Chapter 25
John (thinking): Marco… we're coming. No matter what it takes, I'll find you.
They moved like shadows, slipping through the underground passage as they left the palace behind.
Every step echoed.
Every breath felt louder than it should.
John raised a hand.
The group halted instantly.
Something was wrong.
His gaze sharpened, scanning the darkness ahead. His instincts screamed—something isn't right.
John (low): "…We're not alone."
The soldiers tensed, hands tightening around their weapons.
A sound.
Faint.
Steel brushing against stone.
Then—
Footsteps.
Measured.
Deliberate.
From the shadows ahead, figures began to emerge.
John's eyes narrowed.
John: "Stonehaven guards…"
The soldiers behind him shifted uneasily.
One of them whispered, barely audible—
Soldier: "Sir… how did they—"
John's expression darkened.
John (cold): "We were seen."
Silence stretched—
Then—
Footsteps echoed again.
From behind.
John didn't turn.
He didn't need to.
They were surrounded.
A man stepped forward from the front line, his armor more refined, his presence heavier than the rest. A faint, mocking smile curved his lips.
Captain (Stonehaven military commander): "You should feel honored."
Silence fell.
Captain: "His Highness was generous enough… to let you leave the palace."
A pause.
His voice dropped—colder.
Captain: "After all… executions are far less troublesome outside the walls."
The meaning hit instantly.
The soldiers stiffened.
One of them cursed under his breath.
John (thinking): He let us go… just to kill us here.
His grip tightened on his weapon.
John (calm, deadly): "So Stonehaven prefers hunting in the dark."
The captain chuckled.
Captain: "Call it… strategy."
A blade flashed—
One of the guards lunged forward—
—and John moved.
Fast.
Precise.
Steel clashed.
The sound rang violently through the passage.
John's strike was clean, efficient—the attacker dropped instantly.
No hesitation.
No wasted motion.
John (sharp): "Form up!"
His soldiers snapped into position, backs aligning, weapons raised.
The narrow passage worked against them—
But also…
Against their enemies.
The guards surged forward.
Too many.
The clash erupted.
Steel met steel in rapid succession, sparks flying as blades collided. The confined space amplified every sound—every strike, every breath, every cry.
John moved through the chaos like a shadow.
Controlled.
Lethal.
A guard swung—
John stepped inside the attack, cutting him down in one motion.
Another approached from the side—
Blocked.
Countered.
Fell.
But for every one that dropped—
More stepped forward.
One soldier behind John staggered, barely blocking a strike.
Soldier: "Sir—we're being pushed back!"
John's eyes flicked across the battlefield.
They were holding—
But not winning.
And time—
Time was slipping away.
John (thinking): Marco…
His jaw tightened.
John (low, commanding): "We break through. Forward."
The soldiers hesitated for only a second—
Then nodded.
John stepped forward.
Straight into the enemy line.
His presence alone shifted the rhythm of the fight.
Each movement was sharper.
Faster.
More dangerous.
John: "Stay close. Don't scatter."
Another guard charged—
John met him head-on.
Their blades collided—
—and John forced through.
Step by step.
Cut by cut.
He carved a path forward.
GRAND Hall
The massive doors creaked open.
A wave of silence swept across the hall.
All eyes turned.
Princess Enolgon stepped inside.
Her white gown flowed like liquid light across the marble floor, each step slow and deliberate—yet carrying the weight of everything pressing down on her. The veil framed her face softly, but it could not hide the tension in her eyes.
Whispers faded.
Even the prince stilled.
Prince (mesmerized, thinking): She looks untouchable… perfect.
He blinked, caught off guard by his own thoughts.
Prince (under his breath): "…What am I even thinking?"
The princess's eyes moved—searching.
They found Guinevere.
For a brief moment—
Their gazes met.
Guinevere gave a subtle nod.
Not yet.
The princess's heart raced.
Princess (thinking): Faster… John…
Her fingers tightened slightly around the fabric of her gown.
Princess (thinking): You have to make it in time…
John vs Captain
Steel clashed violently.
The guards regrouped faster than expected.
"Don't let them escape!"
The captain's voice echoed sharply through the passage.
More soldiers poured in from behind, their numbers swelling like an unyielding tide.
John's expression hardened.
John (sharp): "They're closing in—hold the line!"
A blade slashed toward him—
He blocked.
Twisted.
Countered.
Another fell.
But the pressure—
It kept rising.
