The flames burned low and sharp in the distance, painting the air with smoke and ash. Tessa's breath hitched the moment the soldiers halted before the orphanage gates. The night felt heavier than ever, as if the stars themselves had hidden away.
Hunters stood waiting. Their figures were cloaked in shadows, blades catching faint firelight like the teeth of predators.
"Stay close," Commander Claude's deep voice broke the silence, his sword unsheathed with a hiss. He looked at the soldiers," don't let anyone escape." And before the order could fully settle, chaos erupted. The imperial soldiers clashed with the hunters, steel meeting steel in an explosion of sparks. The cries of battle rose into the night, echoing against the stone walls of the burning orphanage.
Claude pulled Tessa behind him, his shoulders broad and firm as he cut down one hunter who dared to lunge close. "With me," he said firmly, dragging her into the burning building. " I really don't know why the king ordered me to take you here lady ...."
A person came running towards them crying for help .. but Tessa already felt, its a trap. " Sir Claude.. it's a hunter."
Claude looked at Tessa and slashed the man within seconds. His body fell on the ground trembling...and vanished soon .
" How can you.... Thank you, lady Tessa "
They both nodded at each other and entered inside the orphanage. It was reeked of charred wood and fear. The ground floor was thick with smoke, embers crawling across the broken floorboards. They saw a man surrounded by hunters .
" Sir Alex!" Tessa cried.
He was in the middle of it, surrounded by hunters, his blade flashing like lightning, each strike deliberate, calculated. His expression hardened the moment his eyes met hers, but he didn't falter.
Claude stepped in beside him, swinging hard, clearing the way.
"Lady Tessa?" Alex gasped between strikes, eyes narrowing. "You shouldn't be— Claude, your highness is upstairs! Go!"
Claude grunted in response and shoved a hunter aside, carving a path toward the staircase. Alex's blade whirled once more, cutting down another enemy with a clean slice, blood scattering into the firelight.
" This way . "
Tessa, breathless, followed Claude upstairs. Her boots slipped over ash, her chest tight with a strange pull she couldn't resist. And then—her heart froze. On the second floor, amidst the smoke and burning walls, twenty children huddled in the corner, their faces pale, tears streaking through soot. Fear dripped off them like rain. A hunter was standing there , guarding them so none could escape. Tessa and Claude kept going tip-toed. Her eyes were trying to find a single person. Across the room—on his knees, sword clenched with trembling hands—was Jasper.
Her breath stopped.
His face glistened with sweat, his black hair damp and darkened. His strikes were sharp, but his movements sluggish. He looked drained, every swing of his blade costing more than his body could afford. Around him lay the fallen bodies of his knights—bleeding, barely alive, their armor shattered.
" Jasper! " Her heart screamed his name unknowingly... She looked at Claude for further instruction.. and whispered ," They all are hunters ..... But they are different from the ones I met before..."
Claude's eyes darkened. "They're high-level," he muttered, gripping his sword tighter. "R2 hunters. Skilled assassins. This isn't an ordinary raid. Stay here lady ."
Claude suddenly went up and stood in front of them .
" Huh! Another mere soldier... Get him . " The man seemed like their leader ordered.
As if summoned, four hunters broke away and surrounded Claude. He raised his blade, teeth clenched, facing them head-on.
But before Tessa could even catch her breath, another figure slipped from the flames—a hunter rushing straight for Jasper.
Jasper lifted his sword, blocking the strike with a flare of desperate strength, his blade ringing with the clash. His stance was perfect, his counter was sharp—just as Alex once described. But his body was failing. Tessa never saw Jasper this weak before...
" What happened to him? Did the hunters do something.... Why am I such a helpless in this situation."
Another hunter moved in from behind him.
Jasper was busy handling the other that he couldn't see the upcoming strike. Tessa's eyes widened. She saw the gleam of the dagger, the tilt of the hunter's wrist—it was aimed for Jasper's heart.
"JASPER!"
Without thinking, her body moved. Her fingers tightened around the dagger Jasper had once given her. Hearing Tessa's voice the hunter got startled for a bit. Tessa took the opportunity . She dashed forward through the smoke, through her own fear, and before the hunter's blade could land, she drove her dagger straight into his back.
The hunter let out a guttural cry, his body twisting before collapsing. Black smoke consumed him, his figure vanishing into nothingness.
The room fell silent for a heartbeat.
Jasper turned, eyes wide in disbelief. His lips parted, his voice raw. "Tessa… what are you—this place is dangerous for you—"
"I don't care!" she cut him off, tears stinging her eyes. "You don't look ok —are you hurt?!"
But before he could answer, his body gave out. His knees buckled. The sword slipped from his grasp with a dull clang.
