Chains of Eternity

Chapter 2: Betrayal

     Alminos woke up to the sound of muffled talking outside the room. He opened his eyes, sitting up and stretching. He knew he hadn't slept too awfully long, but he definitely had more energy than before, or even in his entire life.

     He listened to the voices outside, and recognized one of them as Malinks'. He didn't know the other voice, though.

     "What are you talking about?" Malinks asked.

     "We have the right to search your room," another voice said. It was almost ridged, as if they had repeated a learned phrase. "The king received a tip that you are harboring a dangerous god."

     His heart sank. He knew they were talking about him. Ramnis must have sent someone to recapture him, but who had tipped the king off? The only other person who knew of his identity was-

     "No, you can't come in yet," Malinks replied, snapping him out of his thoughts. "My friend's still asleep."

     "Well then, go wake him up." The other voice said. "I'm not leaving until this room gets searched."

     He heard Malinks sigh, clearly irritated.

     "Fine, just give me a moment," they said.

     He heard them unlock the door before opening it. They stepped inside and closed the door behind them, locking it too. They then dropped the keys on the table by the tall shelf.

     They looked around, and, when their gaze landed on him, they looked relieved. They rushed over to him, starting to unbuckle their cloak.

     "We have to leave," they whispered. "Now."

     He nodded as he moved the blankets off of himself and stood up. Just like before, Malinks helped him get the cloak on, as he folded his wings in as close to himself as he could. Afterwards, Malinks motioned to the window before climbing onto the bed and opening it as far as it could go.

     "I'll distract the guard with a decoy," they said in a hushed tone.

     He watched them walk to the shelf and grab the keys, before unlocking the door and stepping out of the room. They shut the door behind them, and he could hear them start talking to the other voice again.

     He felt a tap on his arm, and he looked for the source. No one else was in the room with him, so why could he swear there was?

     "I'll be right behind you, okay?" He heard Malinks whisper in his ear. "You won't be able to see me, but I'm still here."

     He didn't have time to question it. He looked out the window, and felt dizzy from the drop.

     "Feet first," they whispered to him.

     He nodded, doing as he was told. He sat on the edge of the window, his legs hanging off the outer edge. He didn't look down, knowing he would get too nervous if he did.

     "Bend your knees when you land," he heard Malinks say. "It'll cushion your fall a bit."

     He slid out of the window, and he was only in the air for a brief moment before landing on the ground. He stumbled before catching his balance, turning around and looking up at the window he just fell from. It actually wasn't as high up as he thought it was.

     He heard a thud beside him, and then saw Malinks (or the fake one?) shut the window. They waved to him before disappearing into a puff of smoke, and the real Malinks appeared beside him.

     "Now," they said. "Let's get ou-"

     Before they could finish their sentence, towering flames suddenly surrounded the two of them. Malinks jumped back, their eyes widening. He shuffled closer to them, feeling the heat from the fire surrounding them.