A poisoned knife...

Cheers surged like a rising tide as both soldiers and civilians celebrated. The area near the city entrance reverberated with shouts of victory, relief over not having any casualties, and the declaration that the battle was finally over. It was a miracle. A miracle which no one in their wildest dreams had foreseen.

Amidst all the commotion and celebration, Dunken silently inched closer to a girl who was clapping hard with a wide smile.

By the time the cheers died down, all six of the hero's who had saved thousands of life today. had also washed themselves.

Dunken then drew a small hunting knife concealed in his boot, seized the girl, and pressed the blade against her throat.

Irene, no...., Fredrick and everyone near who saw the scene gasped in shock.

"Haha," Duncan began, his laughter echoing manically. "Fredrick, I may not have long to live, but before I go, I will ensure you suffer. This blade is coated with the deadliest poison; a mere nick will lead to your daughter's agonizing death."

"Not even the kingdom's most skilled healer can detect this poison, let alone create an antidote." Duncan enhanced his voice, ensuring his threat reached everyone there.

Even the boys, who were washing hundreds of meters away and Harry who was with them heard Dunkan words and started moving towards it. However, they struggled to make progress or use their strength to reach the scene due to the crowd of soldiers and people there, causing frustration to overwhelm them.

"Now, say good bye to your daughter." Duncan tightened his grip on his knife and was about to slice it across Irene's neck. Irene who was in shock and had accepted her fate by now, closed her eyes, ready to embrace her inevitable and painful death. Regret not having enough time to spend with her loved ones and regretting not telling Dave her feelings.

Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"No..." Fredrick and Rodrick both outstretched their hands but were helpless. Samuel, Lillian, the Heathrow's, Victor and many of the well-known figures of the Winden city found themselves helpless in this situation.

Alan, initially satisfied with capturing Duncan alive, now felt a profound helplessness unlike anything he had ever experienced. He had always achieved whatever he set his mind to. Overwhelmed by frustration, he let out a roar and extended his hand, imagining himself confronting Duncan, seizing the blade with one hand, and grasping his neck with the other.

Miraculously, Alan vanished into the thin air and materialized in front of Duncan, firmly holding the blade that was poised to slice Irene's neck with his left hand.

He slowly pulled the knife and the hand holding it away from Irene's neck and then extended his right arm and caught Dunkan's neck.

Silence ensued. Everyone were stunned witnessing Alan's sudden appearance and the change in the situation, that took at his appearance.

As soon as the pressure was lifted from Irene's body, she opened her eyes. Puzzled she looked around and saw Alan holding Duncan's neck. She was about to sigh in relief, when she noticed Alan's left hand holding the knife firmly and the blood trickling down the hilt and onto Duncan's arm.

"No no no....." She started to panic.

Alan turned towards Irene and smiled warmly. "Don't worry Irene. You are safe now."

Duncan who was trying to free from Alan's hold, started to cackle manically again.....

"Boy, suffer the painful death now. If not that girl, I am more than satisfied to take you, who ruined everything that I have planed. Now join along with me in the afterlife."

"You fool why did you have to get the cut from that poisonous blade. Why did you put your life on line for me. We even don't know what the poison is. There is no antidote for that poision, have you not heard from him." Irene started to sob harder now.

By that time, all the other five lads and Harry came and surrounded them, making sure nothing out of ordinary would happen again.

Alan started to laugh loudly, making Irene stop her sobbing abruptly and look at him in confusion. " Don't worry Irene, there is no such mysterious poison on this blade. If my sense of smell is working properly, I believe he had mixed the poisons of the desert scorpion, the death vally's red nex6k toads poision and... He sniffed a coupole of times, yes, and the poison of black neck cobra. Is it not Duncky?"

Duncan was stunned. How..... How can you.... Alan tightened his grip on Duncan's throat with a malicious grin on his face.

Dunky, now enjoy the journey to the hell. And one more thing, as you thought I will not be joining you in the afterlife. Not today atleast. After saying that, Alan leaned towards Duncan's ear and whispered, " I am immune to any kind of poison this world could offer."

Alan then winked at the stupified face of Duncan and plunged his own dagger into his heart.

As soon as the blade pierced his skin, his body started to turn black. He started to convulse wildly. His eyeballs started to burn and he fell down dead within a minute.

The scene made everyone shudder in horror. Shivers run down their entire body. Many of the onlookers threw up violently.

Irene hugged Alan and started to cry. Understand her concern, Alan patted her back from her right hand. " Don't worry Irene, I had an antidote to this poison, so it didn't had any effect on me." Alan explained as he didn't wanted to draw more attention on himself.