A Brief Battle

As the silhouettes shifted and swayed, Bal and his cohort slipped into the alleyway, vanishing from sight. Ward stood his ground, his patience wearing thin as he awaited their return. Moments later, the very group that had just entered the alley reemerged, slowly backing out with an air of unease.

Ward's brows knitted in confusion as he stared at the men retreating from the alley. "What in the devil's name..." he began, but his question was cut short by the sudden thunder of footsteps erupting from the inky blackness.

Figures poured out from the alleys ahead, quickly swarming to fill the entire street. But the chaos didn't end there. Behind them, a second wave of pounding footsteps signaled yet more figures emerging, hemming them in on all sides.