"-Ke Up!" Gerard said a mildly loud voice, his voice high with urgency.
Rethrus blinked, coming back to his senses. He was still reeling, shocked by what he had just witnessed—questioning reality itself in that moment.
"Are you okay?" Gerard asked, concern etched on his face. "You've been out for almost an hour. What happened?"
Outside the chamber, Kaeli and Eri paced nervously, worry etched into their features.
'What's taking them so long?' Kaeli wondered, anxiety and fear twisting in her chest.
'I hope they're all right,' Eri thought, glancing at the closed door.
Back inside, Rethrus stared blankly at Gerard, still disoriented. Suddenly, a familiar sound—a voice sobbing—caught his attention. He hadn't even realized someone was clinging to him tightly. He looked down, and recognition flooded his face.
"Xiaolan!" he gasped, pulling her into a fierce embrace.
Gerard watched, confused but choosing to give them space.
"You came!" Xiaolan cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I'm here now," Rethrus whispered, holding her close. "And I'll never let them take you away again. I promise."
Rethrus glanced at Gerard, blinking rapidly as he tried to process everything that was happening.
"Uh, so… yeah, the mission," Gerard said, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, the mission," Rethrus echoed, his gaze drifting to Xiaolan's innocent face.
"Xiaolan, on my back again. And try not to make any sound, okay?"
"Please don't leave me again," Xiaolan whispered, clinging to him.
"Don't worry. I won't," Rethrus promised, his voice steady and reassuring.
With everyone in place, Rethrus took a deep breath. Xiaolan wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders, and Gerard placed a firm hand on Rethrus's arm.
"Ready?" Gerard asked, looking at them both.
"Ready," Rethrus replied.
Gerard muttered an incantation, and a shimmering veil of invisibility washed over them. Quietly, the trio began to move, slipping through the shadows—unseen and determined.
Gerard's eyes darted around the shadowed estate, muscles tense. "We stick together. No mistakes."
They moved slowly through the wet grass, each step measured and careful. The invisibility spell flickered faintly, a warning that their time was running out.
Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed nearby—a twig snapping underfoot.
Gerard froze, his breath caught in his throat. Rethrus's heart hammered in his chest as he signaled for silence.
From the darkness, a patrol emerged, lanterns swinging gently, casting eerie pools of light. Their voices were low but carried clearly in the still night.
Xiaolan's grip tightened around Rethrus's neck, her eyes pleading for safety.
The guards paused, scanning the area with practiced vigilance. One knight's gaze swept directly toward them, eyes narrowing as if sensing something unseen.
Rethrus held his breath, willing the spell to hold.
The knight lingered, then slowly turned away, his boots crunching on the gravel.
They pressed on, every nerve taut with tension.
The danger passed, but the adrenaline lingered like a storm.
They were almost there—just ten more steps.
Suddenly, a horn blared from the outer walls—a warning.
Guards scrambled, lanterns flared like fireflies in the dark.
"Incoming!" Rethrus hissed.
They dove behind a thick hedge as two patrols thundered past, nearly colliding. One guard's boot crushed a delicate flower petal beside Gerard's trembling hand.
Ten seconds later, they slipped from their hiding spot, shadows among shadows.
The polished steps were slick, reflecting the faint drizzle that still clung to the air.
Xiaolan pressed her face into Rethrus's shoulder, eyes shining with fear and hope.
Ahead, the chariot waited—silent, still, the key to their escape.
Rethrus took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Almost there."
The horses stirred, sensing their presence, hooves barely making a sound on the slick stone.
Rethrus helped Xiaolan down gently, then climbed aboard himself.
Gerard swung up last, eyes scanning the dark estate one final time.
Inside the chariot, the world outside felt distant and dangerous. Rethrus, Gerard, and Xiaolan sat in utter silence, their bodies tense, eyes scanning every shadow. Even the horses seemed to sense the gravity of the moment, stamping quietly but not daring to whinny.
Xiaolan held her breath, knuckles white as she clung to Rethrus's hand. He squeezed back, offering silent reassurance. The seconds dragged on, each heartbeat loud in their ears. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the tension eased just enough for them to breathe.
Rethrus caught Gerard's eye and winked. Gerard nodded, understanding the signal. He reached for a barrel tucked in the corner of the chariot and, careful not to make a sound, tipped it so a thin stream of liquid dripped onto the ground—a subtle sign for their allies.
Outside, Kaeli watched from the shadows. When he saw the liquid pooling beneath the chariot, a smirk tugged at his lips. He started toward the vehicle, but a chill ran down his spine. Something was wrong. The air felt heavy, electric with danger.
He froze, unable to move or speak. The sensation was all too familiar—a suffocating killing intent, the kind that haunted his nightmares. He scanned the area, heart pounding. Slowly, almost unwillingly, he turned his head.
There they were: the same eyes he'd seen during the infiltration, eyes that had haunted his dreams. They stared at him, cold and unblinking, from just a few feet away.
Kaeli tried not to meet their gaze, but it was impossible to look away. His body screamed for him to run, but he was rooted to the spot.
