Opening Moves (The Lion Knight Book 1)

by Aurelius L. Zero

  Leon was in a bind, these mercenaries were far more tenacious than the first group he had engaged. No amount of pain seemed to be able to put them down and deliberately limiting his power to non-lethal levels was looking to be a bad choice.

  He really, really didn’t want to kill.

  Even maiming his opponents like he did back in the Umbra forest was something he preferred to be kept as a last resort. Straight up killing everyone who stood against him was behaviour far too reticent of ‘him’ and Leon would be damned before he allowed the lines to blur any further.

  This reduced him to using his weaker spells that clearly failed to do the job. As another surge of lightning left his hands, his frown deepened.

  This time he had failed to hit anyone, the Iron Wolves he aimed at having dived out of the way.

  They had begun running about the place randomly, refusing to group up while taking pot shots at Leon. With so many scattered about the place, some in front, some behind and many more flanking him, Leon was having a hard time picking them off.

  Well… this isn’t good, they’re adapting to my tactics already. Guess I’ll have to mix things up a bit.

  Snapping his fingers once, four clones of him spawned in front of him. As one, they charged at the sell-swords, exploding in a blaze of electricity as soon as they were within blast range.

  His frown deepened as he watched the electrocuted men fall to their knees. The survivors had already scrambled to split apart further. His illusion encased lightning spells would no longer work.

  Ignoring the mounting frustration, he dumped flux into his sagent, he weaved a new spell, one the Iron Wolves had never encountered.

  So lightning doesn’t faze them, let’s see how they deal with fire!

  With a roar, Leon dropped to one knee and punched the ground with his gloved hand. A visible shockwave of yellow flux burst forth from his fist. Once it passed the barrier, great geysers of flame shot up from the ground at random.

  Shouts and cries came from the men caught off guard by the sudden strike as the flames consumed them. The shock of being set on fire and the pain of it all sent them into blissful unconsciousness and they dropped where they stood. Alive, but just barely.

  Panting from the exertion, Leon observed his opponents. Slightly disappointed that his spell only removed eight men from the equation.

  He took heart in the fact that most of those still standing had sustained at least some injuries from the attack.

  Before they had a chance to counterattack, Valor had swooped down and was viciously tearing at any scrap of exposed flesh on them. The falcon’s actions gave Leon a brief respite to catch his breath.

  Once Valor had lost the element of surprise, Leon steeled himself for a fresh wave of hostilities.

  “Things just can’t be easy huh?”

  -*-

  Geahart was still locked in combat against Denzel and unable to go to the assistance of Leon. If he were human, he’d have been monumentally frustrated by the stalemate he found himself in. As it was, he was just a puppet and cared not for it, seeking only to carry out his orders.

  “You’re a persistent bastard aren’t you? I can see why the men call you a demon.” Denzel called out to the sapphire knight constantly harassing him in between dodges. “Tch, most people would have fallen by now.”

  “I could say the same for you mercenary. Few men have had the distinction of being able to keep up with me with one arm in a sling. Granted, you have a pistol and your men are constantly backing you up. Will you not fight me in single combat?”

  Geahart slashed only to cut nothing but air. Backpedalling as fast as he could, a series of flux rounds punched through the area his head was just in. One came close enough to put a small scratch on his helm.

  Spinning in a low circle and lashing out with a back kick, Geahart sent one man flying, the air knocked out of him. Not wasting the momentum, he flipped into the air and spun horizontally striking out with a split kick to the chins of two others.

  Not quite done yet, he landed on his left hand and sliced at the legs of the nearest mercenary with the sword in his right. His combo was rewarded with a spray of blood and a howl as the man dropped, his legs unable to support his own weight with his hamstrings severed.

  Pushing off again with his left arm in an inhuman show of strength, he back flipped over a fifth and landed right behind him.

  Looking the startled man right in the eyes, Geahart smirked before delivering a devastating roundhouse kick to the man’s solar plexus. He went cruising through the air and collided with a further two of his compatriots, taking them all down in a heap.

