Michelle pressed her attack, her blade dancing through the air as she aimed for Joshua's weapon. In a swift, calculated strike, she disarmed him, sending his sword clattering to the ground. A triumphant smile crossed her lips, but it was short-lived.

"You think you've won?" Joshua snarled, his eyes narrowing with rage. With a sudden surge of energy, he raised his hand, summoning a crackling blast of magic that surged toward her. The air shimmered with raw power as the magical energy hurtled toward her. In a split second, Michelle planted her sword into the ground, using it as a brace to absorb the impact. The magic struck her with a force that sent shockwaves through her body, knocking her back a few steps. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she steadied herself, refusing to fall.

"You'll have to do better than that, Joshua!" she shouted, determination fueling her every word. With her sword still embedded in the earth, Michelle shifted her stance, engaging him in hand-to-hand combat. She lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick aimed at his midsection. Joshua barely managed to dodge, but the force of her attack sent him stumbling back.

"You're stronger than I expected," Joshua admitted, his voice laced with grudging respect. "But strength alone won't save you."

Michelle pressed her advantage, using her agility to close the distance between them. She threw a series of punches and kicks, each one fueled by her desire for justice. Joshua retaliated with his own strikes, but Michelle's training and fierce spirit gave her the edge. The two warriors exchanged blows, the sound of their fists connecting echoing through the clearing. Michelle felt the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her focus razor-sharp as she fought not just for herself, but for the legacy of her family.

Meanwhile, the sounds of battle continued around them. Sonya had dispatched the last of the thugs, her faeblades gleaming with victory. Tyler and Marcus were regrouping, ready to assist Michelle if needed. But for now, it was just Michelle and Joshua, locked in a fierce struggle that would determine the fate of their clash.

As the battle raged on, Michelle felt a surge of determination coursing through her veins. She had trained for this moment, and she wasn't about to let it slip away. In a split second, she remembered the hidden blade she kept strapped to her thigh, a weapon she had rarely needed but now felt essential.

With a swift motion, she reached down, unsheathing the hidden blade and bringing it up in a fluid arc. "This ends now, Joshua!" she declared, her voice resolute.

In a flash, she closed the distance between them, her movements a blur as she aimed for a precise strike. With a practiced thrust, she plunged the hidden blade into the pressure point on Joshua's neck, just below his ear. The impact was immediate and devastating. Joshua's eyes widened in shock, the color draining from his face as the blade found its mark. He staggered back, a gasp escaping his lips as the left side of his body went limp, his sword falling from his grip. He struggled to maintain his balance, but the magic that once fueled him now faltered, leaving him vulnerable.

"You… you won't get away with this," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper as he fell to one knee, the fight draining from him.

Michelle stood over him, her heart racing with triumph and adrenaline. "This is for all the lives you've destroyed, Joshua. You will answer for your crimes."

As she looked around, she saw that Sonya, Tyler, and Marcus had finished dispatching the last of the thugs. They turned their attention to her, expressions of awe and respect etched on their faces.

"Well done, Michelle," Sonya said, her voice filled with admiration. "You fought bravely."

Tyler rushed to her side, his eyes wide with pride. "You took him down! I knew you could do it!"

Marcus joined them, his expression serious but appreciative. "We need to secure him before he recovers."

Michelle nodded, her resolve firm. They couldn't let Joshua escape or regroup with the remaining Crimson Guard. She turned her attention back to the incapacitated lieutenant, ready to ensure he wouldn’t pose a threat again. As Michelle stood over Joshua, her heart pounding with adrenaline and triumph, he suddenly found the strength to attempt a desperate counterattack. With a surge of defiance, he lunged forward, trying to grab the hidden blade embedded in his neck.

But Michelle was quicker. With a swift motion, she pressed the blade deeper, aiming for his aorta—a critical point that would ensure his incapacitation. The blade pierced through flesh, and Joshua gasped, his eyes widening in horror as the realization of his predicament dawned on him.

"One more move, and I will make sure this blade finds its home," Michelle warned, her voice low and steady. "If you pull it out, you will bleed out and die. This is your only chance to live, Lieutenant."

Joshua froze, the fight draining from him as he processed her words. His breathing became ragged, and the color in his face shifted to a pale hue, a mix of fear and anger swirling within him. "You think you can intimidate me, Phoenix?" he spat, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his fear. "I will not be your pawn."

"You already are," Michelle replied, her gaze unwavering. "Your king's tyranny ends here. You will tell us everything you know about the Crimson Guard's movements, or you will bleed out right here."

