Bab 14: A deadly demonstration...

"I need your help, Captain. I need to gather forces to take on the Draegonians."

Captain Kael's expression turned serious. "That's a tall order, Adrian. What do you have in mind?"

"An ambush," Adrian declared. "The Draegonians are in the area like you said. We'll intercept their forces, and hit them hard."

Lorian's laughter rang out, drawing the attention of the rest of the mercenaries. His laughter turned into a cough, and he cleared his throat. "Ambush, huh? That's a great idea."

Adrian could sense the sarcasm in his tone.

"Do you have a death wish or something? First, it was the Temple of Endless Desires; you're lucky you made it out alive. Now you want to go against the Draegonians? The same people who tossed you to the edge of death and left you hanging by a thread?"

The words hit him like a hammer but he simply nodded. "I know I can't do it alone, that's why I'm asking. So... what do you say Captain?"

Captain Kael looked to his men, meeting each one's gaze. There was a moment of silence as they considered his proposal.

Kael scratched his beard thoughtfully before finally speaking. "Well, we're mercenaries and not heroes. And I'm only a Captain here; they all have the choice to decide if they would love to join you or not."

As the words left his lips, the mercenaries looked to each other, exchanging knowing glances. Not all of them shared Kael's willingness to consider Adrian's request.

"Are you kidding me? We have no intention to die because of a stranger." Mike, who Adrian had assaulted a few moments ago, was the first to speak. "I don't know about others, but there's no way I would fo;;ow a fool to his grave on his little revenge trip. You can't accept that they kicked your ass, and just because you got a pretty lady beside you, it doesn't mean you can take on a whole kingdom."

Mike's tirade should have provoked anger in Adrian, but instead, he felt a twisted sense of amusement. A slight chuckle escaped his lips, and he smiled, a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

"You know, for a while, I thought you would learn a few things from my demonstration earlier, but it seems you're daft," Adrian remarked calmly, stepping slowly toward Mike, his eyes never leaving his.

Mike's body stiffened as he saw the look on Adrian's face, the confidence he had exhibited earlier draining from his features.

The atmosphere was tense, and the other mercenaries seemed unsure of how to react. Slowly, they parted, allowing Adrian to approach Mike with ease.

"But now, I understand. You are just a fool. So allow me to demonstrate how you can take on a 'whole kingdom,'" Adrian said, his voice dripping with venom.

Mike's face paled as Adrian extended his hand and summoned two chains with a flick of his wrist. They shot into the ground, sprouting up within seconds, just inches away from where Mike stood. The chains seized his legs, rendering him immobile.

He struggled desperately to break free, but they held him fast.

Adrian took another step toward him.

Mike trembled, his eyes wide with fear. "Please, please, please. I was joking, okay? I'm sorry. Just let me go."

Adrian raised his hand, and the chains dragged Mike into the air, suspending him several feet above the ground. He thrashed wildly, trying to break free.

Without warning, Adrian drew his sword and launched it with precision, driving it straight into Mike's heart. He gasped in shock, then slumped against the chain, lifeless.

There was a moment of shocked silence as the rest of the mercenaries stared in horror.

Captain Kael was the first to find his voice. "By the Gods, Adrian, what have you done?"

"A demonstration," Adrian replied calmly, a satisfied grin on his face. "I was asking politely before, but unless you want to join him, you'll do exactly as I said," he finished with a tone that allowed no argument.

No one dared to utter a word.

Adrian let the chains retract back to him, and the lifeless body fell with a thud.

He turned and faced the group of mercenaries.

"So, who's next?"

The mercenaries looked at each other, their expressions ranging from terrified to angry.

Captain Kael cleared his throat, trying to regain some semblance of control.

"Alright, listen up," Kael barked, his voice cutting through the silence. "Adrian's got a plan, and we're going to hear him out. We've faced worse odds before, and we came out on top. If he thinks we can take on the Draegonians, then we'll give it a shot."

The mercenaries exchanged nervous glances, but no one objected.

Captain Kael turned to Adrian, his gaze filled with resolve.

"Well then, tell us what you have in mind."

With a grin on his face, Adrian began. "This is how it would play out."