The Rainlands: Grand Delusion

Chapter 54: Sneak

"What's happening? You knew this was going to happen?" Levi asked but Eleana's grip just tightened on his, her fingernails digging into his palm like claws. She marched him to the door and to his room, Tao and the others in tow. Flicking her fingers, she nodded to Levi's guards.

"Ryu...it's going to get hairy tonight. If something goes wrong...guard this door with your life. Tell Quem to be extra cautious outside too, if anything happens to Levi, I won't forgive any of you. Will, come with me. We'll need every man with a useful Reincarnation tonight!" Instantly, the men fell into line and Eleana opened the door and tried to pull Levi inside.

"Talk to me Sis! I can help!" Levi shouted. "I need to know what's happening!" Eleana shook her head, examining him with a dark gaze from the doorway.

"Sorry Levi, but you should stay here for your own good. That man you were with, he's been gathering soldiers from the Capital. We're not sure what Jie child he's aligned with, but they're no doubt after Yujeon. Stay here, don't do anything stupid. They're going to have a lot of men with Reincarnations but so do we. I've been planning for this for longer than you know, everything's going to be alright!" She shut the door in Levi's face, and he heard many footsteps striding off. Clanks and rattles shook through the walls as men roused themselves for battle. I had no idea how many people they had in here. It sounds like a whole army!

It didn't take long for the gates to open. Levi heard the castle shudder slightly from his room as the main doors slid out and then endless troops poured through the gap. The window on his room was facing to the west, and the men were marching out to the South so he couldn't quite get a good view, but even still he saw lights out of the corner of his eye, and when he poked his head out the window, a column of riders followed by many more spearmen. Far and away, at the edge of the darkness and the forest, there was another group of light. Peirce's men! They're coming! Levi couldn't sit still. I can't just do nothing. If Peirce's group wins, he'll take Jasmine. But even if my sister wins, nothing will change! Damnit, what do I do? Do I really just have to sit here?

He paced the small room, constantly sneaking peeks out the window. The guard outside was pretty close maybe twenty feet from him. Levi noticed that the man was completely preoccupied with watching what was happening in the South. I could do it. This is my chance. But for what? Even if I managed to get to Jasmine, then what? He thought about what she had said. She begged me to help her escape. But I only just found Sis after all these years. This is a mess! Argh, I can't decide! As if to add to Levi's confusion, shouts and screams began to drift over on the wind. They've started! He ran back to the window, and saw dancing flames and scattered torches as the battle began. From this distance he couldn't make out who was winning, but either way, both sides were suffering losses. Ugh, Sis is out there! It brought him back to the time he had been on death's doorstep. After the strange mutated creature had gored him, he had felt so numb. Cold as well, but a different kind of cold, one which made you question whether anything you felt was real at all. Whether you'd just...slip away. Are you really just a follower, Levi? No...I'm an emperor!

Levi's eyes narrowed. What am I thinking? I chased Jasmine across half the Rainlands to save her, and now I'm just going to let someone take her again? Even if that person is my sister, if I just let her keep Jasmine locked up like this than I might as well still be at Eastrain. Jasmine was right. I need to change. He turned his gaze from the battle and stole a glance at the guard's back. Twenty feet...no thirty. Twenty-five maybe. He doesn't know about my Reincarnation. I could do it. Levi gauged the distance between the window and the guard. He remembered the position of the guard outside Jasmine's window. Thought it over. Then he pulled the trigger. Jasmine, I'm coming!

He didn't have any weapons. It didn't matter. No one here but Jasmine knew that he was just as dangerous without one. A voice inside him seemed to guide him. Stay quiet, take it slow. As long as he doesn't see you, you have all the time in the world. Breath...in...out...one...two...

Levi put his foot on the windowsill after shrugging on a thick fur coat and clothes. He glanced left, saw the battle raging in full flow. Now or never! He stepped over, using his hands to stealthily lower himself onto the snow outside. Up above, lightning crackled. Levi reached back through the window to retrieve something from the side of his bed. Pulled out two thick black umbrellas and slipped them in little cloth notches on the back of his coat. He swiveled, watching the guard. With the sounds of battle, the wind, and the storm, the man hadn't heard a thing. Levi took a step.

Crunch

Though he slowly dropped his foot with all the care he could, the noise was still loud to his ears. But the guard didn't move. Levi glanced down, planned his next move. Looked back up, kept his eyes fixed on the man's back. Another step.

Crunch

It was nerve-wracking, terrifying. He couldn't afford to get caught, for Jasmine's sake. All the while, the sounds of battle grew louder and Levi was reminded that he was on a timer. Have to hurry! If I don't get Jasmine out before this is over, it will all be for nothing! He took another step. Checked the enemy. Still nothing. He moved faster, getting closer.

Thirty steps...

Twenty steps...

Ten...it's time!

He exploded into his fastest sprint, and let that part of him which controlled the lightning take over. Levi felt a savagery come upon him, the mindset of an emperor. His hand crackled, and the guard turned halfway, a question on his lips, shock on his face. But by the time his eyes caught sight of the light, it was too late. The man's irises condensed, and Levi saw the blue ring of color squeeze out his black pupils as he brought his shining hand into the man's face.

TSSSSSS!

"Arrrgh-" The man's groan was cutoff as Levi tackled him to the ground, knocking all the wind out of him and clamped his hand to the man's mouth. A split second of muffled moans and then there was silence. Levi looked back at the window, his heart pounding. Did anyone hear? Nothing changed, no shadows appeared on the wall in his room and he knew he hadn't alerted the guard at his door. Okay...gotta keep moving!