The fight

From that sole idea, i started formulating a plan. Using my everything I can think of, it quickly took shape in my mind.

'Let do it.'

I reached into my bag and pulled out the book, holding it up like a shield. In my other hand, I fumbled for a match, striking it against the wall. The flame flickered to life, and I brought it close to the book.

"Stop!" I shouted, my voice trembling but firm. "Take one more step, and I'll burn it!"

Gorren froze, his eyes narrowing. For a moment, I thought he might call my bluff. But then he smirked, a cruel, calculating smile that sent a chill down my spine.

"Do it," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Burn it. See if I care."

But I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes flicked to the book. He was lying. He cared. No, he cared a lot.

I held the flame closer, trying to stop my shaking hands.

"Let us go, or this book turns to ash."

Gorren's smirk widened, but he didn't move. Instead, he slowly, almost imperceptibly, began to inch closer to Jack, who was still lying on the ground, clutching his broken arm.

'Shit. He's trying to get to Jack.'

I had to act fast.

"Give me the book," Gorren said, his voice calm but laced with menace. "Or I'll crush his skull."

He reached down and grabbed Jack by his head, lifting him off the ground like a ragdoll. Jack groaned, his face pale with pain, but his eyes flicked open for a brief moment. I saw the glint of steel in his hand—the knife he'd hidden.

'He's still conscious. He's waiting for the right moment. We should time it.'

Gorren tightened his grip, and Jack let out a strangled cry. "The book, boy. Now."

I hesitated, my mind racing. If I gave him the book, we were dead. If I didn't, Jack was dead. There had to be another way.

'Think, Zephyr. Think.'

And then it hit me, our opportunity.

It was time, I nodded imperceptibly to Jack.

His eyes shot wide open. Using every ounce of strength he still got, he stabs the rusted blade in the right side of Gorren.

At the same time, I threw the book at Gorren's face, aiming for his eyes.

With no time to waste, I reached into my bag for one of the sleeping gas balls and threw it directly after the book. My other hand still clutching Ryn's knife.

Gorren catches the book, but the clay ball, hidden from his line of sight, hit him square in the face.

The clay shattered on impact, releasing a thick cloud of smoke. Gorren roared in anger, but his vision was obscured. I didn't wait. I lunged forward, knife in hand, and drove it into his right eye.

Gorren screamed, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. He dropped Jack and stumbled back, clawing at his face, trying to get the knife out.

I didn't stop. I grabbed another gas ball and threw it at him, then another, nonstop.

There was something i deduced that may be the flaw of his innate ability.

'So I was right,' I thought.'The more he used his ability, the faster the poison would spread through his system.'

'His ability makes his muscles stronger, but the reddening must come from faster blood flow. The sleeping paste on our knives and in the balls took time to affected him unlike the guards dueto his superior physique. His ability gives him physical strength, but it also speeds up his metabolism. The more he uses it, the faster the poison works. My gamble paid off. But to be safe, I'll add more shots.'

I threw more gas balls at him, watching as the smoke enveloped him. Gorren staggered, his movements slowing. His vision was hazy, his strength waning.

'Nice. It's working.'

I turned to Jack, who was struggling to his feet. "Get the book," I said, my voice urgent. "We need to go. Now."

Jack nodded, his face pale but determined. He grabbed the book from the floor and stumbled toward the door. I followed, my heart pounding in my chest.

'We should leave fast. I assume after he found out the ruins were a trap, he ran back faster then his underlyings because of his strength. If we don't move now, we'll be surrounded.'

But as we reached the door, Jack stopped me. "We can't leave him alive," he said, his voice grim. "If we do, he'll come after us. He'll implicate Lyra, or even the neighbors. We have to finish this."

'Fuck, he's right.'

I cursed under my breath. Gorren wouldn't stop until we were dead. And he wouldn't hesitate to drag everyone we cared about into this.

"Go," I said, my voice firm. "Inform Lyra. Tell her what happened. We'll run—through the forest. They'll lose track of us there. Tell her to prepare. I'll deal with Gorren."

Jack hesitated, but there was no time to argue. He nodded and ran off, clutching the book to his chest.

I turned back to the room, picking some weopons of the guards along the way and applying the paste to the blades.

I found Gorren still struggling, his movements sluggish but still dangerous. I gripped the blade tighter and stepped forward.

'I should finish this fast.'