"We have to subdue him," Ryker called out to the guards, his voice commanding yet tinged with urgency. "Do not let him escape!"

With renewed determination, the guards moved in to surround Marcus, their swords poised for action. But Marcus, undeterred, met their advance with a steely gaze, his lips curled into a defiant sneer.

"You think you can defeat me?" Marcus taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're all fools if you believe that."

Ryker's jaw clenched with anger at Marcus's arrogance, his mind racing with the weight of their past interactions. There had always been a darkness lurking beneath Marcus's facade, but Ryker had never imagined it would...