When they were running to try and find Jane's friends, Jane stayed close behind Levi, her hands gripping Levi's back, holding on tightly—terrified that if she let go, she might lose her again. Her breaths were uneven, every sound in the dungeon sending fear straight through her chest.
Levi was in front, her presence steady despite her wounds. Shadows bent and shifted as she guided them forward with what little power she could still muster. Her black wings were folded tight, stained with dried blood, but her resolve did not waver.
When they reached the upper level of the dungeon, Levi stopped.
Several guards stood before a massive reinforced door—witches and shifters clad in dragon-marked armor, weapons humming with enchantments. Levi's gaze sharpened.
"That's where he's keeping them," she said quietly.
She turned to Jane.
"Hide here behind the corner. I'll take them down."
Jane hesitated, fear flashing across her face. "Be careful…"
Levi nodded once and stepped into the open.
The guards barely had time to react before Levi struck. She moved like a shadow given form—her fist crashing into the nearest guard, dark energy erupting on impact. Another guard raised a weapon, but Levi's wings flared, shadows slicing through the air and sending him crashing into the wall.
Jane watched, heart pounding, as spells struck Levi's shield, sparks flying. Levi pushed forward regardless, her voice cutting through the chaos.
"I will not fail again. I will protect the ones I care for—no matter the cost!"
A final surge of power knocked the remaining guards unconscious. Silence followed, broken only by Levi's heavy breathing.
Jane rushed to her side. "Levi—are you okay?"
"I will be," Levi replied, though her wounds said otherwise.
"Come. Quickly."
Together, they forced open the reinforced door.
Inside, the sight stopped Jane cold.
Chains hung from the walls. The air smelled of blood and metal. And there—huddled together on the cold floor—were her friends.
"Jane…?" one of them whispered, barely believing their eyes.
Jane's breath hitched. "I'm here. I'm here—I'm so sorry it took so long."
They stared at Levi in shock—at her horns, her wings, the demonic aura that filled the room. Fear flickered for only a moment before relief overwhelmed it.
"You came back," another said, voice breaking. "You actually came back."
Levi stepped forward, her expression solemn but gentle. "We don't have time. Can you guys walk?"
Bruised, battered, but alive—they nodded.
With Levi supporting one side and Jane the other, they fled the dungeon. Alarms echoed behind them, but the path ahead remained clear, as if fate itself was urging them onward.
They didn't stop running until the cold stone gave way to steel and neon.
Technopolis.
The city of light and circuitry rose around them, towering spires humming with energy. Jane led them through back alleys and hidden elevators until they reached a concealed entrance beneath an abandoned sector.
Their hideout.
The moment the doors sealed behind them, the tension finally broke. Jane nearly collapsed, exhaustion washing over her. Levi staggered, her wounds reopening now that the danger had passed.
Jane's friends rushed into action—activating medical pods, mixing tech with witchcraft, carefully lowering Levi onto a reinforced platform.
"Get the stabilizers ready," one said. "Her blood—it's not like anything I've seen."
Jane stayed by Levi's side, gripping her hand. "You're safe now," she whispered. "I won't let anyone hurt you again."
Levi managed a faint smile, eyes soft despite the pain.
"And I won't let them take you from me."
As healing lights flickered to life and ancient runes glowed softly against steel walls, they finally allowed themselves to breathe.
They had escaped.
But the war was far from over.
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Thank you for reading my novel