Then, the man spoke—his voice calm, almost amused. "Have we met before?"
Kaeli swallowed hard, forcing a shaky smile. "Uh, no, I don't think so."
The man stepped closer, extending a hand. "I'm Diablo, one of Frings' men. And you are?"
Kaeli managed to steady his voice. "Kaeli. From the Black Dragon Guild." He reached out, their hands meeting in a tense handshake.
Diablo's grip was cold and unyielding. "Your hand is shaking and so cold. Nervous?"
Kaeli forced a laugh. "First time in a war. Stress, you know."
Meanwhile, inside the chariot, Gerard peered through a crack in the wood, whispering, "What the hell is Kaeli doing out there?"
Rethrus shook his head. "No idea. Just be ready." He motioned for Gerard to pour more of the barrel's contents as a backup signal.
Gerard nodded and tipped the barrel again, the liquid seeping into the mud.
Kaeli caught the movement out of the corner of his eye, but he still couldn't break free from Diablo's icy stare.
'Just hold on, you guys. I'll get out of this,' Kaeli thought, steeling himself.
Diablo's eyes narrowed. "You really are familiar."
Kaeli forced a grin. "Maybe you've seen me on the street or something."
Diablo leaned in, searching Kaeli's face for any sign of deception. Kaeli met his gaze, summoning every ounce of courage. He couldn't let fear show—not now, not with everything on the line.
'I have to be brave. He doesn't know what I did. Rethrus and the others are counting on me.'
Diablo opened his mouth to speak again, but Kaeli cut him off, voice suddenly steady and confident. "You know what, let's talk another time. I have something to deliver to the guild members at the battlefield."
Diablo blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. Then he smiled, stepping back. "Of course. Duty calls. Don't let me keep you."
Kaeli nodded, heart still racing, and turned toward the chariot—relief flooding through him as he put distance between himself and those haunted eyes.
From a distance, Eri spotted Kaeli walking steadily toward the chariot. A small smile crept across her face.
"Yes, they're going to make it," she whispered, hope flickering in her eyes.
Kaeli moved at a calm, measured pace, careful not to draw attention. He didn't dare look back—the weight of those unseen eyes still pressed on his back, cold and unrelenting.
Inside the chariot, Rethrus and Gerard heard footsteps approaching and exchanged knowing smirks. They both knew exactly who it was.
Kaeli reached the chariot and swung himself onto the horse with practiced ease. The soft sound of hooves echoed as he settled in. Eri's gaze followed him, heart pounding.
For a brief, perfect moment, they all thought the same thing:
MISSION ACCOMPLI—
Suddenly, a massive explosion ripped through the night, obliterating the barrier protecting Frings' estate. The shockwave shook the entire area and echoed throughout the city. Windows rattled, and distant voices rose in alarm as the city awoke, bewildered by the chaos.
Inside the estate, several members of the Frings family were caught in the blast. Lord Frings himself jolted awake, disoriented and surrounded by a pile of naked young girls.
Far away, across the Riverdale plains, the explosion reached the ears of the assembled armies. Dante's eyes snapped open, his thoughts racing to his master's safety. Without hesitation, he grabbed his claymore and rose to his feet, staring toward the distant glow of destruction.
Before he could move, a fiery blast tore through their own protective barrier. The Merlion army surged forward, charging toward Dante's forces with brutal intent.
"What is this?!" Dante shouted, gripping his sword tighter.
Cassius, water swirling around his fists, growled, "They want to end this tonight."
Garrick spat on the ground, his voice cold. "Do they have honor?"
Gendry drew his sword with a grim nod. "Honor? In war? That's for songs and stories, kid."
"Attack!" Dante commanded, and the two armies collided in a thunderous clash.
Back at the estate, the northern front was under siege.
Kaeli glanced toward Eri, then leapt from the horse, disappearing into the ranks of the Frings army.
Inside the chariot, Gerard quickly cast an invisibility spell over himself, Rethrus, and Xiaolan. They slipped out silently, blending into the chaos.
Rethrus watched Kaeli run toward Eri, a pang of guilt tightening in his chest.
He turned to Gerard and pressed Xiaolan's trembling hand into his. "Take her and run."
"What about you?" Gerard asked, concern flashing in his eyes.
"I'll be fine. Just get Xiaolan away from here. I'll meet you at the inn."
"Rethrus!" Xiaolan called out, fear in her voice.
Rethrus smiled gently. "Don't worry. Gerard is our friend. He'll never let you go."
"But you promised you wouldn't leave me," she whispered.
"I'll be back. I promise. Okay?"
Xiaolan nodded, trusting him despite the fear.
Gerard called out, "Rethrus, you're still under my invisibility spell. You have a chance to escape."
Rethrus nodded. The two parted ways.
Rethrus sprinted toward the battlefield, staff in hand. Unseen, he dove into the thick smoke and chaos.
And then he saw them.
The attackers.
At their head stood Kesca Merlion, commanding her army with ruthless precision.