The forest didn't wait.
Vaelen had barely turned to climb inside after Velza when the treeline split.
A figure burst forward, mask catching the lantern-light in a jagged gleam. Another slid from the opposite side, blades drawn, moving with a silence that felt inhuman.
His hand shot back, slamming the carriage door shut and locking it in one motion.
✦✦✦
Velza froze, staring at the latch.
"He locked me in?" Her pulse spiked, heat rising with anger. "What the hell—I'm supposed to protect him."
She pounded her fist against the wood, voice sharp.
"I'm supposed to protect you, not the other way around!"
✦✦✦
"Stay inside for now," Vaelen called, his voice clipped.
One figure lunged forward, sword arcing.
Vaelen twisted, boots scraping against dirt as he sidestepped.
sharp tearing sound sccccrreeeeech! as steel bit into the carriage door
The masked blade stuck deep into the wood.
A shadow moved behind him. Vaelen spun, pulling a dagger free. metallic clash clang! The strike caught the second attacker's blade before it could pierce his back.
Shapes flickered in the lantern glow—two more joining. Four in total now.
"They're after me," he thought grimly. "They won't harm the others."
He stepped back, widening the gap, eyes sweeping. "So, you're after me then?" His words hung sharp, but the figures gave no reply.
One lunged, blade thrusting like a spear.
"So you won't tell."
Vaelen's palm snapped open—sharp hissing sound fwooooshhhh followed by a roar WHOOOOM!
A fireball tore free, smashing into the attacker's chest, burning a hole through armor and sending the figure crashing back into the dirt.
Another surged from the flank.
ringing clash CLING! Dagger met blade, sparks scattering.
From the corner of his eye, he caught another rushing in. He tore a second dagger from his boot, whirling it up just in time—
double metallic crash CLANG! CLANG! as both sides of him were blocked in one desperate motion.
One more figure charged straight at him.
Vaelen shifted his weight, boot tapping against the other with a faint click. sharp metallic snap k-tchhhk! A concealed blade slid free from the front of his boot.
The attacker came in fast—too fast. Vaelen snapped his leg upward.
dull, brutal impact THUD! followed by a strangled gasp UHHHHHHHhh!
The figure folded instantly, staggering back, both hands clutching himself.
In the same motion, Vaelen twisted, daggers flashing. clash and scrape CLANG—SKRRRCH! He deflected the blades of the two still pressing him at his sides, steel shrieking as he forced them away.
With a sharp pivot, he widened the gap again, cloak sweeping as he regained distance, eyes burning with focus.
The carriage door burst open with a wood-splintering crack KRAAANG! Velza kicked it wide, stepping out, her glare locked on the fight.
"I am out," she declared, voice low but unshaken.
Vaelen exhaled like a man denied his favorite distraction. "Aww, man. Guess my playtime's over."
Before the nearest assassins could adjust, his hands flicked. whistle of steel fwsshk—fwsshk! Both daggers spun through the lantern-light, each finding its mark.
meaty crack THUD! followed by sharp clang as steel hit bone K-THNK!
The figures jerked, heads snapping back as the blades buried deep. They crumpled in silence, collapsing into the dirt like discarded puppets.
Vaelen straightened slowly, lips quirking in a grin. "Your move."
Velza blinked, scanning the bloodied dirt. "What do you mean 'your move,' your highness? There's no one left."
"Oh? Sorry then—no game for you." His smirk lingered.
✦✦✦
Six more figures melted out of the treeline, steel gleaming. One of them muttered, "Sorry for being late, what the—"
✦✦✦
"Wait, there—" Velza started, but her words cut off as the ground beneath the assassins convulsed.
A low grinding rumble grrrrnnnnk split the night. Dirt surged upward, shaping into a jagged stone pillar that thrust skyward in the middle of the six.
"Shit," Vaelen muttered, pressing his palm to his temple. "I messed up the monolith."
BOOM—!
The pillar detonated in a deafening burst. Shockwaves tore through the clearing. Velza, Vaelen, and the carriage were hurled like ragdolls, slammed against the tree line with bone-rattling force.
splintering wood KRRRKKSH! … heavy crash THUDDD!
✦✦✦
When the dust finally settled, Velza clawed her way free of broken branches, lungs burning with smoke. Her ears rang like bells. Her arms trembled as she pushed herself upright, eyes flicking through the haze for him.
Vaelen was already moving—barely. Unsteady, cloak torn, one hand clamped tight to his temple as though keeping his skull from splitting.
The ground where the monolith had risen was nothing but a smoking crater, earth cracked and scorched black.
Velza's throat went dry. That wasn't magic. That was a disaster waiting to happen.
