NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Ch 10
Ch 10: A Dance with Danger
The night air was cool and still, the only sound the soft rustle of the wind through the trees. Tara and Samudra sat side by side on the stone steps of the courtyard, a soft light from the nearby torches flickering in the darkness. Her terminal hummed quietly beside her, its screen displaying a stream of information about the world around her.
The empire's language was no longer a barrier. The terminal had efficiently translated everything, and now, as the two conversed, it felt almost like Tara was back in her own time, surrounded by familiar technology.
"So, you followed your uncle here?" Samudra asked, his voice casual, though his gaze was sharp, studying her.
Tara nodded, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her terminal. "He was investigating something before he vanished… I thought I might find some answers by coming here." She paused, her eyes momentarily distant. "I arrived at the temple—suddenly. It was like stepping into a different world. One moment, I was... somewhere else, and the next, I was here."
Samudra's brow arched slightly, his interest piqued. "A sudden arrival, you say? That's... intriguing. Perhaps we should return to the place where you first appeared. It might give us more insight into how you got here."
Tara's eyes flicked to him, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I didn't expect you to be so... willing to help me."
Samudra shrugged, his usual nonchalant demeanor in full force. "I like mysteries, especially ones that involve people like you." His lips curled into a smirk, though there was something calculating in his gaze.
They both stood, moving toward the wide courtyard that stretched out before them. The moon cast long, ghostly shadows across the stone floor, and Tara couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Her instincts, honed from years of training, were on high alert.
Just as they reached the center of the courtyard, the air seemed to crackle, and Tara's heart skipped a beat. She barely had time to react before the first assassin emerged from the shadows, a blade gleaming in his hand.
Tara stiffened, her fingers instinctively reaching for her dagger. But before she could make a move, Samudra raised a hand in the air, as calm as ever. "Stay back," he murmured, his voice almost amused. "I've got this."
The assassin lunged toward Samudra, but Tara's attention snapped back to the man beside her. He wasn't fazed. In fact, he seemed... almost too relaxed.
Then, the ambush unfolded.
From every corner of the courtyard, more figures appeared—swift and silent, their eyes gleaming with malice. Tara's instincts screamed at her to move, but before she could think, a sudden surge of movement caught her attention. The closest assassin rushed at her, his blade aimed directly for her throat.
Without thinking, Tara's hand shot out, grabbing the sword from Samudra's belt. It felt heavier than she expected, but her grip was firm as she swung it at the oncoming attacker. The blade met his, the clash ringing out in the still night air. Tara's heart pounded as she twisted her body, using the sword to parry the next strike.
But Tara wasn't just relying on her swordplay. Her mind sharpened, and in a heartbeat, she activated her wind manipulation, sending a blast of air to push back the remaining attackers. At the same time, she bent the flow of time around her, slowing it just enough to quicken her movements. She darted to the side, her speed increased, catching one of the assassins by surprise. Before he could react, she slashed at him, the sword sinking deep into his side.
Samudra hadn't even moved. His gaze remained fixed on the chaos unfolding around them, almost... relaxed.
The realization hit her. He wasn't worried. He had this under control.
With a flick of his wrist, a bolt of lightning arced through the air, crackling with power as it struck one of the attackers. The man's body jerked, twitching violently before collapsing to the ground.
Tara's eyes widened at the display of power, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. The remaining assassins were closing in, and her focus snapped back to the fight. She moved with precision, her sword dancing through the air in a flurry of strikes. The wind swirled around her, increasing her speed as she swiftly dealt with another attacker. One by one, the assassins fell, unable to keep up with her enhanced movements.
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, the fight becoming a blur of flashing steel and calculated moves. Each swing of the sword felt almost natural, her body moving with an ease that surprised her. The blade found its mark, and the last assassin crumpled to the ground.
As the courtyard fell silent, Tara stood panting, her heart still racing. Her body felt alive with adrenaline, and her thoughts were reeling from the fight. The air around her seemed to hum with the remnants of her wind and time manipulations.
She wiped the sweat from her brow, her mind still spinning from the suddenness of the ambush. She hadn't even had time to think. Her movements had been instinctive, fast, and deadly. Yet, as she glanced toward Samudra, she saw him standing there, still as calm and composed as ever.
"Well done, little star," he said, his voice light with amusement. His eyes twinkled with something like approval.
Tara bristled at the nickname. "Little star? You didn't even help me much."
Samudra chuckled, an easy, carefree sound. "Why would I? This was a test."
"A test?" Tara's brows furrowed in confusion.
He nodded, his smirk widening. "I needed to see if you were in cahoots with them. If you were the one behind this little ambush. And you passed."
Tara's eyes narrowed. "You were testing me?"
Samudra shrugged casually. "Of course. I don't trust easily. But you handled yourself well. I'd say you're more than just a delicate maiden needing protection." His tone was teasing, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes.
Tara's heart still hammered from the adrenaline, but she couldn't help the faint blush that rose to her cheeks at his words. She wasn't delicate, and she wasn't going to be anyone's pawn.
She sheathed the sword, her gaze hardening. "What now?"
Samudra's smirk remained. "We go back to the temple. If we're to figure out what's going on, we'll need to trace your steps back to where you arrived. Maybe we'll find more answers there."
Tara nodded, her mind still reeling from the fight. She could feel the weight of Samudra's words, and as they began walking toward the temple, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of whatever game he was playing.