Chapter 17 – The Whistle of Doom
Tyler didn't make it. He thought he could, but he didn't.
The sharp sound of the whistle echoed through the stone walls, spreading fast through every corner of the passage.
The noise was loud enough to drown out every other sound, its pitch piercing and alarming.
Tyler reached the guard before he could take another breath and sliced his head clean off.
The body fell to the ground with a dull thud while the head rolled away, leaving a pool of blood spreading across the cold floor.
"We need to go! Now!" Tyler shouted.
Whatever time they had before, it was gone. Who knew how many guards had heard that whistle?
The situation had just gotten much worse.
Tyler led the group as they sprinted down the corridor. The hallway twisted and turned, with doors on both sides and shadows stretching across the walls.
Every step they took echoed loudly, but they couldn't stop. They had to move fast.
Even though danger surrounded them, some of the classmates started talking as they ran. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was fear, or perhaps it was their own way of rekindling the hope that was constantly dimming at every turn.
They talked about what they would do if they ever made it out alive.
One boy said he wanted to explore this strange fantasy world they had been thrown into, to see magic, to witness the lands of dragons and elves with his own eyes.
If truly it exists as novels always claimed.
Another said he didn't care about any of that; he just wanted a simple life, a house, and a loving wife. He even laughed, saying he'd find a beautiful woman from this world, marry her, and raise a family.
One more shouted his dream of building a harem, earning a mix of laughter and disbelief from the others.
Then someone spoke with a darker tone. He said he wanted revenge, to make the Kingdom of Vermont pay for everything they had done to them.
Tyler listened quietly as they ran.
He hadn't realized before how lively his classmates were. Even in fear, they found something to hold onto, something that reminded them they were still human.
For the first time, he thought... They're actually fun to be around.
He wondered why they never talked like this in school. Then he remembered John Kennedy.
Back then, Kennedy always made sure Tyler was left out, bullied, or humiliated. There had been no chance to share a normal conversation.
Now, with John gone, Tyler finally had a chance to breathe, to maybe even live normally.
If this world truly was a fantasy one, maybe he could find peace here once he escaped.
"What about you, Tyler?" someone asked between gasps of air. "What will you do once you're free?"
Tyler wanted to answer, but before he could speak, a bright light appeared ahead. The exit.
Everyone saw it at the same time, their tired legs suddenly filled with energy.
They ran faster, hearts pounding until they burst through the archway, only to stop dead in their tracks.
Their freedom had ended before it even began.
Outside the exit stood over a hundred armed guards, forming a wide formation that blocked every path. The area was surrounded by thick, high stone walls that left no way out.
Archers stood in rows, bows drawn and aimed directly at them. Behind the archers, swordmen and spearmen waited, ready to charge at a single command.
"Drop your weapons and surrender!" one of the guards barked.
His armor gleamed under the torchlight, marking him as their leader. He stood in front of the archers, perfectly placed so he didn't block their line of fire.
"I'll only say it once more," the man warned. "Drop your weapons. Surrender now."
[See! I told you! You should have left them behind!]
Even the voice in Tyler's head agreed, this was bad.
Tyler's eyes darted around the area.
The walls were tall, solid, and impossible to climb in time. The only exit, the real exit was directly behind the line of guards.
"We're trapped!" someone cried out. "I don't want to die here!"
Panic started to spread. Some students gripped their weapons tightly, shaking.
Others looked ready to drop them and surrender.
Amidst the chaos, a calm but strong voice spoke up, the same classmate who had placed his hand on Tyler's shoulder earlier.
"It's simple," he said firmly. "If you don't want to die, go back to that dungeon. Let them chain you up again. Let them drain your blood until you're nothing. But if you're tired of being treated like animals, then stand now and fight."
His words cut through the fear.
Everyone fell silent, his voice echoing against the walls.
The students began to steady themselves, gripping their weapons tighter not in fear, but in resolve.
His words had lit something in them.
If they went back, they'd die slowly. If they fought, they might die quickly. But at least they'd die free.
"What do we do, Tyler?!" the same student asked, turning to him for guidance.
Tyler looked straight ahead. The guards waited for their answer, bows still drawn.
He pointed toward them. "The real exit is behind those guards. If we want to live, we have to break through."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
He was done running. Done being a victim.
The other student grinned. "Good call. If we move together, we can make it."
"Yeah," Tyler replied, though his tone was flat.
Deep down, he knew the truth.
Charging a hundred guards with archers among them was suicide. They'd all be cut down before getting close.
But there was no other way.
Still, Tyler wasn't acting recklessly. He had already come up with a plan, a small chance, but better than nothing.
"What's it going to be?!" the guard captain shouted again, his voice full of authority.
At his command, the archers drew back their bows, ready to fire.
Tyler took a deep breath.
"You all wait here," he said. "I'll draw their attention. Don't move until I give the signal."
Then he bolted forward.
"Wait! What signal?!" someone yelled behind him, but Tyler didn't respond.
His mind was focused. Every thought, every nerve, every sense was locked on the battle ahead.
He could tell, somehow, bythat there were no Magus among the guards. No one with magical power. He didn't know how he knew, but he was certain.
That meant one thing: if he moved fast and struck precisely, he could break their line.
The soldiers saw him charging and immediately shouted warnings.
"Enemy approaching!"
"Fire!"
The bowstrings released all at once, the arrows slicing through the air toward him.
Tyler's eyes hardened. His muscles tightened.
Before the incoming arrow, he ran.