The Phoenix Sword: I

The Mysterious Boy

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Panting, I continued to run. So much as hesitate and I would be caught. The hallway seemed infinite as if it had been prepared for someone like me—someone who dared to escape. My footsteps echoed in the sudden silence, and if I did not know better, I would have stolen a glance behind me. But that was far too much of a risk.
Using a thin amount of concentration, I could tell that there was only one guard behind me. I could have been relieved, but satisfaction was not necessary at the moment. All of the other guards must have slowed from exhaustion. Heavy heaves sounded behind me, meaning the single guard was nearing. With just one quick lash of his sword and I would be caught. I could have stopped and attempted to fight him, but that could give the others the opportunity to catch up in time.
"There's no escaping, kid!" The man called out, his voice lingering in my head. He must have been farther behind than I had thought.
I was mistaken by this, I realized, as agony rippled throughout my body.
"Agh!" I harshly coughed out. My knees collapsed to the stone floor as a hot liquid flowed out of my mouth. Choking on the salty-tasting blood, now spattered on the stone, I managed to steal a brief moment to turn my head in chance to sight my pursuer.
The tall man, concealed in proper imperial uniform and armour, stared down at my immobilized body, his eyes smugly gleaming. His grip strengthened on the sword as he ripped it from my back. The blade slick in a deep, dark scarlet, he held it up triumphantly. "Heh, heh," he snickered.
I glowered as I wiped my mouth with my sleeve. It was a risky move, but without much consideration I pushed off the ground with my hands and stood in a low crouch. It was a swift manoeuvre, and the guard did not even have time to blink before I jumped and—
—a solid force smashed into my leg, forcing my already gruesome body to the floor. A grunt sounded in my throat, but I managed not to yelp against the burst of pain. The guard's massive boot was planted firmly above my ankle, crushing it slightly. I decided to feign surrender. It was the least threatening option, although it meant wounding my dignity. Not that I had many options to consider.
Lowering my head to the stone, I attempted a convincing moan of defeat. The weight of the boot became lighter until it was completely lifted off my leg. A low thud confirmed that both of the guard's feet were planted to the floor. I did not have time to think. Only do.
In a split second I managed to rise into a low stance just as the man swung his sword. Using whatever was left in my strength, I quickly pushed off my hands again, the sword narrowly missing my rubs by a mere breadth, resulting in a tear in the shirt I was wearing. It did not matter, since clothing was replaceable. In fact, it was the least of my worries.
I knew I only had two choices, the first being to fight back, and the second... run. Without weighing the options whatsoever, I sprinted down the hall; my boots echoing in time with the guard's pursuing footfalls. My ribs burned in unison with my heaving breath while my leg limped in protest to my hasty sprint. A hot, searing scream resonated from the wound in my back. I was not confident I could make it much further. Still, I believed there was hope. With the hope that an end to the passageway was near, I continued to sprint with all my energy left. It was at that moment I thought I was finished for.
Ahead there must have been a dozen guards, all heavily armed, crammed into the wide stone hall. Halting, my eyes slid to the area behind me. Several guards appeared, ready for a fight. My gaze flickered back and forth with only seconds to spare. No, it was naive to think that. I had nothing to spare. Nothing. There was only one way out of this, and unfortunately, fighting was invalid.
The guards were walking rather slow, very slow, considering the target they valued most was now in their cage. They thought there was no escaping.
"How dense of you," I spoke below my breath, head lowered tauntingly. All of the guards stopped in their path, confused. Well, at least they knew I was up to something.
"There's no way out of here, boy," a guard stated while raising his weapon.
My eyes travelled to the window closest to me. "Oh, yeah?" I murmured.
Leaping onto the stone edge, I thrust my boot into the tall glass window. The intricate wooden skeleton and glass shards scattered everywhere as I stood in the tall frame. I stepped out onto the castle window's threshold as the guards reached out for me; a few hands managed to grasp my clothing, but I knew they would not hold for long. As I stared down into the vast water below, I knew I would die. But I also knew I would rather die free. Because when faced with death, freedom is the thing that is valued most. When faced with death, there is always a decision. My decision, currently, was to escape. Nothing else mattered, as I closed my eyes and smiled.
And with nothing stopping me now,
I jumped.