Chapter 30: Into the Lion’s Den
The flickering torches illuminated ancient stone corridor steps down deeper with Leo and Antony into the secluded lair of the plotters. The tension in that air was palpable and could be sensed, heavy with scent wet earth and the faint tang of blood from the past skirmishes.
Antony gripped his sword tightly, his eyes scanning every shadow. "We're close," he muttered. "Cassius and his pack of wolves are here. Be ready for anything."
Leo nodded, his Rune-Blade flashing softly in his hand. Rune carvings along its sides shone with a deep blue that seemed to be spreading all over the blade, stronger every step they took. It felt alive, as if it sensed danger.
As they made the final turn of the corridor, a grand chamber opened before them. The plotters were congregated around a large table, faces tight with tension but steady with resolve. At the head of the gathering stood Cassius, his bright eyes fastened onto Leo and Antony as they entered.
When Cassius saw them, his face flickered with a flash of surprise. "You're alive?" he spat at them, his voice a mixture of disbelief and anger. He eyed the glowing blade in Leo's hand, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "How did you get past my men?
Let's just say that your wolves were no match for a lion," Antony said coldly, taking one step forward.
He sneered, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Clever, perhaps, but you will not leave this place alive. Men! Kill them!
At his word, a dozen armed men came forward from the shadows, and their weapons now gleamed in torchlight. Leo's heart sped up as he raised his blade, its glow increasing in intensity, as if fed by his desire.
System Notice:
Objective: Survive the Ambush
Defeat Cassius's guards.
Defend Antony.
Bonus: Forcing Cassius to retreat.
Stay close, Antony!' Leo cried, clutching the blade even tighter.
The first attacker lunged at Leo, his sword aiming for the heart. On pure instinct, Leo activated Quick Step, his body blurring to sidestep the attack at inhuman speed. With fluid motion, he brought the Rune-Blade down, the glowing runes flaring as it sliced through the attacker's weapon and into his armor.
Another guard charged out of the side, and Leo had to pivot. The axe came down in a deadly arc, but Leo raised his own blade just in time, runes sparking on impact. With a surging strength, he pushed the attacker back and unleashed a powerful slash that sent the man crumpling to the ground.
Antony was holding his own, moving with a swiftness and precision that parried and countered the relentless attacks. Still, the odds were overwhelming, and the room seemed to close in as more guards joined the fray.
Leo's system window flashed in the corner of his eyesight.
System Alert:
Skill Learned: Blade Surge
A strong blow, channeled from the Rune-Blade's energy, sending shockwaves and hitting all enemies within a small radius.
A smile widened Leo's face. "Time to level the playing field," he mumbled.
He gripped it tighter, feeling the power hum from the blade. Wailing battle cry, then Blade Surge, swinging the weapon in some great arc. The runes flared gloriously outward, and a wave of energy erupted forth from the blade, several attackers flying. Cassius's sneer relaxed while he backed away, yelling more commands. "What wait you gently here for? Kill them, kill them!
The other guards hesitated, seemingly uneasy at the glowing weapon and Leo's sudden display of power. Antony took advantage of the moment and plunged his sword into the nearest enemy and turned to Leo. "Whatever that blade is, keep using it!
The battle on, and the chamber rang out with steel clashes and cries of wounded men. Gradually, the tide started to turn.
Cassius, seeing his men falter, scowled and gestured to the other conspirators. "We're leaving," he growled.
Leo and Antony caught sight of the conspirators retreating into an adjoining corridor. Cassius lingered for a moment, casting a final glance at Leo. His smirk returned, taunting. "You may have won this battle, Overseer, but you're far from stopping me. This war has only just begun."
And with that, he vanished into the night, following after them all.
System Notification:
Objective Complete: Survive the Ambush
Reward +200 XP
Bonus Objective Achieved: Forced Cassius to withdraw.
The last of the guards fell, and Leo crashed to one knee, his chest heaving. Antony approached him, holding out one hand.
Well done, Overseer" Antony said with a rare note in his voice of admiration. He pulled himself up with the extended hand he had been offered. "Not over yet," he said with a straight face, peering off in the direction of his vanishing companions.
"No," he said, his face set in its darkness. "But this is a triumph, and Rome will remember it." Leo gazed at the Rune-Blade as it dimmed with the battle's end.
The conspirators had perhaps narrowly evaded that round, but the blade he now grasped told him that he was ready for whatever lay ahead. He and Antony exchanged a nod before moving towards the corridor through which Cassius had fled.
With every step, the glow of the Rune-Blade grew brighter once again, as if it felt another battle was close to be faced. They went deeper and deeper, and Leo asked himself if this would really end the chase, where they would finally see how much more history he would change.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone