Blades In The Dark

Chapter 5: The Strike Begins

The sewer tunnel reeked of mildew and old blood.

Rayan crouched at the edge of the grate, staring up at the stone bridge above. The Imperial convoy would pass in two minutes. His breath was steady, but his eyes burned with silent rage.

Behind him, Kara checked her bow. Torren muttered orders to a group of young rebels.

> "We attack when the last wheel crosses," Rayan said, low but sharp. "Snipers first. Then sweep the guards. No screams. No fire. No mistakes."

The sound of wheels echoed above. Metal clanked. Lanterns flickered.

Rayan nodded once.

He moved.

In seconds, he was on the rooftops—his boots whispering over old tiles, cloak trailing behind him like a wraith. One sniper glanced sideways—

> Too slow.

Rayan's blade slid across his throat, catching the rifle before it clattered.

Kara's arrow dropped the second sniper, and the canal was theirs.

He dropped onto the lead wagon silently. The guard turned just in time to see a blur of red steel flash toward his chest. One by one, they fell. Rayan danced through the chaos—every strike purposeful, every motion exact.

By the time the last soldier hit the ground, the bridge was silent again.

> Clear,"Kara called.

Torren's group moved in, opening the wagon doors. Inside: crates of explosives, rifles, and something unexpected—a black steel case marked with the royal seal.

> "What's this?" Kara asked.

Rayan pried it open.

Inside: Imperial tactical maps, targeting locations across the city. Rebel safehouses. Underground routes. Names of sympathizers.

> "They were preparing to purge the rest of the city," Rayan said coldly.

"Then we just saved hundreds," Kara whispered.

> "No," he said, stepping back into the dark.

"We just started a war."

Chapter 6: Echoes In The Palace

In the marble halls of the Imperial Citadel, General Varkas stood before the Emperor's black throne. Guards flanked the chamber like statues.

> The same man you declared dead five years ago?" the Emperor replied, his voice slow and mocking.

> "He attacked our convoy. Killed elite guards. Took everything."

The Emperor raised a finger lazily.

> "Then kill him again. Loudly, this time."

Varkas clenched his fist. "I will burn half the city if I must. Let them see what happens when ghosts return."

> "No," the Emperor said. "We will not burn the city. We will bleed it. Quietly. Find those he protects. Arrest them. Publicly. Slowly. Let him hear every scream. And when he breaks cover…"

A wicked smile cracked across his face.

> "We make his echo… his execution."

That night in the rebel tunnels,Rayan read the stolen map by candlelight.

Names circled in red. Kara's nameTorren's. Children. He clenched his jaw.

> "They know who we are," Kara said quietly.

"Then we hit them before they can move," Rayan replied.

He placed a dagger on the map, stabbing it into the palace's western wall.

> "We don't hide anymore. We strike back."

Outside, the city lights flickered.

The Crimson Echo was no longer a whisper.

It was a warning.