CHAPTER 43
**SOPHIA**
I blink at the sound of the humans' screams outside, the noise growing louder and more desperate.
"They're going to kill people, Adam. I can't watch them die...", my voice is a trembling whisper, and tears begin to form in my eyes.
The thought of my mother in the human village rushes through my mind. I feel a pain in my chest as I imagine what might be happening to her, but I know I can't leave the castle ever again.
Adam tightens his grip on my arm, and I can sense his panic and urgency.
"What are you doing?", I ask, trying to understand what's happening.
"I need to take you somewhere safe, Sophia.", Adam says, his voice resolute as he grips his sword firmly. The metal gleams menacingly in the dim light of the hallway.
"Did the prince ask you to do this?", my voice is low and filled with doubt.
"I would do it anyway, Sophia. My job is also to protect you.", Adam replies, and I can feel the sincerity in his words.
The fear inside me grows, but I also feel a small spark of hope, knowing he's here to protect me.
He leads me out of the room, and we walk quickly through the castle's corridors.
The sound of hurried footsteps and screams echoes around us. The guards are on high alert, and I see the tension and despair on their faces as they rush to confront the invasion. My heart races even more at the thought of what is happening beyond these walls.
The sound of a bell rings through the castle, and Adam grips my arm tighter, as if trying to keep me as close as possible.
"What’s happening now?", I ask, my tone filled with rising panic.
"The castle is being invaded. The humans have made it through the gates.", Adam replies, and the gravity of his words makes my eyes widen.
Shock and worry take over me, and I feel a wave of despair. The reality of what is happening outside hits hard.
Our path is interrupted by more guards running through the corridor, and Adam guides us through an alternate route away from the commotion.
The castle seems to be in complete chaos, and the sense of urgency is almost unbearable. Every step we take is filled with palpable tension, and the fear of being captured or hurt grows inside me.
"Adam, where are we going?", I ask, my voice full of anxiety.
"Why can't we just go to a safe place inside the castle?"
"There are safe areas in the castle, but we need to reach them before the humans fully invade.", Adam replies, his voice calm, though I can sense the underlying worry.
"My goal is to ensure you're protected until we can sort this out."
The run through the corridor feels endless, and with every corner we turn, I feel a new wave of panic.
The castle is in a complete state of alert, and the screams and noises grow in intensity. It’s as if the chaos is spreading to every corner, and I feel completely powerless.
"I need to know my mother is okay. How can I stay here without knowing if she's safe?", my voice is a distressed lament, and Adam looks at me with an expression of empathy and concern.
"Sophia, I’ll do everything I can to ensure your safety first. We can't risk your life right now.", Adam says, his voice firm and full of determination.
"If there's a chance we can find a way to help her, we’ll do so as soon as we get through this."
His words offer a small comfort, but the fear of not knowing what’s happening to my mother lingers.
The path through the castle seems to be getting more complicated, and with every step we take, the sound of the human attacks grows closer.
I feel a rising sense of claustrophobia and despair.
Finally, we reach a safe room, an area that seems to be a temporary refuge from the chaos happening outside.
Adam closes the door behind us with a sigh of relief, and I lean against the wall, exhausted and emotional.
"We’re safe here for now. I need you to stay calm and wait here until we can assess the situation.", Adam says, trying to calm the situation.
I notice that Adam is keeping a watchful eye, always alert for any sign of danger.
He moves quickly around the room, checking windows and doors to ensure we’re truly safe.
I feel a little calmer, but the fear and worry about my mother still haunt me.
"Adam, what’s going to happen now?", I ask, my voice still trembling.
"First, we need to make sure everyone is safe and that the castle is defended. Then, we’ll see how we can help those in need. Your safety is my priority, but we’ll also do what we can to deal with the situation outside.", Adam replies, his eyes fixed on the door.
The promise that we’ll do everything we can to help, even after the crisis, offers a small relief.
The chaos outside is a constant reminder, but for now, we are safe in this room.
I hope the situation improves and that eventually we can find a way to resolve all of this.
The air inside the room is thick, almost suffocating, and the only thing I can hear besides the screams and chaos outside is the sound of my own heart pounding in my chest.
I try to calm myself, knowing I need to keep a clear head if we want to get out of this situation alive.
The room we’re in was designed to protect the castle's inhabitants during times of danger, but now, as I look at the small window, I can’t shake the feeling that the protection these walls offer won’t be enough.
The smell of smoke invades the room, strong and pungent, burning my nostrils.
It’s a smell that reminds me of destruction, that makes me think of the lives being lost outside.
I blink repeatedly, trying to push away the image of the humans rushing into the castle.
They’re fighting, desperate to invade and defeat their oppressors, but I know many won’t survive.
It’s a night of blood, a night of death.