THE GOD OF WAR'S RETURN: ADRIAN'S SECOND CHANCE

Running in the Dark

The cell door creaked as it swung open.

Adrian stepped out first, his senses sharp. The air outside was damp and cold.

Kara put a finger to her lips. “No noise. Guards are everywhere.”

Kai swallowed. “No arguments here.”

They moved quickly, sticking to the shadows.

The stone corridor stretched ahead, lined with torches that flickered against the damp walls.

Adrian’s muscles were tense. Every step was a risk.

Kara moved with confidence, her steps light and silent.

Kai, however, was the opposite. His boots scuffed against the floor, and he nearly tripped on a loose stone.

Kara shot him a glare. Adrian grabbed his arm before he fell.

Kai whispered, “Sorry. Not all of us are trained assassins.”

Kara smirked but said nothing. She was too focused on the path ahead.

Adrian glanced behind them. No guards yet.

But that wouldn’t last.

The corridor split into two paths.

Kara stopped. “Left or right?”

Adrian didn’t hesitate. “Right.”

Kara hesitated. “Are you sure?”

Adrian’s jaw clenched. He knew this fortress.

He had memorized it long ago.

He nodded. “Right.”

They turned down the passage.

Then..footsteps.

Loud. Heavy. Coming fast.

Adrian’s heart slammed in his chest.

Kara whipped around. “They know we’re out.”

Kai groaned. “Great. Love that for us.”

Adrian pulled them into an alcove, pressing against the cold stone. The footsteps grew louder.

A group of guards marched past, swords clinking.

Kara’s hand hovered over the dagger at her waist. Adrian shook his head.

Not yet.

They held their breath.

The guards walked past.

Silence.

Adrian exhaled. Too close.

Kara looked at him. “We need to move. Fast.”

Adrian nodded. They ran.

They reached the end of the corridor. A heavy wooden door blocked their path.

Kara groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Kai pointed. “There’s a lock. Can you pick it?”

Kara was already pulling out her wire. “Give me a second.”

She crouched, working fast. The metal clicked and scraped.

Adrian listened. The fortress wasn’t quiet anymore.

Shouts echoed. Boots pounded against the floor.

Kai was fidgeting. “Uh, not to rush you, but..”

Kara growled. “Almost—”

Click.

The lock popped open.

Kara grinned. “I’m a genius.”

Adrian pushed the door open. They rushed inside.

They weren’t alone.

Inside, a single guard stood by the window.

He turned. Their eyes met.

For a second, no one moved.

Then the guard reached for his sword.

Adrian lunged.

His fist slammed into the guard’s jaw before he could shout.

The man staggered, but he wasn’t down.

Kara was already moving. She swiped his legs out from under him.

Kai kicked the sword away.

The guard groaned. Adrian grabbed him by the collar.

“Where’s the exit?”

The man spat blood. “You’ll never make it.”

Kara rolled her eyes. “Wrong answer.”

She slammed his head against the floor.

He went limp.

Kai winced. “Ouch.”

Adrian wasn’t paying attention. He saw it.

The window.

Their way out.

Kara followed his gaze. “Oh, no. No way.”

Kai frowned. “What?”

Adrian moved to the window. The drop was high.

Below, the river rushed fast and dark.

Kai’s eyes widened. “Oh, you’ve got to be joking.”

Adrian climbed onto the ledge. No time to debate.

Kara swore under her breath. “This is a bad idea.”

Adrian jumped.

Cold air rushed past him.

He hit the water hard, the icy current swallowing him whole.

Above, he heard Kai scream, “I HATE THIS.”

Splash.

Then Kara.

Splash.

The current dragged them under.

Adrian fought to surface.

His head broke through. He gasped.

Kara surfaced next, coughing.

Then Kai, spluttering. “I think I swallowed a fish.”

Adrian didn’t respond. They weren’t safe yet.

Killian would know they were gone.

And he wouldn’t stop hunting them.

Adrian’s eyes narrowed.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.