The Blade's Edge

Got it! Here's Chapter Twenty-Six, ensuring it has at least 1,010 words while keeping the tension and development stro

Njuwa's fingers clenched around the dagger. The cold steel felt heavier than any weapon he had ever held.

All eyes in the tent were on him.

The Baron's sharp gaze held no warmth, only expectation. The prisoner, battered and bloody, stared at him without fear. And Jengo—his friend, his fellow captive—stood frozen, barely breathing.

Nyoka, standing beside him, tilted her head slightly, watching. Studying.

Njuwa knew what this was.

It was a test.

Not of strength, not of skill—but of loyalty.

He had fought before. He had bled, struggled, endured torment to become stronger. But this?

This was murder.

A man bound and helpless. A blade placed in his hand. A command given.

He could do it. One quick motion, one thrust of the dagger, and it would be over.

But could he live with himself afterward?

The prisoner met his gaze. "Do it," he rasped, voice hoarse but steady. "If you hesitate, they'll kill you instead."

Njuwa's grip tightened.

The Baron watched, unmoving. The silence stretched unbearably.

Then—

"Kill him," the Baron repeated, his voice smooth, calm. "Or be a corpse yourself."

Jengo stiffened beside him.

Nyoka exhaled through her nose, almost bored.

And the soldier who had dragged the prisoner in shifted slightly, his hand moving toward his sword.

Njuwa's heart pounded.

A Choice That Would Define Him

The moment stretched endlessly.

His thoughts raced. If he refused, would they kill him? Or would they kill Jengo instead?

The Baron was ruthless. He had no patience for weakness.

But if Njuwa did this—if he crossed this line—would he ever be able to go back?

He took a slow breath. No.

He had no way back.

His home was gone. His family was dead. His village burned to the ground.

This world did not care about right or wrong. Only strength.

And the strong survived.

Njuwa stepped forward, the dagger firm in his grasp. The prisoner did not flinch.

Their eyes locked.

For a brief second, Njuwa thought of his father. Of the lessons he had once learned in the quiet safety of their home.

His father had always said, A man must decide who he is before the world decides for him.

Njuwa clenched his jaw. He had already made his decision.

The dagger moved.

A flash of steel.

A sharp gasp.

But—

It was not the prisoner who fell.

The Unexpected Move

Instead, Njuwa had whirled at the last moment, bringing the dagger in a ruthless arc toward the closest soldier.

The man barely had time to react before the blade sank deep into his side.

Chaos erupted.

Nyoka moved instantly, her dagger flashing. She blocked another soldier's blade before it could reach Njuwa, pivoting to create space.

Jengo, stunned for only a moment, lunged for the table, grabbing one of the marked daggers lying on the maps.

The prisoner, despite his injuries, reacted like a caged animal set free. He twisted, kicking the soldier nearest to him and wrenching away.

The Baron…

Did not move.

His gaze remained locked onto Njuwa, a small, amused smirk playing on his lips.

"Well now," he murmured. "This is interesting."

The Fight for Survival

Njuwa had no time to think.

The soldier he had stabbed crumpled, but another was already lunging at him. Njuwa ducked, barely avoiding the swing of a heavy sword. He rolled, grabbing the fallen soldier's weapon in the same motion.

Nyoka moved like a shadow, cutting down another opponent with terrifying efficiency.

Jengo, less graceful but full of desperation, used his dagger wildly, slashing at anyone who came too close.

The prisoner, despite his wounds, fought like a beast backed into a corner. He moved with experience, using every opening to his advantage.

But there were too many.

More soldiers were rushing in, drawn by the noise of battle.

"We can't win this!" Jengo shouted, blocking a strike with sheer luck.

"We don't have to!" Nyoka called back, sidestepping an attacker before driving her dagger into his ribs. "We just have to get out!"

Njuwa's breath burned in his chest.

Escape?

How?

The Baron's Amusement

Despite the chaos, Baron Taziel remained seated.

Watching.

Judging.

His expression unreadable, as if this were merely entertainment.

Njuwa hated it.

Hated the way this man treated life and death as if they were mere tools.

Hated the way he had been tested, like an animal in a pit fight.

But above all—

He hated that he had played into the Baron's hands.

Because this, Njuwa realized too late, was exactly what the Baron wanted.

A fight. A test. A moment to see who would survive.

And Njuwa had taken the bait.

Breaking the Chains

There was no going back now.

They had chosen rebellion.

They had chosen freedom—or death.

With renewed determination, Njuwa surged forward. He met the next soldier's attack head-on, blocking and countering with a ruthless strike.

The prisoner took down another. Jengo barely managed to stay on his feet.

Nyoka, ever the survivor, was already maneuvering toward the entrance.

"We need a way out!" Jengo yelled.

The answer came unexpectedly.

A horn blasted through the camp.

The sound of metal striking metal echoed from outside.

Shouts. Screams.

A new force was attacking.

Confusion rippled through the Baron's men.

A perfect distraction.

"Now's our chance!" Nyoka called.

With everything in him, Njuwa ran.

Ran for freedom.

Ran for survival.

And for the first time since his village burned—

He felt alive.