Running away

"What's happening?" Ethan mumbled, still half-asleep. His groggy eyes scanned the room as he lay on the edge of the bed. He was very tired and the moment he ensured Ashen's safety he fall asleep

"I don't know, but I have a bad feeling about it. Let's go check it out," Ashen replied, his face tense as he rose from the bed.

However, as he shifted his body to get up, he suddenly froze in his tracks, his serious expression replaced by one of agony as searing pain washed over him.

Ashen's sudden pain interrupted his attempt to stand up. He clenched his teeth and grasped his wounded side, trying to bear with the sudden agony. Ethan, concerned, asked, "What's wrong, Ashen? Are you okay?"

Ashen took a deep breath before responding, "I think it's the injuries. I need a bit more rest before I can move properly."

"I'll go and check the condition outside and find out what's causing this," Emma declared. Without giving Ashen a chance to stop her, she made her way toward the door. However, just as she took two steps, the building began shaking more violently, accompanied by a series of explosions that filled the air.

The tumult continued for more than ten seconds, and after it finally ceased, Ashen rose to his feet, teeth clenched in pain. "We won't find out what's happening here," he grimly stated. "I can't fight in my current condition. Staying here would be foolish. We need to leave immediately."

As Ashen spoke those words, he stood up and equipped his equipment that were left at the side of the bed. As for his daggers he put them in his pockets and began to move with deliberate caution. After taking a few slow steps, the twins hurried to his sides, wanting to offer their support. However, the notable difference in their heights made their efforts somewhat comical, and they ended up standing awkwardly, straining to reach his shoulders.

"It's alright, you can support my back, and don't forget my backpack" Ashen reassured them, a hint of gratitude in his voice for their well-intentioned assistance.

The twins quickly adjusted their positions to support his back, forming an improvised human brace. Together, they kept walking towards the door, their movements measured and deliberate.

Upon reaching the door, Ashen carefully pushed it open, his senses on high alert, prepared for any possible threats that might await them on the other side. But to their relief, all that met them on the other side of the door was the eerie silence of a dimly lit corridor.

"Do you know the way out of this building?" Ashen inquired, his voice laced with uncertainty. He was well aware that he lacked any knowledge of the correct path to take. His only hope lay in the possibility that the twins might possess this information.

"No," Emma responded, her tone reflecting her own sense of confusion and helplessness.

"Yes," Ethan answered, surprising Ashen. It wasn't the contradiction in their responses that left him astounded, but rather which twin had answered in the affirmative.

Emma, the one who had replied "no," sought clarification, her curiosity evident. "How could you know the route? Our eyes were covered when they brought us in."

Ethan, with a hint of confidence, explained, "While it's true that I couldn't use my eyes to navigate, as they were blindfolded when we entered the building, my unique talent allowed me to overcome this obstacle. Using my perception of people's forms, I managed to create a rough mental map of the surroundings."

"Good boy! That's a very clever move," Ashen praised with a warm and approving smile. His hand descended upon Ethan's head, a gentle pat that conveyed his appreciation. The young twin's face lit up with a gratified smile, happiness was covering his face.

"Tell us the way to leave quickly," Emma pressed with a hint of impatience that she couldn't entirely conceal. Her eyes flickered with a touch of envy, though it remained a mere shadow beneath the surface. It was so subtle that it went unnoticed even for her.

"Yes, we're in a hurry," Ashen chimed in, his hand withdrawing from Ethan's head as he shifted his focus toward the urgent matter at hand.

With Ethan's steady guidance, the trio embarked on their descent through the building. They navigated its dimly lit corridors, following the mental map that Ethan had crafted. As they moved closer to the ground floor, the atmosphere grew tense, anticipation coursing through their veins.

Approaching the entrance, they were met with an unexpected spectacle. Two groups locked in a fierce battle, their screams echoing and the sounds of blows and explosions filled the air. Ashen's sharp eyes quickly identified one of the factions involved.

"The royal guards," he muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and anger. He could feel the blood rushing to his face, his fury threatening to take control.

Yet, with great effort, he managed to seal the rising storm of emotions, as he knew that losing his rationality in this important time will probably cause his death.

The twins, too, recognized the Royal Guard team as their attention was drawn to the unfolding scene. They were about to inform Ashen of this revelation when he preempted them, calmly saying, "I know."

