A loud screech echoed through the night as the carriage door was flung open. One of the masked men appeared at the entrance, his eyes burning with murderous intent.
"Kill the prince!" another shouted from behind.
Without thinking, Prince Karin kicked the intruder in the stomach. But the overturned carriage made his movement awkward, his foot barely connected, and he stumbled sideways, clutching Claren protectively in one arm.
The masked man lunged with his sword, aiming straight for Claren. Karin raised his own blade just in time, deflecting the strike with a painful clash of metal. But from his position, half-kneeling, shielding the
boy, he was at a clear disadvantage.
The enemy raised his sword again, ready to finish them off.
Schlink!
A blade suddenly burst through the masked man's abdomen from.behind. His eyes widened in shock before he collapsed to the side, lifeless.
"Are you both okay?" a firm voice asked.
Karin looked up, panting.
"You're… you're the King's bodyguard?" He recognized the man,.he'd seen him before, standing silently near the King like a shadow.
The bodyguard extended his hand. "We don't have much time, grab on!"
"Hurry up! The carriage is near the cliff!" Miller shouted as he helped Karin and Claren down the uneven ground.
Karin pulled Claren close and jumped down, the cold night air biting at his skin.
They finally made it to solid ground when another masked man emerged from the shadows. More followed behind him, overwhelming the few palace soldiers still standing. Steel clashed and cries of pain echoed as the attackers pushed forward.
"Go, Miller! Leave the rest to us!" one of the elite soldiers barked, parrying a blade before driving his sword through an assassin's chest.
Miller didn't hesitate. He spun around and slashed the throat of the man lunging toward him. Blood sprayed, and the attacker
collapsed, lifeless.
Another masked man charged at Prince Karin. He stepped.forward, shielding Claren with one arm. The assassin's blade came down fast, Karin raised his sword just in time, deflecting the strike, but the enemy's second
swing grazed his arm. Blood trickled from the wound as he winced, tightening his hold on the crying prince.
"You'll have to go through me first!" Karin growled, shifting his stance despite the pain.
He pushed Claren behind him and lunged at the masked man, their swords colliding in a loud clang. Karin ducked a horizontal slash and.countered with a sharp thrust, but the assassin was fast, he dodged and kicked
Karin back, sending him stumbling.
The fight raged around them. The night air was filled with the sound of steel, grunts, and screams. Soldiers fell. Assassins advanced. And still, Karin stood, bleeding but unwavering, protecting Claren with everything he The masked man swiftly snatched Claren and drove his blade toward the boy's stomach.
"Prince Claren!!" Karin shouted, his voice filled with desperation as he lunged forward. Both swords clashed mid-air, each aiming with deadly precision.
But just before the blade could pierce Claren, a blinding white light burst from his body, shielding him. The masked man's sword halted,.unable to go any further. At the same moment, Karin's blade struck true-piercing deep into the attacker's shoulder.
Claren dropped to the ground, trembling. His bracelet.shattered, scattering pieces across the bloodstained earth.
With a roar, Karin yanked his sword free and, in one swift motion, slashed across the masked man's neck. Blood sprayed as the man collapsed with a choking gasp.
Karin dropped to his knees and pulled Claren close. "Are you.hurt? Talk to me!" he said, his voice rough with panic. The boy was shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face, terror etched in every inch of
him.
Miller arrived with two horses.
"Ride and follow me!" he said urgently, taking Prince Claren into his arms.
Karin mounted quickly. Though some assassins were still attacking, the elite soldiers held the line, giving them just enough time to escape.
They entered a dark, foreboding forest where twisted trees loomed over the narrow path like silent watchers. The road ahead was barely visible beneath the creeping fog and tangled roots.
The sound of hooves echoed behind them, some of the assassins had given chase, riding hard through the shadows.
Once they had gained enough distance from the assassins, Miller pulled the reins and brought the horses to a halt. He quickly
dismounted.
"We'll walk from here," he said, lifting Prince Claren into his arms.
