An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“Damn it! This punk’s tougher than I thought. We’re in real trouble if this keeps up,” Connor said, swinging his twin blades relentlessly. Every strike was aimed at Axel’s vital points.

But Axel was quick. He weaved in and out of reach and avoided direct confrontation. It was obvious he was just stalling for time.

“Sir Prescott should be far enough by now. There’s no point dragging this out. Let’s fall back.”

Sensing the futility of their efforts, Dave considered retreating. He didn’t fear death, but he wasn’t about to waste his life for nothing.

Since Warrick had escaped, their interception mission was also completed.

“You guys hold him off. The rest of you, fall back with me.”

Connor was decisive. Realizing they weren’t making any progress, he quickly ordered a retreat and left a few decoys behind to buy time.

They had barely run a hundred yards when a wave of soldiers suddenly appeared at the alley’s entrance. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, filled the narrow space and completely blocked any chance of escape.

“Fall back!”

Connor and Dave exchanged a glance.

Without hesitation, they turned and bolted in the opposite direction. With fewer than a hundred men, charging into an enemy several times their size would be suicide.

The sound of perfectly synchronized footsteps echoed from ahead, and the ground beneath them started to shake.

Connor and Dave skidded to a halt. Their eyes widened in shock as they stared at the distance.

of the road, a wave of black steel

faces were hidden behind menacing masks. They were tall, their eyes sharp, and

“Draken Guardians?”

Dave’s face paled when they saw

of West Lucozia was already the most elite military force in the land, unstoppable

of the crop, handpicked from thousands of Black Dragon Army soldiers. They were the

a master in their own right. Any single member could stand toe-to-toe with

would never deploy such a force unless the situation was dire. Neither had expected the legendary Draken Guardians to be deployed over this

Connor and Dave knew there was no

facing thousands of soldiers, they were confident they could fight their way through. But against

regrouped with the reinforcements

were trapped. They were caught between a fierce force ahead and a deadly one

had nowhere to run or hide and were completely

came to a stop. A broad-shouldered, imposing middle

over Connor and Dave before he spoke in a cold, commanding voice.

simple, but they carried a powerful

Jaxon Steele, who achieved

target wasn’t Connor or Dave-he two small fry-but Warrick, who was halfway

caliber was enough to warrant the Draken

“What should we do?”

glanced at Connor, and his grip tightened around

bound by a vow. They didn’t need to live on the same day, month, or year. Instead, they only promised to die together

can we do? Fight