Chapter 146: Assassination [4]
The hooded figures dragged the chained captives further down the corridor, their boots echoing against the stone.
The group of civilians shuffled together, heads down, fear keeping them silent.
Alaric had his hood low and kept his grip tight on Elina’s chain, playing his part.
Caleb and Livia moved just a few steps behind, keeping in rhythm with the others.
Then—
A loud crash echoed from outside the valley, followed by shouts. A horn blared once, sharp and urgent.
The hooded men stiffened. One cursed under his breath.
"Another patrol?" one muttered.
The leader snapped his fingers, pointing toward the sound. "You there, check it out. Now."
Few figures broke away, hurrying back the entrance, leaving the captives with fewer guards.
Alaric’s eyes flickered beneath his hood.
He slowed his pace slightly, pulling Elina closer to his side as if keeping her in line, while his hand brushed against hers in a subtle signal.
She caught it, gave the faintest nod. Caleb’s eyes narrowed, he understood too.
The remaining hooded men barked orders, distracted by the noise outside, their formation sloppy now.
Their focus was split, half keeping the civilians in check, half watching the direction their comrades had gone.
Then—
Alaric slipped the small iron key into Elina’s cuffs.
Click!
The lock gave way.
She shot him a quick glance, but he shook his head, motioning for her to leave the chains in place.
Keeping his steps steady, he shifted to Caleb.
Another click and Caleb’s wrists loosened, his chains rattling lightly. He narrowed his eyes at Alaric, but said nothing.
Finally, Alaric moved to Livia. The cuffs came undone with the same soft sound. She didn’t react much, only a faint flicker in her gaze told him she understood.
Three of them were freed. Their arms hung loose in false restraint, the chains still there for cover.
Alaric straightened up and let his eyes sweep over the eight hooded figures pacing nearby. His fingers moved subtly, sharp and minimal in the dim light, basic hand signs.
Elina gave the faintest nod.
Caleb’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Livia’s gaze stayed down, but her steps shifted just slightly, falling into rhythm with his.
The prisoners shuffled forward, chains clinking with each step. The hooded figures marched alongside.
Alaric’s eyes swept the group. Eight of them. Too many for a clean strike...
His fingers brushed against Elina’s wrist as he walked beside her, a small squeeze, the only signal she needed. Her lips tightened, and she gave a single nod.
She suddenly stumbled forward, dragging Livia down with her.
CLANG!
The chains hit the cobblestones.
"What now?!" one of the hooded men barked.
"On your feet!" Another reached to yank them up.
Elina looked up, eyes narrowed. "Don’t touch me."
Her body coiled, then...
CRACK!
Her knee shot up, smashing into the man’s jaw. His hood flew back as he staggered.
"The hell?"
Another guard lunged forward, only for Livia to slam her chain into the ground.
RUMMMBLE!
The cobblestones burst upward, jagged rocks shooting into his shins. He screamed, stumbling, blood streaking down his legs.
The other guards snapped their heads around, shouting.
That’s when Alaric moved.
FWOOSH!
A thin stream of flame burst from his palm, tracing through the chain around his wrist, that he kept even after removing them heating it until it glowed red. His smirk flashed under the flickering light.
"Your mistake..." He looped the glowing chain around the nearest man’s throat.
The man clawed at it, choking, but Alaric yanked him back with brutal strength.
CRACK!
His neck twisted at a sick angle as his body went limp.
"ALARM! THEY’RE—" one of the figures shouted.
WHOOM!
A fireball slammed into his chest mid-sentence, flames bursting outward. Caleb stood behind the group, both hands ablaze, teeth bared.
"Get them—!" another roared.
BOOM!
Caleb’s flames surged outward in a wave, sending two hooded figures flying back, their cloaks burning as they hit the ground rolling and screaming.
Elina was already in motion. She ripped the loosened cuffs from her wrists, swung them like iron knuckles, and smashed into a guard’s face.
Teeth scattered with blood, his body crashing against the barrier wall.
Livia, trembling but focused, pressed her hands to the earth. The ground split like paper, jagged stone spikes shooting upward under two guards at once.
SHUNK! SHUNK!
Which impaled their legs making them fall screaming, weapons clattering uselessly.
Only one figure remained. He froze, eyes darting between the bodies of his comrades. Then he spun on his heel, trying to bolt.