Karin followed without question. They left the horses behind and began walking deeper into the forest, where the air grew colder and the trees seemed to whisper with every gust of wind. The thick canopy blocked out
the moonlight, and twisted branches reached out like claws in the dark. Every
step echoed in the silence, as if something unseen was watching their every move.
As they moved deeper into the unknown, Prince Karin felt the.weight of the forest pressing in from all sides. Shadows danced between the trees, and the thick canopy above smothered the moonlight, leaving the path ahead cloaked in near-blackness. The air was damp and cold, every breath heavy
with the scent of moss and decay.
Suddenly, a distant scream tore through the silence, sharp, panicked, and human. Karin froze. That voice... it came from behind. Are the assassins being attacked? Or is something else out there?
"Don't make a sound. Hurry," Miller whispered beside him, his voice low but firm. He held out a hand.
"Let me hold your hand, Prince Karin. You might get separated in this cursed darkness," he said, eyes darting to the shadows as if.they could lunge out at any moment.
Karin hesitated, his pride resisting, but fear quickly drowned it. He reached for Miller's hand, the rough leather of the soldier's
glove grounding him. This forest... it feels alive. Watching. Waiting.
Miller added in a hushed voice, "The forest will protect us…as long as we stay silent until we reach the cavern."
They pressed on, step after cautious step. Around them, the woods whispered, rustling leaves, creaking branches, the sound of something moving just beyond sight. Karin's heart pounded against his chest, but he said
nothing. He tightened his grip on Miller's hand.
---
Craige and Rolen had already joined Borg's team, moving.swiftly through the darkness of the forest.
"Let's check the cavern," Craige commanded, his voice firm. "If whoever led them here knows this forest well, that's where they'd go."
They advanced with sharp precision, their sled slicing through the snowy ground. Every sound was muffled by the thick blanket of snow.
Rolen gritted his teeth, slashing his sword with practiced.speed each time one of the grotesque, plant-eating men lunged at them from the shadows.
"Eins, Zwei, Funf—clear the path!" Borg command.
The two massive bears growled in response and charged forward, slamming their powerful paws against the plant creatures. Bones cracked, vines tore, as the bears mauled through them without mercy.
After the battle, the bears lowered their heads and sniffed the air, catching tiny movements. Without hesitation, they snapped up writhing insects that crawled from the plants, chewing them with guttural grunts of satisfaction.
"They're here!!!" one of the soldiers under Borg's command shouted, waving his lantern wildly to signal the others. His voice was filled with relief and urgency.
"You finally arrived?" Miller stepped forward to greet Borg as he approached the cavern, exhaustion visible in his eyes.
When Craige arrived a few moments later, Miller bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Grace," he said with a tired but steady voice.
Craige wasted no time. "Where are they?" he asked, his voice tight with concern.
Just then, Prince Karin emerged from the shadows of the cavern entrance, his steps slow and heavy. In his arms, he carried the sleeping Prince Claren, blood staining both their clothes.
Craige rushed forward, his eyes widening. He gently took Claren from Karin's arms.
"You're both bleeding?" Craige said, alarmed. He turned quickly and signaled the soldiers.
"Help them—now!" he ordered, his voice stern but shaken by worry.
"Let's go back! Borg, clear the Gravehollow Woods and check if anyone's still out there," Craige commanded firmly, his voice echoing
through the trees.
"Yes, Your Grace." Borg replied with a nod then look at Miller
"See you at the manor, brother," placing a hand on Miller's shoulder.
"Ah—damn, that hurts!" Miller winced and let out a pained laugh. Blood soaked through the fabric where his shoulder had been struck. "I got beaten up by your plant again. Think you can ask your mother for some of
her miracle medicine?"
Borg chuckled, shaking his head. "You never change," he said warmly, giving Miller a thumbs-up before turning away.
Half of his men followed him into the shadows of the woods, while the other half remained with the Duke going back to the Manor.