He stood at the edge of the room, breath heavy, gaze restless. Both sides were locked in relentless combat, the black-clad guards and the mysterious warriors with cloth-bound heads. He knew this wasn't just a physical clash anymore. It had become a battle between two unyielding wills, and if left unchecked, blood would soon stain the floor.
"Stop!" Alaric suddenly shouted, his voice booming and echoing off the walls.
But no one stopped. Bamboo struck again. A guard's punch landed. Shouts of rage and pain filled the room.
Alaric's frustration surged. He stepped forward, weaving his way into the chaos. He reached out to stop one of the guards mid-swing, grabbing his shoulder to hold him back. But doing that only made him a new target.
"Hey! I said stop!" he shouted again, batting away a staff that came dangerously close to his face. But the guards, now blinded by fear and adrenaline, could no longer tell friend from foe. In their eyes, Alaric was just another unfamiliar threat.
