Rumble... BOOM!
The sky darkened as thunder shook the sky. Rain lashed down, drumming a relentless beat on the streets of Eduardo. Water dripped from the eaves, casting a rhythmic melody on the earth. People scurried for shelter, making the once busy streets deserted.
A chill coursed through Arthur's veins as the cold wind and raindrops battered him. But he stood firm, his resolve hardened. His heart thumped against his chest and his mind raced.
"Three of them," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible, drowned out by the rain. Arthur's grip on his axe tightened, he knew what he had to do, he wouldn't hesitate. He began walking once more, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. But there was none, he knew he was being followed but couldn't find a trace of them.
That didn't matter to him though, all he had to do was bring them out of hiding.
Assassins thrived off enclosed spaces after all.
His pace quickened,his feet splashing through puddles. Despite the chilling weather, a cold sweat trickled down his brows mingling with the raindrops.
The eyes on him seemed to draw closer as he moved, his skin prickling with unease.
His pursuers grew bolder as the rain drove more people to seek shelter, leaving him exposed.
Time wasn't on his side, he had to act fast.
'Inhale... Phew'
With a deep breath, be burst into a sprint catching his tailers off guard.
SHIING!
A throwing knife sliced through the air landing a millimeter away from his arm. Arthur's eyes widened with shock but he didn't miss a stride. Now that his pursuers knew he was aware of their existence, there was no point in being discreet anymore. He had to leave the open.
SHINNG!!
Another knife followed seconds later; he barely managed to dodge lightly by being slightly to right, when another followed through, grazing his cloak.
'Dammit'
WOOSH! WOOSH!
Two more knives whistled past, striking the ground mere inches from his legs sending him him tumbling to the ground.
"Urgh"
A painful moan escaped his lips as he crashed down. But he couldn't stay down for long, he had no time for such leisure. Covered in dirt and mud, he scrambled to his feet and continued running.
'There'
Arthur kept his pace as he dashed away from the open road into an alley. It was a dark ,narrow passageway, the howling of the winds creating an errie atmosphere. The air was heavy with the stench of rotting trash and filth. His skin crawled at the sight but he had no time to dwell on it.
"A dead end"
A voice rang out from behind him.
"You've chosen a good place to die" it spoke once more.
Arthur turned facing the voice, his back against the wall. His hairs stood up right as his hands trembled for his axe, unsheathing it.
Footsteps echoed through the alley, his pursuers finally coming to light.
Three men, walking in unison made their way towards him, each step sending goosebumps through his body.
They were all clad in black, their faces obstructed by plain masks covering all but their eyes.
Although he couldn't completely make out how they looked through their clothes, it was obvious how well defined they were physically. Two stood in front welding swords whilst the third stood behind them, armed with throwing knives.
Arthur's expression turned grim, his fingers instinctively tightened around his axe handle hidden beneath his cloak, his gaze not leaving the men before him.
Getting no reply from Arthur, the man holding the knives spoke up once more
"Okay, how about this. You give us everything you have and we'll let you go, how's that?", the grating tone of his voice made Arthur's skin scrawl.
"Just shut up and come here" Arthur spat back, his voice cold disregarding the situation he was in. He gritted his teeth as his legs tensed up for what was about to come.
Laughter erupted from the men, their mocking tones echoed through the air.
"So the boy speaks, I was beginning to think you were mute." One of them sneered, his amusement evident in his voice
Arthur remained calm, it was obvious they didn't take him seriously, which made it easier for them to make mistakes.
Even though he was outnumbered, he couldn't afford to them dictate the flow of the fight.
With that thought in his mind, he dashed forwards catching the men off guard. But it was only for a moment.
The two swordsmen reacted, their movements quick as they aimed their weapons at Arthur.
Arthur raised his axe not to block but parry.
CLANK!!
The sound of steel resounded as first sword came crashing down towards him, sending shockwaves through his bones. It felt like he was hit was a hammer, as the weight of it pushed him back.
The second came moments later, aiming at his neck.
Raising his axe once more, he tried to block the attack but changed last minute.
His instincts screamed at him to stop, he instead dived to the ground as he rolled out of the way as a knife flew past him landing on the floor.
'Crap, that was close'
That single exchange was enough to tell Arthur how good their coordination was. The two melee fighters kept their opponents in check while the ranged attacked from a distance, unnerving them.
SLASH!
Arthur tensed his muscles once more as he evaded a sudden attack, jumping out of harm's way.
He immediately countered! His axe slashing downwards towards his attacker's arm.
WHOOSH!
Another knife flew towards him. Abandoning his plans, he redirected his axe to a 45 degree angle, blocking the blade.
"C'mon kid, is this the best you got. You're making this harder than it needs to be" the ranger sneered, taunting Arthur as the threw two more knives.
SWISH! WHOOSH!
Dodging the blades once more, Arthur dashed forwards slashing down towards one of the swordsmen. His axe was blocked but he kept at it, not giving his opponent any time to retreat. It also made it impossible for his partners to assist him, turning his enemy into his shield.
Arthur didn't choose to fight them in an alley for no reason. It was narrow, meaning they couldn't move as freely as they usually would.
Clank!
Another exchange of weapons sent sparks flying. A flash of nervousness flashed through this opponents eyes, as Arthur closed in on him once more.
He couldn't swing his sword as freely as he wanted, limiting his strength.
His frustration grew even stronger when he cut a cut across his chest. It was a shallow cut but one nonetheless.
He winced in pain as blood sprayed from the wound, the metallic smell assaulted his nose but he could not afford to get distracted by it. He had to keep swinging his sword.
'Would I lose to a mere boy??!!!!!'
"AHHHHHH"
With a yell he charged forward towards Arthur, disregarding his own well-being. He raised his sword with all his strength and swung down aiming to end it with one strike.
Even if he missed, his partners would surely finish him off.
Arthur watched as this foe slashed at him. He had no intention of meeting his blade so he had to dodge.
SWOOSH!
The sword came down on him, tearing the air before it. Arthur waited for the last possible moment before weaving out of the way, side stepping to the right as the momentum from the swing forced his opponent behind him, out of his path.
As if expecting it, Arthur threw his axe forward with all his strength.
Thwark
"Arghhhhhh"
Thud
A smile crept on Arthur's face as the ranger fell, his axe imbedded in his chest.
"F#ck you"