The world broke open in white froth.

  I clawed for air, lungs screaming, water swallowing every sound. For a heartbeat I thought it was over - then my hand slammed against iron. A ladder.

  I caught it just in time, one arm locked around Mary. My ribs burned as I dragged us upward, rung by rung, until my shoulder cracked against the hatch above. I rammed it once, twice - on the third, the wood splintered, and we spilled out into the night.

  I collapsed onto the stone floor, hauling Mary with me. Both of us lay flat, gasping, coughing water into the gutter.

  “Holy… shit,” I wheezed between breaths. “We made it.”

  Mary rolled onto her side, hair plastered to her face, chest heaving. “…I thought we were going to die.”

  A laugh scraped out of me, half delirium, half relief. “Seems the Almighty really is watching.”

  For a moment, we just lay there, drenched and broken, the rain mixing with the water still running from our clothes. Finally, I pushed myself upright. The alley around us was narrow but cleaner than most - paved stone, fresh lamps still burning. The Inner Rim. We hadn’t been washed far.

  I glanced at Mary as she struggled up, unsteady but regaining strength. “Seems our next destination is the burnt forest.”

  She pulled her hood tighter, voice low. “How long away is that from here?”

  I looked towards the north, and pulled out my pocket watch.

  10:09? Jesus, it's nearly been an hour.

  “…Twenty minutes if I steal a horse. An hour or two if I run on foot, which is time I can't afford.”

  I pulled Arthur’s medallion from my pocket, the sharp edge biting as blood welled against my palm. I looked at Mary, who used the stone wall to steady herself. “I’ll probably reach the Inner Rim’s Northern gate in ten minutes if I'm quick. Hopefully there are some horses waiting.”

  The metal pulsed faintly before I stuffed it away. I turned back to Mary who was giving me a weird look, but I merely forced a faint smile despite my soaked state. “Sorry I don’t have a towel. You look like you took a swim in the river.”

  Her lips curved faintly, though her eyes watched me intently. “I’ll manage.”

  “Keep your head down,” I said, tugging her hood back into place. “You need to get back to the Church without getting caught, otherwise they'll know I was here.”

  She hesitated, her voice quiet but firm. “I’m coming with you.”

  I froze. “No. You’re going back. You’ve seen enough for one night.”

  Her brows furrowed. “I’m not leaving.”

  "You don't understand what's out there. The Bishop's waiting. He knows we're coming. It's no place for-"

  "For someone like me?" Her voice went cold.

  Marys tone cut through the rain, sudden and raw. “Someone like me? I went through the exact same night that you experienced! I’m sick of being locked away while others decide what I’m allowed to face. I need to see it through, Damian.”

  I stepped closer, voice low. “You’re acting stupid. Your life is worth more than pride.”

  Something inside her cracked. “I’m not porcelain!” she snapped, fists trembling. “I’m not your responsibility! You don’t owe me protection, or obedience, or sacrifice. For once in my life, I have the chance to step outside this... cage!"

  Her eyes shone with an intense light. One that I hadn't seen before.

  Mary bit her lip, hard enough that a faint trail of blood rolled down her face. "Now you of all people intend to shove me back in?! I thought you understood me...”

  Rain streaked her cheeks, mixing with tears she refused to acknowledge. She looked both angry and sad, as though I had betrayed her.

  I stared at her for a long moment, shocked at the sudden explosion of emotions from Mary.

  I then exhaled slowly, rubbing between my eyes. “…You won’t like what you see.”

  Mary’s breathing steadied, her gaze unwavering. She still stared directly at me with the same golden irises. “I was going to see it anyway. Better on my terms than the world’s.”

  I nodded once, resigned. “Alright. But stay close. And if I say something, listen.”

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  “Deal,” she whispered.

  We turned to the street. Lanterns flickered through the storm, patrols marching with rifles raised.

  “Two teenagers!” a soldier bellowed from the corner. “One black-haired boy, one blonde-haired girl - fair skin, noble bearing!”

  I cursed under my breath. “They're quick as usual. Let's get moving.”

  And together, we vanished into the rain.

  ---

  Rain turned the streets to rivers as Mary and I sprinted through the winding alleys, our footsteps drowned by thunder. Lamps flickered in the haze, their glow fractured by water streaming down glass. The whole city felt like it was holding its breath.

  We cut through an empty square, vaulted over a toppled cart, and finally - there it was.

  The Inner Rim Gate.

  It loomed above us, fifty meters of black stone and gold trim, its walls flanked by soldiers in black coats and heavy rifles. Their torches flared through the rain, faces ghostly under the dripping light. Even from a distance, I could hear the metallic clack of weapons being checked, safeties clicking off.

  What especially caught my eye, was the insignia on their black uniforms.

  The Dove and the Crow intertwined.

  Imperial soldiers. Can't imagine they'd be much kinder than the garrison forces.

  Mary slowed, gasping for air. “There’s too many,” she whispered. “What are we supposed to do?”

  I couldn’t help a small, self-assured grin. “Follow my lead.”