  Just to show off and put the fear of god in his opponent’s hearts, he gave a mock bow and rose slowly. His sword arm outstretched and blade hanging in a loose grip.

  With a flourish and a flash of silver, Geahart split a flux bolt straight down the middle without so much as looking at it.

  The poor sod who tried bushwhacking the knight stared in abject horror as the two separate halves struck two of his compatriots and effectively removed them from the fight.

  Geahart’s smirk never once left his face.

  Despite himself, Denzel couldn’t help but be impressed at the acrobatics he just witnessed. Letting out a low whistle in awe, he could safely say this was the first time he had ever seen anyone with enough guts to pull of such a stunt.

  Common sense indicated that when in a gunfight, any and all unnecessary movements should be eliminated.

  After all, why give the enemy a bigger target and more opportunities to hit you?

  Performing such acrobatics ranks pretty high on the list of things not to do in fact.

  Yet here was a knight who brought a sword to a gun battle and pulled off such an insane feat successfully.

  Nine of his men were down for the count, when added to the toll the magician was inflicting on his forces, that didn’t leave Denzel with a lot.

  “You do live up to your moniker… most impressive. And that is why I will not fight you in single combat, I am a soldier, not a knight. I leave honour and other unnecessary sentiments to people like you. My only concern is with completing the mission. And bringing my men home….”

  “Suit yourself.”

  Tilting his head to avoid a salvo of bullets from Denzel, Geahart charged him again.

  With his impressive display of skill, the area around him had been cleared mostly. Of the mercenaries engaging him, only four were left aside from the commander.

  The rest were still busy with trying to break through Noire’s barrier.

  With this the wall of bullets that had impeded him had diminished greatly and he was able to make progress.

  The reduced firing rate of his enemies also made it easier for him to cut down their bullets instead of retreating. Which was something he did to great effect.

  The fear emanating from the mercenaries in his path was palpable.

  Having this lone knight no-sell all of their attacks using nothing but a sword was more terrifying than facing down the Raynaxes on the lower levels. At least those things could be brought down with enough firepower.

  What the hell is this thing? This is ridiculous!

  Under Denzel’s calm facade, he was beginning to panic. His men were dropping like flies, despite their resolve to fight on, their bodies weren’t up to it any more.

  This thing… he’s not human! He can’t be! No one can strike that accurately so many times, a-and he isn’t even tired!

  True to his thoughts, the azure knight bearing down on him didn’t look exhausted in the least.

  The infernal smirk was still on his face and not a bead of sweat could be seen on him. His strikes landed with unfailing accuracy and nothing they did even slowed him down.

  Constantly retreating, he kept shooting at his aggressor to no avail. He winced as he witnessed Geahart bisecting a rifle with a single strike before grabbing the muzzle with bayonet attached and nailing the user’s foot to the floor.

  A
s the poor soul cried out and fell clutching his leg, Denzel was aware of a stinging sensation in his right arm that was growing in intensity as time passed.

  The world seemed to be swimming in and out of focus and he bitterly noted that it was getting harder and harder to move his arm. His reactions getting duller by the second.

  Have the pain killers worn off already? Shit! Not now, not now!

  Looking down at his bandaged limb his eyes bulged as he saw a rapidly growing red stain on the bandages. Already the bottom was soaked and dripping, leaving a messy trail on the floor.

  Well… shit.

  He had reached his limit evidently. In his eagerness to bring down the warrior that had inspired such terror in his men, he had neglected his injuries.

  With all pain dulled completely, he never noticed that his hastily stitched together wounds had ruptured during his battle.

  Distracted by his injuries, he never saw Geahart hurl the other half of the weapon at him. The piece of scrap nailed him square in the chest and his vision exploded into spots. Bile rising in his throat, his stomach threatened to void its contents.

  A wave of nausea ran through him, as the impact knocked him down. Coughing, he tried to rise to his feet only to fail.

  “““““COMMANDER!”””””

