Family system-Chapter 203: Nowhere to go

The rebels stormed through the upper levels of the Arbiter’s castle, their boots thundering against polished marble floors as they cleared room after room. Each chamber they entered told the same story of luxury.

Lysara kicked open another door, her blades ready. Behind her, Kael followed, his sword drawn and eyes scanning the room for movement. The room was empty, save for a table covered in half-eaten delicacies and a bottle of wine still pouring into a crystal cup, suggesting a hasty departure.

"Empty," Lysara growled. She turned to Kael, her frustration evident. "Where are they?"

"They wouldn’t flee the castle," Kael said, though his voice wavered uncertainly. "They think themselves untouchable. They’d hole up somewhere."

From another room, a shout rang out. Amara emerged, dragging a trembling servant by the arm. The young woman, dressed in the plain garb of the castle staff, was pale and full of tears.

"This one might know something," Amara said, her tone cold as she pushed the servant forward.

The rebels gathered around as Kael stepped closer. He knelt slightly, his imposing frame towering over the terrified servant. "Where are the Arbiters?" he asked. "Tell us, and you might walk out of here alive."

The servant shook her head violently, her hands clutching her apron. "I-I don’t know, sir! Please, I just clean the chambers—"

Kael’s hand shot out, grabbing the woman’s arm to keep her from retreating. His grip wasn’t cruel, but it was firm enough to let her know there was no escape. "Think carefully," he said, his voice dropping lower. "You’re surrounded by people who have suffered under the Arbiters’ cruelty. They won’t be as patient as I am."

The servant’s eyes darted around, landing on Hana, who leaned against the doorway, her dagger glinting ominously in her hand. Finally, the servant broke down, her voice spilling out in a rush.

"They... they fled through the underground maze!" she cried. "There’s a passageway in the east wing—it leads down to the tunnels beneath the castle. That’s where they went. Please, I swear I don’t know more than that!"

The rebels exchanged glances. Kael released the servant, motioning for her to step back. "Go," he said, his voice flat. "And pray you’re telling the truth."

The servant didn’t wait for a second command. She bolted from the room, disappearing down the hall as fast as her legs could.

"So," Lysara said, twirling one of her blades. "They’ve scurried into the sewers like rats."

Hana pushed off the doorway. "We can’t let them escape. If they reach the harbor tunnels, they’ll have boats waiting for them."

Kael nodded. "Then we head for the east wing. If what she said is true, we might still catch them before they get too far ahead."

Lira and Amara joined them as the rebels regrouped; their expressions were grim. They moved quickly through the castle until they reached the east wing.

As they approached the entrance to the underground passage, they encountered a final cluster of guards. The battle was swift, the rebels cutting through their ranks with fury. When the last guard fell, Kael stood before the hidden door, its outline barely visible in the stone wall.

"Everyone ready?" he asked, turning to face the group.

Hana stepped forward, her dagger in hand. "Always."

Kael pushed the hidden panel, and the door creaked open, revealing a narrow staircase spiraling downward into the darkness. The rebels descended without hesitation, their determination burning brighter than ever. The hunt was on.

…

The Arbiters huddled together in the dimly lit chamber at the heart of the underground maze. The passageways twisted and turned like a labyrinth, designed to confuse and deter any pursuers. Despite their surroundings, the Arbiters were far from calm. Their once-lofty arrogance was gone and was replaced with desperation.

The central Arbiter paced back and forth, his heavy robes brushing the ground with every step. His face was a mask of barely contained fury, his jowls quivering with every muttered curse. The skeletal Arbiter stood nearby, his gaunt face pale as he fiddled nervously with a gilded amulet. The others whispered among themselves, their voices tinged with panic.

"Do you hear that?" one of them hissed, his eyes darting toward the darkened corridor that led to the surface. "Footsteps. They’re coming."

The central Arbiter silenced him with a glare. "Of course, they’re coming," he snapped. "They’re vermin. Persistent. Filthy. But they’ll find us ready."

"We’ve activated the traps," the skeletal Arbiter said, his voice thin and shaky. "And the sentinels are prepared. They’ll be sorely mistaken if they think they can breach our defenses down here."

