Using Noah's hair Mathayus forced the frightened boy to look him in the eyes. In a whisper that only they could hear added, "Whatever you do don't flinch." With a wink, the Black Scorpion rose drawing his magnificent sword from its scabbard. One more quick glance around the room, and he hefted the blade into a ready position.
The teenager hesitated for just a moment before bringing his sword down hard. Noah squeezed his eyes tightly shut, praying to the gods that he would be spared. Mathayus grunted as he broke the chains around his brother's neck and wrists in one mighty blow. Feeling his chains fall away, the captured sibling heard his brother order him to make a break for it. Yet when Noah flung open his eyes only to see the Black Scorpion of the family fighting to protect him; that was enough to wipe away the smaller siblings fear. Setting his jaw, the younger boy rolled, dodging a blow as he decided to stay and fight. Standing back to back, Mathayus growled "What are you doing? I told you to run!"
"No, we fight together!"
Knowing two was better than one in a fight like, this the tattooed Scorpion accepted his brother's help. So the two young men made their last stand together. Mathayus used his newly acquired skills from the six year training to dispatch the guards with ease. He kicked the first guy down, stabbed the next, and continued fighting. On the other hand, Noah was not quite so skilled and eventually needed Mathayus to bail him out. He managed to take down his first opponent with the very spear Noah took from him. But when the younger brother turned to face the next guard, he was foiled. The burly man flipped the fighting fugitive head over heels, stunning the boy when he landed on his back. However the guard could not go in for the kill, because the elder brother blocked him. Taking the enemy by the head Mathayus gutted the nameless attacker.
Fear kept Noah from standing again, yet that did not stop him from helping. Instead he became the eyes in the back of the rogue Scorpion's head. Laying on the floor, he warned his older brother that the last of the body guards was attacking from behind. In two moves the last man fell to the powerful strokes of the young Scorpion's blade.
Anger shown through the warrior sibling's eyes as he stood; then gripping the shaft of the closest spear he wrenched it free of the dead man's belly. "You killed my father. Did you really think I would kill my brother for you?" Sheathing his own weapon, Mathayus tested the weight of the wooden weapon. Twirling it into a throwing position the young fighter added, "This is for him." Growling he heaved the spear with all his might, aiming directly for the king's heart.
Inches from its mark, the spear came to a halt in mid-air. "Your father was a traitor. As are his sons." Sargon paused for a moment when one of his men silently stood up from behind the traitor, "Turnabout's fair play." Suddenly the spear turned on its own, hurling itself back at the teen who through it.
Mathayus was barely able to get out of the way, letting out a surprise yell when the tip pasted inches from his chest. Instead the spear shot passed the young man and pierced the body guard behind him. For a split second both brothers stood shocked. That spear just moved on its own, flashed across both sibling's minds. But of course the newest graduate of the Black Scorpion's was the first to recover. Pulling his brother towards the window, he shouted "Come on, we have to go. Out the window." Together they smashed through the decorated wood panel, falling to the street below. Noah landed face first in the sand, while Mathayus tucked, rolled, and was back on his feet seconds after hitting the ground. They heard King Sargon yelling for someone to arrest them, but the Scorpion warrior had other plans.
As the next wave of soldiers came at the brothers, Mathayus pulled the nearest one from his horse as they rode at them. The two fighters struggled for only a moment before the guard fell limp. With ease, the boy with a ponytail mounted the horse. Turning he called to his brother to get on behind him, but Noah was not so graceful.
As fast as they could, the two siblings took off towards the desserts. Desperately they waived in and out of markets, dodging guards and trying to flee the city. The horse knocked over people, stands, ladders, and much more in its hurry to follow commands.
Little did they realize Sargon had called for his bow; chanting in an ancient language he released a single arrow. Just like the spear, the little wooden projectile flew as if it had a life of its own, hunting down the two brothers on horseback. It followed the same path as the horse, slowly closing the gap between them. Just before they passed through the gates and Mathayus was beginning to think they were going to make it to safety, the enchanted arrow found its mark. It buried itself deep into Noah's back.
"What's wrong?" Mathayus questioned feeling his brother's grip loosen. He turned just in time to see his sibling fall from the mount. "No, Noah! Hold on." He shouted clutching his brother close. Not even bothering to check and see if soldiers were around, he repeated "No." But it was too late; Noah's life blood had run dry. There was nothing to be done. Blinded by rage the Black Scorpion turned back towards the palace, now he was out for blood.
Thinking only of revenge, Mathayus didn't even notice a hooded figure lurking around in the shadows approach until it was too late. Before he even made it a block back towards Sargon, and his revenge the unknown person jumped the grieving boy; knocking him flat on his back with skill and precision not known to anyone but a Black Scorpion. The last thing he saw before entering the land of the unconscious was a small fist heading straight for him.
End Chapter 3