"Jasper !"
She darted forward, catching his head against her chest before it could strike the ground. His body was limp, his breathing shallow, every exhale heavy with exhaustion. He closed his eyes.. Tessa saw him being unconscious.
" Jasper? " she whispered desperately, shaking him lightly. " Everything will be all right. Please stay with us ... With.. me ... "
"Kill them both! Atleast the crown prince.." the leader of the hunters roared. Another rushed forward, blade raised high.
Tessa froze, clutching Jasper tighter—with one hand and another the dagger . —but a blade slashed through the air, blocking the strike.
"Don't you dare touch them! " Alex's voice thundered as he stepped into the room, his eyes blazing with fury. His sword cleaved the hunter back with brutal force.
Claude was still fighting, cornered yet relentless against the group of four, his strikes heavy and precise. Alex took his place beside Tessa, his blade moving fast and sharp, cutting down another who dared near them. The three of them fought like wolves trapped in a ring of fire—Claude against the group, Alex defending Jasper and Tessa, every movement tense, desperate.
The battle raged on, steel clashing, sparks flying. Blood smeared across the floor. Finally, the tide began to shift. The leader snarled as two of his hunters fell. His gaze flicked to Jasper's collapsed form and then to Tessa, his lips curling in frustration.
" Damn it . Retreat! ," he ordered coldly.
The remaining hunters vanished into the smoke, their silhouettes dissolving into the burning night.
The silence that followed was deafening. Claude and Alex both breathing heavily while holding their swords. Claude ordered the rest soldiers to put off the fire.
Tessa's arms trembled as she held Jasper tighter, shaking him softly. "Jasper… please, wake up… say something…"
No response. His body remained still.
Alex knelt beside them, his hand trembling slightly as he pressed two fingers against Jasper's neck. He stayed silent for a long moment, before lowering his head. His voice broke softly, yet firm.
"Please, Your Highness… stay with us till tonight. It's my fault... I should have acted faster .. so you won't be in this situation."
Tessa's heart clenched. Her face whipped toward Alex, confusion etched in her tear-streaked eyes. "What do you mean? What are you saying?"
Alex didn't answer at first. He only looked at Jasper with eyes that carried both respect and desperation. Then he finally muttered, "I... I don't know how to explain.... I'll find a way to restore his power somehow.... I have to ... Just… just hold on to him."
Tessa blinked rapidly, her chest heaving. "His power…? What—what happened to him? Sir Alex ... If you can someone bring a little bit of his power... will he be saved? "
" Atleast out of danger.... But I don't know how to ..." Alex's eyes were numb..
Her eyes caught the dagger still in her trembling hand—the dagger Jasper had once given her. Her breath hitched.
"This—this dagger," she said quickly, holding it out to Alex. "It carries his power. Take it. Maybe—it can help him."
Alex's face lit up instantly, a glimmer of hope sparking in his exhausted expression. He grabbed the dagger with both hands, bowing his head. "Thank you. Thank you endlessly, Lady Tessa…"
But still, she asked, voice cracking, "Tell me, Alex. Please. What's wrong with him? Why is he like this?"
Alex met her gaze as he put the dagger closer to Jasper's heart. His lips pressed into a thin line. "That… you should hear from him yourself. I'm forbidden to tell you anything."
She looked down at Jasper, brushing the damp strands of hair from his pale face.
"Then let's not waste time," she said firmly, her voice breaking but steady. "Get him out of here. Now. He needs treatment. He needs help."
Claude, bloodied but victorious, came to them, his sword still in hand. He glanced at Jasper, then at Tessa, and gave a grim nod.
" You are right my lady. "
The three of them moved quickly, lifting Jasper's body carefully. The children were gathered, soot-stained but alive, the fire slowly consuming what was left of the orphanage. And through it all, Tessa didn't let go of Jasper's hand—not once.
They came out safely. Tessa looked at Alex and said ," Sir Alex , take his highness to the king's palace. We three can't leave these childrens like that. I'm sure if his highness was awake he would have done the same ... Atleast as much I know"
" But lady Tessa .. I cant leave you alone... I already broken my promise once .... "
" And that's why Jas.. I mean your highness is still alive right. We all know the importance of this moment."
" Lady Tessa is telling truth. We can't leave this place like this . Take half soldiers with you and go to palace. The crown prince of Velmor needs treatment as soon as possible. I'm here with her. Don't worry. "
" Ok .. Claude... Lady Tessa... Come back soon please. "
" I will. "
Alex left with Jasper and some soldiers.. Tessa didn't want to let go his hand but she had to as he needs treatment more than her hand or presence.
" Sir Claude... Let's start our work here. "
Claude nodded as they both returned to the orphanage.