Episode 15

CONTINUATION

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The battlefield seemed to freeze as Lucien strode toward Valerie, his every step deliberate and mocking.

The chaos of clashing steel and shouts faded to a dull roar in her ears as her focus narrowed on the man

who had haunted her nightmares.

Liam darted toward her, his blade dripping with blood, but Valerie held up a hand, her gaze locked on Lucien.

"This is my fight."

Liam hesitated, his jaw clenching. "Valerie"

"Go", she commanded, her voice unwavering. "The others need you."

Reluctantly, Liam nodded and turned back into the fray, cutting down an approaching enemy with a single stroke.

Lucien stopped a few paces away, his sword gleaming in the dim firelight. "You've grown bold, little dove"

he said, his tone Dripping condescension. "remember when you were too afraid to even look me in the eye."

Valerie leveled her blade at him, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "I'm not the same girl you left broken, Lucien.

You'll wish you'd killed me when you had the chance.

His smirk deepened. "Oh, I intend to rectify that mistake tonight"

Without another word, Lucien lunged. Their swords clashed with a deafening ring, sparks flying as Valerie met his blow

with all her strength. He was faster and stronger than she expected, his movements precise and merciless. But she was fueled

by something he lacked desperation, and a need for justice.

The duel was a deadly dance, their blades slicing through the air as they circled each other. Lucien's strikes were calculated,designed to exploit every weakness, but Valerie refused to falter.

"You've improved", he emitted, parrying a particularly vicious strike. "But you're still out of your depth."

"Keep talking", Valerie shot back, her voice tight with effort. "It'll make it easier to cut you down."

She feinted left, then pivoted, landing a glancing blow across his arm. Lucien hissed in pain, his smug demeanor slipping

for the first time.

"Lucky shot", he snarled, his movements growing more aggressive.

Valerie's breath came in ragged gasps as she deflected his relentless attacks. Her arms burned, and her grip on the hilt began to falter.

Lucien was wearing her down, and he knew it.

He slammed his sword against hers, sending her stumbling back. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that,"he said, his voice low and menacing.

"But spirit won't save you."

Valerie's back hit a tree, and for a fleeting moment, fear gripped her. But then she remembered the faces of those who had suffered

because of Lucien, the lives he had destroyed, including her own.

With a surge of determination, she ducked under his next swing and drove her knee into his stomach. Lucien staggered, caught off guard,

and she seized the opportunity.

Spinning around, Valerie slashed her sword upward, the blade cutting deep into his side. Lucien cried out, dropping to one knee as blood

seeped through his tunic.

"This ends now", she said, standing over him with her sword poised for the final blow.

But Lucien, even wounded, was cunning. He smirked through the pain, his hand slipping into his cloak. Before Valerie could react,

he flung a dagger at her.

The blade grazed her shoulder, the sharp pain making her cry out as she stumbled back. Lucien used the distraction to roll away,

pulling himself to his feet.

"You've earned this round, Valentine", he said, clutching his bleeding side. "But don't think for a second that this is over."

With that, he disappeared into the shadows, his men retreating as their leader vanished.

Valerie stood there, trembling, her sword still raised. Blood trickled down her arm, but she barely noticed.

Liam was at her side in an instant, his hands steadying her. "Valerie! Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine", she muttered, her voice hollow.

He inspected the wound on her shoulder, his jaw tightening. "This was reckless."

"He got away",she said, her frustration evident. "He's still out there."

"And we'll deal with him," Liam assured her. "But not tonight". "You won, Valerie. You drove him back."

The weight of his words sank in, and the adrenaline began to fade. Valerie nodded, exhaustion washing over her.

As they made their way back to the castle, the night air was heavy with the scent of smoke and blood. This battle was won,

but the war was far from over.

Valerie Valentine knew that the next time she faced Lucien Blackwood, only one of them would walk away.

To be continued...

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