Chapter 1230
Chapter 1230:
Total darkness swallowed me whole. There was no light, only the frantic sound of my breathing in the narrow space. Every step was agony, my shoulder throbbing with pain, but I pressed forward, each movement a dangerous gamble. Behind me, I could hear the hunters closing in, their footsteps pounding louder, a relentless tide chasing me through the passage.
It felt as if they were right at my heels, ready to tear me apart at any moment. I couldn’t let anything happen to me—Makenna was waiting. The words pounded in my head as I clenched my teeth and forced myself to move faster. Sweat streamed down my forehead, soaking my collar, while blood seeped steadily from the wound in my shoulder. But I had no luxury to dwell on the pain; I just kept pushing, summoning every ounce of strength I had left.
At last, the passage opened into a hidden escape route. Without hesitation, I charged through and stumbled into a cramped alley just beyond the palace walls. The night air struck my face, biting and cold. I collapsed against the rough stone, gasping, my heart hammering like a drum. Slowly, the sound of pursuit faded, as though they had lost my trail.
Only then did I allow myself a shaky breath of relief—though the searing pain in my shoulder made it hard to stay upright. I looked down: the arrowhead had broken off, but blood poured freely, soaking half my clothes in red.
“At least… I’ve got a crucial lead,” I muttered, struggling to rise. My body wavered, threatening to collapse at any moment. But I couldn’t afford to fall. I had to reach Marehelm. I had to deliver this clue to Makenna.
Dragging my battered body forward, I forced one step after another, heading back toward Marehelm.
Makenna’s POV:
The night had settled over Marehelm, wrapping the city in a thick, dark shroud. I stood guard on the battlements of the last defense line, my eyes fixed on the looming darkness in the distance.
A cold breeze swept through, rustling my hair and carrying with it a creeping sense of dread.
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It had been two days since Alden had left, and still, there was no sign or word from him.
Under the moon’s pale light, I whispered a quiet prayer.
“Alden, please come back safe…”
“Makenna…”
As worry tightened its grip on my chest, a soft voice—almost a sigh—rose from below the wall. It was so faint it seemed barely there, yet it pierced my heart without warning.
I whirled around, my feet carrying me down the steps as I hurried toward the source of the sound. My steps echoed in the quiet night, each thud of my heart matching their rhythm.
“Makenna…” the voice called again, faint but resolute.
I chased the sound, and there he was—Alden, staggering toward me, drenched in his own blood.
His battered, broken armor could no longer shield the deep wound in his shoulder. Blood flowed freely, staining the ground beneath him.
“Alden!” I cried, rushing to catch him as he collapsed against me.
His body felt heavy yet fragile, his face pale as a ghost, his breaths shallow and fading. I could feel his warmth slipping away, and a sharp pain gripped my heart.
.
.
.