Sky Forever

Chapter 2: Night Chase

We walked briskly through the corridors that were mysteriously unguarded.

"Where are all the guards?" I asked.

"Dead." Amber replied, bluntly.

I didn't respond.

She lead me up some stairs and round a few corners. All of the halls were empty. It occurred to me that I never saw any of this on the way in, as I wasn't actually conscious.

And then we rounded another corner and our luck changed. A tall, thin man stood before us. His skin was extremely pale and he was holding a sword.

Amber stopped so quickly that I almost ran straight into her. The man noticed us and his eyes widened. He brandished his sword.

"Didn't I kill you before?" Amber asked, in a tone of voice that wouldn't suggest she was in a life threatening situation.

"Nope!" The man growled.

He advanced towards us as Amber unsheathed her diamond knife. I stood back.

He swung his sword in her direction but she ducked and dived forward towards him. I cringed as she buried her knife straight into his gut. He staggered back, dropping the sword. Amber ripped the knife out of his gut and turned to me.

"Sorry about that." She said, "Let's keep going, we're almost out."

I was completely speechless, standing with my mouth slightly open.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah," I managed to get out, "Yeah, it's just...well..."

"Oh, are you in shock because I just killed a guy?" She asked, almost mockingly.

"Let's just keep going" I replied.

She turned around and we walked past the body on the floor, which was slightly twitching.

We reached a large wooden door.

"Okay, through here is the entrance hall." Amber explained, "I'm pretty sure I got everyone but you can never be sure."

"Right..." I replied.

She placed a hand on the door, paused for a moment and then turned to face me.

"I'm not sure how skilled you are with weapons but you should probably let me handle the combat."

"I'm pretty swift with a bow and arrow, I'll have you know" I replied.

"Do you have a bow and arrow with you?" She asked, sarcastically.

"No..." I said.

"Right then."

She proceeded through the door. We stepped out into a large atrium type room. The large main door was at the other end. The place was seemingly empty.

We were running swiftly across the marble floor when a shout came from behind us.

"Oi!"

We turned, only to see the man that Amber had stabbed mere moments earlier. His uniform was blood stained where she had buried her knife into him, but he didn't look like he was in any pain.

Next to him was none other than Jasper Homunculus himself, with his black wispy hair and goatee. On his fingers were several large, jewel-encrusted rings and he was wearing a blue robe.

Behind them both were several other guards brandishing weapons.

"I thought you said they were all dead..." I muttered to Amber.

"I told you, you can never be sure" she replied.

"Nice try, Cast!" Homunculus shouted across the hall, "Getting your girlfriend to save you!"

"He's not my boyfriend, you cretin!" Amber yelled.

"You don't have to sound so insulted." I said to her.

She grabbed my arm.

"Come on, quick!" She said, running for the door and dragging me along by the elbow.

She shouldered the giant oak door and it creaked open just enough for us to fit through. She was freakishly strong.

I could hear the guards shouting as they pursued us out the door.

We emerged into the city, a bustling metropolis of shanty houses and small wooden shacks. It was dark out, so I assumed it was night. That explained Homunculus' robe.

We sprinted down the thin footpaths, turning this way and that through the countless huts. We got some funny looks from people and donkey's alike, as the mob of guards chased after us.

We reached the gate, both incredibly out of breath. It was closed and most likely locked. No one was ever allowed in or out of the city unless you were being taken prisoner, like me. And if that was the case, you probably weren't getting out again. Unless you're me, apparently.

"How are we supposed to get out?" I asked. We were running out of time, as the mob grew closer.

Then I watched in astonishment as Amber scaled the gate and reached the top. She held her hand down.

"Come on!" She yelled.

But it was too late. I felt cold arms wrap around my torso and I was thrown to the floor. The guard who Amber stabbed stood over me, chuckling menacingly.

Damn, I was so close.