The carriage rattled violently over uneven ground, its wheels groaning against the stones. Inside, Cipher's body lay limp, her breath shallow, her skin pale as wax. Blood seeped steadily from the spear lodged in her side, staining the cushions beneath her. The air smelled of iron and sweat, thick enough to choke.
Nova's voice trembled, breaking the silence. "What do we do? Should we remove the spear or not?" Her hands hovered helplessly over Cipher's wound, torn between instinct and fear.
Ren's eyes flicked to the injury, his jaw tightening. "If we pull it out, she'll bleed to death." His words were clipped, decisive, but his gaze betrayed calculation. He was thinking fast, weighing options against time.
Nova's desperation sharpened. "You're from the palace—don't you have medical training?"
Ren shook his head, frustration flashing. "No." Then, almost as if struck by lightning, an idea sparked. "We need Asher Kade. He's survived a thousand wounds himself. He might know how to help."
Cipher let out a weak, strained breath, her eyelids fluttering. Nova leaned closer, panic surging. "She's losing too much blood."
Ren moved immediately, his hands feverishly searching the carriage for anything to staunch the bleeding. "We need to tie up the wound!" His voice carried urgency, the kind that left no room for hesitation. He tore through discarded clothes and supplies until—"Found something!" He spun around, clutching a strip of fabric.
Nova steadied Cipher against the jolts of the carriage, her arms trembling but firm. "Hold her still," Ren ordered. Cipher's lips parted, but no sound came. Her consciousness was slipping, her body surrendering to the pain.
"Stay with us, Cipher," Ren urged, his voice low but commanding. He wrapped the cloth tightly around the wound, pulling until the fabric bit into her skin. Blood seeped through, but the flow slowed.
"Make sure she doesn't close her eyes," he instructed, already moving toward the front.
Nova's suspicion flared. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to drive us," Ren said, climbing into position.
"You know how to ride?"
"Yes." His groan carried irritation, but he seized the reins without hesitation. The carriage jerked forward with brute force, nearly tipping Cipher's fragile body. Nova tightened her grip, fury flashing.
"Ren!" she shouted.
"What?"
"A little warning next time?"
"Right. I'll make sure to ask permission next time," Ren retorted, sarcasm dripping. Nova ignored him, her focus locked on Cipher.
"Cipher! Stay awake!" The silence unsettled her. Cipher's eyelids flickered weakly, then began to close. Nova patted her cheek—gently at first, then harder. "Cipher, wake up!" Nothing. Panic surged through her veins.
"Ren!"
"What now?"
"She's not waking up!"
His reply came fast, sharp. "Check her pulse—her neck!"
Nova pressed trembling fingers against Cipher's skin. Relief flooded her. "She has a pulse."
Ren exhaled, tension easing slightly. "Good. She must have blacked out. We'll be there soon." He snapped the reins, driving the carriage faster into the unknown.
---
Outside the Game
On Cynthia's home planet, Rosemary sat transfixed before the glowing screen, tears streaming down her face. Though she knew it was a game, the fear gripping her was real. Cipher's pain was Cynthia's pain.
The door clicked open. "Honey?" she called, expecting her husband. Instead, Peterson strode in, frantic, his movements sharp and erratic. He paced the room, hands gripping his head.
"Peterson, what's wrong?" Rosemary pressed, unease flickering inside her.
"It's Cynthia," he muttered, voice raw. "She's trapped in the game. But it's not just her—hundreds, maybe millions of others. Kids, adults… they're all stuck." His words carried dread, heavy and undeniable.
Rosemary's heart clenched. "I was just watching her. She's injured badly… they're taking her to someone who might help. But what if she dies? What if she dies forever?" Her knees buckled, fresh tears spilling.
Peterson exhaled sharply, still pacing. "I saw everything. The news has already spread—it's all over social media, every channel. Everyone is talking about it."
---
In the Karian Kingdom
Far away, Elise Blackwell crept through the shadows of the palace walls, her breath shallow, her steps silent. She had one goal: deliver news to the Queen of Gul Vampires.
She could not contact the queen telepathically unless Queen Victoria initiated the connection. Only Victoria held that power.
The queen's piercing gaze met hers, crimson eyes glowing. "Tell me good news," she commanded.
Elise hesitated. "Speak!" Victoria barked, her voice venomous.
"I—Cipher—she's part of the queen's plan—"
"Never say that in my presence again!" Victoria's fury erupted, her voice a blade. "I am the only queen." Silence hung heavy until she composed herself. "Continue."
Elise swallowed hard. "Cipher will be sent into the evil forest to retrieve a rare plant—one vital for the kingdom's health. You could capture her… use her to your advantage."
Victoria frowned. "Why should I capture her?"
"Because she is the ally sent from the future to save the Karian Kingdom. Without her, the kingdom is yours. If you do nothing, you will never have it."
"I will have it one way or another," Victoria spat. Her eyes narrowed. "Who sent her?"
"The people from the future," Elise answered carefully.
Victoria's expression darkened. "So the future knows of our existence… and now they seek to destroy us?" She fell silent, then a cold calculation flickered in her gaze. "I will inform the other factions—all those who made peace with Karian. They must know what's coming."
Elise stiffened. What had she done? "My queen," she bowed low, voice trembling. "May I have my brother?"
Victoria's eyes gleamed, blood-red and piercing. "You will have your brother after I capture Cipher. For now, continue to be my eyes and ears inside the Karian Kingdom."
"But your majesty… that wasn't the deal," Elise protested.
Victoria cut her off with a dangerous whisper. "Elise Blackwell… Do you wish to become my hostage? Shall my children feast upon your blood?"
Elise held her breath as the queen's gaze bore into her.
"I am merciful," Victoria finally murmured. "Now go. And do not forget whose will you serve." Elise rose shakily, bowed once more, and disappeared into the night.
---
The Fortress
The carriage screeched to a halt before a crumbling fortress, its towers jagged against the night sky. Nova tensed, expecting another attack. "Have we reached?" she asked, voice sharp with urgency.
Ren appeared at the door, tone flat. "Yes. You're so loud."
Nova bristled but held back a retort.
"We need to move her. I'll lift her upper body—you take the legs," Ren instructed.
"Okay," Nova agreed, steadying herself.
Together, they carried Cipher inside. The fortress was dark, abandoned, swallowed by silence. Dust clung to the air, and the walls seemed to breathe with age. Nova hesitated, doubt creeping in. "Are you sure this is the place?"
Ren didn't bother looking at her. "Keep quiet." He nodded toward a corner. "Let's put her here."
They had just laid Cipher down when the silence shattered.
A hiss cut through the air, sharp as a serpent's strike. Arrows sliced past, splintering against stone. Nova threw herself over Cipher, shielding her with her body. Ren spun toward the shadows, his hand already reaching for steel.
"Ambush," he muttered, eyes narrowing. The fortress had awakened, and danger pressed in from every side.