  His men noticing their fallen leader made to go to his assistance, or failing that exact vengeance on the one who did him in. They were halted in their tracks by Denzel’s words.

  “N-no! F-fo-focus on the mi-mission. Get the g-girl!”

  “But sir! We need to get you to safety now!”

  “DO YOU ALL WANT TO DIE? GE-GET THE GIRL, THAT’S AN ORDER!”

  The Iron Wolves still on their feet were stuck between conflicting objectives.

  On the one hand, failure to retrieve the girl would mean immediate execution by Allant, on the other, completing their mission would mean the death of their esteemed leader. No one knew what to do.

  “Why throw away your life so recklessly mercenary? You and your men are in no shape to continue fighting. Do you truly intend to die for nothing?” Geahart queried in an incredulous tone.

  “Heh, orders are or-orders. You as a knight sh-should understand that. Retreat i-is not an option.”

  “WHY! Why would you go this far to capture me! Whatever my uncle is paying you, it isn’t worth wasting your lives for.” Noire blurted out, unable to rein herself in any further.

  There was no way for her to comprehend why the Iron Wolves would be willing to go so far just to get her.

  “Yo-you think this is about money?”

  Denzel’s answer was interrupted by a series of bloody coughs as spasms rocked his body.

  “We su-succeed or die little lady. If we f-fail here we die anyway. Allant will make su-sure of it.”

  A further series of coughs wracked his frame and cut off any further words.

  “I…I… I don’t understan-”

  “You disappoint me Denzel.”

  A new speaker pipped up, drawing all attention to the wall of shadows and the new figures who’d just stepped through.

  “I expected so much more from you, when I said I was going to recommend you for a promotion I meant it too.”

  Close to fifty men filed into the chamber.

  Clad all in black, none of their features could be made out.

  At their head marched a men decked out in the fanciest suit of armour Leon had ever seen. A bright spot of silver against a wall of black, he definitely attracted attention.

  “Allant.” Denzel breathed the name out in a whisper, and the man heard it.

  “It is good to see you still remember your commanding officer. You know, when I walked in here I thought for a moment you might have forgotten where your loyalties lie, given that you’re fraternizing with the enemy and all.”

  “No sir! I wasn’t!”

  “Be silent you treacherous swine. I sent you in here against the advice of my council and the wishes of my guard so I could give you a chance to prove yourself. It’s been nearly two hours now and you failed to return.”

  Voice dripping with contempt, Allant sneered at Denzel.

  “So, there I was getting worried. And I moved in with my personal guard, to rescue you all if need be.”

  “Instead of a swift victory what do I find? You leading my men into traps and causing their annihilation! I ordered you to bring me the girl, not kill off your competition. We are the Iron Wolves! We are a pack! For you to send your men to their deaths so uncaringly…. You. Are. A. Disgrace.”

  “Sir! I can explain- ARGH!”

  Shocked gasps came from everyone not part of Allant’s posse.

  “That’s quite enough out of you traitor.”

  Allant levelled his pistol at Denzel’s head, barrel still smoking from putting a round through his fallen lieutenant’s leg.

  Face devoid of mercy, ice cold blue eyes stared down at the man clutching his wounded leg as a scarlet pool began forming around him.

  Leon was struck speechless at the unwarranted act of cruelty and by his side Noire had clasped her hands to her mouth in shock.

  Rage built up in him at the sight and Noire’s presence was the one thing, the only thing stopping him from releasing ‘him’ to rip Allant apart for his actions.

  “Wh-why did you shoot him? He was just doing his job, following orders!”

  “Hmm? Ah, you must be the young lady I’ve been sent to retrieve.”

  A false smile slid across Allant’s face with practiced ease.

  “Your uncle has been most anxious to see you home safely after you ran away like that. Won’t you come with me? Your uncle would be most pleased to see you safe again.”

  “No, no no no no no, I won’t go back! He’ll just have me killed!”

