Chapter 15 Against the Empire

(Elara)

I swung the branch with all my might, the makeshift weapon connecting with a satisfying thud against a guard's helmet. He crumpled to the ground, but more surged forward, their eyes cold and unyielding.

"Stay back!" I shouted, summoning the earth beneath my feet. Rocks and stones erupted from the ground, hurtling toward my attackers. One guard was knocked off his feet, another shielded himself just in time.

But they kept coming. I tried to find Kael in the melee even as I ducked under a sword swing, kicking out and sending another guard sprawling.

My heart pounded, the adrenaline coursing through my veins driving me to fight harder. But their numbers were overwhelming.

Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine. Corvus stepped forward, a twisted smile on his face. He raised his hand, and a tendril of dark magic snaked toward me. I tried to dodge, but the magic was too fast. It wrapped around me, cold and unyielding.

"Sleep, Weaver," Corvus whispered, holding a vial of shimmering liquid under my nose.

The fumes filled my lungs, and my vision blurred. I fought against the darkness closing in, but it was too strong. My legs gave out, and I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When I awoke, I was in chains, the cold metal biting into my wrists. The rhythmic clatter of wheels and the rocking motion told me I was in a moving carriage. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I needed to assess my surroundings and plan my next move.

I struggled against the chains, but couldn't move more than a few inches. [MN68] . The carriage eventually stopped, and rough hands dragged me out. I blinked against the harsh light, my eyes adjusting to the sight of towering walls and iron gates. This must be the capital of the Aethel Empire. [MN69]

The guards marched me through the streets, the people of Aethel watching with curiosity. The imposing structure of the palace loomed ahead, its dark spires reaching towards the sky. They led me inside, through grand halls adorned with dark, opulent decor, until we reached the dungeons.

They flung me into a cell, the door slamming shut with a resounding clang. The walls were lined with runes that pulsed with a dull, suppressive light. I felt my connection to the earth weaken, the magic within me subdued.

Despite the suppression, I refused to give in to despair. I knew Kael would come for me but I would find a way out too. I had to. For Kael, for our people, and for the prophecy. I pulled at the chains, testing their strength, and began to plan my escape, determined to break free and reunite with Kael.

Suddenly, the cell door creaked open. A guard appeared, carrying a heavy hose. Before I could react, a powerful stream of water hit me, the force of it knocking me back. I gasped, struggling to breathe as the icy water drenched me.

"Get dressed," the guard barked, flinging a comb and a dress at me. The fabric was rich and opulent, completely out of place in the grimy cell.

My first instinct was to rebel, to fight back, but I realized that pretending to cooperate might get me to the surface where I could find a way to escape. I nodded, forcing myself to appear compliant. "Fine. I'm dressing."

The guard waited impatiently as I slipped into the dress, the fine material feeling alien against my skin. We had no such luxuries in Sylvanaar, and our clothes were usually made from woven sack. I combed through my tangled hair, every movement a reminder of my captivity.

"I'm ready," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

The guard tied my hands behind my back and led me through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace. The opulence was overwhelming, every surface adorned with gold and precious stones. Finally, we reached a grand hall, its ceiling soaring high above us.

Emperor Draven sat on an oversized throne; his small frame dwarfed by the extravagant surroundings. He was a short, slight man, but his presence was anything but insignificant. His eyes glittered with cold calculation as he regarded me.

"Well done, Corvus," Draven said, his voice oily. "Indeed, her beauty is as you described. I will make her my bride."

Corvus stood beside him, his expression smug. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Draven turned his gaze back to me, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "Take her to the chambers and get her cleaned and ready for the royal wedding in three days."

"What about Kael?" Corvus asked, his eyes narrowing. "Your former captain you so cherished."

Draven's smile widened, revealing yellowed teeth. "Did you not call him a traitor? We have only one reward for traitors. Place his head on a stake and bring it to me."

Corvus laughed, the sound echoing through the grand hall. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

The guard grabbed my arm, pulling me away. I struggled to keep my composure, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. I couldn't let them win. I had to find a way out, to warn Kael, and to stop this madness. The fate of our world depended on it.

At the end of a long corridor, the guard shoved me into the chamber, a lavish room compared to the dungeon cell. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries, and a grand bed stood in the center draped with silks. I glanced around, taking in every detail, searching for any possible means of escape.

"Get cleaned up," the guard ordered. "The bath is ready." He pointed to a door leading to an adjoining room.

I nodded, feigning compliance. "Fine. I'll need my hands free."

He hesitated, then untied my hands. "These runes you see throughout the palace are installed to protect the Emperor from potential threats. They also suppress the abilities of any guests or prisoners with magical talents. Sorcery such as yours can never prosper within these walls so don't try anything stupid," he warned, his eyes narrowing. "Of course not," I replied, my tone placating.