The central Arbiter’s lip curled. "Mistaken? They’re fools to chase us into the depths. They’ll regret this foolish act they started."

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The sound of footsteps grew louder, the echoes reverberating through the stone tunnels. The Arbiters exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence weakening as the rebels’ approach became undeniable.

"They’re close," one of them whispered, their voice barely audible.

"Then we stand ready," the central Arbiter declared, straightening his shoulders. He turned to the skeletal Arbiter. "Unleash the first wave."

The skeletal Arbiter nodded and pressed his bony hand against a series of runes etched into the wall. A faint hum filled the air as dormant constructs concealed within the maze’s walls came to life. Their glowing eyes pierced the darkness as they moved into position, their crystalline limbs glinting in the dim light.

"Prepare yourselves," the central Arbiter said, his voice trembling with an attempt at authority. "The gods are on our side."

The Arbiters stood in silence as the first faint shadows of the rebels appeared at the far end of the corridor. Kael was at the forefront, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger. Behind him, Hana, Lysara, Amara, and the others moved with practiced precision, their weapons at the ready.

Kael’s instincts prickled as the corridor ahead seemed too quiet. His gaze flicked upward, and he saw the faint shimmer of mana runes activating along the walls and ceiling.

"Ambush!" Kael shouted, raising his sword as a cascade of mana-infused projectiles rained from above.

His warning came just in time. The rebels dove for cover as the projectiles struck the ground, sending bursts of light and energy rippling through the tunnel. Kael deflected a projectile aimed at a nearby rebel, the force of the impact reverberating through his blade.

The constructs emerged from the shadows, their crystalline forms glowing with deadly intent. They charged toward the rebels with precision, their sharp limbs and glowing cores radiating menace.

"Hold the line!" Kael bellowed, stepping forward to intercept the first construct. His blade slashed through its crystalline arm, sending shards scattering across the stone floor. Beside him, Lysara darted in, her twin blades spinning in a deadly dance as she targeted another construct’s joints.

Hana moved fast, her dagger flashing as she slipped through the chaos. She targeted the runes embedded in the walls, disabling the traps individually. "We’ve got to take out their defenses!" she called out.

Amara stood behind the line, her hands glowing as she sent waves of healing energy toward the rebels injured in the initial assault. Lira, her golden aura shimmering, fortified the fighters, their strikes growing sharper and their defenses stronger.

The fight was chaotic and brutal. The Arbiters watched from the safety of their position further down the corridor, their expressions ranging from satisfaction to thinly veiled fear.

"Is that all they have?" one Arbiter sneered, his bravado faltering as another construct fell to the rebels.

The central Arbiter’s scowl deepened. "No. We will crush them here. Send in the reserves. Bleed them dry."

…

The rebels stormed through the final defenses, fighting through desperate guards and collapsing constructs. Kael led the charge, his blade striking hard against the guards and constructs. Lysara and Hana moved beside him, cutting down any resistance that dared to stand in their way. Behind them, the rebels pushed forward, determined to see this fight end.

They reached a set of massive double doors. Without hesitation, Lysara and a group of fighters forced them open with a resounding crash. The chamber beyond was vast and dimly lit, but the rebels focused on the group at the far end: the Arbiters.

Clustered together, the Arbiters looked nothing like the untouchable rulers they had claimed to be. Their once-proud expressions were twisted with fear, their movements frantic and disorganized. The central Arbiter stepped forward, his staff raised defensively, his voice shaking as he shouted, "You dare violate this place? You have no right!"

Kael’s voice was cold and steady. "We have every right. Your reign ends here." Your next read is at novelbuddy

Before the central Arbiter could respond, he unleashed a bolt of energy from his staff. Kael moved quickly, deflecting it with his sword. The rebels advanced, weapons drawn, as the Arbiters scrambled to back away.

Hana’s blade flashed as she took down a guard who lunged forward in a last-ditch effort to protect his masters. Lysara’s twin swords danced in her hands, cutting through one another. The remaining guards hesitated, then fled, leaving the Arbiters completely exposed.

"You’ve run out of people to hide behind," Hana said, her voice low and dangerous. "Time to face what you’ve done."

The Arbiters, now cornered, could do nothing but tremble as the rebels closed in, their weapons raised and ready.