XXII: Escaping the Empress and the Maiden.

Christos and Giorgos, armed with the knowledge of Felina and Elina's true nature, knew that time was of the essence. They had gathered enough evidence to expose the sisters' treachery, but their current location within Felina's territory posed a significant risk. To ensure their safety and the success of their mission, they had to make their escape to Astonia, where they could rally their forces and take refuge under the protection of the Astonian Empire.

With their plan in motion, Christos summoned his trusted commanders and relayed the situation. "My loyal companions, we have uncovered a grave threat to our Empire. Empress Felina and her sister Elina are not who they claim to be. They are demons from the realm of Yaegrafane, with sinister intentions. We must leave this territory and make haste to Astonia, where we can gather our strength and reveal the truth."

The commanders, bound by their unwavering loyalty to Christos, nodded in understanding. They knew that their leader's word was law, and they were prepared to follow him through the darkest of paths.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Giorgos discreetly spread the word among the troops, rallying their spirits and ensuring their readiness for the upcoming escape. Whispers of deception and the true nature of the demon sisters spread like wildfire, fueling a sense of urgency among the soldiers. They knew that their lives and the fate of Astonia depended on their swift and calculated actions.

As nightfall draped the land, Christos and his army began their journey, feigning compliance with the Emperor of the Astonian's orders to return to the Astonian capital without Elina. The departure was shrouded in an air of tension and uncertainty, yet the soldiers remained resolute, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Through treacherous terrain and under the cloak of darkness, they navigated their way, always mindful of the watchful eyes that might be tracking their every move. They employed stealth and cunning, utilizing the element of surprise to their advantage. They knew that their escape could not be compromised, for the truth they carried was too valuable to fall into the wrong hands.

Days turned into nights, and nights into days as they pressed onward, inching closer to the borders of Felina's territory. Each step brought them nearer to their ultimate goal—to reach Astonia and expose the treachery that threatened their land.

At the borders, where freedom and safety beckoned, Christos and his loyal soldiers faced one final challenge. The forces of Felina's empire had caught wind of their escape and launched a relentless pursuit, determined to silence them and protect the secrets that bound them.

A fierce battle ensued, the clash of steel and the cries of combat echoing through the land. Christos, leading from the front, unleashed his skill and strategic brilliance, inspiring his troops to fight with unwavering resolve. Their determination proved formidable, and they managed to repel the pursuing forces, securing their passage into Astonian territory.

As they crossed the border, a wave of relief washed over them. They were now within the safety of Astonia, a realm that would shield them from the clutches of the Empire of the Silver Crown. Their mission was far from over, but they had taken the first crucial step toward exposing the truth and reclaiming their homeland.

With the taste of freedom on their lips and the weight of responsibility on their shoulders, Christos and his army marched toward the Astonian capital, where they would gather their forces, rally the support of their allies, and lay bare the deception that threatened to consume their land. The battle for truth and justice had only just begun, but their resolve burned bright, fueled by their unyielding determination to protect Astonia and its people.