The Dark Citadel

Untitled Part 5

Gregory's heart pounded in his chest as he tore through the forest, branches whipping at his face and arms. The sound of heavy footsteps behind him spurred him on, even as his lungs burned for air. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Bryce was dead. The prince he'd risked everything to save was gone in an instant. And now Gregory was next.Panic clouded his thoughts as he ran blindly through the darkness. He had no plan, no destination - just a primal need to escape. But he could hear the native warrior gaining on him, closing the distance with each passing second."Please," Gregory gasped between ragged breaths. "I need somewhere to hide. Anything!"His foot caught on a root and he stumbled, nearly falling. As he regained his balance, he spotted a massive fallen log just ahead. Without thinking, Gregory dove for it.The log was partially hollowed out, creating a tight space inside. Gregory squeezed himself in, ignoring the splinters that dug into his skin. He curled into a ball, trying to make himself as small as possible.Outside, he heard the native's footsteps slow to a walk. Twigs snapped under the man's feet as he searched the area. Gregory held his breath, not daring to make a sound. Please don't find me, he prayed silently. Please just go away.The footsteps drew closer to the log. Gregory's whole body tensed. He could hear the native's breathing now, so close. A shadow fell across the opening of the log. Gregory squeezed his eyes shut.This was it. He was going to die here, alone in the forest, just like Bryce. He braced himself for the killing blow...Gregory held his breath, eyes squeezed shut as he waited for the killing blow to fall. But instead of pain, he heard a wet thumping sound followed by a heavy thud. For several long moments, Gregory remained frozen in terror, afraid to move or even breathe. But as the seconds ticked by and nothing happened, his panic slowly began to subside. Cautiously, he cracked open one eye.The sight that greeted him made his jaw drop in shock. The native warrior lay motionless on the ground, a pool of blood spreading beneath his body. And standing over him, chest heaving with exertion, was Prince Bryce.Gregory blinked hard, certain he must be hallucinating. He had seen Bryce stabbed through the chest. The prince had collapsed, the life fading from his eyes. It wasn't possible for him to be standing here now.Yet as impossible as it seemed, Bryce was very much alive. His clothes were soaked with blood, but Gregory could see no wounds on him. The prince's skin was deathly pale and he swayed slightly on his feet, looking utterly exhausted."H-how...?" Gregory stammered, his mind reeling as he tried to process what he was seeing.Bryce met his gaze, a haunted look in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't want you to find out like this."And suddenly, the pieces clicked into place in Gregory's mind. The miraculous recovery, the lack of injuries despite all the blood, the unnatural paleness...There was only one explanation, as impossible as it seemed."You have magic," Gregory breathed, his eyes widening in horror. Magic had been outlawed in Comer for generations. Those found practicing it were executed without trial. For the crown prince himself to possess magical abilities was unthinkable.Bryce's shoulders slumped, the fight seeming to drain out of him. "Yes," he admitted wearily. "I do."Gregory stared at the prince, torn between shock, fear, and a growing sense of betrayal. Everything he thought he knew had just been turned on its head. Bryce sank to his knees, the weight of his secret clearly taking its toll. He looked at Gregory with weary eyes."It's not what you think," Bryce said softly. "I didn't choose this. I can't control it."Gregory remained tense, still processing the shock. "What do you mean you can't control it?"Bryce sighed. "The magic... it won't let me die. No matter what happens to me, I always come back. But I have no power over it.""How is that possible?" Gregory asked, his fear giving way to curiosity."I don't know," Bryce admitted. "The first time it happened, I was just a child. I fell through the ice on a frozen lake and drowned. My parents were devastated. But then, hours later, I suddenly gasped back to life."Gregory's eyes widened. "That must have been terrifying for them."Bryce nodded. "They were shocked, overjoyed, and then terrified of what it meant. They knew immediately that it had to be kept secret. If anyone found out...""You'd be executed," Gregory finished grimly. "Or worse," Bryce said. "Used as a weapon, experimented on. My father may hate magic, but he's pragmatic enough to exploit it if he could."Gregory considered this. "So you've been hiding it all this time?""Yes," Bryce said. "Living in fear that someone would discover the truth. Watching those I care about grow old while I remain unchanged." His voice cracked slightly. "It's a curse, Gregory. Not a gift."Gregory felt a wave of sympathy for the prince. To carry such a burden in silence for so long... it was unimaginable."I won't tell anyone," Gregory said firmly. "Your secret is safe with me."Relief washed over Bryce's face. "Thank you," he said. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I just... I've never told anyone before."Gregory nodded in understanding. "We should get moving," he said, glancing at the dead native. "There may be more of them nearby."Bryce agreed, climbing wearily to his feet. As they set off into the night, Gregory's mind raced. He had uncovered the prince's deepest secret - one that could shake the very foundations of the kingdom.