As the tension hung thick in the air, the sounds of the forest faded into the background. The rest of the group watched, their expressions a mixture of concern and anticipation, knowing that the outcome of this confrontation could change everything. As Michelle held the blade firmly in place, Joshua’s defiance flared once more. With a sudden, violent movement, he spat blood directly into her face, the crimson droplets splattering across her cheek. The act was a final insult, a desperate attempt to regain some semblance of power in the face of defeat.

"You think you can intimidate me?" he snarled, his voice laced with venom. "You're just a pathetic little princess playing at being a warrior. The King has set a hit on you and your brother, you know. His paranoia has driven him to madness. You’re both marked for death, and there’s nothing you can do to change that."

Michelle's heart raced, a mix of anger and shock coursing through her. The revelation hit her like a physical blow, the implications of Joshua's words sinking in. King Mariux Jace was not just a tyrant; he was a cornered beast willing to strike at anyone he perceived as a threat, even his own subjects.

"Your threats matter not to me!" she spat back, wiping the blood from her face with the back of her hand. "You’re nothing more than a pawn in his game, just like the rest of us. But I will not let you dictate my fate."

Joshua’s expression twisted into a cruel smile, the blood from his wound staining his teeth. "You’re already dead, Phoenix. You just don’t know it yet."

Michelle felt a surge of fury at his words, but she knew she had to remain focused. The stakes were higher than ever, and if what Joshua said was true, they needed to act quickly.

Michelle tightened her grip on the hidden blade, her heart pounding as she demanded, "Tell me more about this hit, Joshua. Who else knows about it? What are the King's plans?"

Joshua let out a harsh laugh, the sound echoing in the clearing. "Trying to intimidate me into spilling secrets? The hit is unsanctioned, princess. Only the Royals in the Jace family are privy to such… delightful tidbits. The King is paranoid, yes, but he’s also clever. He knows how to keep his dirty little secrets."

"You’re lying..." Michelle shot back, her voice steady despite the anger boiling within her. "Why would you risk your life to protect the King? You’re just a tool, and you know it."

Joshua's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. "Perhaps. But I know more than you think. The King has his reasons for wanting you and your brother dead. He fears the return of the Phoenix legacy, and he’ll stop at nothing to eliminate any threat."

Michelle felt a chill run down her spine. The implications of his words were staggering. If the Jace family had indeed put a hit on them, then every moment spent in the open could be their last. They needed to act fast, but how could they trust anything Joshua said?

"Enough of this!" Michelle said, her voice firm. "You may think you have the upper hand, but your life is in my hands now. You will tell me everything you know, or I will make sure you regret it."

Joshua’s laughter echoed again, but this time it was tinged with desperation. "Foolish girl... I’ve faced death before, and I’ll do it again. But know this: the King won't let you live for long. You’ll be hunted, both of you, like the dogs you are. Along with anyone that joins you..."

Michelle's eyes narrowed as she contemplated her options, a cold resolve settling over her. The tension in the clearing was palpable, and she could feel the weight of Joshua's threats hanging in the air. He had shown himself to be nothing but a coward, a pawn in a game far beyond his control.

With a fierce determination, she turned to the wolf, who stood poised and ready, its amber eyes gleaming with anticipation. "You know what, Joshua? You’re right about one thing. You’re nothing but a dog—King Jace’s dog. And now, you’re dog food."

Before Joshua could react, Michelle gestured to the Whitewood. "Go on," she commanded, her voice steady. "Finish him." The wolf sprang forward, it's eyes full of hunger, its movements fluid and swift. Joshua's eyes widened in horror as he realized what was about to happen.

"No! You can't do this!" he shouted, panic lacing his voice. But it was too late. The wolf lunged, and in an instant, the clearing was filled with the sounds of struggle and Joshua's screams. As the wolf brutally subdued Joshua, Michelle felt a strange sense of satisfaction wash over her. She had taken control of the situation, and justice was being served. The fear that had once gripped her heart began to dissipate, replaced by a fierce sense of empowerment.

Tyler and Marcus watched in awe, their expressions a mix of disbelief and admiration. Sonya stood beside them, her gaze steady as she observed the scene unfold.

"Let this be a warning to anyone who dares to threaten us," Michelle declared, her voice echoing through the clearing. "We will not be silenced or hunted. We will rise again."

As the wolf finished its grim task, Michelle felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had to move quickly and remain vigilant. The King’s paranoia would only intensify, and they needed to regroup and plan their next steps.