Chapter 11
The night sky echoed with the sound of Eleos and Iceblade clashing violently. Both of them had charged at each other, hoping to finish the duel in a single strike, but their strengths were almost equal. Illaria, though completely serious about the fight, was enjoying it to the fullest. The feeling of battling as if your life were on the line was something beyond words.
While swinging his sword, Marcus said, “You are a good fighter, Princess, but I’m taking you down.”
Illaria replied, “Focus on the fight. Less talk—”
She hadn’t even finished her sentence when Marcus found an opening and struck. The blow hurt. He hadn’t held back.
Marcus said, “You leave too many openings, Princess.”
Illaria shot back, “You talk too much. Shut up.”
Marcus smirked. “A win is a win. Doesn’t matter if my sword skills do it or something else.” Illaria didn’t reply. He was probably trying to drag her into conversation. Their swords clashed again, and both of them flew back in opposite directions. They stood still for a moment, eyes locked, each trying to predict the other’s next move.
Marcus said, “Well, Princess, you are truly capable if you are forcing me to use this.” He jumped toward her. Her body moved instinctively to counter him. It was a clear, straightforward attack — nothing special, just the most basic strike.
What was he thinking?
Their swords clashed, and she countered easily. Then she noticed — he was holding his sword with only one hand. In the next instant, his other hand grabbed her right wrist.
And then something she never expected happened. An explosion burst at her wrist. Pain shot through her arm as she was sent flying backward. Eleos was thrown into the air.
If Marcus caught her sword, the fight would be over. They both knew she couldn’t defeat him without it. The moment she hit the ground, she pushed off hard and leaped upward, trying to reach Eleos first — but Marcus was closer. He would catch it before her. Just before he could grab it, Illaria ripped the golden brooch from her hair and hurled it toward her sword. It struck Eleos, deflecting its path just enough for her to barely catch it.
The fight paused for a moment.
Marcus said, “Smart move, Princess. You almost lost just now. Though you did lose your brooch.” All the female clothing and jewellery had been a liability since the start of the fight, but in the end, they had saved her.
Illaria said, “I didn’t know the Northern Prince uses Myrenn as well as Auren.” That move was not born from Auren but from Myrenn.
Marcus replied, “Impressive that you figured it out so quickly.”
Illaria said, “It was obvious. Spiritual energy flows within the body. If you force it out to create explosions, it would not only damage your body but cause unbearable pain. If that had been spiritual energy, you would be wincing right now, not smiling at me like an idiot.”
Marcus chuckled. “Good analysis.”
Illaria continued, “Why did you learn Myrenn? Just to pull off that little explosion? Your magic energy is developed, but spiritual energy is far superior and more destructive in real combat. Why waste time on something impractical?”
Marcus replied, “It isn’t impractical. I almost got you just now.”
Illaria said, “You only surprised me. Now that I know your trick, I won’t fall for it again.”
Marcus smiled. “Then why are you so curious? Want to know me better?”
This guy was unbearable. He was a complete test of her patience.
Illaria snapped, “I’m not curious. And since you’ve already used your special move, it’s my turn now. Be ready to hand that dagger over to me permanently.”
Marcus raised his sword again. “Let’s see.”
Illaria had a plan up her sleeve. It was a secret move she had been developing over the past years. In terms of fighting, it wasn’t anything extraordinary, but it worked more like a trap. Just like a spider weaving its web, she had to lay out the foundation first, and only then could she catch her prey. She had never really tested it before, but now was the time to give it everything she had.
Illaria moved swiftly from one point to another. The fight had resumed, and Marcus looked more focused than before. He was probably trying to figure out what she was planning, but her setup was almost complete. Just one more point remained. And just as she stepped onto that final point, something went terribly wrong. She was still wearing those uncomfortable sandals. They were never meant for combat. The last point was right at the edge of the ridge. Her ankle twisted — badly. She lost her balance.
She was falling. Down from the edge of the cliff.
During the fight, the distance between her and Marcus had not been much, but it was enough that even if he reacted quickly, he wouldn’t be able to reach her in time.
Was this really how her life would end?
Illaria closed her eyes and waited for death. Maybe in the next instant she would see her life flash before her eyes, just like people said happened before dying. Instead, she felt someone grab her by the wrist.
She opened her eyes and looked up.
Marcus was holding her by one hand, but his body was also suspended in the air along the ridge’s surface. He had leaped after her without hesitation. She could faintly see the hilt of Iceblade — it had pierced into the edge of the ridge, and Marcus was gripping her with one hand and the Iceblade with the other hand. Both of them were dangling on the edge of the cliff and if Marcus lost his hold on Iceblade, both of them would fall to their deaths. Their lives depended entirely on that sword staying lodged in the rock — and on Marcus not letting go either her or Iceblade.
