The Dawn of Knight

Chapter Twenty Nine

Amélie trudged through the desolate city, her worn boots scraping against the cracked pavement with each step. The abandoned buildings loomed over her, their shattered windows and crumbling facades a stark reminder of the world that had ended. A thick fog hung in the air, adding to the eerie atmosphere as she made her way towards a makeshift camp she had heard about.

Her bag filled with salvaged supplies and medication, weighed heavily on her shoulders. She could still remember when it was full of textbooks and notebooks, before everything fell apart. But now it held only survival necessities and precious mementos of a life that no longer existed.

The crackling, distorted voice of Beaufort boomed in her ear, the static adding a sense of urgency to his words. Amélie could hear the strain in his voice as he spoke, the weight of their mission heavy on his shoulders. "How far are you?!"

"Two clicks," she responded, her voice steady but betraying the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "ETA five minutes."

"Keep your guard up. The Krell patrols are the least of your worries. You're entering Raider territory."

Amélie nodded, even though Beaufort couldn't see her, and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She knew all too well the dangers that lurked within Raider territory, but she had a job to do and she wasn't about to let fear stop her. "Understood."

The Raiders were infamous in the wasteland, twisted scavengers who had devolved into merciless predators. They showed no mercy, their lust for power blinding them to any remnants of humanity.

An overwhelming mix of anger and fear consumed Amélie as she navigated through the desolate cityscape. She seethed with rage towards a world that had crumbled into chaos, and towards those who had embraced savagery over survival.

The once-vibrant streets now lay eerily silent and empty, but Amélie couldn't afford to dwell on the past. As she darted down an alleyway, the looming buildings seemed to suffocate her like a caged animal. The distant roar of engines echoed in her ears, growing louder and more ominous with each passing moment.

She frantically darted through the narrow alley. She zigzagged between piles of debris and damaged vehicles, constantly scanning her surroundings for any potential threats. The overwhelming stillness was only broken by the sound of her own ragged breaths, each one amplifying the growing turmoil inside her.

As she hurried through the abandoned ruins, her boot snagged on a pile of rubble, and she stumbled forward. She caught herself just in time, but as she glanced down, a glint of metal caught her eye from beneath the debris. With trembling hands, she brushed away the dirt and revealed an ancient sword. Its blade was dulled from age, but still held a faint shine in the dim light. She traced her fingers over the intricate carvings etched into its hilt, imagining the battles this weapon had seen in the long-forgotten past.

"Where did you come from?" she whispered

It felt weighty and powerful in her grasp, a tangible symbol of strength. She cast a quick glance at the crumbling remains of the nearby museum, imagining the chaos that must have ensued when someone attempted to steal the sword, only to meet their demise before doing so. And now, it was hers for the taking.

She wanted to take the time to examine the weapon more closely, but she knew that she didn't have the time. That would have to wait. She still needed to get back to camp

The distant rumbling grew closer. She leapt to her feet. The Raiders were almost upon her - she could hear their wild shouts and the revving of their motorcycles echoing through the deserted streets. Taking refuge in a narrow alleyway, she pressed herself against the grime-coated wall, trying to quiet her panicked breaths.

Through a small gap between two buildings, she caught sight of the approaching gang - their faces hidden behind smudged visors, their bodies clad in scraps of leather and mismatched armor. At their head was their leader, a hulking figure adorned with a menacing skull emblem on his vest. He brought his motorcycle to a stop just a few feet away from where she crouched, sending shivers down her spine with the roar of his engine.

"Well, well, look at what we have here." His gruff voice dripped with malice as he lifted his visor, revealing a scarred face twisted into an evil grin as he locked eyes with her. "A little thief sneaking around in our territory? Raiders don't take kindly to troublemakers."

Amélie's grip tightened around the hilt of her sword. She had no intention of backing down.

The leader dismounted from his motorcycle, his heavy boots crushing the ground beneath him as he marched towards her. His gang surrounded her, their cruel laughter filling the alleyway. "You think you can sweet-talk your way out of this, you little bitch? You're outnumbered and outgunned."

Amélie locked eyes with him, her determination unwavering. "I will not say it again," she stated firmly. Her voice remained steady, even as the tension in the room grew.

The Raiders snickered, their mocking laughter grating on her nerves. The leader's smile stretched wider, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "You don't demand, little girl," he sneered. "You beg. Now get on your knees and beg to pleasure me."

But Amélie didn't plead or cower. Amélie unsheathed her sword and struck down the nearest Raider with surgical precision. Her blade danced through the air, leaving a trail of crimson in its wake.

The laughter in the Raiders' throats turned to choking gasps as she mercilessly cut them down one by one, her face contorted with a primal fury that struck fear into their hearts. She was a force to be reckoned with, an unstoppable warrior fueled by vengeance and a thirst for justice.

Before they could even comprehend what was happening, she had already taken several raiders down with calculated strikes.

Her muscles screamed in protest, but sheer will kept her moving. She parried the chain with her sword and spun, driving her elbow into a Raider's face, finishing him with a swift slash. Blood exploded from his nose as he stumbled back, creating an opening for Amélie to finish him with a clean slash across his throat.

Amélie's triumphant roar was cut short as the leader bellowed his face twisted in fury as he watched his men fall to Amélie's surgical precision. He signaled for his men to attack. The sound of their engines roaring echoed through the air as they charged towards her, weapons raised and bloodthirsty.

With every nerve on edge, Amélie prepared herself for the onslaught, but she quickly realized she was outnumbered. Despite her lightning-fast reflexes and precise movements, she couldn't keep up with their relentless attacks. One blow caught her off guard, a heavy chain slamming into her back with bone-shattering force. She stumbled forward, gasping for air as white-hot pain shot through her body.

But giving up was not an option for Amélie. Ignoring the pain, she steadied herself and locked eyes with the leader charging towards her like a raging bull. Without hesitation, she crouched low, muscles coiled and ready to strike. As the leader swung his chain at her once again, she sprang forward with unrelenting fury, using his own momentum against him as she sliced through the chain with her sword. The metal links fell to the ground with a deafening clang, and Amélie stood victorious amidst the chaos.

Their leader's enraged roar echoes through the air as Amélie lunges forward. With a swift strike, her blade cleaved through the air. Slicing through his legs with a swift and precise strike. He crashes to the ground with a pained grunt, writhing in agony as Amélie stands over him, her chest heaving with adrenaline-fueled breaths. Her eyes burn with a cold ferocity as she looks down at his broken form.

"I did warn you." she spits, her voice dripping with iciness.

Just as she prepares to deliver the final blow, the rumble of an engine shatters the tense stillness. A Raider has snatched the bag of medicine and is racing away on his motorcycle, their only chance for survival fading into the distance.

Amélie's heart dropped into her stomach. If they escaped, the valuable medicine and the countless lives it could save would be lost forever.

Determined to not let that happen, she pushed her body to run faster. The Raider was gaining distance ahead of her, his motorcycle roaring as he disappeared down the street.

Not now. Not ever.

She couldn't afford to let him get away.