Lorian had a hunch about the second shadow. He got up from the bed to confirm it. It was none other than Zara Sunstreak. She was no different than a beast right now, tearing apart the chest of the assassin with her claws while sitting on him.
Lorian took a step and stumbled over a mangled corpse. No, it wasn't familiar; most probably another assassin. Lorian regained his balance and walked toward the hall, leaving Elara on the bed, hoping the potion would at least stabilize her, if not save her entirely.
"Save yourself, girl, and," he looked back at Elara, "try to keep her alive till I return!"
Outside, more sounds of metallic clanking were coming, along with shouts of fighting.
"Another assassin attack? Again? What kind of security does Auric Spire even have?" Lorian said to himself as he walked, disgruntled, toward where the noise was coming from.
He stepped into the corridor, which was littered with corpses, mostly assassins in black clothes, but there were two Guards' bodies as well. By their uniform, he recognized they were from his father's personal guard. Their throats were perfectly sliced, and most of their blood had been drained.
Something didn't add up, but Lorian didn't have the time or energy to worry about it. He followed the noise to find both Kaelen and Jax fighting, surrounded by multiple enemies. What struck him most was that there were no other guards—neither fighting, nor even their corpses. They were simply absent.
Neither Kaelen nor Jax was in very good shape. But they were still fighting as if possessed. Kaelen was fighting like a berserker; his face and whole body were covered in blood. Jax, on the other hand, had completely devolved into a beast—mauling, biting—literally fighting with tooth and nail.
Lorian had to do something. He couldn't just stand by like a spectator and watch his men fight in an uneven battle and die on him. Lorian grabbed two discarded daggers, one in each hand, and moved toward where Kaelen and Jax were fighting for their lives.
Every combatant was so engrossed in their fights that they had lost sense of the outside world.
*STAB* *STAB* *STAB* *STAB* *STAB*
Lorian slipped behind the enemies facing Kaelen and stabbed each of them viciously in the neck from behind. It was cowardly indeed—stabbing enemies from behind when they weren't even aware of him. But his survival, along with the survival of his people, was much more important than stoking his ego and sense of courage. He had done what he felt was the best thing to do: relieving pressure on his people.
Five quick stabs to the neck, and five enemies dropped dead, freeing Kaelen.
Before Kaelen could react or say anything, Lorian pointed his dagger toward Jax, who was fighting with multiple enemies just like Kaelen, desperate like a cornered beast. On Lorian's signal, both Kaelen and Lorian jumped at Jax's enemies and quickly dispatched all seven.
Jax was surprised and relieved to see Lorian. He quickly dropped to his knees. "Master!"
Lorian impatiently shook his head. "Now is not the time. Let's check what's happening outside!"
Jax nodded, and the three rushed down the corridor to see four people holding a closed door to the best of their ability. Loud banging shook the door; someone on the other side was trying their best to force it open. The four- whose dress gave away their faction as assassins- had gathered various items to jam the door and were now holding it with their backs.
As they stood with their backs to the door, they couldn't help but notice Lorian approaching them with Kaelen and Jax on either side. Their arrival was a shock, and this caused them to lose focus for a critical moment. That small window of time was enough for the people on the other side of the door to open it and send the four flying.
On the other side of the door were the personal Guards of Lord Elmsworth, led by Commander Lucian himself. Behind them stood Lord Elmsworth and Lady Seraphina, their faces pale with fear.
The four assassins quickly stood up. They knew their time was up. They looked at each other and nodded something in silent agreement. Before anyone could react, they brought out something from their pockets, put it in their mouths, and immediately fell to the ground, dropping dead.
Everyone recalled the previous feast where the assassins had taken poison and died with a violent explosion, so they all instinctively ducked.
*BOOM* *BOOM*
Two explosions were heard, again and again. However, these blasts were mild compared to the first time. They all cautiously came closer and gathered around the four corpses. Two were still intact, while the other two had their upper portions of the body completely blown away. Blood and gore were splattered around.
The Lord and Lady rushed to their son and hugged him tight. Lady Seraphina couldn't say anything; she was just crying, holding her dear son. However, Lorian never assumed even his father- the always grumpy, brooding, and serious Lord Elmsworth- would break into tears.
Lorian's throat also choked with tears. He hugged them back. "Father, Mother; Elara, she needs help!"
Suddenly, Kaelen remembered Elara. He dropped to his knees and cried, "She is… alive?"
Lorian nodded. "I gave her the Apotheosis Elixir, but I am afraid it is not enough. She was repeatedly stabbed to save my life. She took so many knives just to shield me. She needs…"
"We will save her, my son, do not worry!" Lord Elmsworth grabbed Lorian's shoulder, shaking him to instill confidence.
The Lord and Lady, along with their son, started walking toward Lorian's room where Elara was.
However, from the room arrived Zara, carrying Elara in her arms. "Master, she is convulsing, she needs help!" Then she noticed the Lord and Lady and quickly fell to her knees to show respect, keeping Elara still in her arms.
The Lord took out from his pocket another vial of the Highest Grade Health Potion- Celestial Nectar.
As the Lord was about to approach Elara, suddenly a strange groaning sound was heard from behind, with the crushing sound of bones being broken like twigs.
They all looked behind, and Lady Seraphina screamed in horror.