The first attacker never reached Kai.
Andre stepped forward and drove a punch straight into the man's chest.
A loud crack echoed through the chamber.
The masked man folded like paper and flew backward into two of his companions.
---
"ONE!"
Andre shouted.
---
A crossbow bolt immediately struck his shoulder.
---
"OW!"
---
Kai stared.
"You counted before the fight even started?"
---
"I like being organized."
---
Another bolt flew toward Akshay.
The king raised his sword and deflected it.
The metal rang loudly throughout the chamber.
---
"Take cover!"
Akshay shouted.
---
Vice had already disappeared.
One second he was standing beside them.
The next he was gone.
---
Kai blinked.
"Where did—"
---
A scream echoed from the darkness.
---
Then another.
---
Then a third.
---
Vice casually stepped out from behind one of the attackers.
The man collapsed.
A dagger protruded from his shoulder.
---
"Found him."
Vice said calmly.
---
Kai wasn't entirely sure who he was talking to.
---
The chamber erupted into violence.
Masked attackers poured from side tunnels.
There were dozens of them.
Far more than Kai expected.