Shaking off the lingering echoes of her memories, Valerie steels herself. She was not running this time, she was choosing her own path. The noises kept growing louder with every step. Baliot led them to an intersection: stairs climbing higher ahead, another flight descending to the right, and to the left, a narrow corridor lined with doors — ending in a wide doorway that opened into a vast chamber.
- Keep going straight from here and you'll reach the outside, behind the hill. There's a hidden door among the bushes. Careful not to get scratched by them.
Marion nods once to the dwarf, then grabs Valerie's arm, pulling her toward the stairs. Valerie's heartbeat thudding violently against her chest, her breath ragging as she fought through the heavy, dusty air. "It's happening again..."
- I can see the light already! We'll find Jaiden and run to the nearest town. You can come with us!
The screams and the echo of boots grew fainter as they ran, but Valerie's body trembled. Her steps quickened until her feet barely brushed the ground. Her heart pounded faster and faster. "Once again, I'm running... Running from the cries of pain... from the clash of steel... from the sound of blood spilling through the halls. Running from injustice itself..."
She stopped.
Marion turned sharply, bewildered.
- What are you doing?! Why did you stop?!
Valerie's eyes burned with something fierce and clear. She is determined to make her own choices this time. She swared the moment she left her cosy oppressive past behind, if it is up to her she will never choose silence.
- I shall not run anymore.
- What are you saying?! We have to go, Valerie—now!
- I shall not run from the injustice waiting to be stopped. Not again.
- Valerie, are you even listening to yourself?! They'll have our heads if we go back! Jaiden's looking for us — we're safer together!
Valerie shook her head, voice calm but unwavering.
- You should go, Lady Marion. Run as far as you can. I wish you both nothing but the best. May we meet again, my lady.
Before Marion can reach her, Valerie turns and runs — this time not away, but straight toward the chaos. Her feet pound the ground with purpose. Her dress is gathered tightly in her fists, her eyes burning with courage, hope, and unshakable resolve. "I am not running away anymore...I refuse to choose silence!"
- Mr. Baliot!
- You... came back.
- I'm not leaving, Mr. Baliot. Tell me what I can do to help.
- You shouldn't be here. Go while you still can.
- I can't just run away. I'm staying. Let me help.
The time stops as their eyes meet.
- VALERIE! RUN!
Marion charges forward, sprinting down the stairs leading outside. The sound of fast, heavy steps follows close behind—too fast to be just hers. Two human soldiers pursue her. Their shining armor screams of royal knighthood, stained with blood — just like the royal family's hands. The brute clatter of their boots against the stone floor drowns out the faint sound of Marion's blood dripping as she runs. Her clothes are streaked with fresh crimson... one arm leaving a trail as she races forward.
Baliot swings his massive axe, striking the soldier directly behind Marion. She collapses to her knees as she reaches Valerie. The bulky dwarf holds the man back, knocking the sword aside and shoving the taller figure into the old brick wall. The clash of metal rings deafeningly through the corridor. Dust and small chunks of stone rain down from the ceiling's cracks with each impact.
Valerie moves instinctively, shielding Marion, pressing her close. The second soldier reaches them, grabs Baliot, and throws him down. Valerie's breath quickens, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Marion growls and struggles to rise. The two men kick the sturdy dwarf mercilessly. Blood sprays from his mouth as a boot crashes into his face.
Valerie's legs falter. Fear coils tight inside her chest as the brutal scene unfolds. "I have to do something."
She hesitates. Marion is hurt. Baliot is down, motionless. Blood streaks the dark gray floor. The echoes of battle swell around her. "...But what?"
One of the men snatches up the fallen sword, lifting it high above his head. And in that instant, the memory strikes — the royal soldiers, the marble floor, the cries of the helpless. The same gleaming armor, now smeared with blood. The same adorned blade catching the light like before... the same merciless reflection in their eyes.
- NO! STOP!
Before the blade can fall, Valerie surges forward, slamming into the man and driving him to the ground. The clang of metal erupts once more. Startled, the second soldier is struck by Baliot, who rises and delivers a crushing punch to the first man, knocking him out cold.
Silence.
Valerie stands still, breath shallow, themetallic scent of blood thick in the air. Her pulse hammers in her skull — theonly sound that remains. The chaos is gone... no shouts, no steel, only theirragged breathing lingering in the dim corridor.