Chapter 29: The Immovable Object
"Get away from him," Asher said, his voice cold.
The thug closest to him laughed, raising a broadsword. "Stick to your toys, little man."
He swung. Asher didn't block; he couldn't. He wasn't a warrior. He threw his body to the side, barely dodging the steel that whistled past his ear. As the soldier stumbled, trying to regain balance, Asher lunged.
He jammed the copper-coiled device into the man's neck and pulled the trigger.
Zzzzt!
The soldier convulsed, eyes rolling back, and collapsed instantly.
"One down," Asher muttered. "Four charges left."
It was a chaotic brawl. Lucas was fighting like a demon, keeping two men busy with his sword. Asher moved through the gaps, using his small size and the dark chaos to his advantage.
Dodge. Strike. Zap.
Duck. Strike. Zap.
In less than a minute, the seven remaining soldiers were twitching on the floor.
Silence fell over the room. Only three people were left standing: Asher, Lucas, and Garret the Jagged.
"Not bad," Garret said, slowly clapping his hands. He stepped over the body of his subordinate, looking bored. "You fight with spirit. But spirit doesn't stop steel."
Asher caught Lucas's eye. The signal.
"Now!" Asher yelled.
Lucas roared and lunged low, aiming for Garret's legs to distract him. It was a perfect feint. Garret brought his shield down to block the boy, leaving his upper body exposed.
Asher didn't hesitate. He sprinted forward, jamming the taser directly into the exposed skin of Garret's neck. "Sleep!"
ZAP.
The coil discharged the last of its energy. Blue sparks danced across Garret's skin.
But Garret didn't fall. He didn't even blink.
He slowly turned his head to look at Asher, a cruel smile stretching his face. "If that was the same power as the gate... I might be in trouble. But this little toy? It just tickles."
Garret dropped his shield and moved faster than Asher could track. He grabbed Asher's wrist—the one holding the taser—and squeezed.
CRACK.
Asher screamed as the bones in his wrist turned to powder. The taser clattered to the floor.
"Asher!" Lucas screamed, turning to help.
Garret didn't look. He just backhanded Lucas, sending the boy crashing into the wall, and then casually drove a dagger into Lucas's thigh to pin him there.
"Stay," Garret commanded. He turned back to Asher, grabbing his other hand.
SNAP.
Asher fell to his knees, gasping for air, both hands hanging uselessly at unnatural angles. The pain was blinding.
"My father told me to bring you in one piece," Garret whispered, towering over him. "But you pissed me off."
He punched Asher in the face. Hard. Asher's head snapped back, blood spraying across the floor.
"Please!" Lucas sobbed from the corner, clutching his bleeding leg. "Stop! You'll kill him!"
Garret ignored him. He kicked Asher in the ribs, flipping him over. Then he crouched down, grabbing Asher by the hair.
"You want mercy, boy?" Garret looked at Lucas, his eyes gleaming with malice. "I heard your sister, Seraphina, is a beauty. Bring her here. If she entertains me... maybe I'll let your master live."
Lucas froze, horror washing over his face. "No... please..."
Asher lay on the floor, blood pooling around his head. He looked broken. Defeated.
Garret laughed, a low, creeping sound that filled the room. "Choose, boy. The Engineer or the Sister?"