Without hesitation, they stepped inside the room.
The prince sat on the edge of the bed, his posture tense, fingers gripping the sheets as if holding onto his last trace of certainty. He looked like someone who had been waiting — or worrying — for far too long.
The prince looked up sharply, eyes wide with fury. His short white hair caught the lantern's glow, each strand glinting faintly against his pale skin. His features were delicate, almost too refined for the rough stone room — a face that belonged to the royal bloodline without needing to say it. His frame was thin, his movements tense with anger rather than strength.
"Who are you?" he demanded, voice trembling with anger and disbelief. "How dare you capture me! Where is my brother? Call him here at once!"
His words echoed off the cold stone walls, sharp and unsteady — the kind of anger born not from arrogance, but from fear and betrayal. Roxy and Cedric exchanged a quick glance, the tension between duty and truth heavy in the air. Their mission was far from over.
"We're here to rescue you," Roxy said firmly. "You know the situation. We don't want you to die."
The prince's eyes narrowed. "How can I trust you? Who sent you?"
Cedric stepped forward. "You'll meet him soon. Even if this seems like a trap, you don't have another choice. Stay here, and you'll die. Trust us."
Roxy nodded, her voice steady. "We won't let that happen."
The prince hesitated, fury still burning in his eyes, but the weight of their words lingered.
The prince hesitated, then said, "Alright."
Roxy and Cedric handed him a soldier's uniform, and he quickly changed, blending in with their disguise. Together, the three moved toward the castle's outer exit, careful and silent.
Suddenly, a guard stepped in front of them, blocking their path. "Where are you three going?" he demanded.
Cedric and Roxy exchanged a quick glance. Roxy gave a subtle nod, and Cedric continued forward with the prince, ignoring the guard's shout, while she moved swiftly toward the soldier.
"I asked you — where are you going?" the guard repeated, suspicious.
In a flash, Roxy drew her sword. One swift strike to the guard's chest sent him crumpling unconscious before he could shout.
But one nearby soldier saw the movement and shouted, "intruders", Alerting the others.
Roxy reacted instantly, swinging her sword with precision, striking the soldier hard in the stomach. He fell to the ground, unconscious.
The sound of alarms began to echo through the castle. The intruders had been discovered — the guards now knew that enemies were inside.
Roxy's eyes scanned the approaching guards, calculating each movement. "Cedric," she said sharply, "take the prince out. I'll handle the enemies."
Cedric nodded without hesitation, gripping the prince's arm. "Stay close!" he whispered. Together, they sprinted toward the castle exit, moving through shadows and narrow corridors.
Roxy stayed behind, her sword gleaming in the dim light. She cut a path through the incoming soldiers, forcing them toward the far side of the castle. From a distance, she could see Cedric and the prince disappearing toward safety.
Her focus never wavered — every swing, every step, was precise. The prince's safety depended entirely on her now.
Cedric and the prince were almost at the castle gate, the faint sunlight spilling onto the cobblestones ahead.
Suddenly, a tall, stern figure appeared in front of them — the castle lord himself. His eyes burned with suspicion.
"So, you're the ones I've been hearing about," he said, voice low but deadly, each word sharp as a blade. "Why are you here? Who sent you? What is your purpose?"
He stepped closer, glaring at them as if he could strike them down with a single motion.
The tension in the air was thick, and every instinct told Cedric to prepare for battle.
Cedric squared his shoulders, meeting the castle lord's glare.
"Why should I tell you?" he said firmly.
"If you want something, you have to work hard to get it."
The castle lord's eyes narrowed, a faint smirk forming. He was tall and powerful, with broad shoulders and fiery red hair that gleamed under the sunlight. Without warning, he lunged at Cedric.
In the heat of the moment, Cedric shouted without thinking, "Prince! Go away!"
The castle lord's eyes flickered toward the prince, realization dawning. His smile widened, almost amused. "Ah… so this is your purpose," he said, voice smooth and dangerous, turning fully toward the young prince.
"And you must be the third prince. Not satisfied with my service, were you?"
