Chapter 6
The sound of clashing steel echoed through the abandoned warehouse. Rowan’s muscles burned as he parried Sam’s relentless attacks. Sweat dripped down his brow, stinging his eyes and making them slightly red. For a week now, they had been meeting here in secret, pushing their bodies to the limit.
Rowan couldn’t ignore the nervousness he felt, What would happen if we got caught? He kept asking himself.
Their attempt to destroy the Mytholite shipment would be a direct hit against the Eidolon, a move that nobody will be able to ignore.
As Sam’s blade whistled past his ear, Rowan feared that he was not truly prepared for what lay ahead. The determination in Sam’s eyes, however, left no room for doubt.
They knew that the line was already crossed, and there was no going back now. Sam feinted left, then struck from the right. Rowan barely managed to block the blow, the impact sent vibrations up his arm. He countered with a swift thrust, which Sam easily sidestepped.
“You’re telegraphing your moves,”
Sam criticized, circling Rowan like a predator. “Remember what we were taught - let your body move without thought.”
Rowan nodded, taking a deep breath to center himself. As Sam lunged forward, Rowan’s body reacted instinctively. He ducked under the swing, pivoted, and brought his blade up that stopped just short of Sam’s neck.
A smile spread across Sam’s face. “Now that’s more like it,”
he said approvingly. Rowan felt his reflexes sharpening with each exchange, his movements becoming more precise and controlled.
Rowan deflected Sam’s final strike and stepped back, lowering his weapon. “I think that’s enough for today,”
he panted, wiping sweat from his brow. Sam nodded, a grin spreading across his face. “You’re getting better,”
he said, clapping Rowan’s sweaty shoulder. “We might just pull this off.”.
They moved to the desk at the corner of the warehouse where a map of the area was wide open.
Sam traced the route of the Mytholite shipment with his finger until he stopped in the middle of the way to the Eidolon temple, “This is where we intercept the shipment”, he said. “It’s isolated enough that we shouldn’t draw too much attention.”
Rowan studied the map, committing every detail to memory. “And our escape route?” He asked.
Sam pointed to a series of winding alleys. “Through here. I’ve scouted it out – plenty of places to lose any pursuers.”
Rowan traced the escape route with his finger, frowning slightly. “What about this intersection here?”
He asked, tapping a spot on the map. “It seems exposed.”
Sam leaned in, studying the area Rowan indicated. “Good catch,”
he nodded approvingly. “We’ll need to be quick there. I’ve noticed a low wall we can vault over if needed, leading to another alley.”
“And the timing?”
Rowan pressed, his brow furrowed in concentration.
“The shipment is due to arrive just after midnight,”
Sam explained, pulling out a crumpled piece of parchment. “I managed to get a copy of the guard rotation. We’ll have a window of about ten minutes when the patrol is at its weakest.”
Rowan nodded, impressed by Sam’s thoroughness. “What about our disguises?”
Sam moved to a corner of the warehouse, pulling out a large sack. “I’ve got us covered,”
he said, emptying the contents onto the table. It was a set of ebony color clothes, Rowan swept his hand across the fabric, it felt light and he enjoyed the cold feeling of it, besides it a silver skull mask to hide their faces. Rowan pricked the mask, surprised by its heavy weight, and turned to look at Sam, “A bit over the top don’t you think”?
“I just thought it looked intimidating”, Sam smiled.
“Sam,”
he said in hushed, measured tones, “are you sure we can pull this off?”
Sam met his gaze, determination blazing in his eyes. “We have to,”
he replied firmly. “For all those innocent lives the Eidolon has destroyed. For all those yet to come.”
He placed a hand on Rowan’s shoulder. “We can do this, brother.”
Rowan nodded, feeling a surge of resolve. They turned back to the map, going over every detail one last time as the sun began to set outside the warehouse windows.
As the last rays of sunlight faded from the warehouse windows, Rowan and Sam began their final preparations. They changed into their disguises, the pleasant fabric of the clothes reminded Rowan of his Eidolon robe, making him a little hesitant.
“How do I look?”
Rowan asked, adjusting the silver mask on his face, Sam gave him a once-over and nodded approvingly. “Like the most intimidating thing out there.”
Rowan sheathed the sword on his back, and also a small dagger on his right boot. Rowan found that the weight of the weapons felt reassuring, a reminder of their purpose.
As they stepped out into the cool night air, the faint scent of approaching rain filled their noses. Sam took a deep breath, he seemed to find it relaxing.
They moved silently through the darkened streets, two shadows blending seamlessly into the night. Rowan’s mind raced with a mixture of excitement and fear. They disappeared into the labyrinth of alleyways, ready to make their mark on history. The true test of their resolve and abilities lay just ahead, waiting in the darkness.