Ryan did not raise his sword. He did not try to stand. He raised only his left hand.
An ice shard formed between his fingers – but it was not small. It was long, thin, sharp. it was an arrow.
He focused his gaze on Lyana.
He released the ice arrow. Not toward her heart. Not toward her head. Toward her shoulder – where it would hurt but not kill. Where it would force Sorin to move.
The arrow shot forward like a rocket. Fast. Sharp.
Everyone was surprised. Lena shouted. The guards stopped. Even Sorin did not expect that Rayan – wounded, exhausted, on the verge of collapse – could still release an arrow with such power and precision.
"At his age... how?" one of the guards whispered.
But Sorin's body moved before he could think. He jumped in front of Lyana, his massive body blocking her completely. The brown veins flared violently.
The arrow struck his chest plate. It did not penetrate – but it lodged there, the tip piercing the outer layer.
Sorin looked at the lodged arrow. His eyes could not believe it.
Lyana looked from behind him. She saw the arrow. Saw its transparent gleam. Saw that it had not hit her.
But In the moment Sorin jumped to protect Lyana, he created an opening.
The exit was behind Ryan, just a few steps away. Sorin was now in front of Lyana. His back was slightly exposed. The guards were still stumbling on the ice.
Rayan did not hesitate. He jumped from the ground. Ignored the pain. Slid on the ice toward the door.
Sorin shouted.
"Stop him!"
The guards tried to move, but their legs were still frozen.
This allowed Ryan to exit through the exit.He exited into the dark alley.
Sorin turned. He was faster than all of them – his enhanced body kept him steady on the ice without effort.
he said in a cold voice.
"I will go after him,"
But Lyana grabbed his arm.
"No."
He looked at her. Angry.
"My lady... he escaped."
Her voice was quiet but firm.
"I know.But you will not follow him."
"Why?"
She said:
"Because he didn't do anything wrong in the first place, and also, you can't go after him while we're in this situation."
Then she looked at her frozen feet
Sorin did not argue.
But before sorin move She reached out carefully and grasped the arrow by its base. It was very cold against her skin, but she did not let go. She pulled it gently from Sorin's armor.
SorinHe didn't say anything
He looked at the floor. The ice that Ryan had created still covered the entire room. Everyone's feet were embedded in it – Lena, the guards, Ren, and even Lyana's left foot was still slightly stuck.
There was no more time to wait.
Sorin stepped back. Then he raised his right fist. The brown veins in his arm flared with a deeper color.
Then Sorin struck the ground with his fist.
It was no ordinary punch. It was like a boulder falling from a mountain. His fist hit the ice, and the ice shattered into thousands of small pieces that flew in all directions.
The entire room shook. Everyone heard the sound of ice breaking – like shattering glass – followed by silence.
Everyone's feet were freed.
Lena gasped at the sight of Sorin's power. Ren fell to her knees in fear. The guards who had been on the ground rose slowly, looking at their commander with eyes of respect and awe.
Sorin stood upright, looking at the floor that had returned to its natural state – earthen, wooden, covered with melting ice shards.
he said quietly.
"It's over,"
But his eyes remained on the exit.
After everyone was sure the ice no longer posed a threat, Lyana turned to the room. She looked at Ella – still sitting in the corner, trembling, but alive. At Ren – who had recovered from the shock and stood beside Lyana, her green eyes still frightened.
Then she looked at the man – Ella's stepfather. He was still on the ground, crying, his face covered in blood. He was no longer a threat.
Lyana said in a cold voice that brooked no argument:
"Sorin, lift that man. And throw him in prison."
Sorin nodded. He gestured to two of his guards, who grabbed the man by his arms and pulled him to his feet. The man whimpered in pain but did not resist.
Then Lyana walked toward Ella. She knelt before her. She looked at her bruised face, at her tearful eyes. She said in a soft voice:
"The danger is over. No one will hurt you now. Come with me."
She reached out her hand.
Ella hesitated for a moment. Then she reached out her trembling hand and took Lyana's.
Lyana stood up, Ella beside her. She looked at Ren.
"You too. Come. We will not leave you here."
Ren smiled a small, shy smile and joined them.
They all left the wooden house and stepped into the dark alley of The Back. The ice was beginning to melt beneath their feet, but the air was still cold.
Lyana walked in front, holding Ella's hand. Mara beside her. Lena behind her, her sharp eyes scanning every corner, every window, every rooftop – in case of any new danger.
Sorin and the guards followed behind, leading the bound man.
The man walked with difficulty. He did not lift his eyes from the ground. He knew his end was near – if not execution, then life imprisonment.
Ella, meanwhile, looked at Lyana from time to time. She wondered.
'Who is this girl? Why is she helping me?'
But she did not ask. She was too afraid that this dream would vanish if she spoke.
Ren walked behind them, talking quietly with Mara. She was telling her where she lived, who she was, how she knew Ella.
Mara listened patiently, but her eyes were always on Lyana.
They emerged from the alleys of The Back into the paved rose-stone streets of Lusaris. The moon was still pale in the sky. The city was nearly asleep, except for a few late-night vendors.
And They headed toward the palace.