The secret tunnel was cold and narrow.
Darkness pressed in from every side as the captain of the guard ran forward, the newborn child held tightly against his chest. His boots struck the stone floor in quick, steady rhythm, echoing through the underground passage.
Behind him, the distant sounds of chaos filled the palace.
Shouting.
Clashing steel.
Explosions.
The kingdom was under attack.
The captain did not slow down.
He could not.
Every second mattered.
Every step could mean the difference between life and death.
He tightened his grip around the baby, careful not to hurt him.
"You must survive," he whispered under his breath.
His voice was low.
Determined.
Almost desperate.
The child remained silent.
Calm.
His silver eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, reflecting the dim torchlight along the tunnel walls.
Not crying.
Not afraid.
Just watching.
As if he understood everything.
Suddenly—
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Fast.
Heavy.
Getting closer.
The captain's heart skipped.
He turned sharply, drawing his sword in one smooth motion.
Steel flashed in the torchlight.
"Show yourself," he commanded.
His voice echoed through the tunnel.
The footsteps stopped.
Silence followed.
Thick.
Unsettling.
Then—
A shadow stepped into the light.
Tall.
Armored.
Familiar.
The captain's eyes widened slightly.
"Sir Roland," he said.
Relief flickered across his face.
Sir Roland was one of the kingdom's most trusted knights — a veteran warrior who had served the royal family for decades.
If anyone could help them…
It was him.
Sir Roland walked forward slowly.
His armor clinked softly with each step.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
"You move quickly," Roland said.
His voice was steady.
Controlled.
"The palace is under attack," the captain replied.
"We must get the child out of the kingdom immediately."
Roland stopped a few steps away.
His gaze dropped to the baby.
The glowing silver eyes.
The impossible child.
For a brief moment—
Something dark flickered across his face.
Then—
He smiled.
A thin.
Cold.
Unfamiliar smile.
"You misunderstand," Roland said quietly.
His hand moved slowly toward the hilt of his sword.
"The palace is not under attack."
The captain's grip tightened instantly.
"What do you mean?" he demanded.
Roland's smile widened.
"The attack…"
He drew his blade in one smooth motion.
"…was planned."
Steel flashed.
The truth hit like lightning.
Betrayal.
The captain stepped back instinctively, raising his sword.
"You traitor," he growled.
Roland shrugged slightly.
"No," he replied calmly.
"Survivor."
The tunnel seemed to grow colder.
The air heavier.
Danger pressed in from every direction.
Roland's eyes locked onto the child.
"The Shadow Council has waited a very long time for this moment," he said.
"And I intend to be rewarded."
The captain shifted his stance.
Protective.
Ready.
His body positioned between the knight and the baby.
"You will not touch him," he said firmly.
Roland chuckled.
A low, confident sound.
"You cannot stop me."
Then—
He attacked.
Steel collided with steel.
CLANG.
The sound echoed violently through the tunnel.
Sparks flew as the two swords crashed together.
The captain gritted his teeth, pushing forward with all his strength.
Roland moved with terrifying precision.
Fast.
Experienced.
Deadly.
Another strike.
CLANG.
Another.
CLANG.
The force of the blows sent vibrations through the captain's arms.
He could feel the difference.
Roland was stronger.
Faster.
More ruthless.
But the captain refused to retreat.
Behind him—
The child's life depended on him.
Roland swung again.
The captain blocked.
Barely.
The impact drove him back one step.
Then another.
Stone scraped beneath his boots.
"You cannot win," Roland said calmly.
His voice carried absolute certainty.
The captain's breathing grew heavier.
Sweat rolled down his face.
His muscles burned.
But his resolve did not break.
"I do not need to win," he replied.
"I only need to protect him."
For the first time—
Roland's expression hardened.
He lunged forward.
Faster than before.
The captain reacted instantly.
Steel clashed again.
But this time—
Roland twisted his blade sharply.
A sudden, brutal movement.
The captain's sword flew from his hand.
It clattered across the stone floor.
Out of reach.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Final.
Roland stepped forward slowly.
His blade raised.
His eyes cold.
"It is over," he said.
The captain tightened his grip around the baby.
His breathing slowed.
His fear faded.
Only determination remained.
"If that is true," he said quietly.
"Then strike."
Roland raised his sword.
High.
Ready to deliver the killing blow.
The baby's silver eyes suddenly brightened.
A faint pulse of light spread outward.
Slow.
Steady.
Unstoppable.
Roland froze.
His body stiffened.
His sword trembled in midair.
A strange pressure filled the tunnel.
Invisible.
Powerful.
Terrifying.
Roland's eyes widened.
"What… is this?" he whispered.
Deep inside the child's mind—
The ancient voice returned.
Cold.
Mechanical.
Emotionless.
"Threat detected."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Protection protocol engaged."
The air shook.
Stone cracked.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
The tunnel trembled violently.
And Roland realized—
Too late—
That the child was not defenseless.
Not helpless.
Not ordinary.
He was forbidden.