Clandestine

I hate chases--just as much as I hate the Imperial Knights. From the start, it is and will forever be the most unnerving experience I'd ever experience. Especially that in this case, I'm the one running, I am the prey. And who's chasing me? Knights. Not amusing. I struggled breathing but my legs didn't took a break from running, hands shaking as the key on my hands gleamed under the moonlight--something I'm thankful for even if it barely lit my way. “She went that way!” My heart raced as I glanced back, certainly not impressed and relieved with the way the torches the mob of knights held casted light around them, increasing the chance of me getting caught and the noise of horse hooves clicking against the ground in a dash. My breathing ragged, holding the key tightly against my chest before I slid myself inside a small space between walls, I cannot take it any longer if I decide to run. Otherwise my chest will burst. “Hah...” I panted and covered my mouth to surpress a cough. The walls were covered in moss and vines, completely unattended despite being a place under the Palace’s coverage, but maybe it's because it's not for public. “We can't find her!” A soldier exclaimed, as the noise from the horse echoed upon being hit by the whip. “Separate your squadron, go both ways.” The general’s voice was calm and old, but it only made my trembling hands shake more than I thought was possible. I heard the horses gallop, passing the bushes and tall plants, not noticing me. “Scram!” Perhaps it was because my safety wasn't the only thing on risk, and my circumstances wasn't like before. Right now, I have lives to consider other than what I own. I waited for more minutes, catching my breath and building new plans. Curling my fist, my grip on the key tightened. I have to meet Keiran, I figured how to do it now! Losing my trail of pursuers must be done, at any cost. I had to get to him. It wasn't just yearning. As I ran through the pages inside my mind about what should I do, I slowly stood up, clinging to a brick to support my weakened knees due to endless running. I can hardly see anything, and I can only rely on one ear. I touched my left ear, feeling the dried blood on its surface, something I obtained from this chase. I was lucky that the soldier’s blade didn't pierce through it--or worse slice it as a whole. But the injury is undeniably to my disadvantage. I clutched the gleaming key and leaned slightly, there's no longer the sound of horses, nor the clanking of the knights' armors, even the faint cracking of fire on their torches. I thought that it's clear and I can leave, but something dangerous crept up to my heart as if a warning. My ears hurt and my chest drummed, stomach turning upside down for a reason I cannot pinpoint. And it hurt. But I cannot afford to stall any longer, I must get to them--to him. I blew a deep breath, hid the key, and shook my garment before stepping out from between the walls, and the moment I did, a cold sharp object pointed against my throat dangerously, just under my chin. Only then did I only realize that the ominous feeling on the pit of my stomach was the same with how I felt whenever I received another vision--except that this time, the vision is for me. At the end of the sword stood a man, who I despised so much for all the things he did, as he pushed the blade deeper. I felt the blood trickle from the cut, flowing slowly as his regal but old eyes met mine. I didn't need light to know the look he was giving me. “Azure Bavel.” My name sounded abominable when it came from his mouth. “If only you’d followed from the start, you wouldn't be in this predicament.” His voice sounds a little harsher than usual, like he'd aged drastically in the short span of time because of stress. “I’m still glad I didn't.” Then I heard his soldiers come this way, not too long after, they arrived. Raising their spears and swords to my direction, some shouted. “She is found!” They would've attacked if it weren't for his gesture. He raised a hand to signal them to stop. Like he's telling them it was his score to settle. “...And I will never.” I managed to say. He laughed. “Truly, your guts are fascinating. It's a shame you wouldn't see the downfall of my son. You led yourself to your own grave now.” “You...” my voice cracked. I wasn't sure what I was feeling. There's rage, anger, frustration and maybe grief. My heart sank with the realization that I'm cornered, and I cannot pass my message across. “You are no father to him.” His eyes turned mad, the glow from the torches behind illuminating his face and if eyes can grow dark, I was seeing it for myself. He withdrew the sword away from my throat. He had better plans for it, unfortunately for me. I had foreseen it coming but I realized I can never truly brace for something completely. His sword struck my abdomen. The blade that was formerly threatening my throat is now piercing through me. I heard his soldiers let out noises of surprise, as if real shocked that he did that. He opened his mouth to say something, but I was too dizzy to hear it. The only thing that ran through my mind is the key, my goal. I've failed..? I've failed. “I told you to watch your words.” But I no longer can't make any of what he said. The exhaustion from all the chase and sleepless nights decided to take a toll on me right now, and I didn't have the ability to surpress them anymore. I desperately tried to cling into the bricks, but my fingers slipped with every attempt as my knees buckled. In silence I prayed to the gods--even to the ones I didn't know exist--just to help me. Help me this once. I have never been the type to worry about my own death. In fact I'm not sure if I ever really cared for my life. But... If this is all over and by some miracle I somehow manage to talk to him again, I swear that I’ll admit that I missed him. Because perhaps, if it's with him...then maybe living would be worthwhile. “Pitiful.” The emperor looked down on me. “I wonder how he'll react to this.” He spoke as if my pain was merely a source of amusement, like he'd been totally imagining a different scenario in his head, as if he didn't just lunged at me with his sword. Before I fell, the man in front of me commanded. “Seize her.” --- At one point, there was a place who lived in abundance, the Bavel kingdom. They were blessed by the gods through many ways. But there's one who stood out. There's a particular item given to them by their main god since time immemorial. This item was called the Labyrinth key. This key holds prophecies and blessings, those of which the Bavel kingdom have benefited from for millenials. Not until 14 years ago, when the Bavel kingdom lost in the war against various nations where they ended up with loss. The only way to save themselves is to surrender to the Mezocal empire. It is said that the Mezocal's emperor was kind and merciful, and thus he said that they will keep the Bavel kingdom peacefully and respect their beliefs. But Bavel's royal family fled with few people who decided to follow them. It is said that they never accepted defeat. The Bavel kingdom is no more. It's now only a dukedom of the Mezocal Empire, ruled by different people. Bavel ended up as a mere region in the Mezocal empire, but the people still lived bountiful and in peace with the thought that the Mezocal empire took care of the Labyrinth key. Their belief on their key was so strong that they resented and despised the Bavel royal family whom claimed the title ‘traitors’. “The key will not forsake us." was what they said. So what exactly will the people do.. Now that their beloved Labyrinth key, went missing? ---