Embers to Flames (Fates Entwined #1)

Chapter Thirty-Four

We watch as the heavy gates of the castle slowly creak open. A tall figure dressed in dark, flowing robes strides out, his menacing presence palpable even from a distance. It is unmistakably, Prince Ruvyn. His deep, threatening voice echoes through the air as he addresses the horde.

“The time grows near, my legions! We will soon march on the surface world and take back what is rightfully ours!”

The army roars in response, raising fists and weapons. Ruvyn smiles coldly, his eyes glinting. “The Humans and their allies will fall before your might. Leave no one alive!”

I turn to face the others, “Alyndra, can you create a distraction?” She nods joyfully, gathering wisps of magic around her fingers.

“Not a problem,” she replies with a smirk.

“Excellent. Lenna, get ready to shoot a guided arrow. We need to find out where Mikyl is being held in this fortress.” She takes out an arrow with its xylo tip from her quiver and places it carefully on her bow, ready to aim. “As soon as Alyndra causes a distraction, you two focus on finding your way to the backside of the castle. Theo, Eulee, and I will meet you there.”

“Alright, but how are we going to escape from here?” Alyndra asks with concern.

I gaze up at the towering castle and point towards the volcano’s vent, then gleam towards Theo as I respond with confidence, “We’re going to fly out.”

“Follow me and move as quietly as you can,” I whisper as Theo, Eulee, and I creep along the cavern walls, skirting past the edges of the massive army. Moments later a thunderous boom echoes through the cavern, and a chunk of the rocky ceiling collapses, crashing down onto the army below. Cries of surprise and outrage ring out as the soldiers scatter.

Ruvyn whirls around, eyes blazing, “Intruders!” he roars. “Find them and kill them! ”

Chaos erupts as the soldiers scramble over the rubble, searching for the source of the explosion. I turn to the spot where Lenna and Alyndra had stood only moments ago, just in time to see one of Lenna’s arrows soaring through the air.

I watch the glowing tip of Lenna’s arrow arc high above the chaos, then begin falling towards the back of the dark castle. Just before it hits the outer wall, the arrow changes course, now magically guided towards its target. It disappears from view—hopefully finding its way to wherever Mikyl is being held.

“Come on, we need to hurry,” I say.

The sound of shouting fades behind us as we enter a dark narrow passage. My hands scrape against the jagged stone walls, searching desperately for a way into the castle. Eulee’s low growls become more frantic, urging me towards a small wooden doorway. With trembling fingers, I grasp the rusted iron handle and take a deep breath before pushing it open, bracing myself for whatever horrors may lie on the other side.

The passage opens into a dimly lit corridor, the air heavy with the stench of mildew and decay. Rough stone walls stretch out on either side, lit with dim torchlight. I pause, listening intently for any sounds, but only silence greets me.

“Where do you think they’re keeping him?” Theo’s voice is a whisper even in my mind.

I shake my head. “No idea. But we’ll search every inch of this place if we have to. We just need to find the arrow’s path. ”

We creep slowly down the hall. Theo has his sword drawn, while Eulee’s hackles are raised, a low growl rumbling in her throat. Rounding a corner, we find a spiraling staircase plunging into darkness. But there is also something else. The guiding light of Lenna’s xylo arrow. Leading straight down into the abyss of the stairwell.

“Come on, the arrow will show us the way,” Theo says down our bond.

Exchanging a resolute glance, we begin our descent. We move cautiously, senses on high alert. The only sounds are our muted footfalls and Eulee’s nervous panting. The passage twists and turns, sloping ever downward into the bowels of the castle. The further we go; the louder the churning and bubbling sounds of molten lava grow.

A solid oak door, reinforced with black iron bolts and hinges, loomed in front of us at the bottom of the spiral staircase. Lenna's arrow glows brightly from its center.

I brace myself and push open the heavy door, revealing a vast chamber lit by the eerie red glow of molten lava coursing through channels carved into the walls and floor. Twisted metal cages hang from the ceiling. Some of them hold desiccated remains, their empty eye sockets staring at me. In the distance stands an altar crafted from dark, gleaming obsidian.

And there—chained upon that altar—is Mikyl.

His eyes are closed, his breathing shallow. I rush across the chamber, heart pounding. His eyes flutter open as I reach the altar. Relief floods through me at the sight of those familiar brown eyes.

“You came for me?” he questions hoarsely.

“Of course I came for you,” I reply, examining the black steel shackles binding his ankles.

Theo joins me beside the altar, face grim. “We need to get him out of here, now.” He says as he stands tall, “Step back.” He says lifting his sword above his head.

Theo brings it down in a sweeping arc. The blade clashes against the chains in a shower of sparks but fails to break them.

“Curses! Enchanted chains,” Theo spits out in frustration.

I kneel beside Mikyl, gently cupping his face in my hands. Feeling his cold and moist skin. “Hold on, Mikyl. We’ll get you out of here.”

