Chapter 5: Escape Room on fire!

Reincarnation of the magicless!

"No Magic?, No problem!"

Chapter 5: Escape Room on fire!

As Rolien sits quietly in his cell, he gestures to Sophia to sleep while they wait for the right opportunity to strike and escape so she'll have enough stamina when they run.

Sophia looked at Rolien, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and admiration. "You really think we can escape?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Rolien nodded, his expression serious but reassuring. "Absolutely. But we need to be smart about it. You need to rest so you can run when the time comes. Trust me."

Reluctantly, Sophia nodded, her eyelids growing heavy. She settled down in the corner of the small cell, trying to find a comfortable position on the cold, hard floor. Rolien kept a watchful eye on her, ensuring she felt safe enough to close her eyes.

As the minutes passed, Rolien's mind raced with possibilities. He thought about the bandits, their leader, and the layout of the hideout. He could hear the muffled sounds of laughter and shouting from outside the cell, a stark reminder of the danger they were in.

As Sophia's breathing slowed and she drifted off to sleep, Rolien's gaze never wavered from the door. He listened intently to the sounds outside, trying to pinpoint the guards' movements and the layout of the hideout. The laughter and shouting continued, but he tuned it out, focusing on the footsteps and murmurs that might give him a clue about their chances of escape.

Rolien's trained ears picked up the sound of the guards changing shifts, and he recognized the gruff voice of Grimgold, a man notorious for his love of drink. The smell of stale alcohol wafted through the cell door each time Grimgold passed by, a pungent aroma that lingered long after he'd gone. Rolien made a mental note of this, his mind racing with possibilities.

He recalled the leader's voice, rough and commanding, discussing the guard rotation. The leader would be on duty soon, but Grimgold would be guarding their cell for a while longer. Rolien's plan began to take shape. He'd wait for Grimgold to pass out from his usual drunken stupor, then make his move.

Rolien's hand instinctively went to the makeshift air gun he'd prepared, cleverly crafted from threads and fibers of his own clothing. He had anticipated situations like this and had secretly worked on creating a concealed tool, hidden within his garments. The air gun was compact, silent, and deadly, loaded with magic-absorbing stones that he'd snatched from the bandit leader along with a small knife.

He had Fire Stones (x3), Ice Stones (x2), Water Stones (x2), Light Stones (x3), and Earth Stones (x4), each imbued with unique properties. Alongside the gun, he had a knife, sharpened and ready for close combat. Rolien's training as a special operations agent kicked in, and he prioritized their escape. He'd take out the bandits one by one, silently and efficiently, but only if necessary. His primary goal was to get Sophia to safety.

As he sat there, a plan unfolding in his mind, Rolien's eyes never left the door. He waited patiently, his focus laser-sharp, as the minutes ticked by. Sophia's gentle snores provided a soothing background noise, but Rolien's mind was elsewhere, calculating risks and opportunities.

The sound of Grimgold's laughter grew louder, followed by the clinking of bottles. Rolien's ears perked up, and he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the door. He could smell the alcohol on Grimgold's breath from afar, and he knew it wouldn't be long before the man succumbed to his intoxication.

With a deep breath, Rolien prepared himself for the task ahead. He gently nudged Sophia awake, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's almost time. We need to be ready." Sophia's eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at Rolien, a mix of fear and trust in her gaze. Rolien's expression was reassuring, and he nodded. "Stay close, and follow my lead."

As the minutes ticked by, Grimgold's laughter grew louder, followed by the sound of bottles clinking and the guard's increasingly slurred speech. Rolien watched the door, waiting for the perfect moment to act. Finally, Grimgold stumbled past their cell, his footsteps heavy and uneven, before coming to a stop outside their cell. A few moments later, the guard's snores echoed through the hallway, a deep, rumbling sound that signaled he'd finally passed out.

Rolien's eyes locked onto the window, a plan forming in his mind. He carefully made his way over to the small opening, a tool he'd hidden away earlier at the ready. With precision, he began to remove the hinges, working slowly and silently to avoid making any noise. Sophia watched, her eyes wide with excitement and fear, as Rolien carefully lifted the window out of its frame.

He poked his head out, scanning the surroundings. The coast was clear, except for Grimgold's snoring form slumped against the wall outside their cell. Rolien gestured for Sophia to follow him, and he carefully lowered himself out the window, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.

As Sophia followed, Rolien quickly placed a Fire Stone at Grimgold's feet, setting it up to detonate when the guard stepped on it. Before escaping, Rolien had spotted a barrel of oil nearby, likely used for torches and lanterns. He had quietly made his way over to it and splashed some of the oil around the area, making sure to pour some near the barrel itself.

As they crept through the shadows, the sound of Grimgold's snores grew fainter, replaced by the distant sounds of the bandits' camp. Rolien's grip on Sophia's hand tightened, his senses on high alert, ready to respond to any threat. They moved swiftly, their footsteps light on the ground, as they made their escape.

