Caius stared at the woman in front of him, his breath still ragged from the chase. She looked about his age, maybe a year older, with dark hair pulled back into a loose braid and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through him. The bow in her hands glowed faintly, its runes pulsing as she knocked another arrow.
She didn't trust him. That much was clear.
Selene's gaze flickered toward Garran. "Tell me this isn't a mistake."
Garran sheathed his sword. "We don't have time for this."
Selene scoffed. "That's funny, considering who we're dealing with."
Caius bristled. "I'm standing right here, you know."
She raised an eyebrow. "And? You expect a hero's welcome?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. "You're just a name to most of us. A ghost. Now, all of a sudden, the 'lost prince' shows up with time magic? Convenient."
Caius clenched his jaw. "I didn't ask for any of this."
"Neither did the people who died when Evernight fell."
Silence hung between them, thick and heavy.
Garran stepped between them, his tone firm. "We can argue later. The Hollow Knights won't stay down for long."
Selene exhaled through her nose, then nodded. "Follow me."
Without another word, she turned and sprinted through the ruins. Garran motioned for Caius to follow.
They ran through the crumbling remains of Evernight, darting through alleyways and collapsed buildings. Caius had spent years navigating these streets, but never like this—never with a purpose beyond survival.
After several minutes, they reached a seemingly abandoned watchtower near the outskirts of the city. Selene knocked twice against the stone wall in a specific rhythm. A heartbeat later, a hidden door swung open.
Caius barely had time to process it before Selene grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.
The hidden passage led to an underground chamber, dimly lit by enchanted lanterns.
Caius's breath caught. There were people here—dozens. Armed rebels, hushed voices, a table scattered with maps and weapons.
A resistance.
And they were all staring at him.
A burly man with graying hair stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "So. This is the prince."
Selene crossed her arms. "So he claims."
Garran shot her a look before addressing the older man. "Elias, we don't have time for doubt. The Hollow Legion is closing in."
Elias studied Caius for a long moment before speaking. "Then let's hope this 'Timeborn' of yours is worth the risk."
Caius exhaled slowly. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room.
For years, he had been running.
Now, for the first time—he had nowhere left to run.