The guards rushed in with aggressive swings of their weapons, but the group was already moving like a well-oiled machine. They had no intention of killing, but they wouldn't let themselves be taken down easily either.
Sophia reacted first. A guard lunged at her with his sword, aiming for her midsection. She sidestepped with ease, twisting her body and lifting her knee sharply into his abdomen. The impact forced the air from his lungs, making him double over in pain. Without hesitation, she grabbed her bow and struck him across the face with the wooden curve, knocking him out cold before he could recover.
Another guard came at her immediately, swinging his blade with reckless aggression. Sophia's eyes flickered with determination. She swiftly ducked under his swing, pivoted behind him, and slung her bow over his head. With a quick motion, she pulled the string back, snapping it against his face. The sharp sting made the guard howl in pain as he stumbled back, covering his eyes.