  She gave me a sharp look. “Damian-”

  But I was already walking toward the gate, water splashing around my boots. The soldiers spotted us immediately, all turning towards me in caution.

  “Halt!” one barked. “Curfew’s in effect! No one passes without authorization!”

  I raised my hands slightly, keeping my tone calm. “Easy. I just want some safe passage through the gate.”

  The nearest soldier stepped forward, eyes narrowing under his officer cap. “And who’s the one beside you? Hood off. Now.”

  Behind me, Mary’s breath caught. “Damian,” she whispered hurriedly, “What’s your plan?”

  I pulled my pocket watch from my coat, flicking it open with a soft click. The golden hands gleamed faintly in the torchlight.

  “He should be here any second now,” I said.

  Her voice rose slightly, panic edging through. “Who should be here-?”

  Before I could answer, the soldier barked again as he raised his rifle, aimed squarely at her chest. “Hood off. Now!”

  Mary froze. My muscles tensed.

  Then the sound cut through the rain - a shout, powerful enough to shake the street.

  “Put down your weapon!”

  Every head turned. Hooves thundered through the mist, metal striking stone like a drumbeat of war. A line of riders burst from the corner - Arthur at their head, his white cloak whipping behind him, twenty soldiers following in tight formation.

  I exhaled, smirking. “And there they are.”

  Arthur reined his horse to a stop. He drew his pistol, the barrel glinting in the stormlight as he leveled it at me.

  “I assume,” he said coldly, “that her Highness is the one in the hood?”

  I nodded once. “Correct.”

  “Then your head will roll unless you start talking. Now.”

  I didn’t flinch. “We found where the Bishop is.”

  Arthur blinked - just once - then holstered his weapon. “Where.”

  “The Northern Forest,” I said. “He’s waiting for us.”

  Arthur’s jaw tightened, his eyes darting briefly toward the city walls. “Then we move now.”

  He gave me one more glance, his eyes still as equally as cold as before.

  "You have some explaining to do after this, Damian."

  I only nodded, smiling faintly.

  He turned to his men. “You, off the horse. The boy rides with me. And you-” he pointed to the gate guards “-escort her Highness to the Cathedral immediately. Not a scratch on her, understood?”

  I only shook my head, caressing the rain soaked neck of the horse I had been given.

  Good luck with that.

  Mary’s voice came from behind me, stern and defiant. “I’m coming.”

  Arthur stopped mid-command. Slowly, he turned to face her.

  Rain slid down his face as his expression hardened. “Your Highness… your life is worth more than this entire city ten times over. If something were to happen to you-”

  “It matters not,” she interrupted, eyes bright beneath the hood. "I am a princess, yes. But I’m not porcelain. I have royal blood running in my veins. I'm also of age. You can’t refuse me.”

  Arthur’s mouth pressed thin. “This isn’t about refusal. It’s about survival.”

  “I must learn the harshness of this world if I'm to survive," she shot back. “I won't remain an ignorant doll for the rest of my life. Nor do I wish to hear the objections of someone below my station.”

  For a long moment, neither spoke. Rain pattered between them like the world itself was waiting for an answer.

  I watched with slight amusement, the outcome already decided.

  If he dragged her back by force, he'd spark a political crisis and possible treason charges. If she died out here, he'd face execution anyway. Not much of a choice. Especially since according to law she has even more political power than even her uncle now.

  Finally, Arthur sighed, rubbing his temple. “…Stubbornness must run in the family.” He turned to one of his soldiers. “Give her your horse.”

  The man hesitated, then obeyed, dismounting and offering the reins. Mary took them without hesitation, pulling her hood back. Her hair, slick with rain, glowed like gold even under the gray sky.

  Arthur than looked at the two dismounted troops, who stood at attention as his gaze fell on them.

  "You two, report to the Regent and tell him of what has transpired. Tell him to send any reinforcements he can muster, we may not have much time left. Godspeed."

  The men quickly saluted, running back down the street with their rifles in their hands.

  Arthur then met my eyes, stern and calculated. “You keep her alive. No excuses. No mistakes.”

  I nodded. “Understood.”

  Arthur raised his hand, exuding authority. “Move out! Northern forest - ride hard and fast!”

  The gate’s gears groaned as it opened, the iron splitting to reveal the black road beyond. The wind howled through like a scream.

  I climbed onto my horse. The cold metal of the reins bit against my skin.

  I looked beside me and saw Adrian, my face of surprise contrasting his one of frustration and annoyance.

  I waved lightly while smiling. "What's up Adrian? Nice weather we're having, right?"

  His face didn't change, still as unfriendly as before.

  “What the hell were you thinking, Damian?”

  I grinned faintly, nudging the horse forward. “No idea. Still trying to figure that out.”

  He groaned. “Bloody brilliant.”

  Arthur’s voice cut across the rain. “Ride!”

  The horses surged forward, hooves pounding against the cobblestones as we tore through the gate and into the storm. Behind us, the city of Morren disappeared beneath the rain, swallowed by darkness.

  Ahead, lightning split the clouds - and somewhere beyond it, the forest waited.