BANG... BANG... BANG...
The king and a few clan leaders stepped back and covered their ears as the attack unleashed a piercing noise.
As bullets tore through the arena platform, darkness swept over the arena like a falling shadow.
Before the sunlight vanished, the commander of the royal guard rushed to King Prime VII's side.
With a few elite guards, he formed a protective wall around the king.
The commander's voice cut through the chaos, firm and unwavering.
"No one crosses this line. We hold firm until His Majesty is safe."
"Yes, Commander!"
The commander drew a stick from beneath his armor and snapped it, releasing a pale light that pushed back the dark.
A voice called from behind him.
"Commander, we've secured the boy and the sword!"
Kai tried to escape the royal guards, but he was too exhausted and out of power to move.
"Good work. The king's safety is our top priority."
In the dark arena, the commander held his glowing stick tightly, scanning for a way to keep the king safe and block the enemy's path.
'This must be the work of the enemy's allies, yet what purpose could this darkness serve unless...?'
The commander shouted to the other royal guards before throwing the glowing stick.
"The enemy cannot know our position. Lead the king to the nearest exit, only a few meters to your right!"
"YES, SIR!"
"Commander, my son is out there somewhere. Bring him back to me at once!"
The commander adjusted his helmet, drew his double-edged spear, and faced the king.
"I will bring him back unharmed, my king."
As the barrier came down, the royal guards led the king toward safety, and Kai was forced to follow along under close watch, while the commander moved to the other side of the arena to search for the prince.
The commander pulled out another stick, snapped it in half, and scanned his surroundings.
'Just as I thought... the darkness is fading.'
'The enemy must be here to retrieve their own and vanish without a trace, but I will not allow it.'
The commander pressed on, eyes locked ahead, never noticing the unseen eyes following him and the king.
***
Agent 5 emerged from her hiding spot and scanned the testing ground through her sniper scope before reporting back to Taro.
"Taro, come in."
Taro gave his earpiece a quick double click, opening the channel to the team.
"What is it, Agent 5?"
"Things have gotten worse than before."
Taro clenched his jaw, a low breath hissing between his teeth.
"How bad?"
The royal guards pulled the king to safety, Kai and the sword right behind him, just as the clan leaders captured Void.
A tight knot formed in Taro's stomach as he muttered....
"No, Void... this cannot end here. What about your promise?"
Agent 5 checked her scope once more and noticed that the commander was sprinting through the darkness.
"Taro, a man in blue armor with a double edged spear, is close by where Void is being held."
"WHAT? This is bad."
Taro's voice snapped, the sudden shift catching everyone's attention.
"Listen up, everyone. Forget about Kai and the sword. Our top priority is getting Void out before the man in blue armor reaches him."
Draven's voice cut sharply through the earpiece.
"What should we do now?"
Taro paused, thinking through a strategy.
'This will blow my cover if I go in... but...'
"Listen up, Draven. You and I will go up and retrieve Void."
"Archer will clear a path for you all to escape the island, while Agent 5 provides support from above, ensuring Void is escorted safely away."
Agent 5 took a deep breath.
"All right, but what about the man in blue armor?"
"I can handle him once we reach the top, but we must avoid fighting him as much as possible because he's the commander of the royal guards."
"The commander?"
"Yes, trust me, you don't want to face him in a fight"
"All right. Let's go in, get Void, and get out."
Draven entered the maze through the lower gates and worked his way up to the middle level.
As he reached Taro, he squared his shoulders and cracked his neck.
"Let's do this."
Taro and Draven climbed toward the top of the maze. Agent 5 fired again, shrouding the arena in darkness and masking their approach.
They reached the arena platform and moved closer to the clan leaders, ready to strike from the shadows.

YOU ARE READING
UNIFIED W
FantasyIn this world where people have crystal powers, fate chose Kai to once again reunite the seven clans, who are in a constant civil war with each other for centuries. Although Kai were chosen, his path is full of despair and pain, but a voice keeps te...