The corridors of the inner palace groaned under the echo of hurried footsteps. Litzil, Gatuya, and Layla moved swiftly through the golden archways, their eyes sharp, their hearts heavy. Rumors had already reached them—that Prince Aurel was no longer himself, ensnared in the vile charms of Khalab's daughter.
At the end of the passage, the door to Aurel's chamber stood slightly ajar, warm light flickering within. Litzil motioned for silence, and the three entered.
The sight inside froze them.
Prince Aurel knelt on one knee, his eyes glassy, his lips parted as if drunk on invisible nectar. Towering above him was Asenet Ra, draped in crimson silks, her dark hair spilling like ink, her fingers lazily caressing the prince's chin. The air around her shimmered faintly with threads of sorcery—her seduction magic, weaving into his veins, drowning his will.
"You are mine, my pretty little pawn," she whispered sweetly, leaning down. "Your crown, your blade, your very breath belongs to me."
Litzil clenched his fists, fury rising in his chest. Gatuya growled low in his throat, already reaching for his weapon. But before they could speak, Asenet's eyes flicked toward the door.
"Well, well…" she purred, straightening. "The pests arrive."
Her foot snapped forward, kicking Aurel brutally across the face. He collapsed onto the floor, blood dripping from his lip, yet his enchanted eyes remained unfocused, obedient.
"Up," Asenet commanded sharply, her voice cutting through the haze of magic like chains. "Kill them all."
Aurel rose, staggering, his hands gripping his twin blades. The warmth of the prince who once laughed with them was gone, replaced with a hollow shell bound in her spell.
"Aurel!" Litzil stepped forward desperately. "Listen to me! You're not her puppet—you're our comrade, our prince! Fight her control!"
But Aurel's gaze was vacant, his swords gleaming. He lunged.
Steel rang against steel as Litzil barely blocked the strike. Sparks sprayed across the chamber. Gatuya roared and swung his massive axe, forcing Aurel back with sheer force. But the prince moved like a phantom, fluid and deadly, striking with precision.
The fight erupted in a storm of clashing blades.
Aurel's attacks were merciless, unrelenting. Litzil ducked and parried, his arms aching under the repeated blows. Gatuya intercepted with crushing swings, the impact rattling the walls. But Aurel was fast, too fast—his enchanted movements carrying the weight of Asenet's will.
"Damn it, Prince!" Litzil shouted through gritted teeth. "This isn't you!"
Aurel's only response was a flurry of strikes. His twin blades danced, carving shallow cuts across Gatuya's chest and arm. Blood splattered the marble floor. Gatuya grunted but pressed on, swinging his axe with bone-shaking strength.
The clash grew harsher. Litzil tried to outmaneuver, shouting Aurel's name, but every plea was drowned by the metallic scream of blades.
Then came the devastating blow.
Aurel's sword slipped past Gatuya's guard, slashing deep across his abdomen. Blood burst forth, staining his armor crimson. Gatuya staggered, his breath ragged, but instead of retreating, he roared defiantly and shoved Aurel back with sheer will.
"Not… yet," he snarled, tightening his grip on his weapon despite the wound tearing him apart.
Litzil's heart pounded. "Gatuya! Hold on—!"
But Asenet's mocking laughter filled the chamber. She lounged against the pillar, watching with cruel amusement. "Yes, darling Aurel. Break them for me. Spill their blood like wine."
Her words were daggers.
And in that moment, Gatuya's eyes locked on her. Not on Aurel, not on his own wounds—on the serpent pulling the strings. His body shook, every muscle screaming in pain, yet resolve burned brighter in his gaze than ever before.
He dropped his axe, letting it clang against the marble. Staggering on unsteady legs, he ignored Aurel's next strike and charged toward Asenet.
She widened her eyes, stepping back. "What—?"
With a final burst of strength, Gatuya seized her from behind, his massive arms locking around her waist and shoulders like iron chains.
"Let go of me!" Asenet shrieked, thrashing violently. Her nails clawed at his arms, her magic pulsed in waves of heat and light. But Gatuya held firm, coughing blood, his wound tearing wider with every step.
He dragged her across the chamber, his boots scraping against stone, eyes fixed on the shadow at the far end—the mouth of a great well, wide and yawning, its depths unseen.
"Gatuya!" Litzil screamed, rushing forward. "Don't—!"
But Gatuya only looked back once, his face pale, lips curved into a faint, pained smile. "Tell Michi… we fight with him… always."
And with that, he hurled himself and Asenet into the well's abyss.
Her scream echoed as they fell, swallowed by the darkness below. A final splash resounded from the depths—then silence.
The chamber stilled. The haze around Aurel's eyes flickered, then shattered. His swords clattered to the ground as he dropped to his knees, clutching his head.
"Aurel!" Litzil rushed to him, grabbing his shoulders. The prince's eyes were clear again, horror dawning as memory returned. "What… what have I done?" he whispered, voice trembling.
Litzil shook his head fiercely. "It wasn't you. It was her. But…" His voice cracked, and his eyes turned toward the well. "Gatuya paid the price to free you."
Tears burned in Litzil's eyes, but he forced himself to stand tall. Slowly, he raised his hand in salute toward the well's shadow, where their comrade's spirit lingered in silence. His voice was steady, though heavy with grief.
"Gatuya the Unbroken. Your strength will not be forgotten. Your sacrifice… lights our path."
Aurel bowed his head, fists clenched. Layla wiped her tears quietly, unable to speak.
For a long moment, none moved, the air heavy with loss.
Finally, Litzil turned to Aurel. His eyes were red, but his tone was iron. "We cannot falter now. Michi needs us. Gatuya gave his life for this moment. We carry him with us."
Aurel nodded, his jaw set. "Then we go. For him. For all of them."
Together, the two warriors stepped from the chamber, their footsteps echoing with grief and resolve. The path ahead was fraught with darkness, but now their hearts burned brighter, tempered by the sacrifice of the comrade who had fallen.
And somewhere in the shadows of the well, silence remained eternal—testament to Gatuya's final act of defiance.