Kael ragged, tired, lifted his staff and braced for Cain’s next chain of attacks. He takes a peek around the hall for a quick second, nobles screaming and cursing, cubicles and displays of cages on the stage.

  People in cages,perhaps I’m in the right place. He thought.

  Cain on the opposite side, swung his sword around, relaxed posture he said.

  “You're running out of time kid.” he says as the sound metal and weapons drew closer.

  Reinforcements were arriving, within moments he would be outnumbered and his loss would become certain.

  This just gets worse and worse. Where are those two.

  Just like he said, guards were arriving from the doors— at least 10 came circling a perimeter around the stage.

  What should I do now… surrendering might be an option , I could escape prison. Kael thought about it for a moment, but he doubt the governor would leave him without any… torture and he wasn’t a fan of that one bit.

  “Capture him,” one of the guards shouted.

  Kael looked around devising some sort of plan, he could maybe use the guards as hostages, but he knew Cain wouldn’t hesitate chopping both their heads, or he could use the guards as steps and jump to the exit… on second thought that won’t work either.

  More and more he thought, the more helpless the situation felt.

  *Clank*

  He hears footsteps,turns his body towards the guard , goes in a stance prepared to counter. And then…Kael smelt a ting of fire.

  *Boom*

  A slash of fire hit the guard, knocking him back along with his buddy. A smile grew on Kael’s face, he felt that flame multiple times before.

  “You look like shit,” Aeris said, monotonous as ever.

  Kael chuckled, I risk my life and this is what I get.

  Aeris created a wall of fire around the stage with an arc, the guards close by scream in pain, the guard calls for backup.

  “Here take this,” Edric tosses two potions at Kael direction.

  He grabbed the potions and drinks in one big gulp. His mana slowly restored and his fatigue loosened up, he got up prepared to face Cain.

  “Who’s this? Your girlfriend?” Cain said, as he rubbed his temples. “Looks like there's more bugs to squash–.”

  Aeris lunges with her saber before he could finish his sentence, Cain side steps at the last moment— just before the blade met his eyes.

  “Feisty ones aren't you, havn’t your parents taught you manners.” Cain went to a low stance with his sword.

  Aeris prepared herself, based on his quick reaction speed she could tell, his trouble. Kael’s sad state started to make sense, unfortunately he wasn’t the only obstacle , as the sound of more guards arriving made this situation more annoying.

  Edric hadn't arrived on stage yet, Aeris ordered him to give range support from the back as no one saw him yet, and to free Xantha while they fought. That left no one to fend the guards.

  “I’ll handle him,” Kael said, tapping her shoulders. “I have a score to settle with him, you deal with the guards. Ed can deal with Xantha,”

  Aeris hesitated, it wasn’t that she didn’t trust him but more so worried. But time ticked down, and guards were arriving one by one. She nodded and jumped off the fight the guards.

  Kael with his chest open, spun his staff , and went in a wide stance. With a smile on his face he said, “let’s dance,”.

  Kael and Cain went through flurries of attacks, Kael danced with the wind kicks,punches and his staff. He used everything he got, and Cain took each hit and countered with measured precision. His moves were not flashy, instead sticking to basic punches, sword strikes, but were efficient.

  Aeries dealt with the guards, her blade broke their formation like butter. Causing fear and disarray, the guards grew panicked and anxious.

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  While, those two took the spotlight. Edric stood crouched behind a cubicle, with his hood on covering his face, dagger and gun at the ready, he observed the stage.

  The cage which held Xantha captive, stood on the stage along with the others. Edric eyes two servants coming from the back door , the presenter who now was cowering from a corner. Ordered them to get the cages to the back door.

  Edric took out his gun, aimed at the stage discreetly. Contemplated on whether to take the shot, or attack them in melee stealth. Taking a shot might risk unwanted attention, plus the guards are more preoccupied with the other two.

  Making up his mind he snuck through, keeping himself against the wall he easily snuck through. The servants started unloading the cage, Edric less than 100m away, appeared behind them from thin air. One of the servants shivered like he saw a ghost appear. Edric hit him with the blunt side of his dagger, knocking him out. The other servant didn’t cower, he took a jab at Edric.

  Edric blocked , and went into a fist fight against him. The servant wasn’t particularly good, more annoying than anything. A moment later Edric knees his torso, lifted him up and throws him at the presenter, Knocking both of them down.

  Great, now for Xantha.

  *Clank*

  Edric hears the sound of metal doors squeaking open, he turns his head that instant. Another noble wearing a brown suit, and a sinister smile opened the cage. Perhaps he used the commotion to steal the price.

  “You’ll be mighty fine in my bedroom” the noble said.

  Something occurred in Edric at that moment, probably internal rage, he took out his gun and shot the noble’s right leg. The shot tore through his leg, crimson blood leaked on the floor as he screamed in agony.

  Oh no, what have I– the noble wasn’t dead but Edric had mentally prepared himself to kill if needed, but the sight of blood still unsettled him. But the biggest problem right now wasn't the shot , it was the guards.

  “Look over there,” one of the guards dealing with Aeris called out, which immediately brought attention to the guards at the back.

  Seeing as time was ticking down, he entered the cage.

  “Xantha, Xantha!,” he shook the girl , screaming her name. But her gaze was still in a daze. “God damn it, please don’t hate me for this,” Reluctantly he raised his hand , gave a quick slap against her face.

