The Breaking Point

Saoirse's POV

Saoirse stayed calm as Rhydian shouted at her. His words dripped with anger, but honestly, she expected that. She knew he would push back, even when he was at his worst. But she had come too far to turn back now.

"Stand up," she said firmly. "We don't have time for games."

Rhydian let out a dry laugh that echoed against the cold stone. "You think I can just walk out? Look at these chains." He rattled them, and they clinked loudly. "They don't just fall off."

She leaned down, close enough so he could see the fire in her eyes. "I don't need to break them. Just watch."

From her cloak, she revealed a blade. It was as black as night and covered in strange symbols. This wasn't any ordinary weapon. It was made for cutting through magic and freeing people from unseen ties.

With a flash, the chains shattered, hissing as if outraged. Power surged through the air like a brewing storm.

But then the alarms blared.

Saoirse snapped her head up. They had triggered the alarms. Now the prison knew they were escaping.

"Move!" she shouted. Rhydian barely managed to rise before guards rushed in.

His body screamed at him. Weeks of captivity had worn him down. Yet, Saoirse was already in motion, flowing like a fierce storm of speed and skill.

When a guard struck toward her back, Rhydian didn't think. He grabbed a dagger from the ground. For the first time in ages, he felt alive again.

Inside the prison, chaos ruled.

Saoirse fought with a deadly focus. Her daggers sparkled in the dim light, each movement sharp and precise. She didn't just aim to wound. She aimed to take down.

Rhydian was slower, still hurting from his weeks in chains. But he ignored the pain. He focused all his energy on the fight. On staying alive.

Guards fell around them. Blood smeared against the stone walls. The heavy scent of iron crowded the air.

She turned to him, urgency in her gaze. "We need to get out. Like, now."

He nodded, his chest heaving. "Lead the way."

They sprinted down twisting halls, passing cells filled with pitiful sounds. Rhydian knew better than to stop and save anyone. They couldn't slow down.

But the prison had other plans.

Ahead, the hall split—one way led down to the lower dungeons, and the other toward their escape.

Saoirse paused for just a heartbeat. Then she grabbed his wrist and pulled him to the right. "This way."

"Are you sure?" he managed to ask.

Her silence said it all. She wasn't sure. But they had no choice.

They burst into a large chamber, the high ceiling stretching above them. Flickering torchlight danced on the walls, casting wild shadows everywhere.

Then, suddenly, the doors slammed shut behind them.

A figure appeared in dark armor, glinting eyes staring them down.

Rhydian's heart dropped.

Garrick.

The man who had turned on him. The reason he had suffered alone for so long.

"Going somewhere?" Garrick taunted, his voice smooth yet mocking. He drew his sword, dark energy humming from the blade. "I wanted to see you try something stupid."

Rhydian's muscles tensed. He barely had the strength to stand, let alone fight. But he wouldn't back down now.

Saoirse charged without waiting for pleasantries. She lunged, her blade aiming for Garrick's neck.

Steel clashed. Sparks flew.

Garrick moved fast. Too fast.

Saoirse barely avoided a fatal strike, but he countered with such force that she stumbled back.

Rhydian's instinct kicked in. Ignoring his body's screams, he lunged and grabbed a fallen sword, charging forward.

Garrick laughed. "Is that all you have?"

The fight was ruthless.

Every strike knocked Rhydian off balance, but he refused to just give in.

Saoirse darted around, attacking when Garrick didn't expect it. But even together, they were having a tough time.

Garrick cared little. He was playing with them.

And Rhydian felt anger swell inside him.

Garrick had always been stronger, but strength alone didn't win battles.

A sharp pain hit Rhydian's side—a cut, not deep but enough to slow him down.

Garrick grinned at him. "Not so mighty now, huh?"

Saoirse fought back fiercely. Her blade found a gap in Garrick's armor, drawing blood.

His grin vanished.

Good.

Rhydian didn't wait. He lunged forward, tackling Garrick down.

Garrick and Rhydian rolled, fighting for control. Garrick's fists slammed into Rhydian's ribs while Rhydian's hands clawed for Garrick's throat.

Then Saoirse was there. She pressed her dagger against Garrick's exposed neck.

"Finish it," Rhydian gasped.

For a moment, she hesitated. But then she looked into Rhydian's eyes.

And she cut.

Garrick gasped, blood spilling from his mouth. His body twitched once, then twice.

Then he was still.

Rhydian breathed heavily, rolling away from the lifeless body. His head spun, and his body cried out in pain.

Saoirse cleaned her blade on Garrick's cloak. "We need to go. Now."

He stood with effort. "I agree."

The alarms were still wailing.

More guards would be coming.

They ran.

Through dark halls. Through smoke-filled pathes.

The exit loomed ahead—a heavy iron gate, ajar.

Freedom was nearly within reach.

But then a noise froze them.

A deep growl.

Not human.

Rhydian's body stiff