I entered the bathroom, closing the door behind me. The bath was filled with steaming water, [MN70] and various oils and soaps were arranged neatly beside it. I splashed water on my face, trying to clear my mind. The runes in the walls pulsed faintly, their suppressive magic still working on my powers. [MN71]

As I stepped into the bath, I focused on the runes. The magic was strong, but I could feel a slight fluctuation in their energy. I took a deep breath and reached out with my senses, testing the boundaries of the suppression.

"Think, Elara," I whispered to myself. "There has to be a way to weaken their hold."

I closed my eyes and concentrated, feeling for the weak points in the runes' magic. It was subtle, but there—a faint pulse, a rhythm to the energy. I followed it, mentally probing for a way to disrupt the flow.

A knock on the door jolted me out of my concentration. "Hurry up!" the guard barked. "You don't have all day."

"Almost done," I called back, my mind racing. I needed more time to understand the runes, to find a way to manipulate them without drawing attention.

I finished bathing quickly, dressing in the fine clothes provided. As I combed my hair, I continued to feel out the runes' magic, searching for any signs of weakness. The pulses were regular, like a heartbeat, but there were occasional flickers, small disruptions.

"Maybe I can use that," I muttered, placing the comb down and focusing harder. I reached out again, this time trying to synchronize with the flickers, to push against the suppression during those brief moments of instability.

The door opened abruptly, and the guard stepped in. "Time's up. Let's go."

I stood, smoothing down my dress and nodding. "Lead the way."

As we walked through the corridors, I kept my mind on the runes, testing my ability to manipulate them subtly. Each step brought a small victory, a slight easing of the suppression. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

We reached another chamber, where several attendants waited. "Prepare her for the emperor," the guard commanded before leaving.

The attendants fussed over me, but I paid them little mind, focusing instead on the runes. I continued to push against the suppression, feeling the flickers of instability grow slightly more pronounced.

I will find a way out , I thought. "For Kael, for our people, for our future."

As the preparations continued, I maintained my mental assault on the runes, each small victory fueling my resolve. I would escape, and I would fight back. The empire would not break me.

I focused on the flickering instability in the runes, pushing against their suppressive magic with all my mental strength. The energy pulsed and wavered, and I felt the suppression ease slightly. It was now or never.

The attendants finished their preparations, leaving me alone in the chamber. I took a deep breath, summoning my courage, and made my move.

"Excuse me," I called out softly, feigning a distressed tone. "I need some help in here."

The guard hesitated but then nodded, stepping into the chamber. As he entered, I moved behind the door, reaching for the heavy brass candlestick on the table.

Once he was fully inside, I swung the candlestick with all my strength, striking the back of his head. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

My heart raced as I dropped the candlestick and stepped over the fallen guard, slipping out into the corridor. The palace was a labyrinth, but I had a vague sense of direction.

Moving quickly but quietly, I began my escape.As I rounded a corner, a guard spotted me. "Hey! Stop right there!" he shouted, drawing his sword.

I acted swiftly, reaching out with my mind to the stones beneath his feet. They shifted just enough to make him stumble, and I darted past him, using the brief moment of confusion to my advantage.

More guards appeared, alerted by the commotion. I continued to manipulate the runes' magic, disrupting the ground beneath them, causing small rocks to fly into their paths. It wasn't much, but it slowed them down.

I turned another corner and saw a window at the end of the hallway. Freedom was so close. I sprinted towards it, but the guards were gaining on me. Just as I reached the window, a hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

"Got you!" the guard snarled; his grip tight.

I twisted, using the suppressed but present magic to loosen the stones under his feet. He slipped, his hold on me weakening, and I broke free, diving through the window.

I landed in the courtyard, rolling to absorb the impact. More guards rushed towards me, their shouts filling the air. I scrambled to my feet, ready to fight, when suddenly, the gates burst open.

Kael and the rebels charged in, [MN72] their weapons drawn and determination etched on their faces. Kael's eyes locked onto mine, a fierce protectiveness shining in them.

"Elara!" he shouted, rushing towards me. "Hold on, we're here!"

The rebels engaged the guards, the clash of steel and the cries of battle echoing through the courtyard. Kael reached me, his presence a calming force amidst the chaos.

"We need to get out of here," he said urgently, his hand gripping mine.

"Agreed," I replied, feeling a surge of hope and strength.

Together, we fought our way through the guards, Kael's sword and my magic working in perfect harmony. The rebels formed a protective circle around us, pushing back the empire's forces with relentless determination.

As the battle raged on, the path to freedom began to clear. I could see the promise of escape just beyond them. But more guards poured in, and the fight was far from over.

Kael and I stood back-to-back, ready to face whatever came next. With our combined strength and the rebels' support, we would break free from the empire's grasp. The fight for our future had only just begun.