  “Killed? Oh my dear child, you have it all wrong. Your uncle is a kind man, a great man. See all he has are your best interests at heart. He doesn’t want you dead, oh perish the thought, he just wants to see you happy that’s all.”

  SCRREEEEEEEE

  An angry screech came from Valor at Allant’s words. One didn’t need to understand his cries to know his opinion on the matter.

  “Happy? HAPPY? He sent assassins after me. He had me chased from my home. H-he took my friends from me! And you say he wants me to be happy?”

  Noire was hyperventilating as she ranted against her uncle’s agent. All the stress from the past few days that she’d kept bottled up inside was coming to the surface now.

  Leon merely watched on in amusement, despite the severity of the situation, this was a side of the soft spoken noble that he’d never seen before.

  And curse his heart but her demeanour only managed to endear herself to him further, that she wasn’t quite as perfect as he initially thought.

  It made her more… human, not quite so out of reach after all.

  Holy shit, I am in deep. If Libra finds out about this he’ll never let me live this down.

  “Ay it's all just a big misunderstanding my dear. Those weren’t assassins after you, those were other members of the Iron Wolves sent to escort you to an audience with your uncle. Perhaps the men sent were a… poor choice in hindsight, and they came across as a threat to you. But I assure you that is not the case, the man responsible for that debacle has already been disciplined. Will you not come with us peacefully so we can clear this… misunderstanding up with your uncle?”

  “You expect me to believe that? How much of a fool do you think I am? My friends sacrificed themselves to buy me time to escape and I will not waste the opportunity they bought me. Sir Geahart and his squire Leon have both sworn their services to me and I will not abandon them! I know. As soon as I leave I know you will have them killed.”

  “Haaah, what will it take to make you see reason little miss? You’re friends are very much alive.”

  “Wh-what?”

  “Come now, I already said the men sent to retrieve you weren’t there to kill you. They were meant to be your escorts. Your fr
iends are safe and enjoying your uncle’s hospitality at the moment. As to your loyal… protectors… while it pains me to do this, I will pardon their slight against the Iron Wolves. They are free to go, or if they choose they can come with us to see your uncle. I’m sure he will reward such a splendid show of loyalty. Few would stand against an army just to protect their liege lord. That is most admirable.”

  “My…friends? What did you do with them! ANSWER ME!”

  “Whoa no need to panic little lady, they’re perfectly fine. Currently they’re under house arrest, it wouldn’t do to have them running about the place and having you run off after them, it is a waste of time so we’re holding them until we can bring you there. If you are that worried about them, I can take you to see them before we go meet your uncle, I’m sure he won’t mind if we delay a few days as long as I’ve sent a message that you are safe.”

  “How do I know you’re not lying?”

  Turning to look at Noire with one eyebrow raised, Leon noted that there was something in her expression and tone that was near unnoticeable.

  If it wasn’t for his years of training under Libra, he would never have noticed the subterfuge.

  Most impressive, most impressive indeed.

  “Now now, it’s bad for business to go round killing off potential clients or people close to them. That might make them less inclined to hire us. Besides, your uncle only wants what’s best for you, hurting your friends is hardly in your interests.”

  “Fine tell me this then, what does my uncle intend for me? What would require him sending mercenaries after me instead of coming in person or even just sending a letter.”

  “I prefer the term private security firm, and as to what he intends… will you come with us first? I am ill equipped to explain it to you, I fear I will not do a good job of doing so and just cause you to run away again. Your uncle has all the details, but I assure you, no harm will come to anyone you care for.”

  “Forgive me if I don’t trust you just yet, your actions thus far hardly inspire confidence. You did order your tanks to fire on this place and have your men attempt to kill my retainers.”

  “Ah my apologies, that was a misunderstanding. When some of my… men found you in the Umbra Forest, they reported that you were in the company of, shall we say, less than stellar individuals. They informed me that, a false knight only desiring battle and a charlatan had kidnapped you plus we received a tip off that they had sequestered you here. The barrage was to shake their will to fight that is all, I am aware that this place has withstood far greater damage in the past. You were in no danger at all.”