The narrow passage turned into chaos.
Sparks flew.
Blood stained the stone.
John's squad fought with everything they had—but exhaustion began to creep in.
One soldier stumbled.
Another barely held his ground.
Soldier (strained): "Sir—we can't keep this up!"
John's jaw clenched.
John (thinking): I have to do something… we're running out of time.
The Ceremony – Grand Hall
The priest stepped forward, voice echoing across the silent hall.
Priest: "We gather today to witness—"
The prince's gaze remained fixed on the princess, a faint, satisfied smile forming.
Prince (thinking): Everything is going according to plan.
The prince lifted his hand slightly, cutting across the priest's words.
Prince: "We will proceed directly to the vows."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the nobles.
Too fast.
Too abrupt.
Even the priest hesitated.
Priest: "Your Highness… there are—"
Prince (firm, cold): "Unnecessary formalities can be skipped."
His eyes flicked toward the princess.
Impatient.
A sharp sound broke the moment.
Clink.
Guinevere stepped forward.
Her armored heel echoed against the marble floor as she bowed slightly—respectful, but not submissive.
Guinevere: "Forgive me, Your Highness."
The prince's expression darkened instantly.
Prince: "…What is it now?"
Guinevere straightened, her gaze steady.
Guinevere: "There is a ritual."
Silence.
Prince: "A ritual?"
Guinevere nodded calmly.
Guinevere: "A traditional rite of Lumivales. It is performed before the vows—to ensure harmony between the couple."
A pause.
Then, deliberately—
Guinevere: "Surely… His Highness wouldn't wish to disrespect the kingdom he is about to rule?"
A few nobles exchanged glances.
That line cornered him.
The prince's jaw tightened.
Prince (low): "I was not informed of such a ritual."
Guinevere didn't hesitate.
Guinevere: "That would be unfortunate."
A slight tilt of her head.
Guinevere (faint smirk): "It is… not widely spoken of outside Lumivales."
The king's gaze shifted between them, sharp and observant.
King: "Explain this ritual."
All eyes turned to Guinevere.
She clasped her hands behind her back, voice calm and controlled.
Guinevere: "Before the vows, the bride and groom must stand apart."
She gestured lightly.
Guinevere: "Three steps of distance."
Servants hesitated—
Then obeyed, guiding them apart.
Guinevere continued, tone almost ceremonial.
Guinevere: "They must not touch… nor speak each other's names."
The prince's irritation deepened.
Prince: "This is absurd."
Guinevere met his gaze without flinching.
Guinevere: "It symbolizes restraint."
A beat.
Guinevere: "Without restraint, power becomes tyranny."
The prince's smile vanished.
Prince (cold): "You are testing my patience."
Guinevere: "I am preserving your legitimacy."
A pause.
Then, softer—
Guinevere: "Or would Your Highness prefer whispers that he ignored sacred traditions… on the very day he claimed the throne?"
Silence.
Heavy.
The nobles watched closely.
Judging.
Waiting.
The prince exhaled slowly.
Then—
He smiled.
Prince: "…Very well."
Guinevere: "Thank you, Your Highness."
She stepped back—
Her eyes flicked briefly toward the princess.
Princess (thinking): She's buying time…
Her heart pounded faster.
Princess (thinking): John… hurry… without a strong reason, this marriage won't break…
Guinevere raised her voice again.
Guinevere: "Now… the second part of the ritual."
The prince's eyes narrowed.
Prince: "There's more?"
Guinevere's lips curved slightly.
Guinevere: "Of course."
A pause.
Then—
Guinevere: "The groom must vow patience… before he can claim anything."
The prince stared at her Long.
Suspicious.
JOHN vs CAPTAIN
A heavy strike slammed into John's blade.
The captain.
Stronger. Faster.
Their weapons locked.
Captain (smirking): "This is where it ends."
John's eyes sharpened.
John (cold): "You talk too much."
They broke apart—
Clashed again.
Faster.
Harder.
Each strike carried killing intent.
The captain pushed forward, forcing John back step by step.
Behind him—
His soldiers were being overwhelmed.
For the first time—
The battle tilted.
The captain raised his blade—
A killing strike.
And then—
A blur.
A flash of red.
Before anyone could react—
A figure appeared behind the captain.
Silent.
A blade sliced cleanly through the air—
—and the captain froze.
His eyes widened.
A thin line of red traced across his neck.
Then—
He fell.
...CHAPTER 25ENDS...