Illaria said, “Are you crazy? Why did you jump like that?”
Marcus replied, “I hope your special move wasn’t falling to your death. What was I supposed to do — just watch you die?”
Illaria said, “Yes, it was my mistake. I deserve to fall. Why would you put your life in danger for me?”
Marcus snapped, “Don’t be stupid. Plans fail — that doesn’t mean you deserve to die. And if you did fall, what do you think I’d tell your father?”
Illaria suddenly felt something warm slide down her cheek. A drop of blood. She looked up again, more closely. Marcus was gripping not the hilt but the blade with his bare hand. Of course he was bleeding.
Illaria said, “You’re bleeding.”
Marcus replied, “Yeah, thanks for telling me something I didn’t know. But that’s not the problem right now. The real problem is I can’t hold on like this till morning. Even if I somehow manage to, I doubt anyone would find us up here before we fall.”
He took a deep breath. “Princess, grab my arm properly first. Then wrap your arms around my legs. That way I can free the hand holding you, and I’ll try to pull us both back up.”
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Illaria did exactly as he said. She now held onto his legs tightly. Her face was only a few centimetres away from the front of his knee, her arms locked around him with all her strength.
Marcus said, “Alright. I’m going to pull us up now.” He clasped Iceblade with both hands and tried to lift them. But as soon as he tried to pull them, they heard a loud cracking sound.
Illaria said, “Oh god… don’t tell me it’s what I think it is.”
Marcus replied, “I’m afraid it is. My sword has pierced the rock too deeply. The ground around it is cracking. If I put any more pressure on it, the ridge itself might break apart before we make it up.”
Illaria whispered, “And we’ll fall to our deaths.”
Marcus said quietly, “Yes. Unfortunately, I can’t move much right now. We’re in a very dangerous position.”
Illaria asked, “Do you have any ideas left?”
Marcus said, “Let me think.”
For a moment, there was complete silence. Both of them tried to come up with a way out. Illaria felt strangely calm now, but the situation was dire. The ridge could collapse at any second, and even Marcus’s strength had its limits. After a few moments, Marcus finally spoke.
“Princess, I have an idea. But it’s extremely risky. I doubt we can pull it off. If your father finds you missing tomorrow morning, how long will it take him to come looking for you here?”
Illaria replied, “Probably never. He doesn’t even know this place exists. I’ve always come here alone. What about your father? Would he guess you came here?”
Marcus said, “My father won’t even realize I’m missing until your father notices you are gone.”
Illaria said, “Then what’s your idea? Tell me. We don’t have another choice. You can’t hold that sword forever.”
Marcus said, “Alright, Princess. I know your foot is injured, but I’ll need you to perform something like a back-flip.”
Illaria blinked. “What?”
Marcus continued, “Think of it like this — when a rock is tied to a string and swung around, it rotates around the centre. First, lightly swing your body around my legs. Then, focus your spiritual energy on your feet and strike the ridge hard, so your body gains momentum and swings over.”
He took a breath and explained carefully, “You will be the rock, and I will be the string. You need to build enough momentum to flip yourself mid-air, cross over my entire body, and land on the flat ground. At the moment your body has rotated enough so that you fall towards the ground, I will let go of my sword. After that, it will depend entirely on your momentum to pull me over with you. Do you understand what I’m suggesting?”
Illaria replied quietly, “Yes, I do.”
But in her mind, she knew how dangerous this plan was.
If she didn’t push hard enough against the ridge, she wouldn’t gain sufficient momentum to swing her body. If she pushed too hard, the ridge might break instantly. While she tried to swing herself, Marcus would be the one bearing the real pressure. He would have to hold his position firmly, and if he applied too much force, the ridge could snap. If he applied too little, and let go of his sword before she had built enough momentum, they would fall to their deaths. And once Marcus released his sword, if she failed to pull him up — it would be the end of him.
They had only one chance.
Both of them carried equally dangerous roles.
Illaria said, “Fine. Let’s try your plan while we still have strength left. But remember, we only get one shot. Once I apply enough force, the ridge might crack completely. If we fail to break out of this position, we’re dead.”
Marcus replied, “Agreed. Let’s do it.”
Illaria wrapped her left arm tightly around his legs. She placed her right hand against the ridge and began channeling her energy. She moved slightly around his legs, but it wasn’t enough. Her body slowed and became still again within seconds. She tried again, this time with greater force. Her body swung upward — but she heard another ominous creak.
Marcus said quickly, “No, this won’t work. If you use this much strength, the ridge will break before you even get the chance to swing properly.”