Suddenly, the heavy chamber door slams open behind us. Spinning around, I see Prince Ruvyn stride in, flanked by a dozen armed guards. His face twists in a malevolent sneer.

“Did you really think your pitiful rescue attempt would succeed?” With a gesture of his hand, the guards surround us, weapons drawn. How easy it is for him to control them.

I rise and step protectively in front of Mikyl. Theo and Eulee move to either side of me. We’re trapped and outnumbered.

Ruvyn laughs coldly. “I knew you would come, dear sister. And now I can finally be rid of you. I much preferred being an only child. ”

He nods his head and the guards close in. I brace myself, ready to fight to the death. Suddenly, a blinding flash of light fills the chamber. When it fades, Alyndra and Lenna stand between us and the guards.

Alyndra’s eyes blaze white with power. “Get Mikyl out, now!”

I stare at Alyndra and Lenna in disbelief. How did they get here? But there’s no time to wonder—we have to act quickly.

“There must be a way to break these,” I protest. Closing my eyes, I place my hands upon the black steel shackles and focus all my energy. I feel the arcane magic thrumming within the chains. The metal grows hot beneath my palms as the binding spell weakens. A loud bang reverberates as the shackles break apart, a small explosion releasing them from their hold.

Mikyl gasps in relief as his limbs are freed. I help him sit up, supporting him as he sways unsteadily. His skin is icy to the touch and his face is haggard. But his eyes shine with renewed hope.

“Thank you,” he breathes.

I glance back to where Alyndra and Lenna valiantly hold off Ruvyn and his forces. More guards pour into the chamber, attempting to deluge them through sheer numbers. Lenna nocks two glowing arrows and sends them flying at the advancing guards. They stick fast in breastplates, sizzling ominously. Alyndra lifts her arms chanting strange words under her breath. A swirling vortex of light and wind erupt around her. With a thrust of her hands, it explodes outwards, slamming the guards back against the stone walls.

“Can you stand?” I ask Mikyl urgently. Gritting his teeth, he slides off the altar and leans heavily against me. I drape his arm across my shoulders, bearing as much of his weight as I can. Step by agonizing step, we make our way closer to the door.

“Hurry!” Lenna cries. She fires a final arrow straight upwards. It strikes the ceiling, dislodging a chunk of rock that crushes two guards as it falls. Alyndra grabs Theo’s arm, pulling him towards the doorway. Lenna covers our retreat, loosing arrows behind us.

“We need to get back outside!” Theo yells, his voice cutting through the chaos, sharp and commanding.

We stagger through the doorway, Mikyl clinging weakly to me. Theo and Alyndra race ahead to scout the winding staircase while Lenna and Eulee guard our rear. Mikyl’s breathing is labored and his steps falter, but fortitude burns in his eyes.

“Just a little further,” I urge him. We emerge from the stairwell into the long hallway lit by flaming torches. Shouts echo from the chamber behind us—our elopement has been discovered.

Suddenly, a contingent of Obscuro Elves round the corner ahead, cutting off our escape route. Theo and Alyndra slide to a stop. I glance desperately around for an escape, but we’re trapped. The guards behind draw nearer, their footsteps thundering on the stone floors .

“Don’t worry, my sweet. I’m getting us out of here.” Theo’s voice is stead-fast and assertive in my mind.

Just as the Obscuro Elves close in, a deafening roar shakes the hallway. Cracks split the ceiling, raining debris down on the horde. The Obscuros scatter in confusion as Theo’s massive Dragon form takes shape, bursting through the fractured walls and ceiling.

We race to climb onto his back. Arrows whistle past us as Lenna continues to fight off Obscuro Elves one after another. As Theo extends his massive claw to grab Eulee, the rest of us quickly grasp onto his scaly ridges for stability.

With a mighty push, Theo propels us upwards, breaking through the crumbling ceiling of the fortress and into the open air of the fiery mountain. We fly over the fortified walls just as Ruvyn bursts into the decimated hallway below, letting out an ear-piercing scream of fury.

The bright sun blinds us momentarily as we emerge through the volcano’s vent and into the open sky. Theo’s powerful wings beat steadily, carrying us higher above the smoldering mountain. The volcanic fortress slowly shrinks into the distance. I cling tightly to Theo’s ridged back, the wind whipping through my hair. Mikyl is barely conscious, slumped against me. I wrap my arms around him to keep him steady during the turbulent flight.

“Just hold on,” I whisper. “We’re safe now.”

“We did it!” Lenna shouts, her voice lost in the wind .

“For now,” Alyndra murmurs cryptically. Our escape bought us time, but Ruvyn is going to be more determined than ever to take us down and the Obscuros are nothing if not relentless under his command. This is only the opening salvo in a war that has raged for years. A war we now find ourselves at the center of.

“Where are you taking us?” I ask Theo through our soulspeak.

“I’m taking us home,” is his only reply.