42.The Edge of Chaos

As the ventured deeper into the woods, Micheal heard a strange sound from afar.

"Where is that sound from" Michael asked looking at riven.

"What sound" Selene asked .

"Didn't you hear anything" Micheal replied.

"Don't get started Micheal...We just fought a battle not quite long" Kai muttered tightening his sword.

"Enough" Riven stated

"Be at alert if that's the case".

Moving on, they heard a large scream again not far from where they are.

"Now can you hear that" Micheal whispered.

"Very clear!"Selene glancing at Micheal.

"Seems like we got company" Kai said in a low tone.

"What's Next Riven" Micheal asked

"Let's go, we'll find out" Riven said calmly as he is.

Behold, they got to the place where the sound is been heard. Micheal's Veralune staff pulsing faintly

"I think something is wrong here" Micheal glancing at others.

The Ground shooked.

"Oh My.... What's happening" Selene shouted.

"It's time for battle. Get your weapons out everyone" Riven Ordered.

A deep, dreadful roar rolled through the streets, shaking the very foundation beneath them. Dust cascaded from the rooftops.

The tremor was powerful enough that even Micheal stumbled.

Selene caught herself on a wall, her expression darkening. "That's not normal."

Riven exhaled sharply. "We need to be careful."

Kai gritted his teeth. "What the hell are we walking into?"

Then, they saw it.

The alley ahead was bathed in moonlight and littered with bodies.

Micheal tightened his grip on his sword. "Stay sharp."

A low growl echoed from the darkness.

Then, the enemy emerged.

Dozens of figures poured into the alley. mercenaries, assassins, and monstrous warriors clad in blackened armor.

Micheal's jaw clenched. An ambush.

No words were exchanged. No demands were made.

The battle began.

Steel clashed against steel as Riven walked beside him, his twin short swords flashing like fangs in the moon. He was remorseful, cutting through holes in the enemy line, killing anyone in his path with precision.

"Left!" Riven yelled.

Micheal dodged, his sword flashing as he cut down the first attacker. He pivoted, parrying a strike meant for his throat before driving his blade straight through the enemy's chest.

Riven moved like a ghost, his twin short swords flickering through the air, cutting down foes with ruthless efficiency.

Selene twisted midair, her daggers slicing across an enemy's throat before she landed smoothly, her violet eyes gleaming in the darkness.

Kai roared, swinging his glaive in a wide arc, sending three men flying into the alley walls.

The enemy kept coming.

Micheal's breath was ragged. "They're trying to wear us down."

Selene parried a strike, smirking. "They'll need to try harder."

But then...

A pressure filled the air.

A presence.

Something lurking in the shadows.

Kai whispered, "Did you feel that?"

A flash of movement in the darkness,too fast to follow.

Then one of the asssains about to kill Kai started to fall, a knife stuck in the side of his neck.

Micheal's eyes flicked around the battlefield. "Who is that?"

But there was no one there.

Selene exhaled slowly. "We're not alone."

The battle continued, but the feeling didn't fade. Something or someone was watching.

Then, the air shook.

A massive figure strode into the alley, his presence suffocating.

The Crimson Warlord.

A towering figure in black armor walked into the alley, his red glowing eyes filled with amusement.

The massive greatsword resting on his shoulder was as tall as a man. Its blade stained with dried blood.

"You've made quite the mess," the warlord growled. "I should thank you. It's been a while since I had a challenge."

Silence.

Selene's smirk was wiped away.

Riven's position shifted, blades raised in defense.

Kai stood with his sword, muscles coiled.

But the unknown presence did not recede. If anything, it grew stronger.

And then the warlord moved.

Faster than any of them expected.

His greatsword fell.

Micheal just stepped out of the path before the sword shattered the ground where he had been standing. A crater.

Selene made the first move, her daggers flashing towards the warlord's throat

But he grabbed her wrist.

With animalistic strength, he held her across the room. She collided with a wooden cart with an earsplitting crack.

"Selene!" Kai roared, charging in blind rage.

The warlord turned about, swinging his enormous sword in a wide arc.

Kai barely had time to react before the crash threw him aside. He collided with the stone wall, air driven from his lungs in a brutal gasp.

"Damn it. He's too strong." Kai muttered

A burst of motion as Riven burst from the shadows, blades flashing at the warlord's side.

But the warlord anticipated it.

He swatted Riven aside in mid-attack, and Riven skidded across the cobblestones.

Micheal had no alternative.

He ran forward, sword raised high.

A mistake.

The warlord's massive fist slammed into Micheal's belly.

The breath was ripped from his lungs.

His eyes blurred then he was flying.

He crashed through boxes, agony bursting in all his muscles. Damn… that power…

The warlord walked up to him, raised sword for the killing stroke.

And then a whistle cut the air.

A blue light infused dagger smashed into the warlord's wrist.

The huge sword whizzed past Micheal's neck by inches, burying itself in the earth.

A new figure stood at the alley's edge.

Jade.

The presence Micheal had sensed the shadow in the fight. It had been her all along.

Her twin daggers gleamed under the moonlight, her stance calm, controlled… lethal.

She stepped forward, eyes locking onto the warlord with unshaken confidence.

"You're getting sloppy," she said smoothly.

The warlord growled, yanking the dagger from his wrist. His red glowing eyes narrowed.

Micheal heaved himself up, gasping for breath. His eyes met Jade's and for the first time in years, he saw something he never thought he'd see again.

"Missed me?" she said, voice cold.

Micheal spat blood, coughing. "You always had terrible timing."

Jade smiled. "And you always arrive at the worst fights."

Selene groaned, heaving herself up, eyes glinting at Jade. "Took you long enough."

Kai wiped blood from his lips, his glare flicking between her and Micheal. "Friend of yours?"

Riven always the quiet one simply stared at her.

The mysterious hooded warrior, still at Micheal's back, released a slow breath through their nose. "Interesting."

The warlord gripped his sword harder.

Jade spun her solitary dagger.

Selene, Kai, and Riven drew their blades.

Micheal held his sword up.

This fight was far from over.

Hand in hand, they stood against the Crimson Warlord.

The final battle had just started.