Fatal strike

The setting sun cast a golden glow wherever its rays reached. Animals were hurrying back to their homes after a busy day of frolicking and food hunting in the forest. Birds flew homewards to feed their hungry children. The sound and flow of the gushing waters was unceasing. The world around was moving as time ticked and moments passed, but three people lay stone still in the midst of the green and rocky meadow. A violent breeze glided through the empty space caused by the long distance between the figures.

Two on one side, one on the opposite.

Will felt an invisible emotion, something he rarely felt, clutch his heart in it's firm grip. Fear. For the first time in a long time he felt fear.

Fear was an emotion he dreaded the most for it only pronounced itself within him when someone he held dear to his heart was in danger or harm's way. That is exactly what was happening at the moment.

Eleanor, his precious soulmate, was in danger. Her life was at stake. She stared at him with enlarged eyes, her viridian pupils shaking like leaves on a windy day. He saw the sinister smile of her captor, whose stubby arms were holding her too tightly, hurting her. One arm held a knife near her neck and the other clutched her arms behind her back.

The fear inside him released his fury. The caged beast inside him was released free, thirsty for blood and hungry for vengeance.

No one spoke.

Eleanor tried to calm herself down but found it really difficult to do so. She had never been in such a position before. What was she supposed to do? Wait to be rescued? Or take action regardless of the consequences? Her mind whirled as she tried to come up with any idea that might successfully help her slip away from the evil clutch that trapped her. Getting guillotined under a thin, yet sharp knife was not an option. The wicked man holding her opened his vile mouth.

"It's a good thing I was sent to check on these fools. Don't you think so, heir of the silver blood? Who knew your first destination after your return would be this meager place. You really hid well, however short the time period may have been. Now it's time for me to act on my master's command," The bald man bared his yellow teeth, putting them on full display.

Eleanor was disgusted by the horrible stench that seeped out from his mouth. She almost suggested some of the mint flavored mouth fresheners she kept in her pocket to him. His words confused her, sparking her curiosity but obviously now was not the time for her to give in to it.

She fixed her gaze on the man who stood a few feet away from her. He looked the epitome of calm, like a bonsai tree. His raven locks danced with the wind, his hands behind his back and his masked face showed nothing. His grey orbs met her emeralds. She felt as if he was trying to tell her something. She felt as if she could understand the message he was trying to relay to her. The question was, did she interpret the correct meaning behind his stare?

"Then, by all means, continue. I am here, in front of you, without a weapon of any sort with me. Absolutely harmless and at your mercy." Will's words were not in line with what the perpetrator had predicted. Why was he being so amiable? He refused to believe this was not some sort of a trick. And rightly so, because it was.

Now that he was staring intently at the tall man standing in front of him, trying to figure out his plans, the girl he held captive found the opportunity she was waiting for- his distraction. She took a long breath and willed herself to be courageous and daring for that one particular moment at present. Disregarding her doubts and fears Eleanor bit the wrist which held the knife and when her captor shrieked with his heavy voice in pain she bumped his face with the back of her head, hitting his nose. Hard.

The knife lay forgotten on the floor and the hands that were around her before now struggled to cover a broken and bleeding nose.

"You wench!" He growled through the pain as he watched his ex-hostage scurry towards his target for the day.

Eleanor fell in Will's arms as soon as she got near him, curling her arms around his neck and burying her face in his chest.

"Are you alright?" Will asked worriedly as he held his beloved in a tender hold, trying to soothe the frightened girl whose form shivered like that of a homeless child's in bitter cold winter.

Eleanor nodded against muscular sturdy chest. She deeply inhaled his scent- a comforting, earthy aroma, heady and intoxicating.

She was not harmed physically, just shaken up. Being in his arms helped her tremors to subside gradually as he endearingly caressed her with his large, calloused hands. Sadly she couldn't stay in this position for long. When Will saw the bald man advancing towards him with a furious and menacing glare, he quickly pulled Eleanor behind him. He blocked the attack with one hand and punched his opponent in the gut with the other. He felt the familiar sensation of bloodlust empower his senses. This time it was even more enhanced due to the myriad emotions he felt in a short span of time. His pent up frustrations were poured into his every attack as he impaled the mean baldy.

The fear that he experienced, the helplessness that he felt, the rage that was bubbling inside him like a lava preparing to erupt- all were discharged through his strikes as he besieged the person who dared to harm his woman. The assassin was left a bloody mess under the devil prince's aggressive assault.

Eleanor watched in awe as the mysterious man, now a person she can call friend, fought with her ex-captor. The latter was clearly no match for Will's ferocious strikes. For some reason Eleanor felt a strange sense of pride and some other emotions that she couldn't quite discern, overwhelm her.

Due to her locked gaze on the ongoing combat, Eleanor missed the movement of a person who was supposed to be unconscious. When Eleanor saw him, it was too late.

Will gave a final blow and let the baldy messily fall into an unconscious heap with broken bones and a disfigured face. He was barely recognizable now with the scarlet blood, cuts and bruises coloring his body. This wasn't the end, however. Will had a lot more prepared for these servants of his enemy. He was going to give them hell on Earth.

He heard Eleanor shout his name. When he turned in her direction he saw her moving hastily towards him with a panicked expression on her beautiful face. Her willow orbs glistened with unshed tears, as she saw the tragedy take place.

Following her frantic calls and gestures he swiftly turned around, just a tad bit late though. A blur of movement, someone approached him and without warning he saw a shiny metal knife and then felt a stinging pain in his abdomen.

"Will!"