"A heroic act!" The Dancer's body jerked back, his talons skidding across the ground. Still, he managed to twist mid-motion and opened his icy fan. Frost rained down as he spun it through sharp movements before coming to a stop.
Across from him, Victor's shackles broke apart and clattered to the ground. He staggered back, catching himself on one knee before standing again.
Victor tilted his head, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Are you not going to vanish like your buddy over there? Or should I send your corpse along with that hat he left behind as a parting gift?"
Victor stepped toward him slowly. The calmness in his voice only annoyed the Dancer more. He scoffed, his eyes darting around the fortress, searching for something before settling back on Victor. He pointed the fan at him.
"Consider your time-out. This battle isn't over, you rascal. We'll settle our scores another time. There will come a day when I return just to strangle the life out of you."
"My time is up." With that, he dissolved into thin air.
Then Zack stepped up behind Victor, placing a steady hand on his shoulder and pulling him close. "I'll go rescue the queen and join Cody. Take Anny and meet with Andrew—he should already be on his way. Go."
Before Victor could respond, Anny cut in. "I'm not going anywhere! Zack, you promised me! I want my mom! I want to see her! I want my mom!" She cried, stomping her feet. Zack tapped Victor's shoulder lightly and then dashed off the stage in a blur.
⪻────────𖤓────────⪼
"Mei!"
Mei, chained to a torch stand, lifted her head at the sound of my voice. Relief flickered across her face until her eyes widened in terror. "…Behind you…." I spun around in confusion just as a thunderous impact shook the ground. Once the smoke cleared, I saw Victor sprawled on the floor, unmoving.
Standing over him was Ben, gripping a burning torch. Flames cast wild shadows across the stage as a woman clashed with him, their movements fast and chaotic.
Near Victor's body, Anny had collapsed to her knees, screaming his name as the battle raged around them. My vision snapped wide as I realized the chaos engulfing us. The fog was still present, now swallowing the sky and sealing the fortress in a white dome. The center site below churned with chaos.
Nobles and remaining soldiers sprinted in every direction, shouting as they looked for an exit. Their cries shook the fortress, waking us from the illusion we had been in.
I quickly scanned my surroundings. To my far left, Cody was fighting not two men but five. They circled him like wolves, attacking from every angle. He blocked one blow and ducked another, but his situation was dire; he could fall at any moment.
To my right, Mei was speaking to me, but I couldn't hear anything at that moment.
Behind me, the stage was a blur of movement—Ben locked in battle with the woman who had emerged from the fog. I narrowed my eyes to see who she was, but recognizing her was difficult.
Above, on the balcony, they watched us. I was in a critical situation; this was how Mei lost her life. That woman would soon approach us after killing Ben. Then Mei's voice finally reached me. "Do not rescue me! Do not come near me, sir! I shall not be anyone's priority! Rescue my daughter! If you want to help me, rescue my daughter from Edward! This will not end until I am dead! This is a game to Edward and to those who are watching from the balcony. Fighting anymore will only spread terror! Take everyone with you and escape!"
Her desperation snapped me out of my paralysis. I could breathe normally. "I know who you are; I simply ask for your honesty, young man. Just before my execution, Edward came to me. He told me about the execution and the deal he made with the terrorist group. I assume you know what I'm talking about. He and the group leader planned this to create bloodshed. The killing of the nobles and the soldiers is all part of their scheme. Those you and Victor were fighting earlier were all members of that terrorist group."
"It's useless; it won't end! The fog won't disappear; it will remain until I lose my head. Do you understand, young man? Please don't be stubborn like Cody. Please, I beg you just like I begged Mertha."
"I will fall at your feet; please leave. Get out of here; take my daughter away, for the woman he made a deal with will take my daughter in exchange! Don't let my sacrifice go to waste!"
"Young sir, I beg of you. Please. Just before you go, promise to keep my daughter safe. Promise me she will be kept away from harm and evil. Please promise me that my daughter is in good hands."
Her words touched my heart so deeply that I didn't realize tears were slipping down my cheeks. I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand. This wasn't the time to fall apart; I had to stay strong for her and her daughter. I stepped closer, unlocking the chains before kneeling beside her.
As much as I wanted to persuade her to change her mind, I understood her motivation. This was something I couldn't change. If I tried to convince her otherwise, Mei would only lose confidence in me.
My hand found her shoulder, and gently, with my other hand, I pressed my palm against my chest, right over my heart. I could feel it pounding, but I ignored it, keeping my eyes on Mei.
"Don't worry anymore," I said softly. "I'll keep Anny safe. No matter what happens, I will not let her fall into Edward's or the terrorists' hands."
Mei's breath hitched. The fear in her eyes melted into relief and gratitude. Tears welled up as she hugged me tightly. She nodded, her body trembling, and finally smiled. "Thank you…"
I stood up, forcing myself to move. I let go of Mei's hands. Before I turned and ran, I gave her one last look.
⪻────────𖤓────────⪼
In the mist, Cody staggered back from a punch to the gut, his breath escaping him. He tried to rise, but a kick sent him down again. The five soldiers closed in on him, their boots scraping against the stone. Cody's breath came ragged, but he forced himself up no matter how many times he was knocked down. He raised his arms in a shaky guard.
One soldier lunged first. Cody sidestepped and drove an elbow into the man's ribs, making him stumble back. Another swung from behind; Cody ducked, grabbed the man's wrist, and twisted, using his momentum to flip him over his shoulder. However, the remaining three didn't wait.
A fist slammed into Cody's side, knocking the air from his lungs. He staggered, barely blocking the next strike. A knee drove into his stomach, folding him forward. He tried to counter, but a guard caught his arm and wrenched it behind his back. Cody gritted his teeth, refusing to scream.
Another blow hit hard, striking his jaw and sending sparks across his vision. He dropped to one knee, his world tilting. He swung upward, refusing to go down, but completely missed as a larger guard stepped in, throwing a heavy kick. Pain exploded through his lower body, and he doubled over, coughing up blood. His hand pressed to the ground, yet again, he refused to fall.
He tried to rise again, to strike again. However, soon things turned as kicks, punches, and hits knocked him flat from every side. The center of the site spun. His limbs no longer supported him. He could not lift a finger. The soldiers came harder and harder. Cody's face met the cobblestone as he whispered, "I'll… rescue her Majesty. …"
"I shall not... fall. …"