Chapter-3:The Escape

Edwin's eyes snapped open. The familiar creak of wood above him and the scent of his bed made it clear—he was in his room again. His heart thudded loudly in his chest as he bolted upright. It had happened again. His pulse raced, and the echoes of the fire, the screams, the soldiers... all of it crashed over him like a wave.

He rubbed his face, fingers shaking, trying to erase the remnants of the nightmare—or was it a memory?

No... it wasn't just a dream. I was there. I saw it burn. I was there...

His chest tightened. The town—his town—had burned, literally and metaphorically. The soldiers, the flames, the agony—it all seemed to blur into a single, suffocating memory.

"Not again," Edwin muttered under his breath, his voice hoarse as he sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. His mind was spinning.

Think. Think. He needed to focus. The town outside his window was still. Too still.

He glanced at the window, seeing the sun barely peeking over the horizon. Birds chirped in the distance, and there was a sense of quiet calm. It was as though nothing had happened. But he knew better. It was only a matter of time before the soldiers arrived again, just like they always did.

"Damn it," Edwin swore softly, standing up and pacing around his room. There has to be a way out. There has to be a way to stop this. He clenched his fists. But the main road's a no-go. I can't risk the forest again either.

Edwin stopped in his tracks, his breath catching in his throat. His heart began to race again, but this time, there was a spark of hope. He had an idea. It was risky—insanely risky—but it could work. He could get out if he was careful.

Wait for the soldiers... wait until they're distracted... then run.

The idea played through his mind again. It's insane, but it's my only option. His hands trembled slightly as he stared at the door, as if trying to will the soldiers to stay away.

He turned toward the window again, his eyes narrowing as he saw movement in the distance—faint flickers of light cutting through the dark. Fire lanterns. The soldiers were getting close.

Now. I need to wait. I can't waste time.

Edwin crouched by the window, peering through the gap in the curtains. The distant flicker of lanterns grew larger, and the heavy footsteps of the soldiers grew louder. His heart skipped a beat. They were coming.

He let out a quiet breath, trying to calm the storm in his chest. Okay. Focus. Stay calm. Just wait until they're distracted... then run.

Minutes passed, though they felt like hours. The distant lanterns grew closer, the sound of boots hitting the cobblestone streets echoing louder in his ears. Edwin's breath came in shallow gasps. Please, just a little longer.

Finally, the soldiers began to filter through the town, lanterns swinging gently in the air. Their conversation was muffled, but Edwin could hear enough to know they were more concerned with their patrols than with anything else. They hadn't noticed him yet.

Edwin's hand twitched at his side. Now.

He quickly moved to the back door, slipping into the alley behind the house. The night air felt colder than usual, and his heart raced in his chest, pounding with the adrenaline coursing through him.

Stay quiet. Be quick.

He didn't dare look back. Every step was calculated, every movement precise. He couldn't risk being caught. As he moved through the dark alley, he could hear the distant shouts of the soldiers, growing fainter as they moved away.

His thoughts raced with every step. What if they spot me? What if I don't make it in time?

No. Focus.

He couldn't afford to panic. He'd been through too much to let fear control him now.

Reaching the edge of town, Edwin's breath caught in his throat. The forest loomed ahead, its dark silhouette cutting through the horizon like a wall. It was his only chance. His legs felt like lead, but he pushed forward, his feet pounding against the earth as he ran toward the cover of the trees.

But then a voice stopped him.

"Hold on there, boy," a gruff voice called out from the shadows. Edwin froze, his heart nearly leaping from his chest. He strained to hear the footsteps approaching.

The voice spoke again, "You don't think we'd let you leave so easily, do you?"

Damn it... Edwin cursed under his breath. I knew I wasn't going to make it that easy.

Before he could make a move, another soldier stepped from behind a nearby building, blocking his path.

"Sorry kid,the lord ordered it." the soldier sneered, drawing his sword. Edwin's mind raced. What now?

".....Please," Edwin's voice cracked as he spoke, his eyes darting around for any possible escape. "You... You don't understand. I can't stay. Not here. I—"

The soldier cut him off with a mocking laugh. "You think we care? You're a fugitive now, and fugitives don't get to decide where they run."

His heart pounded harder. I have no choice.

In a split second, Edwin spun on his heels, dashing toward the forest. He could hear the soldiers shouting behind him, but he didn't look back. The crunch of leaves and twigs underfoot echoed in the otherwise silent night.

I have to make it. I have to. Just a little further...

His breath came in ragged bursts, his legs burning with exhaustion as he pushed forward. He barely registered the sting of branches as they whipped across his face. The soldiers' calls grew fainter, but the sound of pursuit still hung in the air, making his every step feel heavier.

As he ran tears trickled down his eyes and fell onto the forest ground.

His memories of the town were burning both literally and metaphoricallly.

He didn't dare scream out in sadness though.

His legs were getting weaker.His breathes were getting more ragged.

'Goddamnit!'.He cursed in his mind.

Then, finally, the trees began to thin, and the edge of the forest opened up before him. He could see the open land stretching out beneath the pale light of the rising sun. He was so close.

Almost there... Edwin pushed himself faster, the exhaustion from his earlier escape weighing heavily on his body. But he had no time to slow down. He had to keep going.

When he finally reached the edge of the forest, he staggered, catching himself on a nearby rock. His breath was ragged, his legs barely able to hold him up.

Suddenly, a strange blue light caught his eye, hovering just beside his face. He blinked, disoriented. It was a diamond-shaped object, glowing faintly in the dim light of dawn.

What is that?

The words on the object flickered into existence, appearing before him in glowing letters.

[First Checkpoint: Cleared]

[Trial Completed]

Edwin stared at the words in confusion, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing. What trial? What checkpoint?

Before he could even begin to make sense of it, his body gave out. The exhaustion hit him all at once, and he collapsed to the ground, the world spinning around him.

He looked up at the blue object once more, but his vision was already blurring.

This... this can't be real...

And then everything went dark and he fell asleep there on the ground.

End of Chapter-3