Chapter 17: Escape by Flame and Shadow

They lay collapsed in the throbbing atrium, each one broken in silence, the palace pulsing like a beast made of memory and misery. Above, a deep sound echoed again. A heartbeat not of a man… but a god of torment. And then—he appeared. Ravaa, descending from a crack in the ceiling, surrounded by thin strands of golden light, his form flickering like something barely holding shape. “You weren’t supposed to go through this yet,” he said softly. Zayn staggered to his feet, eyes bloodshot. “Where the hell were you?” “I was finding a way out.” Riven groaned. “And we were living our worst deaths.” Ravaa raised his hand, light flowing like thread between his fingers. “You’re still trapped… each of you. The palace knows you now. It’s holding onto you. But I can guide you out—if you trust me.” Zayn scoffed. “Big if.” Ravaa knelt beside him. “You want to go first?” Zayn paused… then nodded. “Do it.” Zayn’s Escape: Through the Tunnel of Guilt Ravaa held out two fingers and touched Zayn’s forehead. A stream of memories rippled outward, forming a tunnel of flickering images—Zayn holding a gun, missing the shot, the faces of people he couldn’t save. Zayn flinched. “Walk through,” Ravaa said. “Say what you never did.” Zayn stepped forward. “…I was scared,” Zayn muttered. “I thought if I killed them, it would fix me. I failed you, Mom. I failed all of you…” As he said it, the tunnel collapsed, shattering like glass. Zayn fell to his knees, gasping—but the air smelled like normal again. “I’m… out?” he whispered. Ravaa only nodded. Lilu’s Escape: The Forgotten Child Next was Lilu, curled like a child. “I’m scared…” she whimpered. “You were always strong enough,” Ravaa whispered. “They were wrong to leave you. Say it.” Lilu looked up. “I’m not nothing…” The cage around her illusion shattered with her voice. She floated forward into Ravaa’s arms. “There you are,” he said. Kael’s Escape: The Forgiveness Kael stared at the vision of his father, bloodied and broken. “He’ll never forgive me.” “He already has,” said Ravaa. “But can you?” Kael screamed and charged the illusion—hugging his father’s memory instead of fighting it. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” The figure faded into ashes of gold. Nyra’s Escape: The Mirror of Doubt Nyra stood surrounded by the better versions of herself. Ravaa stepped beside her. “They are not you.” “I know,” she said. “Then destroy them.” Nyra raised her weapon, her voice calm and sharp. “I am who I am. And that’s enough.” She fired. One by one, the illusions shattered like glass, fading into dust. Riven’s Escape: The Burning Throne Riven sat on ash, her face emotionless. “I couldn’t save them.” “You couldn’t even save yourself,” Ravaa said. “So what now?” “…I burn it all,” Riven growled. She reached down and set her own memory aflame. Fire spread through the palace chamber. It didn’t hurt her. She walked out smiling through the tears. Return to the Real The five regrouped, outside the chamber. The palace behind them was still alive—but for now, they had escaped its grip. “You each passed through your gate,” said Ravaa. “Now… you may begin to understand why the sword called you.” Zayn looked at him. “And why it didn’t kill us?” Ravaa gave a faint smile. “Because it saw what you could become.” They turned to the next hall, which led deeper into the palace. And far in the distance… A throne carved of obsidian and bone waited.