His voice cut through the ringing, ragged and strained.
"Velza… if you're listening. I—messed up the spell. The failsafe triggered… caused the blast. I'm out of mana. Chances are… I'll collapse in a few—"
THUD!
Vaelen hit the ground before he could finish.
Velza stumbled forward, falling to her knees beside him.
"Wait! No, no, you'll be all right—just hold on!"
His eyes fluttered, unfocused, his voice a faint rasp.
"I'm fine… just—take me home. I'm out of mana."
Velza gritted her teeth, fighting down the sting in her chest.
"Fine. But don't you dare close your eyes."
✦✦✦
The old man crept from the treeline, lantern quivering in his grip. His gaze darted first to Vaelen slumped against Velza, then back to the wreckage.
"Is… is he all right?" he asked, voice low, almost fearful.
Velza shook her head, jaw tight.
"I don't think so."
The old man swallowed hard, then shuffled toward the splintered remains of the carriage. He set the lantern down and ran his hands along the cracked frame, tugging at the bent axle, muttering beneath his breath. After a long moment, he exhaled in relief.
"Functional. Bruised, but it'll hold together." He straightened, brushing dirt from his palms. "We can still ride."
Velza adjusted her grip on Vaelen, steadying his head against her shoulder.
"Then let's not waste time. We're leaving—now."
The old man hurried to swing the battered door open, and Velza half-carried, half-dragged Vaelen inside. His weight pressed heavy against her, but she refused to falter. The lantern's glow flickered across his pale face, his lips barely moving as if he still tried to whisper instructions even unconscious.
She settled him onto the seat, brushing stray leaves from his torn cloak before climbing in beside him. The old man snapped the reins, and the wheels groaned in protest as the carriage lurched forward.
Branches clawed at the roof as they pushed back onto the dirt path. Every creak in the axles made Velza tense, but the road smoothed as the trees thinned. At last, the dark outline of stone walls rose in the distance—Mansion.
Velza let out a long breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Hold on, your highness," she murmured, her hand resting lightly on his arm. "We're almost there."
"Ok… I'm fine now." Vaelen's eyes cracked open, the faintest grin tugging at his lips before vanishing into a wince. "Body still hurts, tho. Ouch—damn it. I'm never using Monolith Art again."
Velza stiffened, guilt flickering across her face. "You shouldn't move," she muttered, trying to keep him steady.
The carriage wheels groaned against the dirt, the steady clop clop of the horses carrying them forward. Lantern light swung with the rocking, shadows spilling like restless ghosts across the cramped cabin. Smoke still clung to Vaelen's cloak—sharp, acrid, and bitter—burning in Velza's nose with every breath.
"Slow down the carriage," Vaelen rasped, voice lower now. "I'm not dying. Do you… have any mana recovery potions? Mine broke in the blast."
Velza shook her head, brushing soot from her cheek. "No. I don't use magic."
The words hit harder than she meant, and silence lingered, broken only by the uneven rattle of wheels on the road.
"We'll talk about this later," Vaelen muttered, his eyes slipping half-shut again.
Velza's gaze lingered on him, her grip unconsciously tightening as if to anchor him in place.
"What spell did you use back there?" she asked softly, the question almost swallowed by the creaking wood.
Vaelen's lips twitched, as if fighting whether to laugh or groan. "I'll tell you that… later." His head sank back against the carriage wall, breath shallow but steady, the faint scent of scorched earth still clinging to him.
"I will take a rest." He yawned softly, voice fading. "Wake me up when we reach home…"
✦✦✦
The carriage rolled through the gates of the estate, iron bars groaning as they swung open. Lanterns lit the long, cobbled path, their glow trembling over tall hedges and statues worn pale with age.
Velza exhaled, tension loosening only slightly when the looming outline of the mansion emerged through the mist. Its spires clawed at the night sky, windows glinting like watchful eyes.
The carriage slowed with a heavy creak of wood and iron. Horses snorted, hooves striking sparks as they came to a halt before the grand steps.
Velza adjusted her grip on Vaelen's arm. "We're here," she whispered, though his eyes remained closed. His weight pressed heavier against her shoulder, heat radiating faintly through his torn cloak.
The old man swung open the carriage door, his lantern spilling warm light across them. His gaze lingered on Vaelen, then flicked to Velza. "We are here"
Velza nodded, sliding her arm beneath Vaelen's to haul him upright. His boots dragged against the stone, leaving faint streaks of dust and ash behind as she half-carried, half-guided him up the steps.
The mansion doors opened with a low, echoing groan, swallowing them in flickering candlelight and silence.