Her palms pressed against her face, covering her ears with every last ounce of willpower she had. The monster's cry didn't just affect her mind. It was affecting her strength. Her limbs felt heavy and it took everything just to keep her hands clamped down on either side of her head.
The moment the monster's screech died out, Selma sprang into action. She pulled herself up and began dragging the other women off the floor.
"Move!" She cried. "Now!"
One by one, the women listened, scrambling to their feet.
Selma believed it hadn't yet figured out how to get inside the walls, but that their location was certainly compromised. She desperately searched her mind for any scrap of information that could save them.
She had read the storybook that outlined the Darkspirits front to back before she gave it to the Princesses. It explained that the Parasite spirit had a cry that could melt your mind, but Selma quickly learned that the book either told the story in generalities or was likely written by someone who hadn't experienced this large-scale infection.
The point being; some of the parasites had that power, but not all.
However, this one certainly did.
Frantic footsteps, and the soft clapping of hands against the stone walls as the women felt their way through the darkness echoed in the narrow corridor. Selma looked around, unable to see even a few feet in front of her. She knew the exit was close but without light to view the map or her surroundings, she wouldn't have any way of knowing where she was going.
Still, Selma continued to run, the women following behind her.
Why did I think I could do this? She cried out internally. These women trusted me and just look at what I've done! Why do I always convince myself that I'm capable of things beyond me!?
Then, a pulse of pressure struck her forehead. Selma stopped in her tracks, the sensation washing over her like the tide on seaside cliffs. It wasn't hard or forceful, but it almost felt like someone had literally smacked sense into her. In no more than a second, Selma felt like she could think clearly again.
She blinked, looking around in the dark for something she couldn't even describe.
"Princess?" Yara asked.
But Selma did not reply. Her lips parted, her gaze searching the darkness for nothing more than a feeling. She might've thought she was going crazy if it didn't feel so real.
Then, on the leftmost corner ahead, a ribbon of pale light streaked the walls, tucked between the cracks in the stone and mortar. It reminded her of the light in the wall — when the halls opened a new room for her to explore.
Selma moved, following the light as she dragged the maids behind her. This felt right. She might not have been able to see the map, but she was sure she knew this was the way out. And as she rounded the corner, she found exactly what she was looking for — a two-foot-wide rectangular hatch that covered a hole in the ground. The hole to the underground path. The only exit that led directly outside the castle.
Selma peered into the shadows. The darkness beneath the castle felt heavier than the stone labyrinth. But the path outside was a straight shot ahead. All they would need to do is keep walking until they reached the end.
Selma turned to the women behind her, determination burning in her veins. "It's going to be dark. Even darker than it is now. But we're almost there. Will you trust me one last time?"
"Of course, Your Highness," Yara answered, quickly.
The other women followed with quiet words and hums of agreement.
Selma turned back and slid her thin frame into the hole. There was an old, rotting ladder, but she thought it quicker to jump. The others did as she did, and when everyone was counted for, they continued on.
It was dark, but the path was clear. And more than that, the sounds of the Darkspirit that heard them didn't reach the underground. Soon, Selma came to the end of the path. Her palms touched the dirt wall around her, moving upwards until she found the hatch. She gave it one good push and the howling winds outside pulled the hatch open.
Selma took a deep inhale, taking in the heavy moisture. Rain lashed down at her as she clambered out, triumph warming her chest. Even if the Darkspirits knew her secret now, it mattered not. The important thing was that she was able to do this one good deed. She wasn't saving the castle, but she played a small role in saving their lives.
And that was enough for her.
She gripped Yara's arm and yanked her out while the others pushed and with each woman pulled to safety, Selma felt that terrified sensation in her gut soften.
When they were all out of the tunnel, Selma turned to them. "Avelle isn't far. The outskirts are perhaps a two-week journey on foot. Don't bother stopping in town for anything. We don't know how far the infection has spread. It's not worth risking your life on a shorter journey," Selma reached into her bag and pulled out a few gold pieces that were scattered at the bottom. "It's not much but it will buy you enough food for the journey." She paused for a moment, touching the ring on her finger before pulling it off and handing it to Yara. "Show this to the Avelle Knights and tell them I sent you. Tell them that Forsyth is under siege and that Prince Ariel is in grave danger. Say anything that will get reinforcements here."
"You're not coming with us, princess?" One of the other women asked.
Selma shook her head. "I have to get information to the Starblessed. If I fail…I can only hope instinct takes over and they find the path themselves. But I still have to try."
Yara nodded, an emotional look in her eye. "Travel safe, Princess."
"You as well," Selma whispered.
The girls turned and dashed toward the forest. Selma watched as they moved quickly, full of hope that they were finally safe.
When suddenly…
EEEEAAAAOOOWWW!
The sound was distant, but it was enough. Selma's eyes rolled to the back of her head, her knees buckling. For a moment, she couldn't hear or feel anything. Not the rain soaking her nightdress or the grass beneath her bare feet. She wanted to allow the monster's cry to carry her away. But if she did that, what would come of the others? What would happen if she didn't get to Maren and Cora in time?
Selma used the last of her strength to bite down on the inside of her cheek, tearing the flesh. It was painful but the throbbing wound dragged her back to reality. It allowed her vision to come back into focus.
She still couldn't hear or feel the grass beneath her, but her mind registered a few things.
The monster that had heard them in the tunnels had found them. She didn't know how but that didn't matter right now. She steadied her focus on it. The infected hadn't spotted her yet. Instead, it was focused solely on the group of women. It was far away, maybe about a training yard's length.
But it would catch up soon.
Selma's chest tightened with dread and her teeth clenched as crimson dripped from her mouth.
She would not allow the monster to hurt them.
Selma's breath heaved furiously. Her eyes were wide and her wet hair was plastered to her face. She found her footing and forced her body that felt both thin and weak, yet unnaturally heavy to stand. She was terrified, but if she wanted to become someone worthy to stand beside the Princesses and help save the empire, she felt she needed to at least be able to save these women.
"HEY!" She cried out, her voice deeper and more ferocious than she'd ever heard it sound before.
The infected's attention instantly turned on her, but it stood there, hesitating.
Selma knew its orders were likely to spread the infection as much as possible. A group of women vs one small, frail girl would be better for its cause. But Selma had something the others didn't.
Knowledge of the tunnels.
She didn't need to see her map. She used it as a crutch, constantly in doubt of herself, but her mind was sharp. Selma knew the way. The only problem was whether she could make it back before the infected caught her.
"I KNOW THE TUNNELS BY MEMORY!" She screamed. "I DARE YOU — CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!"
The monster paused, tilting its head in contemplation. She watched through its dead eyes as it communicated with the hive mind.
And then, it dashed toward her at full speed.
Selma took one last look at her maids who'd long served in the castle. Then she turned and plunged herself back into the tunnels.[1]
[1] For Selma's character, I really want her to be a larger part of the story but to do that, she needs an Arc. Selma is quiet, awkward and bad with people. But that's only because she isn't living the life she's supposed to. I know these last few chapters have been scaaaaryyyy lol. But it's all for a purpose. This is a romantasy, not a horror. Any intense scenes I write is for the characters to grow and to further the story --- not just for the sake of traumatizing them. For example, Selma is awkward for much of the book. But she's not awkward here. And that's because she's doing what feels right to her.