Chapter 22: Vengeance
The flames roared around them, like a blazing wall of destruction that threatened to eat them all.
Gabriel crouched low, shielding Lirian's frail body from the heat. Her breathing was shallow, her face pale.
"Johann, cover me!" Gabriel barked over the crackling fire.
Johann nodded, gripping his sword tightly.
He looked around the room, darting his eyes to every shadow. "I've got you! Move fast!"
Gunther rushed to Gabriel's side. "We don't have time. The place is coming down!"
Gabriel ignored him, "Lirian, stay with me. Can you hear me?"
Her eyelids fluttered weakly, and her cracked lips moved. "Gab... Gabriel..."
"I'm here," he said firmly. "We're getting you out of here."
Gunther growled impatiently. "We'll all die if we don't move now!"
"Then clear the way!" Gabriel snapped. "Johann, take point. Gunther, watch our backs!"
Without hesitation, Johann kicked down a smoldering door, revealing a narrow corridor choked with smoke. "This way!"
Gabriel lifted Lirian in his arms.
She winced, her fingers clutched weakly at his shirt. "I... I'm sorry," she whispered.
"There's nothing to be sorry for," Gabriel said softer. "Just hold on."
They moved quickly, their boots pounded against the burning floorboards.
Gunther coughed as smoke filled his lungs. "This better be the right way, Johann!"
"It is," Johann replied back. "Unless you want to go back to the maniacs with masks."
Gunther grunted but didn't argue.
Behind them, the screams of the masked men faded into nothingness.
Some had managed to flee, but most were consumed by the fire they had created.
"Gabriel," Lirian murmured.
"What is it?" he asked, glancing down at her soot-streaked face.
"I... I shouldn't have run," she said, trembling. "I didn't mean to—"
"Don't," Gabriel interrupted. "This isn't your fault. Save your strength."
They burst through another door, and the cool night air finally hit them.
Outside, the stars were hidden behind smoke, but the absence of fire brought a momentary relief.
"We made it," Johann said, lowering his sword.
Gunther leaned against a tree, coughing hard. "Barely."
Gabriel laid Lirian down on a patch of grass. "She needs help. Gunther, water."
Gunther fumbled with his pack, pulling out a flask.
He handed it to Gabriel, who gently tipped it to Lirian's lips.
"Drink," he said.
She sipped, coughing weakly, but managed to swallow. "Thank you..."
Johann knelt beside them. "She doesn't look good, Gabriel. We need to get her somewhere safe."
"I know," Gabriel said, tightening his jaw.
Gunther straightened. "And what about them? The Order isn't going to stop. They'll come after us, after her."
"Let them try," Gabriel stated coldly.
Johann frowned. "We can't fight them all, Gabriel. Not like this."
"We'll find a way," Gabriel insisted. "But first, we take care of her."
Lirian stirred, her hand reached for Gabriel's. "Don't... don't let them take me," she whispered.
"They won't," he promised.
Gunther sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"There's an old healer... She might be able to help."
"Then that's where we're going," Gabriel said, lifting Lirian again.
Johann hesitated.
"What if the Order is waiting for us there? They'll expect us to head there."
"Do you have a better idea?" Gabriel snapped.
Johann shook his head. "No, but we need to be smart. We're outnumbered and outmatched."
Gabriel's grip on Lirian tightened. "I don't care. I'm not losing her."
"Enough," Gunther said. "We're wasting time. Let's move."
The three men set off into the night.
Gabriel used almost all his mana while trying to break in. The minute he was in, he decided to spread the fire and burn them all at once.
Unfortunately, his plan failed, but at least he managed to save Lirian.
They finally reached the healer's place just before dawn.
It was a quiet place, with small wooden houses nestled among rolling hills.
Smoke curled from a few chimneys, and the air smelled of dew and earth.
"Where's the healer?" Gabriel asked.
Gunther pointed to a small cottage at the edge of the village. "There. Come on."
They knocked on the door, and an elderly woman opened it.
Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of them—three men covered in soot and blood, carrying an unconscious girl.
"What happened?" she asked, feeling concerned.
"No time," Gabriel said. "She's hurt. Can you help her?"
The healer stepped aside, motioning them in. "Lay her down on the table."
Gabriel carefully placed Lirian on the wooden surface.
The healer leaned over her, examining her injuries with practiced hands.
"She's been through hell," the healer muttered. "Who did this to her?"
"People who won't live much longer," Gabriel said darkly.
The healer gave him a wary glance but didn't press further. "I'll do what I can. You, get me water and clean cloths."
Johann moved immediately, fetching supplies from the healer's shelves.
Gunther paced near the door, his hand on his weapon. "We shouldn't stay long. If the Order tracks us—"
"They won't," Gabriel said.
Gunther snorted. "And how do you know that?"
"Because they'll be too busy licking their wounds," Gabriel said. "We made sure of that."
The healer looked up from her work. "You're all welcome to stay as long as you need, but if you're in danger, I won't let it fall on this village."
"We'll be gone as soon as she's stable," Johann assured her.
Gabriel stood at Lirian's side, his hand brushed her hair away from her face. "She's not staying behind."
The healer worked in silence for a while, cleaning Lirian's wounds and applying salves.
Finally, she straightened. "She'll recover, but she needs rest. And she'll need someone to help her heal—not just her body, but her mind."
Gabriel nodded. "She'll have us."
Lirian's eyes fluttered open, and she looked around weakly. "Where...?"
"You're safe," Gabriel said quickly. "Just rest."
Water formed in her eyes. "I thought... I thought I'd die in there."
"You didn't," Gabriel said firmly. "And you won't."
Gunther crossed his arms. "What's the plan now, Gabriel? To run?"
"We're going to fight..."
Johann raised an eyebrow. "Fight? Against the Order? Are you insane? That's the king you're talking about."
"They think they can do whatever they want," Gabriel said. "They think they can break people, destroy lives, and never face consequences. That ends now."
The room fell silent.
"I will kill the king and then the crown prince with my own hands..."
"You will be hanged, you know that, Gabriel?" Johann let out a long sigh.
"It doesn't matter to me. As long as I get my revenge..."