The heavy iron doors slammed shut behind them, trapping Selene and her team inside the war room. A dozen armed warriors emerged from the shadows, their weapons gleaming in the dim candlelight.
Saren stood at the far end of the room, his smirk as sharp as the dagger in his hand.
"I was hoping you'd make this easy," he said, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a casual fight. "But I suppose that was too much to ask."
Selene's fingers tightened around her sword. "You should have left when you had the chance."
Saren chuckled. "Funny. I was about to say the same to you."
Then, chaos erupted.
Cassius was the first to move. He launched himself at the nearest warrior, his blade flashing in the firelight. Metal clashed as the enemy parried, but Cassius was faster. He twisted his wrist, driving his sword deep into the man's side before spinning to engage another.
Orion ducked under a sweeping attack, driving his dagger into an enemy's thigh. He twisted the blade, ripping it free just as another soldier lunged at him.
Selene met the charge of two warriors, deflecting one blade before sidestepping the second. She pivoted, her sword slicing across one man's chest, sending him crumpling to the ground.
Riven, quick as ever, danced through the fight, their twin daggers carving a deadly path. They moved like a shadow, silent and lethal.
Despite their skill, the numbers weren't in their favor.
They needed to end this fast.
Selene's focus shifted to Saren.
He hadn't moved.
He stood at the edge of the room, watching, his expression calm. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he threw his dagger.
Selene barely managed to dodge. The blade whizzed past her ear, embedding itself in the stone wall behind her.
Before she could react, Saren was in front of her.
His speed was unnatural.
Selene raised her sword, but he caught her wrist, twisting sharply. Pain shot up her arm as her grip faltered.
Saren grinned. "Too slow."
With a sharp kick, he sent her crashing into the table.
Selene gasped as pain exploded through her ribs. She struggled to rise, but Saren was already on her, his knee pressing into her chest.
He leaned in, his voice a whisper. "Did you really think you could win?"
A sudden crash made Saren hesitate.
Riven had thrown a torch into the shelves behind him, setting the tapestries ablaze.
The fire spread rapidly, smoke curling toward the ceiling.
Saren snarled, his grip loosening just enough for Selene to twist free.
She slammed her knee into his ribs, sending him stumbling back.
Cassius and Orion forced the remaining soldiers toward the flames, cutting down anyone who resisted.
Saren growled. "You think fire will stop me?"
Selene steadied herself. "No. But this will."
With a swift motion, she drove her blade forward—aiming for his heart.
Saren twisted, avoiding the fatal strike, but the blade sank deep into his shoulder.
He let out a strangled laugh, staggering back as blood bloomed across his tunic.
"This isn't over," he hissed.
Then, with a sharp movement, he threw something to the ground—a smoke bomb.
A thick cloud exploded around them.
By the time it cleared, Saren was gone.
The fortress burned behind them as they emerged into the night.
Selene clutched her side, breathing heavily. They had won—but barely.
Orion sheathed his blade. "He'll come back."
Selene nodded. "Next time, we finish it."
The flames roared behind them, consuming the remnants of Saren's stronghold.
The war wasn't over.
But tonight, they had survived.
And that was enough.