Just as they reached the edge of the camp, the firestone detonated, a loud explosion echoing through the night air. The oil ignited, spreading flames rapidly throughout the area. The camp erupted into chaos as the bandits scrambled to respond to the sudden inferno. Grimgold's snores were replaced by a pained yelp, and the sound of panicked shouting filled the air.

"Heh, that's your bright idea, haha," Rolien said as they ran fast.

The fire raged on, engulfing the camp in a sea of flames. Rolien and Sophia didn't look back, their focus on putting as much distance between themselves and the bandits as possible. They ran, their hearts pounding in their chests, as the sounds of shouting and gunfire grew fainter, replaced by the roar of the fire and the darkness of the night.

As they ran, the flames illuminated the night sky, casting flickering shadows on the ground. The heat from the fire grew distant, but the sounds of panic and chaos continued to echo through the darkness. Rolien and Sophia didn't dare look back, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they pushed themselves to run faster.

The terrain grew rougher, with rocks and uneven ground threatening to trip them up at every step. Rolien's grip on Sophia's hand tightened, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger. They needed to find a safe place to hide, somewhere the bandits wouldn't think to look.

After what felt like an eternity, Rolien spotted a cluster of trees in the distance. He gestured to Sophia, and they changed direction, making a beeline for the trees. As they reached the edge of the forest, Rolien slowed their pace, his eyes adjusting to the deeper shadows.

They walked in silence, the only sound the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath their feet. Rolien's senses were on high alert, his ears straining to pick up any sign of pursuit. Sophia's hand was still clutched in his, her breathing slow and steady.

As they walked deeper into the forest, the trees grew taller and the underbrush thicker. Rolien spotted a small clearing up ahead, a natural hiding place surrounded by dense foliage. He led Sophia into the clearing, and they collapsed onto the soft earth, exhausted and shaken.

For a moment, they just sat there, catching their breath and processing the events of the night. Rolien's eyes met Sophia's, and he smiled, a sense of pride and relief washing over him. They had escaped, and they were safe—for now.

But as they sat there, the silence was broken by the distant sound of horses' hooves and barks echoing through the forest. Rolien's head snapped up, his eyes locked on Sophia's. The bandits were closer than they'd thought.

As they sat there, the silence was broken by the distant sound of horses' hooves, echoing through the forest. Rolien's head snapped up, his eyes locked on Sophia's. The bandits were closer than they'd thought.

The sound of horses grew louder, and soon the thunder of hooves on the forest floor was accompanied by the baying of hounds. Rolien's grip on Sophia's hand tightened as he recognized the sound of tracking dogs, known as "bloodsniffers or hunting dogs on earth" in this part of the land, bred for their keen sense of smell and relentless pursuit.

"Fuck! Hunting dogs! This is bad; we need to hurry ." As he said that, he thought about how to mask their scents .

The Bloodsniffers' barks grew louder, and Rolien knew they were being tracked. He quickly scanned their surroundings, his eyes settling on a nearby stream. Tsk. I hope this will work. Let's go, Sophia!" He grabbed her hand, and without hesitation, he pulled Sophia to her feet, and they sprinted towards the water's edge.

They waded into the stream, the icy water rushing around their legs as they made their way upstream. Rolien hoped the water would mask their scent, throwing the Bloodsniffers off their trail. They walked in the stream for a good distance, the sound of the horses and dogs growing fainter with each step.

As they continued upstream, the forest grew denser, and the trees seemed to close in around them. Rolien kept a steady pace, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. Sophia followed closely behind, her breathing steady despite the exertion.

After a while, Rolien spotted a waterfall up ahead, the sound of rushing water growing louder. He gestured to Sophia, and they made their way towards the falls. Behind the cascading water, Rolien spotted a small cave, partially hidden by the foliage.

Without hesitation, he led Sophia behind the waterfall, and they ducked into the cave. The sound of the falls muffled the outside world, and the darkness was absolute. Rolien listened intently, his ears straining to pick up any sound of pursuit.

For a moment, there was silence, and then the Bloodsniffers' barks echoed through the forest, their handlers shouting as they followed the scent. But the sound seemed to be passing them by, the dogs confused by the stream and the waterfall. Rolien let out a slow breath, his grip on Sophia's hand relaxing slightly. They might have lost their pursuers—for now.

As they stood in the cave, the sound of the waterfall muffling the outside world, Rolien's ears were tuned to the sounds of pursuit. The Bloodsniffers' barks and their handlers' shouts grew fainter, and Rolien's tension eased slightly. They had managed to throw the dogs off their trail, at least for now.

He turned to Sophia, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. "We need to catch our breath and come up with a plan," he whispered. Sophia nodded, her eyes wide with fear and excitement.

Rolien's mind was already racing ahead, thinking of their next move. They couldn't stay in the cave forever, but for now, it was a safe haven. He needed to figure out where they were and how to get out of this situation.

As they stood there, listening to the sound of the waterfall, Rolien's grip on Sophia's hand remained firm. He knew they were far from safe, but for now, they had each other.

Suddenly, Sophia's voice broke the silence. "Rolien?" she whispered.

"Yes?" he replied, his voice low.

