"Wait for my signal," Liam whispered, his voice barely audible.
The team held their breath, their bodies tense and ready. Liam watched the guard's movements, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. As the guard turned a corner, Liam gave the signal, and the team quickly scaled the fence, their movements swift and silent.
They landed softly on the other side. The guard chambers were a series of low, stone buildings, and their entrances were guarded by stern-faced sentinels. Liam led the team through a maze of narrow alleys and hidden paths, their every step calculated and precise.
At one point, they were forced to hide behind a stack of crates as a group of guards passed by, their voices loud and boisterous. Liam pressed a finger to his lips, signaling for the team to remain silent. They held their breath, their hearts pounding in their chests as the guards walked by, completely oblivious to their presence.
As the guards disappeared from view, the team let out a collective sigh of relief. They continued on, their movements quick and silent. The path to the guard chambers was fraught with obstacles, but the team worked together, helping each other over walls and through narrow passages.
At one point, Soo-Min's foot slipped on a loose stone, sending a small cascade of pebbles tumbling down the path. The team froze, their hearts pounding as they waited to see if the noise had alerted any guards.
"It's okay."
After that tense moment, they continued on, their movements even more cautious than before.
As they neared the guard chambers, the team could hear the distant sounds of laughter and conversation. They moved silently, their bodies pressed against the cold stone walls as they made their way toward the entrance.
Liam peered around a corner, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a guard standing watch. He signaled for the team to wait as he crept forward, his movements silent and deliberate. He approached the guard from behind, his dagger held at the ready. With a swift and silent strike, he rendered the guard unconscious and signaled for the team to follow.
They slipped inside the guard chambers, their hearts pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of sweat and steel. The team moved quickly, their footsteps muffled by the soft carpets that lined the floors.
As they made their way through the winding corridors, they could hear the distant sounds of voices and footsteps. They moved silently while crouching against the walls as they navigated the maze-like passages.
At one point, they were forced to hide in a shadowy alcove as a group of guards walked by. As the guards disappeared from view, the team let out a collective sigh of relief and continued on.
Finally, they reached the end of the guard chambers and stepped out into the cool night air. The second phase of their escape lay before them—a sprawling courtyard filled with guards and patrolled by watchful sentinels.
The courtyard was a vast, open space, lined with towering stone walls and guard towers that loomed ominously in the moonlight. Patrols of guards crisscrossed the area, their footsteps echoing sharply against the cobblestones.
Liam's eyes scanned the courtyard, his mind racing as he mapped out the safest route. "Stick close and follow my lead," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "We need to move quickly and quietly. If we're spotted, we fight, but only as a last resort."
The team nodded, their expressions focused and determined. They moved out in a tight formation, their footsteps light and careful. The courtyard was bathed in the silvery glow of the moon, casting long, dramatic shadows that provided both cover and danger. Every flicker of movement, and every distant shout, sent a jolt of adrenaline through their veins.
They hugged the walls, slipping from shadow to shadow, their breaths shallow and controlled. Liam led the way, his senses heightened as he listened for the approach of guards. The others followed closely, their eyes darting nervously as they scanned the surroundings.
Halfway across the courtyard, Liam suddenly froze, holding up a hand to signal the others to stop. A group of guards was approaching, their laughter and loud voices carrying through the still night air. The team pressed themselves against the wall, their hearts pounding as they waited for the guards to pass.
The guards drew closer, their footsteps heavy and deliberate. Liam could see the gleam of their armor in the moonlight, the cold glint of their weapons. He held his breath, his hand tightening on the hilt of his dagger. The guards were almost upon them now, their voices growing louder with each passing second.
Just as the guards were about to pass, one of them paused, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the shadows. Liam's heart raced, but he remained still, his body tense and ready. The guard took a step forward, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword.
"Who's there?" the guard barked, his voice sharp and suspicious.
Liam's mind raced, but before he could act, Joon Ho stepped forward, his sword flashing in the moonlight. The guard barely had time to react before Joon Ho's blade sliced through the air, striking him down with a swift and brutal efficiency.
'No!' Liam cursed under his breath as Joon Ho gave away their location by attacking.
The other guards turned as their eyes widened in shock, but the team was already moving.
Rin and Kai sprang into action, their swords flashing as they engaged the remaining guards. The clash of steel echoed through the courtyard, sharp and jarring. Liam joined the fray, his dagger a blur of motion as he darted between the guards, striking with precision and speed.
Soo-Min hung back, her dagger trembling in her hand as she watched the chaotic scene unfold. She tried to step forward, but her fear held her in place.
A guard broke away from the group and charged toward Soo-Min, his sword raised. Soo-Min froze, her eyes wide with terror, but Mi-Na stepped in front of her, her blade flashing. With a swift and precise strike, Mi-Na disarmed the guard and rendered him unconscious, her movements fluid and effortless.
Liam, caught up in the heat of the battle, glanced over just in time to see Mi-Na's technique. His eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly refocused on the fight, his dagger cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. He didn't say anything, but his mind raced with thoughts about Mi-Na's skill.
'I feel like I have seen that technique before, but where?' he wondered, filing the question away for later.
The fight was over as quickly as it had begun. The guards lay motionless on the ground, their bodies still and lifeless. The team stood panting, their weapons dripping with blood, as they surveyed the carnage.
"Is everyone okay?" Liam asked, his voice breathless but firm.
The team nodded, their faces flushed with adrenaline and exertion. Soo-Min looked at Mi-Na, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered.
"We need to get to the outer area before more guards arrive." Liam asserted.
They moved on, their footsteps quicker now, fueled by the adrenaline of the fight. The courtyard seemed to stretch on endlessly, the towering walls and guard towers casting ominous shadows that seemed to close in around them.
As they neared the entrance to the outer area, Liam held up a hand, signaling for the team to stop. Ahead, a lone guard stood watch, his back turned to them as he scanned the courtyard. Liam's eyes narrowed as he studied the guard's movements, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"I'll take him out," Liam whispered, his voice barely audible. "The rest of you, stay here and keep watch. If anyone else approaches, be ready."
Liam took the guard out in an instant and hid the body in the corner.
The team slipped then past the guard's post. The entrance to the outer area loomed before them, a massive stone archway flanked by towering guard towers. Beyond it lay freedom—or so they hoped.
Liam turned to the team, and uttered, "Phase three begins now. Stay alert, stay focused, and stick to the plan. We're almost there."