CHAPTER 292: CAUGHT OFF GUARD

The air was thick with tension as Aaron and Layla moved cautiously through the darkened streets of the Eastern Duchy.

The scent of damp stone and old wood clung to the narrow alleys, a stark contrast to the luxurious districts where nobles resided. Here, in the underbelly of the city, whispers of the forbidden magic practitioners echoed through the abandoned buildings and hidden tunnels.

Aaron had followed the trail relentlessly, uncovering fragments of a sinister operation—one that involved the abduction and horrific experimentation on refugees. The pieces had led him here, deep into the heart of the Eastern Duchy.

Layla, always resourceful, had joined him without hesitation, lending both her knowledge of the city and her personal forces to aid in the search. Yet, despite their efforts, they were being watched.

Shadows moved unseen along the rooftops, keeping pace with them.

Waiting.

The moment had finally arrived.

Layla adjusted the hood of her cloak, her sharp eyes scanning the alleyway ahead. The flickering lanterns barely provided enough light to see beyond a few feet, but she wasn’t afraid. She had spent years maneuvering through places like these, uncovering secrets that others wished to keep buried.

"I don’t like this," Aaron muttered, his voice low.

Based on their intel, there had to be something major going down today. He had people go undercover as refugees and all the information had pointed to this alley being the main hub of activity.

His instincts, honed from years of battle, screamed at him that something was wrong. "It’s too quiet."

Layla nodded. She had the same feeling.

Too quiet.

Too still.

Her fingers drifted toward the dagger hidden at her waist, her pulse steady but alert.

"The informant we’re meeting—" she started, but Aaron cut her off with a sharp gesture.

"I know," he said, scanning their surroundings again. "Something isn’t right."

Layla trusted Aaron’s instincts. He had a way of sensing danger before it struck, a skill that had saved his life more times than he could count.

And yet—

She turned slightly, her sharp gaze moving toward a small, broken window on the second floor of a nearby building. Had that shadow shifted?

The air changed.

Aaron’s hand was on his sword in an instant.

"Move."

Layla reacted immediately. She didn’t ask, didn’t hesitate—she moved.

In the next heartbeat, the world exploded into chaos.

The first attack came from above.

Figures clad in dark robes leaped from the rooftops, their hands crackling with forbidden magic. Purple-black energy coiled around their fingers, twisting unnaturally as they hurled it toward Layla and Aaron.

Aaron spun, his sword flashing in the dim light as he deflected the attack. Sparks flew as his blade met the dark energy, pushing it back with sheer force.

Layla ducked, rolling to the side as another blast barely missed her. It struck the cobblestone where she had been standing, leaving a smoldering crater in its wake.

They had been waiting for this.

The enemy had planned this ambush perfectly. They had let Layla and Aaron get comfortable, let them believe they were the hunters—when in reality, they had been the prey all along.

And now the trap had sprung. Their target was Layla and Layla only. She needed to die. There should not be any chances for escape.

Aaron surged forward, his sword cutting through the air with lethal precision. His movements were sharp, calculated—each swing designed to kill.

The first robed figure fell, a clean strike cutting through his chest. Blood sprayed onto the ground, but Aaron didn’t stop. He twisted, raising his blade just in time to block another attack.

The second mage snarled. His lips curled, and he thrust his hand forward—dark energy coalescing at his fingertips.

Aaron reacted instantly.

He dodged left, closing the distance before the mage could finish his spell. His sword slashed across the man’s throat, silencing him before he could utter another incantation.

Another one down.

But there were more.

Too many.

---

The moment the first assassin lunged, Layla reacted with instinctive precision. A sharp gust of wind burst from her palms, sending the attacker crashing into the alley wall with a sickening thud.

The scent of blood and burnt stone filled the air as Aaron ignited his blade with searing flames, cutting through the darkness with lethal efficiency.

Their enemies surrounded them in overwhelming numbers, dark figures weaving through the narrow streets, their robes blending into the night. But despite the odds, neither Aaron nor Layla faltered.

Layla’s wind magic surged around her, a storm in the heart of battle. With every flick of her wrist, razor-sharp gusts sliced through flesh and fabric alike, forcing their enemies to keep their distance. The wind wrapped around her like an unseen shield, pushing back the suffocating weight of their presence.

Aaron, meanwhile, was fire incarnate. His blade moved with blinding speed, each swing leaving a trail of flames in its wake.

The firelight reflected in his blue eyes, turning them into molten gold as he fought. His enemies barely had time to react before they were burned or cut down where they stood.

At first, the assassins fought to kill. Their attacks were ruthless, meant to overwhelm them. But when it became clear that Layla and Aaron were not falling as easily as expected, their tactics changed.

They no longer aimed for fatal blows.

They aimed to subdue.

Aaron narrowed his eyes as he dodged a strike aimed not at his chest but at his arm, they wanted to distract him with multiple attacks, it did not matter if it hit weak points or not, they needed to catch him off guard again.

He had a strong mentality, and for the senior to perform the incantation and take control of Aaron, it requires a lot of effort and time.

Layla barely had time to process it before she felt the shift in the air. A dark, unnatural energy gathered around them, thick and oppressive.

They were trying to break his mind.

Forbidden magic.

Aaron staggered.