Continuing his train of thought, Ashen's voice held a touch of urgency, "The other party must belong to the resistance army. It seems we won't be able to simply exit through this conflict. We should consider finding an alternative way to—"

"Ashen?" A voice called out from their side, slicing through his words. Ashen's head swiveled in the direction of the voice. In an instant, he swiftly retrieved his daggers from his pockets, disregarding the immense searing pain that surged through his sensory receptors.

Upon seeing the familiar face, Ashen's tension eased somewhat, and he greeted the newcomer with a calm acknowledgment. "So, it's you, Julius."

Julius, wearing a resolute expression, responded, "Yes, it's me. I was on my way upstairs to rescue you, but I'm relieved to see you're already here. I'll guide you to the back door, and you should make your exit swiftly. Your body is already pushed to its limits, and I don't think it's not advisable for you to be drawn into the battle."

"Thank you, and I'm sorry. I can't help but feel that I'm the reason they're here," Ashen confessed apologetically as he securely returned his daggers to his pockets.

Julius offered reassurance with a strong sense of resolve, "Don't blame yourself. This conflict was bound to happen sooner or later. Your rescue may have expedited it, but it's not your fault. Besides, you speak as though we're already defeated. Edward is powerful, but that doesn't mean we can't overcome the odds." As he spoke, Julius began walking, prompting Ashen and the twins to follow closely.

"Do you have any preparations?" Ashen inquired with curiosity as he followed Julius, the twins in tow.

Julius nodded firmly and shared his tactical plan, "Certainly, the entire building is rigged with explosives. As soon as everyone is out, we'll make a hasty retreat and then, as a last resort, we'll detonate the building, bringing it down on their heads." His words were tinged with determination.

As they proceeded, a door came into view, and Julius spoke with conviction, "This is where we part ways. I must lead my men into battle; I am their leader, after all."

"Take care, and thank you," Ashen expressed with gratitude, his gaze reflecting his appreciation as they prepared to go their separate paths.

Julius waved goodbye as he departed, slowly fading from their sight. Once he was out of view, Ashen urged, "Let's go; we must leave quickly before they bomb this place."

Responding to Ashen's urgency, Ethan hastened to open the door. On the other side, they found themselves in a narrow, dimly lit alley as the sun began to set, casting elongated shadows.

The trio wasted no time and started briskly walking away from the building. Their objective was clear: to get as far away as possible to ensure they wouldn't be caught in the explosion when the resistance army detonated the rigged building.

After a few minutes and approximately one kilometer away from the building, a deafening explosion reverberated through the air, illuminating the surroundings with an intense burst of light that lasted only for a few seconds.

Ashen and the twins came to a halt in their tracks, the raging flames and the remnants of the collapsed building capturing their attention. Ashen slowly turned around, his gaze fixed on the fiery scene for a few somber seconds. He quietly muttered, "See you soon."

Having paid their respects to the fallen building, Ashen shifted his attention back to the twins. His voice held a note of concern as he spoke, "Let's continue. We need to find a place to spend the night. My body can't endure this for much longer."

Upon hearing Ashen's words, the twins nodded in understanding and resumed their journey, determined to find a safe haven for the night.

It took them nearly an hour of searching before they came across a building that had escaped destruction and remained nestled in a relatively undisturbed area. Thankfully, there was no sign of the relentless zombie presence that had plagued them earlier.

To their relief, the building was conveniently situated near both a supermarket and a pharmacy, providing them with essential resources.

In the pharmacy, they scoured the shelves for medical supplies, stocking up on various medications and, most importantly, a substantial supply of bandages to tend to their injuries. The four bags filled with an assortment of food items they had obtained from the supermarket ensured that they wouldn't have to worry about food for some time.

With their bellies filled, the trio settled in for the night. Ashen excused himself to a separate room to address the condition of his body, which had worsened during their journey. More than an hour of continuous movement had aggravated his wounds, necessitating a change of bandages. Inside the room, he was confronted by a mirror, and as he gazed at his battered form, the unmistakable sting of humiliation welled up within him.

His eyes fixated on the central wound over his chest, a reminder of the humiliating defeat he had faced. His clenched jaw and resolute expression reflected his determination to seek vengeance against Edward and the royal guards and the prince behind them. a promise he made to himself while treating and bondageing his injuries.

Once the task of caring for his wounds was complete, Ashen allowed himself the rest he so desperately needed. He lay down on a bed and slipped into the world of dreams immediately.