Arrow's Fallen

Chapter 4: Unexpected

Then I suddenly felt dizzy. I looked around in confusion, as the pain was there and then...just not. But I was still in the sandy clearing, the Hordemaster giving me that same smirk. The axeman Zalck was in his...previous spot, I guess. I then felt a familiar strange sense of deja vu when the axeman began his exact same approach. Strange hope surged in my chest. A sharp object flew out of nowhere and struck Zalck in the neck. He stumbled and collapsed to the ground.

"It seems you three can't handle a raid without me? Why, you bloody shouldn't of left me to the paperwork then!" A man prone to dress in all black or silver, a large collection of witty remarks but not without his manners, and a control over time: Luxord Silver.

Wraith cursed under his breath and drew a dagger. It went flying before I could even blink. Luxord flicked out a trademark 'sharpcard' as he called it, easily deflecting the blade in time. "HOW did HE get past OUR defenses!??" Wraith exclaimed angrily. The guards surrounded and came at Luxord. He just smirked and rounded a kick, sending the nearest one to the ground. He then flicked out one more sharpcard and threw them both opposite ways. One card embedded itself in a guard's sword arm, his screams triggering more soldiers to advance. Before they could close in he spun one more card in Falcon's direction. I looked over in surprise to see him transformed and almost free. My bonds were still tight though. After Falcon used the sharpcard to slash his bonds completely, he cut mine and Verre's.

*P.O.V Arrow*

No way was I going to stay behind when I heard the breakthrough. Verre had sent a confirmation of the mission objective back to the guild. Now I was almost at the end of this long, dank tunnel...I stepped out onto a wooden platform. Yelling and the clang of steel yanked my attention to the ground. I gaped. That were Falcon and the others! I pulled out my agility knife and quickly surveyed the battle taking place. A man, who I could not recognize from here, threw something towards the bound group of three. My eyes widened, but a second later Falcon was free. I sighed with relief and weaved down the platform in a few quick seconds due to my abilities and let the agility knife fly.

Another satisfying scream filled the air and I knew, for once, it was a direct hit. Thank you, Falcon! I drew my sword knife accordingly and met the nearest blade, eyes still locked on a tall, dangerous figure in the middle that seemed to be fighting the mysterious rescuer we had gained. I was forced to concentrate again as a swordsman was rapidly trying to cut me in half. My swordknife was enough to parry the blow, but the next one came and I slid to my knees under the harsh jar of his blade. My left hand reached into my pocket and pulled out a thin starkblade. I flicked the white metal blade into his side and retreated as he let out a cry of pain. I flinched and whirled to find one of my cuts had reopened by another aggressor. Maybe I could've listened to the health aid and not gone while I was still injured, but too late now. I fought my way towards the middle, seeing Verre halfway. I stole up behind her attacker and slit his throat with my swordknife. He fell silently. Verre gave me a nod and ran over to help Falcon.

We were a group of the best trained assassins in our guild, yet the sheer number of horde soldiers was exhausting. I already had added multiple cuts to my healing ones. As we began drawing the attention of more soldiers nearby, I began to become surrounded. I took a deep breath. I needed to fall into a focused battle mindset that the training classes were always talking about. I set my gaze unto the nearest charging attacker and the rest of the noise grew unfocused. I fell into a flowing motion: dodge- attack- parry- swipe- duck- attack- dodge- battle flowed on like the quick current of a river. I finally downed my upteenth attacker and realized that I had arrived at the middle- where a sharp card looking object almost sliced across my nose. The mysterious guy on our side from earlier turned slightly and held up a knife threateningly, a dark expression upon his face. I flicked up my swordknife just in time to block another razor sharp card from embedding itself in my face. It bounced off at an angle and grazed my left arm. "Whose side are you on???" I gasped. Confusion and then understanding and guilt flickered across his features. "Sorry, love. Who might you be?"

Before he could say any more, the leader spun away from where Falcon was holding him off and brought his sword down in a large sweeping motion, straight for the man's neck. My eyes went wide and I leapt forward, but the sword swept through empty air. I flinched in surprise and blinked, hard. Where did he...

He re-appeared suddenly behind the Horde leader- Wraith! I remember his name! A blade from the re-appeared man sliced at Wraith's neck. However, he never succeeded in even touching the dark warrior before he was twisted in Wraith's famous dark grip of death. I had to fend off three more soldiers who had made it close enough, but I felt frozen as I watched the blonde choking at his knees. I had to do something. What could I do? Falcon is too busy barely fending all these soldiers off on the opposite side. We cannot stay here much longer before we're overwhelmed. Verre limped over to my side quickly and nodded. I was concerned over how much blood was dripping from her leg but she seemed otherwise unscratched. Oh COME ON ARROW THINK OF SOMETHING or HE WILL DIE! I shouted inside, racking my brain. Wraith's grip of death can almost never be stopped. Unless somehow...but how could I-

I heard a loud, inhuman scream behind me and I whirled around. Falcon stood over a fallen body of Wraith, breathing hard. The blond man stood up one leg at a time and was already back into battle. By now the real assassins were approaching and joining the ranks of battle hardened soldiers, and approaching fast. Heatphase and Verre double teamed an opposing sergeant ranked one from the looks of their uniform. "So, you didn't answer my question, beautiful."

I turned incredulously, ignoring the instantaneous glare Falcon had upon his face..that I probably imagined. The mysterious blond man was smiling cordially...and addressing me I suppose? "My name is Arrow." I stated, dodging a simitar armed woman. The man pulled me away and spun me in his direction, taking my gloved hand and kissing it. I blushed and blinked inwardly not sure whether I should glare, smile, or just nod. "I'm Luxord, pleasure to meet you," he responded. I gave him a critical look. "You too, it's just not the time for introductions." He nodded. "I do agree. I'll let you get back to your rather exceptional fighting." With that he nudged me back in the direction of where Heatphase was totally owning the scimitar girl. "Not sure he needs help..." I muttered under my breath. Falcon cut in deliberately and glared slightly at Luxord before angrily whispering something unintelligible to him. 

My face then painstakingly met sand, a dark boot planted firmly on my back. I gasped and struggled, but a sword blade flicked itself close to my throat. I strained my head up to see Wraith standing over me, rage on his terrifyingly dark features. The dark warrior simply stood in silence, unblinking. "NOW I shall put an end to you, Sergeant," He spat. I find it ironic he thinks I am a sergeant. That proves I fight like one! I twisted to the side at the last second and avoided it, making no more than a scratch across my collarbone. He swiped again, angry this time. I flinched and tensed up, unable to avoid a third strike for sure. Then the pressure on my spine was suddenly relieved as Luxord threw Wraith aside into the dust. Wraith coughed and tried to stand, but shakily fell back to his feet. Luxord threw a sharpened card straight towards another attacker dressed in grey. The man crumpled to the ground while clutching his throat.

"Luxord! Verre, Arrow! Let's go, now! We have to get out of here, quick." Falcon shouted from across the way. He had Heatphase with him, covering his back. Without hesitating I sprinted towards the edge of the thick fray and didn't stop when I caught up. Up the rickety platform, into the dark tunnel. My eyes adjusted slowly, but I still didn't stop- I followed the rapid echos of Falcon's boots in front of me. I heard shouts behind us at the tunnel entrance. "Run faster Falcon!" I exclaimed. He sped up his run and transformed falcon, barely slowing his pace in the process. Heatphase and Verre were hot on my heels when I glanced back. What happened to Luxord? Falcon soared upward suddenly, into the basement. I lept onto the ladder, my heart beating at a rushed pace. I climbed up and grabbed onto Falcon's outstretched hand.