Oath of the King-Chapter 56 - 55: Through Ash and Shadow

Alden woke to a soft glow at the cave mouth. The fire line had moved closer under the weight of unseen winds. Smoke drifted into the cave, making the air taste of ash and heat.

Maera still slept on her makeshift bed of ferns and blankets. Her breathing was steady, but Alden could see the lines of pain around her eyes.

He stood and stretched, careful not to disturb her. Then he knelt beside her and checked her bandages. The swelling had gone down, but the wound was still tender. He pressed a cold leaf to her skin to bring more relief.

She stirred and opened her eyes. She managed a small smile.

"Morning," she mumbled.

"Morning," Alden said quietly. He handed her a cup of warm broth. "Drink."

She sipped slowly. The warmth spread through her chest. She let out a small sigh of comfort.

Alden watched the smoke and fire through the cave mouth. He knew they could not stay here long. The zone line would close them in soon, and the fire would push them further into the dark woods or into other fighters.

He set his bowl down and stood. "Time to move." He offered his hand to Maera.

She weighed her strength, then took his hand. He helped her to stand. She swayed, and he held her tight.

She cleared her throat. "I owe you my life, Alden. I...

He shook his head. "We help each other. Besides, I learned from the best."

Her eyes softened. "Leonhardt."

He nodded. "He would want me to do this."

They stepped out together. The heat of the flames faded as they backed away. The wall of fire glowed like a scar on the land. Beyond, the forest lay dark and wide.

Alden led the way along a narrow path that skirted the edge of the fire. The ground underfoot was hot, but not burning. Ash swirled around their boots.

Maera stumbled. Alden caught her arm. "Easy."

She nodded, blinking back tears. "I am not used to moving so slow."

Alden managed a gentle smile. "We will go at your pace."

They moved deeper into the forest. The air was cooler here. Mottled green light filtered through the leaves. Birdsong drifted around them, but the sound of the fire behind them was never far.

After ten minutes, they stopped at the base of a large oak. Alden checked his map—a scrap of parchment with crude landmarks. The next safe point was a ruin by a stream. It was a well-known landmark that had once been a hunting lodge. It could hold two or three people, but not a crowd.

Alden pointed out the path. "We will rest there. Then we keep moving."

Maera nodded and sank to her knees. Alden sat beside her and handed her more water.

They sat in silence for a few moments. The forest pulsed around them with hidden life. Alden closed his eyes and listened. Each breath, each rustle.

He felt the flow of time—different here. The sun overhead moved faster, but he did not fear. He had learned to trust his own pace.

A sudden noise made them both tense.

A branch snapped. Footsteps approached: heavy and uneven.

Alden drew his blade. Maera looked up, pain flickering in her eyes.

A group emerged from the trees—four contestants with rough gear. Their faces were dirty, eyes hard. One carried a rusty sword. Another had a bow slung across his back.

The leader, a tall man with scars, spoke first. "Well, well. What do we have here? The last Phoenix herself, and her pet guard." He sneered at Alden.

Alden tightened his grip on the blade. "We mean no harm. We only pass through."

The scarred man laughed. "No harm? You carry a sword. She hides from us. I say we take what she has. The potions. The bandages. The fire will not wait. But we can make it wait by taking you out."

Maera rose slowly, but Alden put a hand on her shoulder. "Stay back."

The man's men raised weapons. The bowman grabbed an arrow. The scarred man stepped forward.

Alden's voice was cold. "You want to fight? Fine. But leave her out of it."

The scarred man's hand tightened on his sword hilt. He looked to his crew. They nodded. The bowman nocked an arrow.

Alden set his blade in a ready stance. "Come on."

The bowman released the arrow. Alden twisted and let the arrow pass harmlessly by. He closed the distance.

The scarred man swung his sword. Alden ducked and punched him in the ribs. The man grunted.

Maera stepped back, eyes wide. She bandaged her leg tightly. Alden's movements were calm and precise.

He kicked the man's sword away. The blade flew from the man's hand. Alden held his stance.

The man lunged to recover his blade, but Alden blocked with his blade and tapped the man's wrist. The sword clanged to the ground.

The man glared and spat. "You cheat!"

Alden didn't answer. He pointed at the other three. They lowered their weapons slightly.

Alden called out to them. "Drop your weapons. You have no fight here. You want potions? Leave us now and find them yourself."

The men hesitated. The scarred man's face twisted in rage. He kicked dirt at Alden. "You will pay for humbling me."

He swung a heavy hook punch. Alden caught his arm and used his momentum to send the man to the ground. The mercenary hit with a thud and lay still.

His men looked at each other. Then they dropped their weapons and fled.

Alden exhaled. Maera approached him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"You are strong," she said softly.

Alden blinked. "I am no hero. I only protect what I care about."

She studied him. "Thank you."

They moved onward. The ruin was not far now.

They arrived at an old stone building by a stream. The roof had collapsed, but the walls stood firm. A small wooden bridge crossed the water. The stream was clear and cold.

Alden led Maera across. The boards creaked under her weight.

Inside the ruin, they found old benches and a stone hearth. Alden climbed onto a bench and directed Maera to sit.

"Rest," he said.

She sank down gratefully.

Alden knelt by the hearth and gathered driftwood from the stream bank. He built a small fire. The smoke rose through cracks in the stone.

Maera watched him. "Do you ever think of going back?"

Alden hesitated. "Back home?" He looked into the flames.

She nodded. "To a normal life."

He sighed. "I dreamed of it once. But dreams change. Once you see this world... you cannot unsee it."

A silence fell, full of unspoken memories.

Maera reached out and touched his arm. "Maybe when this is done, you will find peace."

Alden forced a smile. "Maybe."

The afternoon passed with Maera sleeping and Alden on watch. He cleaned his blade and polished it on his shirt. He listened to the stream and the forest.

Time here was odd, but he felt balanced.

He turned to the open sky visible through the ruin. The sun was a red disc moving faster than it should.

He checked his pocket watch. It ticked too quickly.

don't think about it, he told himself. Focus on Maera.

Suddenly, a horn blew in the distance—deep, low, echoing.

Alden's eyes snapped open.

The forest answered with a distant tremor.

He rushed outside. The stream roared as the ground shook.

Alden looked back to Maera but she was already awake. Together, they raced down the hillside toward the forest.

The second zone collapse?

He didn't know. But he knew time was short.

He took Maera's hand and pulled her forward. The fire would chase them again.

They ran under shadows and through ash.

And Alden whispered a vow to the forest, the Phoenix, and himself:

We will survive. We will rise.

The woods swallowed them in smoke and dust.