The city streets surrounding the castle were wide and well adorned with decorations that still hung after the parade. Elias let his hair unfold from its tied state and brushed it out on the way down. He fell into a looser posture as he let himself relax away from the castle. Along the sides of the streets were planted trees and some bushes. People were busy finishing up their afternoon errands. No one paid attention to him and none of the guards had noticed that he had left.

As Elias strolled further into the city, the memories of his last visit here flooded his mind. It had been years since he was a young and eager swordsman, filled with the hope that he would be called upon to become a hero or support them in the fight. The city had been a different place back then, and the corrupted lands were nothing more than a distant threat. He recalled the grandeur of the capital city, the same one he now walked through, but it had changed in subtle yet significant ways.

New buildings had sprung up, towering over the streets, casting their shadows across the cobblestone paths. The city had expanded, swallowing up the once-distant edge of the corrupted lands. Elias couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia as he passed by familiar landmarks. The bustling market square where merchants hawked their wares, and the tavern where he and his fellow companions had shared stories and dreams were all still there, but everything felt different.

He wandered deeper into the city, losing himself in the labyrinthine alleys and streets. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and the distant hum of conversation. Elias watched the people going about their daily lives, their faces reflecting the joys and challenges of the world outside the castle walls. It was a stark contrast to the politics and intrigues that consumed his life within the castle.

Elias continued to reminisce as he walked. He remembered the tales of brave heroes who had defended the kingdom from the encroaching corruption, their legendary feats celebrated in songs and stories. Back then, he had yearned to be one of them, to stand at the forefront of the kingdom's defense. But as he grew older, he had come to realize the complexities of the world and the needs of the city. It was something he hadn’t cared for in a long time. He had left that world behind and moved on to live in his small village but now duty and need were pulling him back into the thick of things. He could be a coward no longer.

Lost in his thoughts, Elias suddenly found himself standing at the edge of the city, overlooking the vast expanse of the corrupted lands. What was once a distant menace now lay uncomfortably close, the boundary marked only by a line of withered trees and a faint, eerie mist. He could see the twisted landscape that had consumed neighboring towns and villages, a constant reminder of the kingdom's vulnerability. The Sword Temple where he had trained was gone now consumed by the corrupted lands.

His path turned back toward the castle. It stood over the city peeking above all of the businesses and homes. The evening festivities had just started to pick up. The people were happy to have him and their hero in town. Soon they could set off and complete their task.

“So, you are Elias. I thought you would be more on guard.”

He hit the ground and tried to push himself into a roll. It only half worked because some of his momentum was thrown off by the shove. The claws barely missed him. Elias went for his sword and his hand was at his waist before he realized that he didn’t have his weapon on him. He cursed as he dodged the next claw attack. A sword came at him in his attacker’s other hand.

Elias finally looked up and was able to assess his attacker and the situation in its entirety. The man in front of him held a sword out in his right hand and his left was not a human hand. The hand was blackened, and dark veins followed the hand up his arms. The claws were long and didn’t seem to fit his body. Elias looked over the alleyway and another attacker approached. This one had claws for both hands. His teeth were sharpened daggers.

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“Didn’t want to get the jump on him. You are sloppy,” said the second man.

“It is more fun this way. With a bit of struggle and desperation.” The first man’s mouth was filled with a sharpened smile as well.

“Let’s just get this job done. He must die today.”

Elias felt a cold shiver run down his spine as he realized the dire situation he was in. These men, or whatever they were, were not ordinary adversaries. He needed to think fast and come up with a plan, or he would meet his end on this alleyway.

As the two attackers closed in on him, Elias decided to use his agility to his advantage. He continued to dodge their strikes, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp claws that reached for him. He knew he couldn't keep this up for long; he needed a weapon, and fast.

Elias spotted a loose cobblestone on the ground and quickly kicked it towards his attackers, diverting their attention for a split second. That momentary distraction allowed him to gain some distance. He retreated a few steps, his mind racing for a solution.

His eyes fell on a discarded wooden crate nearby. Elias lunged towards it, flipping it over with all his strength, creating a makeshift barrier between him and the assailants. The attackers hissed in frustration as they struggled to get around the obstacle. They paused for only a few moments as the second attacker cut their claws through the wood. The pieces clattered to the ground.

Using this momentary respite, Elias scanned the area. His eyes landed on a longer broken piece of wood lying on the ground not too far away. With a burst of adrenaline, he dashed towards it and grabbed the safer edge. It was holding in a few nails at the other end and tapered off to a partial edge, but it was better than nothing.

Just as he picked up the broken wood, the two attackers managed to cut through the wooden crate. They lunged at him simultaneously, claws gleaming menacingly. Elias knew he had only one chance to survive.

He didn’t bother to parry the first attacker's strike as the claws would break the wood easily. Instead, he aimed for the second attacker’s leg. He ducked down missing the claw strikes and attacked. The nails bit into the man’s leg breaking some skin, but not doing much else. With all the strength he could muster, Elias launched a kick at the second attacker's midsection, sending him stumbling backward. He then swung the broken hilt like a club, smashing it against the first attacker's arm, causing him to drop his sword.

Seizing the opportunity, Elias grabbed the fallen sword, a real weapon, and now he had the upper hand. The attackers were momentarily disoriented, giving Elias the chance to retaliate. Throwing the piece of wood away he readied himself. He slashed and parried, using the stolen sword with all the effort that he could muster.

Elias easily parried the second attacker’s claws. After sweeping his sword he pushed the two enemies away from each other. Bringing his sword down he forced the first into the broken remains of the wooden crate. In a quick motion, he punched his sword deep into the chest of the second man. He removed it with a twist in time to block the oncoming claw attack.

His attack was pushed closer to the wall. Elias analyzed the man’s footwork and placement. As they attacked once more Elias was ready. In a few more moments the man’s feet were knocked out from under him, and his head hit the ground.

Elias held his sword over the neck of the remaining man. He pushed the blade closer. “Where is your hideout? I know that you cultists must have a place in the city. Tell me!”

The cultist did not flinch as the blade was pressed against his neck. He looked up defiantly at Elias. “You will die even if it isn’t by my hands. Your time grows near. We will let the world return to its ancient state. Temora will be restored soon enough. You and your people have let the corruption spread for too long. It will not be stopped. Perhaps if the hero was born earlier than now. Now it is too late.”

The clawed arm of the man started to shrink. Elias backed away as he could only watch. Black veins grew further up the man until it reached his head. It gnawed at him, and the corruption eventually consumed him fully. There was nothing for Elias to do. The man was dead as soon as the process began.