The world became a violent, chaotic mess of splintered wood and frantic sound.
BAM! The third kick shattered the remaining barricade. The stones tumbled inward, slamming against the hearth. The flimsy door cracked open with a screech, and the three assassins surged into the cabin, their curved blades gleaming in the sliver of morning light.
The lead assassin, his face a mask of furious discipline despite the blood dripping from his wounded hand, aimed for a quick, silent kill.
But I was no longer on the floor.
Knowing I couldn't win a fight against their speed, I went for the only diversion available. My foot swept across the hearth, kicking up a cloud of ash, dirt, and fine dust directly into their faces.
They choked instantly. Trained they might be, but the unexpected lungful of soot and grime sent them staggering backward, coughing violently, their lethal focus dissolving into momentary blindness.
