22 Nowhere Near Safety

"Didn't you hear what I just said? Let. Her. Go," his gentle, raspy voice thundered in the empty hallways. Kaius stepped forward and placed one of his hands in his pocket while the other clung over a steel sword.

A sword she has always recognized–hers.

At that moment, respite washed over her. Her sword has always been her protection. Holding it felt like she was in control of her life. Even with all the men towering over her, she felt a flicker of hope.

"Kaius," she said in a breathy explosion of words. She could barely move as the guard who tied her hands her gripped her arms like he didn't trust the rope enough.

The guard pulled her and walked forward to face the prince. He didn't look intimidated at all even with the prince's presence. He stood there as firm as steel.

Kaius took a glance at her for a split second, the worry almost visible from his face but when he stared back at the guards—the guards wearing the armor of the country's sigil who were supposed to serve him—his eyes just went from brown to black. He didn't mind whether the first one towered over him at all. There was no fear detected from his eyes.

There weren't any signs of emotion. It appeared like a strange soul entered the man's body whom she just knew. He was calmer, quieter than the attack at the woodlands. She almost couldn't recognize the person standing in front of her. But maybe it was Kaius' way of daunting them to submission. Sometimes, when words won't do anything, fear was the only way to go.

"I'm warning you for the last time," his voice hardened as he spoke.

The guards looked at each other, speaking in a language she couldn't understand, debating. From the looks on their face, they were also unsure on what to do.

Why?

The last time they attacked, they were beasts who only had the thirst to kill. What changed now?

Kaius offered his hand as a sign of reconciliation and motioned for them to drop their swords, "No one wants this. You could end it now."

One look at each other and the guards understood what it meant and pushed Allyria towards Kaius.

Kaius dropped the sword and caught her from falling, making Allyria crash on his chest as they both slumped on the floor.

A resounding thud echoed in the hall as his back met the impact, but he didn't want to direct his attention on the pain. Instead, he caressed her tiny face, "You're okay," he couldn't mask the relief in his voice.

Allyria's mouth curved into a smile and mouthed him a 'thank you'. This man right here has already sacrificed so much trying to save her. She didn't deserve any of it but he still did it otherwise.

"This romance would have sold tickets in the play," one guard bellowed a hefty laughter.

They turned away from each other and looked at the guards who were just staring down at them.

Surrounded, Kaius brought Allyria up, assisting her hand. He untied her as the guard stepped closer.

There was something wrong. Allyria could feel it. They wouldn't give her up just like that. It was impossible. They're here to kill, to take their revenge, and so they'll do it without hesitation.

"Do you really take us as stupid men?" he scoffed and gave a lopsided grin. He turned to the rest of his comrades and pointed at them, "Get them."

Blood surged through Allyria as she was aware of the betrayal and rushed to get her sword but the guards were quick enough to kick it aside. A curse escaped from her lips as she dashed beside Kaius who already unsheathed his sword.

They were outnumbered. The guards were circling them in, making sure they could never get out, her sword beyond her reach.

"I need your help," Allyria said, her gaze fixed on her weapon and on the guards surrounding them like hyenas in the wild.

"Just tell me what to do," Kaius replied.

"Cover me." she signaled.

Kaius stood his ground and looked over at her as she ran for her weapon.

Allyria scrambled forward and glided on the glassy floor when one guard tried to grab her down. The slipper and the gown she was wearing made it harder to get away but she managed to do it all the same.

Her eyes never left her sword. Determined, she dodged every attack and pounced on those who tried to block her with their sharp blades.

Move. Strike. Move. Strike. Every kick was stronger than the previous.

Those who tried to stop her only came for nothing but disaster. She was as swift as lightning, as fierce as the fire, as focused as the falcon.

When she got her hands on it, she went after Kaius who was trying to fend three others.

Two versus six.

Allyria and Kaius stood side by side. The leading guard charged and the both of them started slashing—their attacks were coordinated, planned. Blow after blow, they sent streaming damages towards their opponents.

It became difficult for the guards to cover, but just like the two royals, they were also firm in taking them out. Allyria used her petite size compared to the men attacking her as an advantage, slipping past their grips and speeding up to storm ravages towards them.

The guard lifted his sword straight for her head. Allyria blocked the attack and struck back.

Steel clanked on the floor as the guard collapsed. She took advantage of his momentary confusion and went through his neck.

One down.

This sole action made the other guard's blood boil. He didn't think twice and immediately went for her chest, not realizing Allyria was five times swifter than him. When he was about to plunge his sword directly into her, she spun to the left and landed a feet on his back making him fall to the ground. Before he could utter any word, she sunk the sword on his nape.

Two.

She glanced to check on Kaius. Four guards already surrounded him. Bit by bit, gradually reducing the size of the circle.

"Kaius, watch out!"

The guard hurled a cut towards him. Kaius ducked, leaving him a minor gash on the upper cheek, and made a slash to the guard's exposed head.

He stumbled back, and it destroyed the circle.

Immediately, Kaius went for the open area and dashed towards the princess.

Allyria strode forward and lunged for the least hulking to the four of them. He stepped back. She tried again. He sidestepped and made a quick push towards her and pinned Allyria on the wall, her wrists both restrained.

The guard attempted to hit her head with his. Allyria darted her head to the right and kneed him in the groin. He dropped his clasp on her and slithered on the floor, holding the part where it hurt most.

She was lucky they didn't bear their full armor.

"Allyria," Kaius grabbed her attention who already brought two men down, one dead and the other severely injured that he could hardly stand.

She scurried towards him, her breathing heavy with every step she took. She didn't mind the painful bruises all over her body anymore and just ran straight to him.

"We need to go!" he held her hand as soon as they were already shoulder to shoulder.

Panting for air, she said, "Follow me. I know a way."

They rushed towards the courtyard. She knew that the only way in was out. It would be impossible to get past the guards if they were to run back inside.

They crouched over the bushes and treaded towards a small passageway under the castle. They didn't mind the exhaustion anymore. All they ever thought about was getting in and reporting the assault to the Royal Guards.

They were still patrolling the west, she remembered. Just a few small walks and they could catch them on time.

"I will go in first," Kaius insisted and clasped the sword with his hands, "Just stay behind me."

Allyria went in next.

She coughed and waved the dust off her nose.

This used to be her siblings' playground when they were younger. They would play tag, hide and seek and all sorts of games if the castle already bore them. Before, it was still livable, a place where they could hang out but all it is now is just a pile of dust and grime.

"I'm sorry this had to happen," she broke the silence and heaved a deep sigh, "Really."

"Don't be sorry you did nothing-"

She froze when she felt a hand snake around her waist from behind.

Before she could react, he placed a thin piece of cloth over her nostrils. Suddenly, everything was a mix of hues, dizzy lights, deafening sounds.

Her heart raced as her chest tightened. She couldn't move. Her knees felt weak. It felt as if the center of her head was being pulled by gravity.

"Kaius," she called, but no sound came from her mouth.

"Allyria?"

The towering man scooped her over his shoulders. She struggled to fight back. Nothing. She couldn't do anything.

And just like a shadow, they disappeared into the night.

"Allyria!" was all she could hear before everything went black.