How had it ended up like this?
Artemis's lungs felt like they were on fire. He could barely draw in a breath as he moved swiftly, swinging his silver talwar blade towards a stalwart onyx knight ahead of him. It bounced dramatically off the midnight plated armour, causing him to curse as he reeled backward, barely avoiding the retaliatory strike.
Steel cut deep into his flesh from behind, spilling his blood onto the murky stone floor of the fortress. He spun around, knocking the blade out of another knight's hand with his sword. The knight looked at him furiously, red-dotted pupils glaring in a blood-lusted manner.
He had just wanted to sleep! He wanted to waste his day away, forgetting who he was, what obligations he had, what family he belonged to!
Why had he ended up in this terrible predicament!?
He grimaced, pushing into the parry of the third knight as he knocked its sword away. He reached forward, blood flying as he grasped at the Knight's helmet, pulling it clear away as he thrust forward, driving the point of the talwar into the furious amalgamation of miasma that replaced its flesh.
It dissipated in front of him, the collection of onyx armour clattering to the ground below.
How long had it been since he had been transported to this ancient city? Over several hours, he had experienced more horrors than he had ever dreamt up in his constant nightmares. But this was all real, it was dire enough to put his life on the line.
Underneath the night sky of pitch-black stars, Artemis's body went into a frenzy, trying to collect itself. He couldn't breath, his muscles ached, and the wounds on his back and arms pulsed like flames. Just a single fight sent him into this state.
If only he had spent more time studying the blade, he was two years out of practice…
He had spent far too long in his reclusive state, pushed too many people away.
This lazy Prince couldn't bear it… couldn't bear his mistakes.
He would make up for it, he would return to the Palace, he would escape this damned city.
He would survive this Hell at all costs!