield fell silent. The remaining guards froze. One by one, their weapons hit the ground.
"We surrender!" one of them shouted, kneeling on his knees and raising his hands in surrender.
The others followed him, kneeling and placing their swords at their feet.
"Stay on the ground. No one else has to die." Andrew yelled.
The carriage was unguarded now.
Crimzo and his soldiers drew their bows to keep the remaining guards under control.