The man clad in black moved swiftly through the shadows of Edenhide's fortress, his heart pounding with each step. He had discarded his usual air of composure, replaced by a frantic urgency. He slipped through the back walls, avoiding the main pathways where Lord Merith's soldiers might still be vigilant. His every movement was calculated, driven by a singular goal—escape.
As he reached the fortress gates, the chaotic evacuation of Edenhide's citizens provided the perfect cover. Men, women, and children hurriedly gathered their belongings, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty. The man in black blended seamlessly into the crowd, his dark cloak shielding his identity from prying eyes. He made his way through the streets, past the huddled masses, until he saw the open gate—the path to freedom.
