The Shadow's Gambit

Asric lunged without hesitation, his dagger gleaming in the dim streetlight. Elias barely had time to parry, their blades clashing in a burst of sparks. The force of the impact sent a sharp vibration up Elias's arm, but he held firm, pushing the mysterious attacker back.

"Run!" Elias shouted to Lena and the others.

Lena hesitated, the Black Key weighing heavy in her grip. She couldn't just leave Elias to fight alone. But before she could act, Jorin grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

"We can't fight him here!" Jorin insisted. "More of Cassian's men could be nearby."

Lena clenched her jaw, knowing he was right. With a reluctant nod, she turned and bolted, Orin close behind. Elias held his ground, slashing at Asric, who moved with an eerie, supernatural grace, dodging each strike with precision.

"Impressive," Asric mused. "But you're not fast enough."

He pivoted suddenly, slipping past Elias's guard. A sharp sting flared across Elias's side as Asric's blade found flesh. He gritted his teeth, retaliating with a swift counterattack, but Asric had already danced out of reach.

"You should have run, too," Asric taunted.

Elias smirked despite the pain. "What's the fun in that?"

With a sudden, forceful shove, Elias kicked over a stack of crates, creating a barrier between them. Without wasting another second, he turned and sprinted after his companions.

---

Lena, Jorin, and Orin ducked into a narrow alleyway, their breaths ragged. The streets of Blackmere twisted before them like a maze, offering countless places to hide—but also plenty of spots for an ambush.

"We have to get out of the city," Orin said between gasps. "The longer we stay, the more dangerous it gets."

Lena nodded, scanning the surroundings. "The eastern gate. It leads to the old trade roads. If we make it past that, we can disappear into the forest."

Jorin cursed under his breath. "That's a long way to run if we've got people on our tail."

Before Lena could reply, the sound of footsteps echoed through the alley. They turned sharply to see Elias rushing toward them, blood staining his side.

"You're hurt!" Lena exclaimed, reaching for him.

"Later," Elias grunted. "Move, now!"

They ran. The eastern gate wasn't far, but with every step, Lena could feel the weight of pursuit pressing against them. Asric was fast, too fast, and he wouldn't be alone for long.

As they neared the gate, Lena spotted the looming figures of guards stationed at the exit. Slipping past them wouldn't be easy. She cursed under her breath.

"Any ideas?" Jorin asked.

Orin adjusted his glasses, eyes darting around. "There's an old aqueduct just before the gate—leads straight out of the city. If we can get into it, we might be able to lose them."

Elias nodded. "Then that's our way out."

---

The entrance to the aqueduct was partially hidden by overgrown ivy and crumbling stone. Orin led the way, prying open the rusted grate that covered the entrance. One by one, they slipped inside, the damp tunnel stretching into darkness before them.

The air was thick with moisture, the scent of old water clinging to the stone walls. Footsteps and shouts echoed above as their pursuers searched the streets. Lena held her breath, praying they wouldn't be discovered.

For what felt like an eternity, they crept forward. The tunnel twisted and turned, water trickling beneath their feet. Eventually, light filtered through a second grate ahead—an exit.

Jorin moved first, testing the bars. "It's loose." With a grunt, he shoved it aside, allowing them to slip through. The moment they emerged, Lena felt a rush of relief. They were outside the city walls.

But their reprieve was short-lived.

A lone figure stood waiting, his cloak billowing in the night wind. Asric had found them.

"You've made this interesting," he admitted. "But I can't let you leave with that key."

Lena squared her shoulders, the Black Key held firmly in her grasp. "You work for Cassian."

Asric tilted his head. "Cassian? No, girl. My employer's interests are… broader."

That sent a chill through her. Someone else was after the key?

Elias, still bleeding, stepped forward. "You want it? Come and take it."

Asric grinned. "Gladly."

The battle erupted in an instant. Elias and Jorin charged, blades flashing in the moonlight. Lena darted to the side, gripping the key tightly. She knew she couldn't fight Asric head-on—not yet. But she could protect what mattered.

Orin, standing beside her, whispered urgently, "We need to go. Now."

Lena hesitated. "We can't just leave them."

"They're buying us time," Orin insisted. "If Asric gets the key, none of us will make it."

Torn, Lena glanced back at the fight. Elias and Jorin fought fiercely, but Asric moved like a phantom, weaving through their attacks effortlessly.

She made her decision.

"Come on," she whispered, slipping into the trees beyond.

Orin followed, and together they disappeared into the darkness, the weight of the Black Key pressing heavier than ever before.

---

They ran deep into the forest, the branches clawing at their clothes as they pushed forward. The further they went, the quieter the night became. It was unnerving, as though the forest itself was holding its breath.

Finally, they stopped to catch their breath. Lena leaned against a tree, her heart pounding. Orin pulled a small lantern from his satchel, lighting it with trembling fingers.

"We need to find a safe place to rest," Orin said. "We can't keep running forever."

Lena exhaled, staring at the Black Key in her hand. "No. But we have to keep moving. We need to find out who else is after this—and why."

Orin nodded. "There's a village not far from here. If we can make it there, we might find some answers."

Lena looked back in the direction they had come. Elias and Jorin were still fighting Asric, and she hated leaving them behind. But she knew this was bigger than all of them now.

"Then let's go," she whispered.

And with that, they vanished into the night.

(End of Chapter 10)