Chapter 12: All breaks loose
Chapter Twelve: All Breaks Loose
Brody stood frozen, still carrying Lucas in his arms, staring at the massive army surrounding him. Thousands of soldiers in enchanted armor and magic-boosting gear filled the horizon. Even at a distance, archers with enchanted diamond bows were in position—one wrong move, and it would all be over.
A bold, menacing voice filled with authority echoed through the air:
"Lucas Gidion and the unarmed terrorist group, you have been surrounded. Surrender or face immediate execution. This is not a joke. I repeat—surrender or face immediate execution. Every other person associated with you, wearing masks, has either been killed or captured."
With Lucas barely conscious in his arms and an entire army of mages, archers, and Monarchs surrounding them—including the Magic Monarch himself—Brody was truly trapped. Gritting his teeth, he used every last ounce of strength left in his battered body and roared:
"We yield... we surrender!"
The moment the words left his mouth, his vision blurred, and his body gave out. His injuries, the blood loss—it was too much. He collapsed to the ground, Lucas still in his grasp.
---
Meanwhile…
In the slave house, the deal was finalized. Ariel had been sold for two hundred thousand gold scraps. A leash was clipped around her neck as she was led into a noble's carriage. She had lost all hope. There was no resistance, no hostility—just silent acceptance. Her fate had been sealed.
---
Lucas Wakes Up
Lucas jolted awake in a dimly lit dungeon. Cold metal shackles clamped around his wrists. His mind was hazy, the last thing he remembered was that mysterious man trying to kill Ariel—then, nothing. Just like before, when he blacked out in the merchant store.
His eyes darted around the cell. Brody was there, chained next to him, his wounds stitched, his hands healed, almost every injury gone. It was as if a master-level healer had tended to him.
Then, it hit him.
Ariel wasn't there.
His breath quickened. His chest tightened. A sharp, gnawing panic clawed at his mind.
He screamed with every ounce of power left in his body:
"ARIEL!!"
He thrashed against the chains, his wrists burning as the metal cut into his skin. "WHAT HAPPENED TO ARIEL?! DID SHE DIE?! NO—SHE CAN'T BE DEAD! SHE CAN'T BE DEAD!"
His mind spiraled. The thoughts came faster, crashing into him like waves.
Where is Ariel?!
Where did the masked man go?!
How did I end up here?!
How did Brody survive but Ariel didn't?!
Did he kill Ariel?!
A horrifying scream tore from his throat, shaking the cell walls.
"WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!
WHERE IS ARIEL?!"
"WHERE IS ARIEL!!!"
His hands trembled. Sweat dripped down his face. His vision blurred as hot tears streamed down his cheeks. He pulled at the chains, muscles straining, bones aching, but the restraints didn't budge.
Then, the whispers started.
Faint at first—like echoes from the back of his mind. They didn't form words. They didn't make sense. But they were there.
Was he going insane?
His thoughts wouldn't stop racing. His breathing became erratic.
"No… Ariel couldn't die… could she?"
"No. No, no, no. I protected her with everything I had. There's no way—NO WAY she's dead."
"Any moment now… she'll walk through that door. Still alive. Right?"
His chest ached.
Then, the guilt came crashing down.
"It's my fault… MY FAULT!"
If he hadn't blacked out. If he hadn't gone to buy that damn sword. If he had just been stronger—she would still be here.
His rage exploded.
"IT'S ALL MY FAULT!"
His body thrashed, kicking at the air, trying desperately to break free. But the chains held firm.
"NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HADN'T BROUGHT HER WITH ME!"
"I'M THE REASON SHE'S GONE! I'M THE REASON EVERYTHING FELL APART!"
Then, his mind flipped.
"No… NO, it can't be me! I'M NOT TO BLAME!"
She promised. She said she'd stick with me.
I warned her. I told her the risks.
NO. NO. NO.
His body sagged against the chains, his breathing ragged. His voice broke into a whisper.
"If only I didn't mess up… she would be here right now."
"It's all my fault… it's all my fault…"