The Unexpected Guard

The darkness of the night was only matched by the darkness of Lucien's intentions. As he led his team, including his son James and the skilled fighter Shinyagi, towards the estate of Elias Vale, the air was thick with anticipation. The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, casting a dark shadow over the grand mansion. James, dressed in black, his sword at the ready, felt a surge of excitement. This was his first major operation alongside his father, and he was determined to prove himself. The group of guards moved stealthily towards the mansion, their footsteps quiet on the forest floor. As they approached the entrance, a figure emerged from the shadows. She was tall, with dirty blonde hair and light green eyes that sparkled in the moonlight. James's gaze locked onto her, and he felt a sudden jolt of surprise. The girl charged towards them, her movements swift and deadly. James drew his sword, ready to face her. Shinyagi joined the fight, but the girl was a skilled fighter, taking down the guards with ease. James focused on the girl, their blades clashing in a flurry of steel and sparks. He was taken aback by her skills, but he refused to back down. With a swift kick, he sent her crashing to the ground. As she lay there, unconscious, James felt a pang of curiosity. Who was this mysterious girl, and what was she doing here? He approached her, his eyes scanning her face. She was beautiful, with a small waist and a slim yet athletic build. Her light green eyes seemed to gleam even in the darkness, and her freckles added a touch of uniqueness to her features. He dragged her to his father, who stood watching the scene unfold. Lucien's eyes narrowed as he examined the girl. "Who is she?" Lucien demanded, his voice firm. James shook his head. "I don't know. She's not a servant, and she's definitely not a guard." Just then, Elias burst out of the mansion, his eyes locked onto the girl. He rushed towards her, and James saw a look of panic on his face. "Amalia!" Elias exclaimed, scooping up the girl in his arms. James's eyes widened as he realized who she was – the daughter of his arch-nemesis, Elias Vale. He felt a mix of surprise and curiosity, and for a moment, he forgot about the mission. Elias cradled the girl, Amalia, in his arms, his eyes locked onto James and Lucien. "You'll never harm her," he growled, his voice low and menacing. Lucien's eyes narrowed, a plan forming in his mind. He turned to James. "We need to get out of here. Now." As they retreated into the night, James couldn't shake off the image of Amalia's face. He felt a spark of attraction, which he quickly suppressed. She was the enemy's daughter, after all. But he couldn't help but wonder what would happen if their paths crossed again. Would she be a worthy opponent, or would she succumb to his father's plans? As they made their way back to their hideout, James's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Amalia. He couldn't wait to see her again, to learn more about her and to understand what made her tick. Little did he know, their encounter was only the beginning of a complicated web of emotions, loyalty, and deception. The darkness that had brought them together would soon test their resolve, their hearts, and their very souls. James's thoughts were interrupted by his father's voice, cold and calculated. "James, we will find out more about her. And we will use that information to our advantage." James nodded, his eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. He knew that his father's plans were already in motion, and he was eager to see how they would unfold. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Amalia than met the eye, and that their next encounter would be far from predictable.