Aelric's heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted through the moonlit garden, the sound of hurried footsteps echoing around him. The fire from the corridor still raged in his mind, the acrid scent of smoke filling his lungs. He kept his focus on the path ahead, each step carrying him farther away from the palace that had once been his enemy. But now, it was more than that—it was a symbol of everything that had been taken from him.
Kaelina and Haldric were close behind, their pace slowing as Haldric's injury became more apparent. Kaelina kept urging him forward, her eyes scanning the shadows, constantly alert for the sound of pursuing guards.
"We can't stop," Aelric barked, his voice sharp. "Not yet."
"But Haldric—" Kaelina began, her tone filled with concern, but Aelric cut her off with a glance.
"We won't get far if we don't keep moving."
She gritted her teeth and nodded. Haldric's breathing was labored, his face pale, but he managed to nod as well. They pushed on through the winding paths of the garden, where the night was thick with the scent of jasmine and damp earth, the tranquil surroundings in stark contrast to the chaos they had just left behind.
Aelric's mind raced. He had done it—he had gotten them out of the palace, but at what cost? He had burned bridges with Cassiel, set the kingdom's flames of vengeance alight, and created a path of blood that would only lead to more bloodshed. But it wasn't just vengeance driving him anymore. There was something else.
The look in Cassiel's eyes before he had fled… Aelric had seen it, and it had stopped him for a heartbeat—a flicker of something that wasn't hatred. What was it? Regret? Guilt? Was there a crack in the prince's perfect armor?
The thoughts gnawed at him, making his chest tighten, but Aelric forced them away. Now was not the time for doubt.
"Where to now?" Kaelina asked, her voice urgent as they reached the edge of the garden. The city stretched beyond them, the skyline dotted with the lights of the palace. It was only a matter of time before Cassiel's forces came after them.
"We need to find somewhere safe," Aelric said, his voice dark. "Somewhere off the roads, somewhere they won't think to look for us."
Kaelina nodded. "There's an old hideout in the forest, beyond the city. It should be far enough."
"Then that's where we'll go," Aelric replied, his eyes scanning the horizon.
They didn't speak much as they made their way into the dense woods beyond the garden. The trees were thick, their branches reaching high into the sky like silent sentinels. The only sound was the crunch of leaves underfoot and their hurried breaths, as they pushed deeper into the forest.
The journey was slow, Haldric's wound making every step heavier, but they kept moving. Aelric's mind remained fixed on one thing—the promise of what would come next.
If Cassiel wanted war, he would have it.
But it wouldn't be a war like the one he expected.
Aelric was done being the kingdom's pawn. He had already lost everything he had ever known. Now, he would make sure that Cassiel knew what it meant to lose too.
As dawn began to creep over the horizon, they finally reached the hideout—a small, forgotten cottage hidden deep in the woods, untouched by time. It was quiet, secluded, and above all, it offered a momentary refuge.
Once inside, Kaelina helped Haldric settle into a chair by the fire. She moved quickly, fetching water and bandages from their meager supplies.
Aelric sat across from them, his gaze distant as he stared into the flickering flames. His thoughts were consumed by the conflict ahead, and by Cassiel.
Had he made a mistake? The prince had shown a glimpse of something—something deeper than the cruelty he had always known. But Aelric couldn't afford to dwell on such things. The choice had already been made. He couldn't undo what had been done, and he couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment.
"We're safe, for now," Kaelina said, breaking the silence. "But we can't stay here long."
Aelric nodded, his mind already shifting toward their next move. "I know. We'll need to gather more support. Allies who are willing to stand against Cassiel."
Haldric shifted in his seat, wincing at the pain in his side. "And how do we do that?" he asked, his voice rough.
Aelric's gaze hardened. "We take down the people who have kept him in power. One by one."
"Isn't that…" Kaelina trailed off, her expression troubled. "Isn't that the path of darkness, Aelric?"
He didn't answer immediately. He didn't need to. He had already made his decision.
"What else is left for me, Kaelina?" he asked quietly. "What choice do I have?"
There was a long silence before she spoke again, her voice softer this time.
"Just… remember who you are. Don't lose yourself in this fight."
Aelric didn't reply. He couldn't afford to. Not when the fire in his heart burned brighter than ever. The prince had his army. But Aelric had something Cassiel would never understand.
He had nothing left to lose.
As the day bled into night, Aelric stood alone by the window, staring into the darkness. He could still feel the weight of Cassiel's gaze, the faint spark of something lingering there. The ache in his chest was impossible to ignore.
But he knew he had made the right choice.
The game had only begun.