But the pain screamed otherwise, and fear clawed at his resolve like a rabid animal. His lungs burned as much as his skin, every breath a ragged gasp of panic.
Through the shifting flames, he caught glimpses of Ren and Riven as they tried to keep up with him—both crumbling under their own nightmares. Ren had dropped to his knees, clawing at his throat as if he was being strangled, eyes bulging with fear. And Riven swung his sword wildly at nothing, screaming in what could only be described as pure terror.
Their cries twisted in Jak’s ears, feeding the illusion.
He bolted, running blindly through the hall as flames licked at his heels. The walls warped and dripped like molten wax, and every breath felt like inhaling knives. He slapped at his arms, but the fire only spread, crawling higher, hotter, and hungrier.
Jak stumbled, nearly falling, as his legs trembled beneath him. He needed to move. He needed tofight this. Every instinct told him to curl up and let the fire take him as the agony spread, but his rage flared hotter than the fear.
His heart thundered, hands shaking as they blistered from the phantom flames, but he clenched them into fists, forcing himself upright. The hallway stretched endlessly ahead, and with every step, he dragged himself forward, his boots feeling like they were melting to the floor.
Somewhere in the haze of terror, he thought he heard hismen shouting his name, but their voices were muffled and distant, drowned by the crackle of the blaze.
He spun toward the sound, chest heaving as sweat dripped from his brow. Down the hall, an elven guard strode toward them, one hand lifted and aimed directly at them as blood seeped from several wounds. His merciless eyes glowed, and the pressure beneath Jak’s skull grew unbearable.
“You won’t get away with this!” the male roared, voice echoing.
Jak’s gaze drifted down to his feet, to the fire engulfing them, and then the walls that were charring as every second passed.
I’ll only have one shot.
His hand moved on instinct, reaching for the pistol at his hip as his pain became unbearable. Steadying his breath, the metal felt cold against his fingers as he lifted it and aimed.
“Take this, you mind-manipulating fuck,” he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Jak squeezed the trigger and the shot was deafening, the barrel flash lighting the hall in a searing burst. He watched the bullet’s path, and he didn’t miss the widening of the guard’s eyes as he realized too late what was happening.
The bullet struck true and crimson bloomed like a flower across the elven’s forehead. His body jerked back, right before he dropped to the floor, lifeless.
The world snapped back to reality. The flames vanished, taking with it the ash and his melted flesh. Jak staggered, gasping as the illusion’s hold disintegrated. Behind him, Ren and Riven pushed themselves to their feet, glancing around.
He wiped the sweat from his brow with a trembling hand and hissed through clenched teeth, “Gods, I hate elves.” His eyes flicked to Riven. “No offense, Riv.”
“None taken.”
Jak spat blood at the floor and wiped his lips on his shirt. “We need to get moving!”
They didn’t hesitate as Jak led the charge, every muscle screaming as they tore through the castle halls. The marble floorsgleamed under the flicker of torches, and the scent of smoke and blood lingered in his nostrils. Around every corner, he expected another ambush—another guard about to trap them in their own minds—but they found only silence broken by their frantic footsteps.
The corridors felt endless, each turn revealing another stretch of high-arched halls lined with carved pillars and banners.
Alright, Esmi. Where are you, gorgeous?They needed to find her before it was too late.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of twisting halls and pounding adrenaline, movement ahead caught his eye. At first it was just a shadow darting through the corridor, but then it grew clearer, transforming into a lone figure running full speed toward them.
Jak’s run came to a skidding halt as Ren and Riven slammed into his back with a few grunts. The three of them froze, squinting against the dim light.
“Is…is that Esm?—”
“Shh,” Jak abruptly cut Ren off.
Mainly because he realized it too. He watched, his eyes flaring as the figure morphed into her—intoEsmi.
Her bare feet slapped against the floor, leaving smears of blood where her skin had torn. The broken chain links of her cuffs clattered against each other with every motion, shining faintly in the torchlight as they swung wildly from her wrists. Her midnight hair streamed behind her in a tangled banner.
His heart stopped.She’s alive.But that look on her face…the desperation at which she was running. Something wasn’t right. He’d never seen her wear that look before.
He’d never seen her show even ahintof fear before. And now she was fleeing from something as if her life depended on it.