The prince froze, fury and confusion mixing in his eyes, as Cedric prepared to defend the prince and himself against the lord's sudden attack.
The castle lord lunged at Cedric, his muscles coiled like a predator.
"Prince! Be patient!" he shouted, "I will be the only one who will take care of you but…." his voice booming through the courtyard.
"I will kill this insect first, then see whose pet he is! And after that… I'll kill the owner of this little puppy too!"
Cedric braced himself, fists clenched, while the prince froze, eyes wide with fury and fear, realizing the full danger of the moment.
Their swords clashed with a sharp ring of steel, sparks flying from the impact. Cedric and the castle lord moved like two predators circling, each strike measured yet deadly.
The castle lord grinned through the clash. "Why are you in such a hurry? We have a long battle ahead," he taunted, his red hair bouncing with every movement.
Cedric's eyes narrowed. "I don't think so," he said, seizing a brief opening. With a swift, precise strike, he found a weak spot in the lord's armor and drove his sword into his stomach.
The lord staggered back, momentarily stunned, as Cedric pushed forward, relentless, keeping the pressure on, every step bringing them closer to victory.
The castle lord stumbled slightly from the critical hit, his crimson eyes flashing with respect and fury.
"I underestimated you," he growled, a sinister smile curling on his lips.
"Now… I'll give you my best."
With blinding speed, he launched a precision strike, aiming for Cedric's side. Cedric tried to parry, but the blade slipped past his guard, cutting deep into his left leg.
Pain shot through Cedric like fire. He stumbled, collapsing to one knee, the wound gushing blood. The taste of iron filled his mouth as he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay conscious.
The castle lord pressed the advantage, swinging with measured fury, each strike forcing Cedric to roll, dodge, or strike with one arm. Despite the wound, Cedric's resolve burned hotter than ever — his sword dances precise, countering and feinting, landing glancing blows, trying to keep the lord at bay.
Every movement was a dangerous game: a mix of agility and desperation, Cedric using the floor, walls, and his remaining strength to turn the tide of battle, even as the pain in his leg threatened to overwhelm him.
The fight had become a deadly dance — elegant, brutal, and utterly consuming.
The castle lord groaned, crimson eyes narrowing at Cedric.
"I know you're strong," he said, voice low but filled with menace.
"I can feel it. But I also feel your inexperience… and it will be your end."
Cedric's grip on his sword tightened. "No… it is not," he muttered under his breath.
Then, with a surge of strength and focus, he called out his technique,
"Calls of Shouting Thunder!"
Despite his wounded leg, Cedric launched himself into the air, sword flashing like lightning. In a single, precise strike, he cut through the castle lord's chest and back — a move so sudden and fierce that the lord had no time to react. He staggered, eyes wide with shock, before collapsing heavily to the ground.
Cedric dropped to his knees beside him, leaning on his sword for support. Blood ran from his wound, but his eyes burned with determination.
"I still haven't mastered it," he whispered, voice strained. "I was lucky… he wasn't strong enough."
The prince ran to his side, panic in his voice. "Are you alright?"
Cedric managed a faint nod. "I'm fine. Let's continue our journey."
As they moved quickly through the corridors, two more guards appeared, blocking their path. Cedric's chest tightened — his leg still burned with pain.
The prince stepped forward, calm yet commanding. "Go help the castle lord. He's facing a dangerous enemy. He told us to request backup. You two — go. I'll bring more backup."
Without hesitation, the guards obeyed, trusting the prince's tone and authority, and rushed off to aid the castle lord — unaware that the man giving orders was the very prince they had been told to keep inside the castle.
Cedric and the prince pressed onward, reaching the castle gates.. With no one around, they slipped silently out of the castle and into the open air, finally free from the fortress's walls.
Cedric and the prince ducked into a quiet corner — a small hidden space where almost no one ever passed. The shadows of the walls and stacked crates offered perfect cover. The air was heavy with tension as they caught their breath, knowing this would be their meeting point if things went wrong.
Cedric frowned. "Where is she? she should be here by now."
Cedric's hand clenched around his sword hilt.
"I hope nothing's happened to her…"