CHAPTER 5 Escape

The forest swallowed them whole.

Branches clawed at their clothes as Ivan ran, pushing forward without looking back. The ground was uneven, roots twisting like traps beneath his feet—but he didn't slow down.

He couldn't.

Not now.

Not when everything was falling apart.

Elen clung to him tightly, her fingers gripping his clothes as if letting go would mean losing everything.

The wind howled through the trees.

Their breaths were the only thing breaking the silence.

Fast.

Uneven.

Desperate.

Running From Fate

Ivan didn't stop.

Not until his lungs burned.

Not until his vision blurred.

Not until his legs felt like they would collapse beneath him.

Only then—

He slowed.

Then stopped.

They hid among the thick roots of an ancient tree, shadows wrapping around them like a fragile shield.

For a moment—

There was nothing.

No sound.

No pursuit.

Just silence.

Breaking Down

Elen's grip loosened.

Her body trembled.

Then—

She broke.

Tears spilled down her face as she buried her head against Ivan's chest.

"I'm sorry... I hid so much..." her voice cracked. "This is all because of me..."

Her shoulders shook violently.

Fear.

Guilt.

Pain.

All at once.

Ivan didn't speak immediately.

He simply held her.

One hand resting gently on her head.

Slow.

Steady.

Grounding.

"If you're not ready to tell me, I won't force you," he said softly. "You don't have to suffer."

Elen tightened her grip on him.

Her breath trembling.

"Ivan..." she whispered, her voice fragile. "The only home I have... is with you."

Her fingers clenched tighter.

"I don't want to lose you. I want to stay with you forever."

Silence followed.

Not empty—

But heavy with meaning.

Ivan's hand moved slowly, brushing through her hair.

His voice was warm.

Unshaken.

"Of course," he said. "You're my wife."

A pause.

Then, quieter—

"My family."

Elen's breath caught.

"I'll protect you... even if it costs my life."

For a moment—

Time stood still.

A Fragile Night

Exhaustion took over.

Slowly.

Inevitably.

They lay beneath the trees, the cold earth beneath them, the dark sky above.

But they didn't separate.

Not even slightly.

Elen rested against him, her hand gripping his as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded.

Ivan didn't sleep deeply.

His senses stayed sharp.

Listening.

Waiting.

Watching.

Because somewhere, deep inside—

He knew.

This wasn't over.

Morning

Light filtered through the branches.

Soft.

Calm.

Deceptive.

Ivan opened his eyes first.

His body ached.

His muscles protested every movement.

But he ignored it.

Carefully, he stood, offering his hand.

"Let's leave this place," he said quietly. "Somewhere nobody can find us."

Elen looked up at him.

For a brief second—

She hesitated.

Then—

She nodded.

"...Yes."

She took his hand.

And they began walking.

Together.

The Interruption

They didn't get far.

The forest path opened slightly—

And then—

Ivan stopped.

Elen froze.

Someone was standing there.

Waiting.

The Demon

Tall.

Too tall.

His presence alone twisted the air around him.

Dark skin, like something forged from shadow itself.

A grin stretched across his face—

Wide.

Unnatural.

Razor-sharp fangs gleamed between his lips.

His eyes burned red.

Not like fire—

Like something alive.

Watching.

Hunting.

"I've finally found you two."

His voice was smooth.

Mocking.

Predatory.

Elen's body went cold.

Her fingers tightened around Ivan's arm.

Her voice trembled.

"No... not them..."

The demon tilted his head slightly, amused.

"I am here only for her."

His gaze locked onto Elen.

Possessive.

Hungry.

Ivan stepped forward instantly.

Positioning himself between them.

His sword slid out slowly.

The sound cut through the silence.

Cold.

Final.

"You're not taking my wife."

The demon's grin widened.

Delighted.

"Then you die first."

The Tension Before the Storm

Silence.

Heavy.

Crushing.

The wind stopped.

The forest held its breath.

Ivan tightened his grip on his sword.

His heartbeat slowed.

Focused.

Sharp.

Elen stood behind him, her breath unsteady—

But her eyes—

Locked on the demon.

Fear.

And something else.

Something deeper.

Something dangerous.

The demon took one step forward.

And the ground cracked beneath his foot.

The fight—

Was about to begin.