Wings Of Fate

Can you save me?

The tension in the air was almost unbearable as the loyal guard who had promised to help slipped into the dimly lit cell. “It’s time,” he whispered, glancing around to ensure no one had followed. Riven nodded, squeezing Eugene’s hand, feeling the fear trembling in his fingers. Eugene was pale, his eyes wide with lingering dread, but he didn’t resist as Riven’s grip remained firm. The two of them followed the guard down the narrow passageways, moving as silently as possible. Eugene clung to Riven like a lifeline, his every step hesitant but determined.

As they reached the old servant’s quarters, the sound of the storm outside grew louder. Thunder boomed, and rain pounded against the stone walls. The guard pointed to a narrow door that led out to the castle grounds. “This path will take you close to the outer gate, but you’ll have to move fast. The patrol will be back soon.”

They slipped outside into the storm, and the rain immediately drenched them. Eugene shivered, his thin, prison-like clothes clinging to his skin. Riven kept his hand tightly intertwined with Eugene’s, pulling him through the gusts of wind. The rain stung against their skin, the cold seeping into their bones, but they kept moving, focused on the distant gate.

Just then, shouts echoed from the guard towers. They had been spotted. “Fly, Eugene!” Riven yelled, tugging him forward. They took off, wings spreading as they pushed through the fierce winds, but Eugene struggled. His wings, delicate and not built for such brutal weather, faltered in the downpour, causing him to lag behind.

“Riven… I… I can’t…” Eugene’s voice was panicked, his body barely hovering as the rain weighed him down.

“Yes, you can! Just a little more, Eugene! We’re close!” Riven called back, fighting his own wings against the storm’s relentless force, trying to keep him steady. They were almost to the gate when, with a sudden, rough jerk, hands grabbed Eugene from behind, yanking him out of the air.

“No!” Eugene cried, struggling against the guards who had seized him mid-flight. Riven whirled around, his heart pounding as he saw Eugene held captive. The guards sneered, pulling Eugene back toward the fortress. Just as Riven tried to follow, the heavy gate crashed shut, separating them.

“Eugene!” Riven banged against the gate, desperation filling his voice. “Let him go!”

The guards only laughed, their eyes glinting with cruel intent. “We don’t care about you, wild fairy,” one of them sneered. “But we’re going to have some fun with the prince before he loses those pretty wings of his.” They tightened their grip on Eugene, dragging him down the corridor as he fought to break free, his face twisted with fear.

“Riven!” Eugene’s voice cracked as he was pulled further away. His pleas faded as the guards led him to a small, dimly lit room—not a prison cell, but a guards’ quarters, far removed from the main wing. The cold stone walls seemed to close in as Eugene stumbled into the room, his soaked clothes sticking to his skin, the storm still raging outside.

“Why… why are we here?” he managed to stammer, glancing around with dread. His voice was a mere whisper, trembling with fear.

One of the guards smirked, blocking the door. “We thought you might like somewhere a bit more comfortable,” he sneered. “Don’t worry, we’ll be gentle.” The others closed in, their expressions darkening, leaving no doubt about their twisted intentions.

Eugene’s heart raced, his mind scrambling for a way out, but the walls seemed to press in, the storm’s distant roar a reminder that Riven was on the other side, powerless to reach him.

Riven waited impatiently in the storm, drenched to the bone, his heart pounding with fear and fury. The wind whipped around him, but he barely noticed, his mind solely focused on Eugene. Just then, the same guard who had helped them earlier appeared, fumbling with the lock to open the gate.