The capital disappeared faster than expected.
---
Not because the journey was quick.
But because no one looked back.
---
The carriage moved in silence.
---
Aria sat near the window.
Watching the distant skyline fade into gray.
---
No guards spoke.
No soldiers relaxed.
---
Even the air felt different.
---
Less controlled.
More… real.
---
Selene sat across from her, legs crossed casually.
"You're taking this surprisingly well."
---
Aria didn't look away from the window.
"I don't see another option."
---
Selene tilted her head.
"That's not true."
---
Aria finally glanced at her.
"Running?"
---
Selene smiled.
"That's always an option."
---
Aria shook her head slightly.
"No."
---
A pause.
---
"I need to understand this."
---
The wind outside shifted slightly.
Responding.
---
Selene noticed.
"Still unstable?"
---
"Yes."
---
"Better than before?"
---
"…A little."
---
That was enough for now.
---
The carriage slowed.
---
Kael's voice came from outside.
"Stop here."
---
Selene raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
---
The carriage door opened.
---
Kael stood there.
---
Not in royal attire.
Not as a prince.
---
As a soldier.
---
That was new.
---
"You're not coming with us," Aria said.
---
Not a question.
---
Kael held her gaze.
"No."
---
Selene leaned slightly forward.
"Plot twist."
---
Kael ignored her.
---
"I'll be staying in the capital."
---
Aria stepped out of the carriage.
---
The road stretched ahead.
Long.
Uncertain.
---
Behind her—
The empire.
---
"You don't trust them," she said.
---
Kael didn't deny it.
---
"No."
---
"Then why send me?"
---
Silence.
---
Because he couldn't answer that.
---
Selene stepped out behind her.
Stretching slightly.
"Well, this is emotionally tense."
---
Aria didn't look at her.
---
She looked at Kael.
---
"You made your decision."
---
A pause.
---
"Don't try to fix it now."
---
Kael stepped closer.
---
"I'm not trying to fix it."
---
"Then what?"
---
A pause.
---
"Make sure you survive it."
---
That wasn't enough.
---
But it wasn't nothing.
---
Aria nodded once.
---
Then turned.
---
And walked forward.
---
No hesitation this time.
---
No looking back.
---
Selene followed, glancing once at Kael.
"…You're going to regret this."
---
Kael didn't answer.
---
Because he already did.
---
The road stretched ahead.
---
Hours passed.
---
The terrain changed.
---
From controlled land—
To something rougher.
---
Forests.
Open plains.
Wind that didn't follow rules.
---
Aria could feel it.
---
Stronger here.
---
Wilder.
---
Selene noticed immediately.
"You feel that?"
---
"Yes."
---
"It's easier out here."
---
Aria nodded slightly.
---
The storm responded faster.
---
The shadow moved quieter.
---
Less resistance.
---
Selene smirked.
"Looks like the empire was holding you back."
---
"Or protecting everyone else," Aria replied.
---
"…Also possible."
---
The sun began to lower.
---
And that's when they saw them.
---
Figures.
---
Ahead on the road.
---
Waiting.
---
Not travelers.
---
Not merchants.
---
Still.
---
Watching.
---
Selene slowed slightly.
"…That's not friendly."
---
Aria stopped.
---
The wind shifted.
---
Sharp.
---
Alert.
---
The figures stepped forward.
---
Five of them.
---
Dressed in dark armor.
---
Not imperial.
---
Not royal.
---
Something else.
---
Their presence felt wrong.
---
Not like the palace enemies.
---
Not like the white figure.
---
Different.
---
Raw.
---
One of them spoke.
---
"So this is her."
---
Aria didn't move.
---
Selene tilted her head.
"…I'm guessing you weren't invited."
---
The man smiled slightly.
---
"We don't need invitations."
---
The air shifted.
---
Tension rising.
---
Kael wasn't here.
The palace wasn't here.
---
No protection.
---
No rules.
---
Aria stepped forward.
---
The wind followed.
---
The shadow stretched.
---
Not out of control.
---
Not fully stable either.
---
But ready.
---
"You're blocking the road," she said calmly.
---
The man's smile widened slightly.
---
"That's the idea."
---
Selene cracked her knuckles slightly.
"…Finally, some entertainment."
---
The others spread out slightly.
---
Not forming a perfect formation.
---
But something looser.
---
More dangerous.
---
Aria felt it instantly.
---
"They're not soldiers."
---
Selene nodded.
"No."
---
A pause.
---
"They're hunters."
---
The wind picked up.
---
The shadows deepened.
---
And for the first time—
---
Aria stepped into a fight…
---
Without the empire watching.
---
Without limits.
Because out here—
There were no rules to protect anyone…
Including the ones who came looking for her.