The Immortal and The Undying

The Escape Begins

The Cradle was as unforgiving as ever, its cold stone walls and flickering torchlight casting long, ominous shadows that made every step feel like a journey deeper into despair. But tonight, amidst the usual hum of guards and the distant echo of screams, something different stirred in the air. Hope.

Or at least the chaotic mockery of it.

Thalion adjusted the chains on his wrists, subtly loosening them after weeks of silent, careful preparation. He cast a glance at the adjacent cell, where Kaelin lay sprawled on her back, staring at the ceiling, humming a familiar tune that grated against the dungeon's oppressive atmosphere.

"You're certain this will work?" Thalion asked, his voice low.

Kaelin grinned without looking at him. "Oh, absolutely. Trust me, the guards have seen me die so many times they don't know which way is up anymore. Just wait for the signal."

"Your death is the signal?"

"Of course. The best part of this plan is they won't be able to do a thing once I'm 'dead.' You just worry about the next part." She winked at him, then casually tucked her hands behind her head, her carefree demeanour unsettling in the face of what was to come.

Thalion grunted. He had no other choice but to trust her. His own immortality had proven insufficient for an escape, especially in a place as well-guarded as The Cradle. But Kaelin had a talent for chaos, and if anyone could pull off an escape in the midst of disaster, it was her.

"Here they come," Kaelin said softly as footsteps echoed down the stone corridor. Two guards appeared, their metal armour clanking with each step, their faces twisted in the usual mix of boredom and malice that came with their grim duty.

One of them sneered at Thalion. "Still alive, elf? That's a shame."

Thalion didn't respond, his muscles tense, ready. The guards shifted their attention to Kaelin, who feigned sleep, her soft snores filling the cell.

"Time to wake her up," the other guard muttered, unlocking her door.

As the bars swung open with a loud creak, Thalion's heart beat in a steady, controlled rhythm. Kaelin remained still, seemingly oblivious to the approaching guards. They stood over her, the first guard nudging her side with his boot.

"Wake up, rat."

Kaelin stirred lazily, blinking up at them with sleepy, innocent eyes. "Morning, boys. Can't a girl get some beauty rest?"

"You've had enough rest. Get up," the second guard growled.

Kaelin sighed dramatically, then stood, stretching as if she hadn't a care in the world. "Alright, alright. No need to get violent."

The moment the second guard reached for her arm to haul her out of the cell, Kaelin reacted faster than anyone expected. She spun on her heel and slammed her foot into his shin. He stumbled back with a curse, but before he could react further, Kaelin twisted her body, throwing herself into a reckless dive straight toward the cell's metal bars.

The first guard's eyes widened in shock as her head collided with the unforgiving iron. A sickening crack echoed through the dungeon as Kaelin slumped to the ground, blood pooling beneath her head.

"Gods!" the first guard exclaimed, staring at her lifeless body in horror. "She's done it again!"

The second guard, still nursing his shin, limped over, his face pale. "This is the fourth time this week! What the hell are we supposed to do?"

Thalion watched the commotion, his muscles coiling like a spring ready to snap. Kaelin's "death" had caused the exact kind of distraction they needed.

"Go inform the warden," the first guard said, panicking. "I'll—I'll stay here and make sure she doesn't, you know..."