Chapter 156
Leonard
As we reach the back of the castle and slip into the tunnel, the sound of approaching footsteps stops us in our tracks. I know it isn’t safe. I hold up a hand, signaling my men to stay quiet as I strain to listen.
The noises grow louder, chaotic.
It doesn’t take long to realize–the castle is under attack. Although I can’t yet determine who the attackers are. But this might be our best chance to get inside unnoticed. If the enemy is already within the walls, then the front entrance could be unguarded or, at the very least, weakened.
But I worry because If the entire castle is on high alert, finding Amica will be far more difficult. This could either work in my favor or worsen things.
I turn to my men. “We go through the front.”
Without wasting time, we move forward toward the castle’s main entrance. Our boots pound against the dirt, as we move forward.
As we reach the gate, first a number of my men charge in, clashing with the guards stationed there.
Beyond them, the castle is in utter chaos. The fills with battle cries and
I stay behind with the rest of the men, watching from a distance as my men storm the gate. I hesitate only for a moment before urging the rest of my men forward. We sprint toward the entrance, but just as I pick up speed, a shadow moves in the corner of my eye.
A cloaked figure runs out of the castle gates.
I don’t want to stop–1 can’t afford to–but something about the way she moves forces me to. There’s urgency in her steps, it seems shebis running for her life, this is different. If she’s running out of the castle, then she must be one of ours.
I have to speak to her. I have to be careful.
Before I can call out, she runs.
“Wait!” I call, but she doesn’t stop..
I need to make her listen.
“I’m looking for the Luna!” I shout.
She skids to a halt. My words hit their mark. Slowly, she turns, hesitating for only a moment before reaching up to lower the hood of her cloak.
My heart slams against my ribs.
Amica.
“It’s me, Leonard!” I say, breathless. “We came to get you out. We have to leave–now!”
Her expression shifts–confusion, disbelief, something unreadable flickering across her face. But there’s no time.
I snap back to my men. “Get her out of town successfully. I’ll meet you soon. If I don’t, go back to Red Valley without me!”
The command is swift, absolute. My men react immediately, closing in around her in a protective formation.
She is safe. For now.
And I have unfinished business.
I command my men to take Amica out of Black Water immediately–to get her somewhere safe. If I don’t meet them soon, they must go to Red Valley without me. I don’t know if my instructions are as clear as they should be, but I trust these men. They are capable. They will get her to where she needs to be.
We had planned for this.
Red Valley is dangerous, but four strong warriors can’t all be fools. They know the risks, and they know what’s at stake.
Still, I see the confusion in Amica’s face. She wants answers, but I don’t have time to give them. Not yet. My priority now is to slow the rogues down, to stop them from chasing her. And I have another mission–one I can’t ignore.
Mary.
1/4
11:39 AM
Chapter 156
A knot of worry tightens in my chest. I have to find her. I have to make sure she isn’t hurt. I can’t imagine what she’s going through right now.
With no more time to hesitate, I turn and sprint into the castle, knowing full well the danger that awaits me. The moment I cross the threshold, enemies rush at me from all sides. I don’t stop. I don’t slow down.
I cut through them, one after another, destroying anyone thaat comes my way.
As I fight, a sudden, chilling sensation spreads through the air, prickling at my skin. I know this feeling. It’s dark.
The witch.
And not just any witch–It is that terrible witch that pput Deckrd in this position. She is powerful
Yet, the battle rages on around me. Steel clashes, men scream, blood stains the stone floors. But I know staying here is suicide. It is foolish remain when I am fully aware that I stand no chance against this force.
Then, a voice cuts through the chaos.
“Where is Luna?”
The name is roared with such fury that even some of the rogues stop fighting. But not the gamma warriors.
They fight relentless, their defiance only fueling the anger in Darth.
Darth moves, He strides toward a gamma warrior locked in combat and, without hesitation, plunges his claws deep into the man’s back
Blood spurts across the floor in a sickening splash.
The warrior cries out in agony, but Darth isn’t finished.
With a slow, merciless motion, he drives his claws even deeper. Bones snap, flesh tears, and then–ripping through muscle and sinew–he pulls the man’s heart straight from his ribcage.
From behind.
Like it was nothing.
The gamma warrior gives up before the agony can fully consume him. His body goes limp, collapsing onto the blood–soaked ground.
At the sight of this brutality, the other gamma warriors falter. Their rage turns to fear. Some of them freeze, overwhelmed by the sight while
Others, especially those near the exit, take their chance–they turn and run, dragging a few survivors with them.
This is my moment.
I move cautiously, sneaking toward the gate, careful not to draw attention. Every instinct screams at me to escape while I still can. But then-
A voice stops me dead in my tracks.
“I told you she can’t be trusted!”
Another voice answers, steady and cold.
“Mary, this is not the time,” Darth responds.
My blood runs cold.
Mary?
No. That can’t be right.
What the hell is going on?
I inch closer, staying low, pressing myself into the shrubs. My heartbeat pounds in my ears as I try to make sense of what I’m hearing.
Mary is speaking to Darth.
Why?
Why the hell would she be talking to him like that?
Then, she speaks again, her voice laced with something sharp, something bitter.
2/4
11:39 AM
Chapter 156
“Well, she is right, isn’t she? You shouldn’t have trusted her the way you did. You need to realize it’s impossible for someone to just accept you for who you are and begin to trust you!”
I don’t understand.
Who is she talking about?
And why does it sound like she’s standing beside the enemy?
“Amica lied to you,” an older woman’s said.
I tense. That voice–deep, commanding, laced with something unnatural. That has to be the witch.
58
“What do you mean, Cleopatra? What is so wrong with me that no woman can love me for real?” Darth yells, and for the first time, I hear something unexpected in his voice–pain.
So much pain.
Before Cleopatra can answer, Mary’s voice rises, sharp and desperate. “What is wrong with him that makes it so difficult for a woman to fall in love with him and be truthful? I am in love with him! And I accept him for who he is!”
I freeze.
Mary… what?
A bitter laugh slices through the tension, and Cleopatra snaps back, “Oh, shut up, bitch! I’m not talking about you, parasite! We are talking about real women!”
Her words slap Mary like a whip,
Mary stays silent.
Cleopatra’s voice shifts, turning low and dangerous. “Who is responsible for this?” Her eyes sweep the darkness, searching.
I hold my breath.
The last shred of hope I had–that I could get a few people out, maybe even Mary–is crumbling fast.
I have to leave.
But before I can slip away, Darth’s voice roars again, thick with rage.
“Whoever is responsible for this, I will crush!”
His his voice like thunder shaking the ground.
“Warriors, go out in numbers and search for my Luna! Find her!”
His voice cracks, and for the first time, I realize–he’s not just furious.
He’s heartbroken.
I scan the battlefield quickly, searching for the rest of my men. Maybe they managed to escape with the others who ran out.
Maybe they’re already safe. But if anyone is still trapped inside, they’ll have a choice but to blend in with the warriors searching for Amica s they
move out.
It’s the only way out now.
“Find her now!”
Darth’s voice booms
From where I crouch, I can see the gate. It’s my chance.
Keeping low, I crawl across the ground like a soldier, moving carefully, silently. Then, iswiftly I push up and runoff. I don’t look back.
I just run.
“There! Who is that?!” a voice shouts behind me
I hear the shift of armor, the scrape of boots against stone.
3/4
Chapter 156
They’ve seen me. But I don’t stop.
I force my legs to move faster, pushing past the burning in my muscles.
Then, the sound I dread–footsteps.
They’re chasing me.
AD