  Xantha's daze seemed to sunside, she blinked in quick succession before focusing her gaze at Edric.

  “E-E-Ed,” her voice horse, weak and low.

  Edric hugged her tight, tears fell from Xantha’s face uncontrollably, the body warmth soothed her up. She looked around outside at the commotion, walls of fire, Aeris dancing with her sabers dealing with masses of guards and a man with staff dealing with Cain. Her memories started coming back little by little, just enough to piece together the situation.

  “Ed, the guards are coming,” she said, pointing at the front door as more and more guards started coming in.

  “Right right, sorry,”he counted his options, Xantha had been secured. Now the only thing is escape, but how is the question. The front door is out of the question, Aeris and Kael have their hands full.

  “I think I remember seeing a door at the back,” she pointed at the door the servants brought the display from.

  “Maybe, but the guards are trouble,”

  The reinforcement guards split up— one aimed at Aeris, the other came to help Cain , another helped the noble’s evacuate , but a small group of men approached Edric.

  “Xantha wait here, I will deal with them.” Edric got up, prepped his dagger on his left and gun to his right. Five men approached him, of which one looked to be the there leader wearing all black. He aimed his gun, focused on him and took his shot.

  With a loud thud, their leader was shot back, crashing onto the cubicles. The other guards froze in confusion, Edric using their disarray attacked the two in the front, kicking one with his knee and a roundhouse kick to the other.

  *Swoosh*

  A sword slash almost nicked him, he evaded the last second, the blade mere inches away from his head. He releases the trigger, aiming at his torso , knocking him out.

  *Thuck*

  The last guard landed a punch on Edric’s face, he staggered back but didn’t waver. He prepared for the next attack, but—

  “EDRIC !,”

  Edric turned towards the scream, a few guards coming from the back had Xantha in their hands. Her mouth covered and her hands restrained, they drag her. Using Edric's distracted state, the guards kicked him to the ground.

  “You think you can afford getting distracted,” The guard said.

  Edric gritted his teeth, using his leg , he rolled to the left.

  *Thuck*

  A sword slammed next to him, quickly he grabbed his dagger, threw it at the guard's knee causing it to bleed. The guard lowered his body in pain, Edric grabbed him by the neck, wrapped his arm around his windpipe straggling him. The guard struggled, attempting to release the lock , but it was no use. Soon his limbs went limp, and he was out unconscious.

  Now I need to go find Xantha. He got up, with heavy steps he ran to the back door.

  He caught a brief glimpse of the stage— Aeris fought off multiple guards by herself, causing walls of flames and using debris as cover, but he could see from her face that she couldn’t last long. Especially with the new reinforcements , who both had better equipment and better skills, the variation of weapons from spears, swords and a unit of crossbows made it difficult. A spear scraped her torso and a few arrows nearly hit her.

  Kael was still at a duel with Cain. Kael used the burn stone as a projectile, shot it at Cain. Cain calm , collected and wrapped his sword with a strange aura, performed an incomprehensible sword move, cutting the hot stone down to the ground.

  Crap, I need to get her, and get out, Or else we're toast.

  He dashed into the back room, the two guards had wrapped Xantha around their arms. Fortunately, for Edric, they hadn’t noticed him yet. The were dragging her to the door down the hallway, taking them head on would be suicide.

  Based on their uniform and demeanor , Edric could tell they were not your typical guards. He observed the room for any opening— magic lamps placed on the wall illuminated the room, displays of sold items lined in front and back of him, and the pillars were made of wood.

  That could work, Edric remembering the time where he shot a light gemstone once by accident, causing a small flash of light.

  Using ghost steps he went closer, once visible he gestured to Xantha, who was flailing her arms struggling to close her eyes.

  “Quit struggling, there’s no hope for you,” the guard said in an intimidating tone.

  Then–*Boom*, the lamp nearby exploded into a small ball of light, the guards loosened their grips, covered their eyes. Xantha opened her eyes, momentarily freed herself—pushed the guards to the side. Edric aimed, shot the guard, sending him crashing to the wall. The other guard grabbed Xantha by the hair but before he could pull her a dagger stabbed his arms,piercing through the elbow cleanly.

  “AHHH!” The guard screamed in pain, tossed Xantha to the wall, Edric using the moment gave a jab towards his jaw, then followed up with an uppercut.

  “Finally,” with no sign of others approaching, he sighed a breath of relief.

  “Xantha, are you alright,”

  “Y-Yes,” she said, but her elbow got scraped in the commotion. Edric's eyes frowned on the sight of it. “Oh this, don’t worry.” She rubbed her elbow to ease the pain.

  “Alright , lets go” he got up, gave a hand of support to Xantha. Just as she is about to grab it.

  *THWACK*

  Edric was sent flying, crashing towards the wall. His pistol goes flying out of his hands.

  W-What,

  “So you're the insect,” a voice, deep and elegant, of a noble spoke.

  Edric looked up to see the cause, standing before him a noble—— perfectly combed hair, thick moustache, an expensive blue suit, and in his hand he had a long, thin rapier. His posture was straight as a pole, and his smile was smug and annoying.

  “To think someone like you dares to interfere with the governor,” he says, raising his sword. “Bid your farewell, boy.”