Devastating Silence: Part 2

As Akihiko drew nearer to Princess Mila, his concern deepened. Her attire bore the signs of wear and tear, with small tears marring the fabric. Traces of blood adorned her face, and faint bruises marked her arms. Yet, despite her disheveled appearance, she stood before him, taking measured breaths, her composure unwavering.

Closing the distance between them, Akihiko spoke urgently, his voice tinged with worry. "My princess, are you all right?"

She nodded, her voice tinged with concern. "I am unharmed, but he... he's gravely injured."

A sense of dread washed over Akihiko as the princess gestured toward someone. His eyes followed her indication, and his heart sank as he beheld the sight before him.

It was none other than the prince, trapped beneath a colossal piece of rubble. His body lay motionless, blood streaming from a wound on his head. Unconsciousness claimed him, his plight obscured by the weight of the stone above him.

Without a moment's hesitation, Akihiko's resolve surged. His sword found purpose once more as he deftly sliced through the rock, freeing the prince from his perilous entrapment. Assessing the extent of the prince's injuries with a trained eye, Akihiko swiftly attended to his vital signs, broken bones, and irregular heartbeat. Though the prince exhibited multiple fractures and appeared unable to walk, Akihiko mustered his strength, hoisting the prince into his arms.

"Princess, if you are able, I implore you to follow me to the safe room. Time is of the essence," Akihiko urged, his voice brimming with urgency.

Princess Mila met his gaze, determination flickering in her eyes as she nodded in agreement. "I can manage. Let us depart from this place."

With the princess at his side and the injured prince in his arms, Akihiko embarked on their perilous journey, steadfast in his mission to bring them to safety.

With a sense of urgency, Akihiko and Princess Mila swiftly guided the injured prince into the safety of the fortified room where the king awaited them. Opening the door, their eyes fell upon the king, huddled on the ground, his arm cradled in pain, his countenance etched with despair. Yet, as their presence registered, a glimmer of astonishment flickered in his eyes.

"You have returned," the king uttered, disbelief coloring his voice.

"It is as I said, Your Majesty. It is my duty," Akihiko replied, his voice steady as he gently laid the prince down.

Princess Mila immediately began tending to the prince's injuries, her focus unwavering.

Turning his attention to the king, Akihiko inquired, his voice tinged with concern, "Has anyone else sought refuge here, my king?"

"No one has ventured this way. Why do you ask?" the king responded, curiosity knitting his brow.

They haven't arrived here either. Something is amiss.

Meeting the king's gaze, Akihiko spoke cautiously, "We were to rendezvous with the other knights, yet they remain unresponsive to our signals."

"I am certain they are safe, Akihiko. They are knights, just like you," the king reassured, his voice laden with hope.

"You speak the truth, my king. However, I cannot idly wait while my comrades are in jeopardy. Something is awry, and I must venture out to find them."

"But there is danger lurking out there! I cannot fathom what it is, but it has claimed countless lives in mere minutes. You cannot proceed without caution, Akihiko!"

"I apologize, Princess, but this is a task I must undertake," Akihiko responded firmly, his resolve unyielding.

"But—"

"That is enough," the king interjected, his gaze fixed upon the ground.

He understood that Akihiko would not be swayed by any command in that moment, and thus he relinquished his hold on authority.

Lifting his head, the king locked eyes with Akihiko and spoke solemnly, "Take care, Akihiko. There are times when we find ourselves powerless. Return to us safely, if possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Leaving the safe room behind, Akihiko embarked on his mission to search for his comrades. The vastness of the palace loomed before him, a labyrinth of possibilities. However, amidst the remnants of carnage and bloodstains, a clear trail emerged, guiding his steps.

Curiously, an eerie silence draped the palace, as if the very air held its breath. Every room, every corridor stood empty, devoid of life. Though intrigue tugged at his instincts, Akihiko knew he had one destination—the throne room. There lay the answers he sought, awaiting his arrival amidst the enigmatic hush that pervaded the once-grand palace.

A heavy, bone-chilling dread coursed through my veins, causing my entire body to tremble. I gripped my sword tightly, seeking solace in its familiar weight. Yet, the unease continued to gnaw at me, intensifying with each step I took towards the throne room. My hands shook involuntarily as I pushed open the grand doors, a shiver racing down my spine.

The room loomed before me, shrouded in darkness. Only a sliver of light filtered in through the slightly ajar door, casting a faint glow upon the chamber. As I ventured further into the room, figures materialized from the shadows. Dozens of soldiers emerged, their presence indicating a meticulously planned ambush.

"A surprise for me, huh?" I muttered, my voice laced with both apprehension and determination.

In that moment, a figure emerged from the left side of the throne, her presence unmistakable. Poison, her name etched into my memory, stepped forth with an air of calculated malevolence. Raising my sword, I directed it towards her and demanded answers.

"I will ask you once. Where are my friends? What have you done to them?"

Poison remained silent, her gaze shifting towards the left. Following her line of sight, my heart sank as I beheld a sight I dreaded. Two lifeless bodies lay upon the floor—my comrades, my brothers, slain mercilessly with their throats slit.

An uncontrollable surge of anguish engulfed me. My vision blurred, my breathing erratic. Consumed by rage, I swung my sword, unleashing its magical power upon the room. The force of my strike shattered the darkness, decimating more than half of the soldiers in a single blow. My fury propelled me forward, launching an unrelenting assault upon the remaining adversaries. I fought with the ferocity of a wounded beast, my mind consumed by a vengeful frenzy.

Finally, my attention turned to Poison herself. I lunged towards her, determined to end her reign of terror. However, she swiftly unleashed a noxious gas from a device on her wrists, its toxic fumes overpowering me. My senses dulled, my body weakened, and I succumbed to the gas's debilitating effects, collapsing upon the floor.

Poison, seemingly unperturbed, calmly withdrew the spear from Irio's lifeless form and advanced towards me. I was defenseless, my strength depleted. The end loomed ominously before me.

Yet, in that dire moment, a resolute voice reverberated from behind me, shattering the silence.

"Stop! Do not kill him!"

It was Princess Mila, arriving with hurried steps, her presence commanding.

"It is me you seek! Come and face me!"

"No... Prin... cess..." I attempted to utter, my words feeble and barely audible.

Despite my desperation, Poison dropped the spear, compelled by the princess's plea. She turned towards the direction of the resounding voice, leaving me incapacitated and helpless. I longed to intervene, to protect the princess, but the suffocating smoke had already claimed my senses, closing my eyes to the unfolding confrontation.