"Do you think we'll be okay?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Rolien's expression softened, and he pulled Sophia into a reassuring hug. "We'll get through this, Sophia. We'll find a way out of this situation, and we'll make sure you're safe. Besides, I'm your superhero!"

Sophia nodded. My superhero," she whispered, her face pressed against Rolien's shoulder. For a moment, they just stood there, the sound of the waterfall washing over them.

As they stood there, Rolien's mind began to wander. He thought about their situation and how to get out of it. He thought about the bandits and how to take them down. And he thought about Sophia and how to keep her safe.

A plan began to form in his mind, a plan to escape, to take down the bandits, and to get Sophia to safety. Rolien's grip on Sophia's hand tightened, and he pulled back, his eyes locked on hers.

"It's time to get moving," he whispered. "We have a plan to make, and we need to get out of here before the bandits come back."

Sophia nodded, her eyes sparkling with determination. Together, they would face whatever lay ahead, and they would make sure they came out on top.

Lyra emerged from the water at the edge of the forest behind the manor, her long green hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. She rushed towards the manor, her deep brown eyes filled with concern. Upon entering, she requested an urgent meeting with Grand Duke Edric.

Upon hearing Lyra's report, Grand Duke Edric swiftly assembled a team of knights to search for Rolien. Lady Lerien, Rolien's mother, was frantic with worry, while his siblings were in a state of panic. However, his older brother, Elian, 15, was consumed by rage and determination. Elian demanded to join the search party, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

Grand Duke Edric, considering Elian's age and training, allowed him to join the search party under the strict supervision of Sir Marcellus, their head knight and Rolien's sword instructor. Sir Marcellus, a seasoned warrior, had taught both Rolien and Elian the ways of combat and was well-respected by the family.

With Lyra's information guiding them, the search party set out, determined to find Rolien and bring him home safely. As they ventured into the unknown, Elian's rage and worry for his brother fueled his determination to find Rolien, while Sir Marcellus provided a calm and experienced leadership. Together, they navigated the treacherous terrain, driven by their loyalty and duty to the young noble .

As the search party rode out, Lady Lerien tried to reassure her younger daughter, Elara. "Rolien will be fine?" Elara asked, her voice trembling with worry. Lady Lerien smiled warmly and replied, "Yes, of course. Didn't you know your little brother is a genius? I know he's safe now and just waiting for us to come and pick him up."

Elara's eyes lit up with hope, and she nodded, feeling a bit better. Lady Lerien's words were a comforting reminder of Rolien's resourcefulness and intelligence. Meanwhile, Elian rode at the forefront of the search party, his determination and worry for his brother driving him forward.

Sir Marcellus kept a watchful eye on Elian, proud of the young noble's eagerness to help his brother. "Stay focused, Elian," he advised. "We don't know what dangers lie ahead. We need to be cautious."

Elian nodded, his jaw set in determination. He was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as it meant finding Rolien and bringing him home safely.

As they rode deeper into the forest, Lyra's guidance proved invaluable. She led them through the dense foliage, her knowledge of the land and its secrets guiding them closer to their goal. The search party pressed on, driven by their loyalty and duty to the young noble.

The sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the forest. Elian's anxiety grew, but Sir Marcellus reassured him, "We'll find him, Elian. Rolien is a resourceful young man. He'll be waiting for us, just like your mother said."

Elian nodded, his eyes fixed on the horizon, willing the sun to stay aloft just a little longer. As the search party crested a small hill, they spotted something in the distance – a plume of smoke rising into the air. Sir Marcellus's eyes narrowed. "It seems we've found the source of the trouble."

As they crested the hill, the search party saw the remnants of the bandits trying to put out the fire that Rolien had set. The bandits were battered and bruised, and they seemed to be in disarray. Sir Marcellus gave a signal, and the knights charged into battle.

The fight was brief and intense, with the knights quickly overwhelming the bandits. Soon, the bandits were captured and bound, their hands tied behind their backs. Sir Marcellus approached one of the bandits, a burly man with a black eye.

"What happened here?" Sir Marcellus demanded.

The bandit spat on the ground. "That young noble, he's a devil. He set fire to our camp and killed many of our men. And... and he rigged our leader's foot to explode. It was like nothing I've ever seen before."

Grand Duke Edric couldn't help but chuckle at the news. "Ah, my son's got spirit, I'll give him that." He ordered some of the knights to tie up the captured bandits and put out the fire, while he and the rest of the party pursued the enraged bandit leader and Rolien.

"Sir Marcellus, take a group of knights and track down the bandit leader. Elian, you're with me. We'll track down Rolien and make sure he's safe."

Sir Marcellus nodded and led a group of knights off to pursue the bandit leader, while Grand Duke Edric and Elian followed Lyra's guidance to track down Rolien. As they rode, Grand Duke Edric couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and amusement at his son's ingenuity. "That boy's got brains and brawn, I'll give him that," he said to Elian with a grin.

Elian smiled, feeling a sense of relief that their father was taking the situation well. "Let's just find Rolien and get him home safely, Father," he said, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

Grand Duke Edric nodded, his expression serious once again. "Agreed. Let's move."

To be continued..