Klaus didn't think.
He moved.
The katana flashed free of its sheath as he kicked the door open.
Goral had already pushed Lilith and Egor back against the wall, holding off five soldiers at once. Steel rang in tight, brutal exchanges. Egor stood behind him, trembling, his light blade shaking in his hand—unable to commit, unable to strike.
"What is the meaning of this?" Klaus demanded—
just as a soldier lunged at him.
"I don't know!" Goral growled. "They came out of nowhere—tried to force their way in!"
"You should've let them," Klaus muttered.
Lightning gathered in his left palm.
His right hand moved at the same time.
The katana cut clean through the attacker's throat before the man even understood what had happened.
"Your Highness," a voice said calmly, "I wouldn't do that."
Klaus turned—
and saw him.
A soldier stepping out of the wall behind them.
His blade pressed tight against Egor's throat.
"Let him go," Klaus snarled.
Goral froze, turning too late.
"…He came through the wall," Klaus said, voice flat. "Earth magic."
He forced himself to breathe.
To think.
But the blade—
too close—
too close to Egor's throat—
He couldn't focus on anything else.
"A useful trick," another man said, emerging from the stone.
Goral reacted instantly, dragging Lilith back.
"Protect her," Klaus said, stepping forward slowly. "I said—let him go."
"Dismiss the lightning," the soldier replied, tightening his grip on Egor. "Drop your weapon."
A thin smile.
"If you want your pet alive."
Rage surged.
Hot.
Violent.
The lightning flared—
The blade pressed deeper.
A thin line of blood slid down Egor's neck.
The lightning vanished.
"The sword."
Egor cried out as he was jerked back.
The katana slipped from Klaus's hand.
He didn't calculate.
Didn't look for an opening.
Didn't try.
His hand just—
let go.
He couldn't risk it.
Not even one percent.
Not even a chance.
Two soldiers grabbed him from behind.
He didn't resist.
Once Klaus was bound, Egor was shoved away. Goral caught him, blood already running down his arm.
"If you want your lord alive—drop your weapons."
Goral didn't hesitate.
His sword hit the ground.
Lilith followed.
All three were forced to their knees.
"Much better."
The voice was familiar.
Abel stepped forward.
The whining boy was gone.
What stood in front of them now was something uglier.
Colder.
"Brother," Abel said, smiling. "Not so untouchable after all."
"Shut your mouth."
Klaus met his gaze.
Unblinking.
He hadn't seen this coming.
That mistake—
could cost everything.
"I heard about your little pet," Abel went on. "A nobody slave. Three circles added to his mark."
A tilt of the head.
"I thought it was a rumor."
A smirk.
"Turns out you really did drag something worthless up to your level."
"What do you want?" Klaus said. "Do you understand what happens to you for this?"
Abel laughed.
"A reward. Land. Power." He leaned closer. "Or maybe I just hate you."
Klaus saw it instantly.
The king's move.
Abel wasn't important.
He was disposable.
A tool.
And too stupid to see it.
"You're a fool," Klaus said quietly.
The kick came fast.
Hard.
It drove the air from his lungs—
but he didn't bend.
"You bastard!" Egor shouted.
A soldier slammed him from behind.
He hit the floor hard.
"How dare you speak!" the guard barked.
"Take off his helmet," Abel said. "I want to see him."
They dragged Egor up.
Ripped it away.
Egor glared at him.
Pure hatred.
"You attacked us," he said.
"Yes," Abel said lightly. "Because I knew he wouldn't let you die."
He pointed at Klaus.
"What did you do to him?"
A step closer.
"What made him throw away his pride just to save you?"
Egor lowered his head.
The words hit harder than any blow.
"Don't talk nonsense," Klaus cut in sharply. "If he were useless, would I keep him at my side?"
A faint smile.
"I choose carefully."
Abel's face twisted.
He struck him.
Hard.
Blood filled Klaus's mouth.
"You're still weak," Klaus said through it.
"Stop provoking him!" Egor shouted.
Another blow silenced him.
"I'll make you watch," Abel hissed. "I'll have them fuck him in front of you. Tear him apart. Then kill them all."
A whisper.
"And you? I'll break you slowly."
A smile.
"Right now—your life belongs to me."
Klaus looked straight at him—
and spoke past him.
"Goral."
The man straightened.
"You obey my orders. Without question."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then listen carefully."
A pause.
"Get them out."
Another.
"At any cost."
A beat.
"My room."
"Lilith—crush the amulet."
Abel frowned.
"Amulet?"
Klaus jerked his bound hands down.
Something small flew loose—
hit the floor—
rolled toward them.
"Now."
Lilith threw herself onto it.
It shouldn't have broken.
Too small.
Too solid.
But it cracked.
Lightning exploded.
White-blue arcs tore through the room.
Soldiers staggered.
Blinded.
Disoriented.
Goral didn't hesitate.
He threw himself into it.
The ropes smoked—
burned—
snapped.
His skin blistered.
He ignored it.
A sword—
a strike—
Lilith free—
The portal sphere shoved into her hands.
"Move!" he roared.
"Stop them!" Abel shouted. "Protect the prince!"
Too late.
Chaos had already broken the formation.
Goral grabbed Egor—
still bound—
threw him over his shoulder.
Lilith was already moving.
"One minute!" Klaus called.
The lightning wouldn't last.
"Go!"
They burst into the room.
The lightning died.
"After them!" Abel screamed.
The portal opened.
White light flooded the space.
Lilith jumped through.
Goral followed with Egor.
A soldier lunged—
and barely made it before the portal collapsed.
Silence.
Klaus exhaled.
Slow.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Mocking.
Abel's face twisted with rage.
He kicked him.
Once.
Twice.
Again—
until Klaus collapsed, coughing blood onto the stone.
"Take him," Abel said coldly.