But.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Alaric’s grin was feral, flames crackling along his arm. "Where do you think you’re going?"
He drove his fist into the man’s gut.
WHAM!
And the flames exploded at the point-blank range, sending the hooded figure flying back into the barrier wall. His cloak caught fire, body twitching once before going still.
Silence fell over the square.
Smoke curled. Blood hissed against hot stone.
The four of them stood in the wreckage, chests heaving.
Caleb flicked fire from his fingertips, glaring at the corpses.
Alaric’s gaze swept the area, sharp and cold. "And probably more coming."
Livia clutched her arms close, trembling, though the stone under her feet still quivered faintly.
Elina straightened, brushing a smear of blood from her cheek.
Her golden eyes caught the flickering light through the smoke, sharp and focused.
"Livia and I will take care of the civilians," she said, voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
She pointed at Alaric and Caleb. "You two, keep watch. The others might have heard the noise."
Alaric’s jaw tightened. His eyes swept the square, muscles coiled and ready.
"Yeah," he muttered, voice low.
Caleb’s lips pressed into a thin line. He glanced at the debris-strewn streets, dark eyes narrowing.
"Fine," he said, and the faint curl of fire danced along his fingertips.
Elina looped her arm through Livia’s, and they moved quickly, weaving between overturned carts and scattered crates.
Civilians crouched behind stalls, hugging each other tight. A few children whimpered, small hands clutching parents’ sleeves.
"Stay low," Elina whispered, crouching beside a woman shielding her daughter. "We’ll get you out. Move only when I tell you." She nodded toward a narrow alley partially blocked by rubble.
Livia’s hands glowed softly. She pressed them to the cobblestones. The stones shivered, rising just enough to form a low wall, a moving shield hiding the civilians from view.
"Follow me," Livia said quietly, each step deliberate. Tiny cracks ran across the stone beneath her feet.
Elina’s eyes flicked to the far end of the square. A hooded figure crept forward, weapons raised but cautious. She hissed, "Now."
In a smooth motion, Livia pushed the stones forward, the makeshift wall rolling like a silent wave. Elina guided the families along it, moving them closer to the safety of the alley.
Alaric crouched behind the broken stall, chain coiled in his hands like a serpent ready to strike.
The two remaining figures edged forward, weapons at the ready, scanning for any sign of movement.
Alaric flicked his gaze to Caleb, who crouched opposite him, fingers brushing the cobblestones as faint flames danced across his knuckles.
A silent nod passed between them.
"Now," Alaric muttered.
Sparks hissed along his chain...
CRACK!
Snaring the nearest attacker’s ankle. The figure stumbled, blade swinging wildly. Alaric leapt from his cover, closing the distance in a heartbeat. His fists struck with precision, bone cracking beneath the impact.
"ARGH!" The figure collapsed, rolling to avoid Caleb’s sudden firewave.
WHOOSH!
Flames surged across the ground. The second hooded figure froze, panic flashing in their eyes as heat licked around their feet.
Alaric grabbed the man’s weapon hand, twisting it sharply. Metal clanged against stone. Another punch sent him sprawling, groaning.
Caleb advanced, flames coiling along his arms.
WHOOSH!
A controlled burst sent the figure’s cloak catching fire, and the heat drove him to his knees.
Alaric didn’t pause. With a low grunt, he slammed his boot against the man’s chest, sending him tumbling into a pile of debris.
Silence fell for a heartbeat, smoke curling lazily around them. Both attackers were down, unmoving.
Alaric wiped his gloves on his pants, chest rising and falling steadily.
Caleb’s eyes narrowed as he approached, the faint smell of burnt cloth lingering in the air.
"Not bad," Caleb said dryly, flicking embers from his sleeve.
Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Not bad? That was sloppy."
Caleb snorted. "Sloppy? You think tossing them around like ragdolls is better? You could’ve burned everything down if you weren’t careful."
Alaric shot back, stepping closer. "Atleast I don’t need fire for everything."
"And I don’t need to crack every bone to show off."
Alaric’s lips curled "Oh, I’m showing off? Says the guy who tried to roast the second guy alive!"
Caleb crossed his arms. "Better alive and scared than dead and useless!"
Elina’s voice cut through sharply from a few feet away. "Boys!" She waved a hand, irritation clear, golden eyes flashing. "Can you two stop bickering for two seconds? People are still moving!"