Illaria replied, “Marcus, we need to shift back to our original position. I can’t swing well like this. And the farther I am from the centre, the easier it will be to build momentum. Then I can apply force without risking the ridge snapping immediately.”
Marcus fell silent for a moment. Illaria knew why.
If they held on to each other only by their hands, then yes — she could swing faster with less force. But that also meant the only point of contact between them would be their clasped hands. One weak, fragile connection. If either of them lost their grip, even for a second, Illaria might still manage to pull herself over — but Marcus would surely fall.
Prince Marcus’s life depended entirely on whether she could generate enough force to pull him up.
Illaria said softly, “I know it must be difficult for you to entrust your life to me like this.”
Marcus replied, “No, it’s not about that. Princess… if we do this, I have a request.”
Illaria asked, “What is it?”
Marcus said, “If I die, then quietly go back and pretend nothing happened.”
Illaria shook her head immediately. “No. If that happens, you will be dying because of me. I don’t deserve to live after that.”
Marcus frowned. “What kind of logic is that? Calm down. You do deserve to live. It wasn’t your fault — it was my decision to jump and save you. By your logic, then it’s your clothes and shoes that caused you to fall. And you didn’t even choose to wear them. So does that mean whoever forced you to wear them is also at fault?”
Illaria snapped, “Shut up. I won’t let you die.”
Marcus said quietly, “Yes, I know you won’t. But if I do… don’t take the blame. Pretend nothing happened. I don’t want a war breaking out between our kingdoms just because someone sprained her ankle during a fight. Take it as my dying wish.”
Illaria replied, “But that wouldn’t be right. Your family deserves to know how you died.”
Marcus said, “Sometimes, the right thing isn’t the best thing to do. Just promise me — if the worst happens, you won’t tell anyone.”
Illaria clenched her jaw. “Fine. I promise I won’t involve our kingdoms in this.”
Marcus nodded. “Good. Now… let’s change.”
He removed his right hand from the blade of his sword and extended it toward her. Illaria saw how badly it was bleeding. He had been gripping the bare blade for far too long — she should have expected this.
As she grasped his bloodied hand with her left hand, she wondered how much worse his other hand must be. Using their joined hands like a knot between two strings, she carefully lowered her body. She didn’t want to die — but more than that, she didn’t want Marcus to die because of her.
Illaria said, “I’m doing it. Are you ready?”
Marcus replied, “Yes.”
Illaria pushed herself lightly against the ridge and began to swing.
For a moment, there was no sound of cracking. She finally gained enough speed to bring her body to a right angle with his. The next time, she applied more force.
Crack.
But she still hadn’t managed to rotate well over.
Marcus said urgently, “Princess, the ridge—”
Illaria cut him off. “No. We’re going all out.”
The next time she landed, she pushed even harder with her feet. Another loud crack echoed through the night. The ridge could give way at any moment — but this time, she finally completed the full rotation.
Marcus shouted, “Princess, we’re going down—”
Illaria yelled back, “No! I won’t let us!”
At that moment, she tightened her grip on his hand even more. She could feel his blood soaking into her palm, but she refused to let go. As she swung downward, she pushed with everything she had left.
The ridge cracked.
But now she had rotated well past to land safely on the ground. The instant she crossed over him, Prince Marcus released his sword, and her momentum — just barely — was enough to pull him over with her.
They both crashed onto the ground with a loud thud.
Illaria lay flat on her back, staring up at the beautiful, star-filled sky with her pale grey eyes. Prince Marcus had landed on top of her. Their hands were still tightly clasped together, and she could feel his nose and lips pressed against her neck. What a beautiful night, Illaria thought.
On any other day, it would have been an unbearably embarrassing position. But right now, she was just grateful she hadn’t let go of his hand. She had saved them.
That brief moment of relief was followed by sharp pain.
She had hit the ground hard, and with Marcus’s extra weight on top of her, her back throbbed badly. Her legs ached, and the last move had forced her to expel too much energy from her feet. One of her ankles had already been sprained.
Illaria groaned, “Could you get off me? My whole body hurts… your weight is crushing me.”
Hearing her voice, Prince Marcus snapped back to reality. He lifted his head slightly, and their eyes met.
Illaria felt her ears turn red. What a sight it was — a strong, handsome, dark-eyed man right above her, and behind him, the vast night sky scattered with stars. She quickly turned her face away.
Marcus immediately shifted aside and said, “Oh—sorry! When I saw the ridge break, I thought we were dead, so I just closed my eyes and waited for whatever was going to happen.”
Illaria slowly sat up and said, “It’s fine. The important thing is… we survived.”