Beneath a Dying Sky

Chapter 4

Lior stood at the center of the grand hall, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he faced the guard. The clash of swords and the sounds of chaos faded into the background, replaced by the steady beat of his heart. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, propelling him forward with a reckless abandon that had become all too familiar.

The guard, a hulking figure clad in gleaming armor, advanced with purpose, his sword raised high. Lior gripped the candlestick tighter, its weight both a comfort and a reminder of the stakes at hand. He couldn't falter now. Not when so much was at risk.

With a primal roar, Lior lunged forward, swinging the candlestick in a wide arc. The guard sidestepped with surprising agility, countering with a swift slash of his sword. Lior barely had time to react, dropping to the ground to avoid the blow. The chill of the marble floor seeped through his clothing, but he didn't have the luxury of pain right now.

Rolling back onto his feet, Lior quickly regained his stance, his eyes narrowing as he gauged the guard's movements. Each moment felt stretched, as if time had slowed to accommodate the impending collision of wills. The guard lunged again, and Lior ducked, feeling the whoosh of air as the sword sliced above him.

Fueled by the sheer force of his will, Lior countered with a strike aimed at the guard's knees, hoping to disable him quickly. The impact jolted his arm, sending a jolt of pain up his shoulder, but it worked—the guard staggered back, his balance faltering.

"Is that all you've got?" Lior taunted, forcing bravado into his voice, even as his heart raced. "I expected more from Astraea's finest!"

The guard scowled, the mask of professionalism cracking just enough to reveal the fury boiling beneath the surface. He swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming to intimidate Lior into submission. But Lior was done cowering; he could feel the fire of rebellion igniting within him.

With a roar, he surged forward again, striking the guard with a series of rapid blows. Each connection felt like a small victory, a push against the walls that had confined him for too long. He could feel the energy of the palace shifting, like a storm brewing on the horizon.

Finally, Lior found an opening. With a swift movement, he jabbed the candlestick into the guard's side, catching him off-guard. The guard let out a grunt, staggering backward, and Lior seized the moment. He swung the candlestick with all his strength, the impact connecting with the guard's helmet. The man crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Breathing heavily, Lior stepped back, his gaze sweeping the hall. But the fight wasn't over yet. More guards were pouring in from the other rooms, their shouts echoing off the walls, mingling with the distant sounds of battle.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, adrenaline fading to a simmering urgency. He needed to regroup and find Kira before they were completely overwhelmed.

Turning on his heel, Lior bolted toward the door Kira had escaped through. He pushed it open with a grunt, charging into the corridor beyond. The sounds of fighting filled the air, but it was distant, echoing through the vast palace.

"Where are you, Kira?" Lior called out, his voice barely rising above the din. He had to find her. They were stronger together, and he couldn't afford to lose her now.

He moved quickly through the dimly lit halls, his senses heightened. The air felt charged with energy, and he could almost taste the tension in the atmosphere. He was not just a rebel now; he was part of something larger—a movement that was shifting the very foundations of Astraea.

As he rounded a corner, he stumbled into a smaller hallway adorned with rich tapestries and elegant sconces. The walls were painted with depictions of Astraea's history, battles won and lost, heroes and tyrants. It felt like a world of its own, a reminder of everything that had led him to this moment.