Chapter 8 : The Assassins On The Road 2

The clearing was still, the air heavy with the scent of blood and the metallic taste of tension. Itekan's body ached, a dull throb pulsing in every muscle, as if the battle had torn through him with no mercy. The ringing in his ears had barely subsided, but the weight of the situation pressed down on him harder than any wound.

His vision swam, a blur of shapes and shadows—the others… were they okay?

He forced himself to focus, trying to clear his mind and block out the dull haze of pain. He could barely make out Itoyea's crumpled form and Kutote, who was already struggling to rise, clutching at his stomach in agony. The chains had shackled them—no, they weren't chains. They were something worse. He knew that much instinctively. A method of control. A binding. A means to ensure the inevitable.

And that man… Itekan could feel his presence, even in his stupor. A massive force, a predator far beyond their level. Something primal, something terrifying.

We're out of our depth, Itekan thought bitterly, forcing himself to focus despite the pain. His leg barely responded as he shifted his weight, attempting to rise.

Then a voice cut through the haze, sharp and filled with authority.

"Are you kids alright?!"

Itekan's blurry vision sharpened as a new figure emerged from the trees, the shadows seeming to part before him. He saw an arm raised, and in that instant, everything slowed—like time itself was holding its breath.

The figure was tall, with the commanding aura of someone who had seen far too much of the world's darkness. A protective barrier of some kind shimmered in the air, woven together with strange energy that had intercepted the devastating green whip that had struck Itekan's group. The vines recoiled, defeated.

For a moment, Itekan simply stared at the newcomer, his mind too battered to fully comprehend the situation. His heart pounded in his chest. His limbs felt like lead.

The figure moved closer, but Itekan couldn't quite make out his features—the face was obscured, his appearance almost fading with every step. However, the voice was unmistakable.

"You need to get up, now. This fight isn't over," the man said, his tone firm but not unkind.

Itekan shook his head slowly, his thoughts swirling as his body screamed for relief. "Who... are you?" he rasped, his throat dry.

The figure crouched down next to him, lifting him by the arm with surprising ease, despite the fact that Itekan could barely stand.

"Name's Ryze. I'm here to help you. If you're still breathing, we've got a chance," Ryze replied cryptically, pulling Itekan into a sitting position.

Itoyea's form stirred weakly nearby, and Kutote groaned, his body still racked with spasms as he tried to move.

"Itekan, get up!" Itoyea shouted hoarsely, forcing himself onto one knee. "We're not done yet. Not now."

Itekan forced himself to his feet, his legs shaking under him. His breathing was ragged, and his muscles screamed with protest. The aftershock of the previous attack lingered like a ghost, haunting every step he tried to take. But he couldn't afford to stop.

He reached for his daggers instinctively, but his hands were unsteady. Ryze's sharp eyes noticed this and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

"Not yet. You'll only get yourself killed," Ryze said, his voice low and firm.

Itekan blinked, his mind slowly clearing through the fog of exhaustion and pain. "But… we need to fight. We can't just sit back."

Ryze shook his head, a grim smile forming. "You think I don't know that?" He stepped away, raising a hand to the sky. A dark energy began to swirl around him, thick and almost tangible. Itekan could feel it now, a power that threatened to overwhelm his senses. It was like standing too close to a black hole.

"Rest, kid," Ryze muttered, "this fight's mine now."

Itekan watched, helpless but still aware of what was going on. Ryze's form blurred as he moved swiftly into the clearing, his energy condensing into a single point of darkness. The assassin from before, the massive man with the terrifying aura, stepped forward to meet him.

"You really think only you can stop me?" the man's voice was a deep growl, one that shook the very air.

Ryze didn't respond immediately. Instead, he raised both hands, and the ground around them cracked open as a swirl of shadows formed beneath his feet.

"I don't think, I know," Ryze finally said, his tone like a death sentence.

The air shifted with an eerie silence. And then, everything exploded. The shadows spiraled out of control, filling the clearing with an overwhelming pressure.

Itekan and the others shielded their eyes, the force of the energy causing the trees to sway and tremble. The assassins, too, hesitated, sensing the power coming from Ryze.

And then the dark storm hit.

The first wave of energy tore through the clearing, overwhelming everything in its path. The ground cracked and split open. The trees around them were uprooted by the sheer force, as Ryze's dark energy tore through the air.

Itekan, still reeling from his injuries, had to stagger back to avoid being hit by the oncoming force. His head spun, and he couldn't quite believe the raw power that Ryze had unleashed. Was this what real strength felt like?

"I told you to rest," Ryze's voice cut through the chaos, still calm, still controlled.

Itekan staggered as he struggled to stay on his feet. "I'm not out yet," he muttered, dragging himself forward despite everything that told him to give in.

He watched as Ryze fought, cutting through the air with precision, his dark energy flowing in waves around him. His enemies didn't stand a chance. Ryze wasn't just strong—he was a force of nature. Itekan could sense the difference in every move. There was nothing they could do.

But despite it all, there was one question that haunted him:

Who was Ryze?

As the battle continued to rage around them, Itekan couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the first time they had crossed paths.