Emily stumbled over the uneven stone floor, her chest heaving, every breath a sharp stab of fear. Behind her, Breckt fought like a whirlwind, striking with precision, deflecting attacks that would have ended her in seconds. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid scent of smoke from the torches.
"Elena!" Emily screamed, her voice raw. "Stop this, please!"
Her friend's laugh echoed, cruel and musical, cutting through the chaos. Elena moved with terrifying grace, her fangs glinting, claws slicing the air, forcing Breckt to constantly pivot and strike. She was no longer the friend Emily had known. She was predator incarnate, fully embraced by the Bloodscream clan.
Breckt intercepted a swipe from Elena, catching her wrist and twisting. "Stay behind me!" he shouted, eyes blazing gold in the torchlight.
Emily stumbled, gripping the edge of the altar to steady herself. She wanted to run, wanted to scream, but the crowd closed in like a tide of teeth and claws.
Then, a hand gripped her shoulder. She froze. Breckt's eyes met hers. "This way!" he commanded, pulling her toward a narrow corridor partially hidden by shadows.
The circle roared in protest, the clan's howls echoing off the stone walls. Elena hissed, eyes narrowing in fury. "You cannot hide her from me forever, Rezcox!"
Emily's stomach twisted. She realized, with a sickening clarity, that escape would not be easy, not while Elena lived, not while the patriarch, Fvep Zync, watched and calculated every move.
The corridor narrowed, forcing them into a single file. Torches flared behind them as robed figures lunged, but Breckt moved like liquid steel, striking and dodging with supernatural precision. Emily's heart raced; every step brought her closer to the unknown, to freedom or death.
A sharp growl, a low and threatening sound behind them, made Emily whip around. One of the clan's soldiers had survived Breckt's strike and was advancing on her. She froze, terror rooting her in place.
Before it could reach her, Breckt spun, catching the figure mid-leap. A sickening crack echoed, followed by a thud as the body collapsed.
"Move!" he barked, urgency cutting through the chaos.
Emily stumbled again, adrenaline pushing her forward. She risked a glance over her shoulder. Elena was still in pursuit, fangs bared, her movements terrifyingly fast, predatory.
Breckt's grip tightened on her wrist. "Almost there. Just a little further!"
The corridor ended abruptly at a set of heavy double doors. Torchlight spilled from the ritual chamber behind them, casting their elongated shadows forward. Emily's hands shook as Breckt pushed against the doors, straining with every ounce of his strength.
Behind them, Elena's scream echoed.
The doors groaned, resisting, and for a heartbeat, Emily feared they would never open in time. Then, with a final shove, they gave way. Beyond lay a narrow stairwell descending into darkness. Breckt pulled her inside, the doors closing behind them with a deafening crash.
For a moment, silence reigned. Only the distant echo of the Bloodscream clan's fury reached them. Emily pressed herself against the wall, trembling, gasping for breath.
Breckt's chest heaved as he leaned close, voice low and rough. "We're not safe yet."
Emily swallowed, trying to steady her shaking body. "Then… what now?"
He didn't answer immediately. His eyes scanned the shadows, sharp and alert, before he said, almost to himself, "We survive. That's all that matters for now."
The stairwell descended into near darkness, each step uncertain, every sound amplified in the silence. Emily realized the fight was far from over, and that somewhere in the shadows, Elena and Screamblood clan were still hunting her.