The Fool’s Ascension

The darkness swallowed them.

Jarek could barely see a foot in front of him as they moved deeper into the winding tunnel. The only sounds were their ragged breathing and the fading shouts of Caden's assassins behind the locked gate.

They had escaped. For now.

Tobias groaned, rubbing his shoulder. "I hate running."

Sylva glanced back at him. "Would you prefer dying?"

Tobias sighed. "I'd prefer a warm bath and a large drink."

Jarek chuckled despite himself. "Maybe after we're not being hunted like wild animals."

The tunnel sloped upward. The stale, musty air slowly shifted, becoming cooler, fresher. They were getting close to an exit.

Jarek's body screamed for rest, but he forced himself forward. No stopping now.

Sylva moved ahead, silent as a shadow. "We're heading toward the old quarry," she murmured. "If we're lucky, we can get out before Caden's men find another way down."

Jarek glanced at her. "And if we're not lucky?"

Sylva didn't answer.

Tobias sighed. "I don't like that silence."

The Quarry

Minutes later, the tunnel widened into a massive cavern.

Jarek squinted as they emerged into dim moonlight, filtering in from cracks in the rocky ceiling.

The cavern opened into a vast, abandoned quarry, the remains of an old mining operation. Rusted carts, broken scaffolding, and collapsed structures littered the area. Large pools of stagnant water dotted the ground, reflecting the faint light from above.

And, most importantly—

Jarek's eyes locked onto a wooden bridge spanning a deep chasm ahead.

"That leads to the surface," Sylva said. "Once we cross, we'll be near the old trade roads."

Tobias whistled. "Then let's—"

He stopped.

Jarek followed his gaze and cursed.

Figures emerged from the shadows around the quarry.

Dozens of them.

Caden's assassins.

Jarek's grip tightened on his sword. "Damn it. How did they get here so fast?"

Sylva's eyes flicked across the battlefield. "They must've known about this exit."

Tobias groaned. "Of course they did."

Then—

A familiar voice rang out.

"Going somewhere, Thorn?"

Caden stepped forward from the crowd, calm as ever.

Jarek exhaled slowly. "Caden. You just don't give up, do you?"

Caden smirked. "And you just don't know when to stop running."

Jarek rolled his shoulders. "Well, in my defense, I enjoy being alive."

Caden sighed. "You can't win this fight, Thorn." He gestured to the bridge behind him, the only path forward. "You won't reach the surface."

Jarek glanced at the bridge, then back at the assassins. They were surrounded.

But Jarek had gotten out of worse situations.

Probably.

Tobias whispered, "We can't fight them all."

Sylva nodded. "We have to get across that bridge."

Jarek took a deep breath. Then, suddenly, he grinned.

Tobias groaned. "Oh no. That's your stupid plan face."

Jarek winked. "Tobias, do me a favor?"

Tobias sighed. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really." Jarek gestured at the rusted minecarts nearby. "See those?"

Tobias followed his gaze. His eyes widened. "Oh, gods. You're serious."

Jarek turned to Sylva. "How sturdy is that bridge?"

Sylva hesitated, then frowned. "…Sturdy enough."

Jarek smirked. "Good."

Then he turned to Caden. "You want me so bad?" He raised his arms. "Come and get me."

Caden's eyes narrowed. "Kill them."

The assassins charged.

Jarek sprinted toward the minecarts.

A Fool's Plan

Jarek reached the rusted carts and shoved one onto the old tracks leading toward the bridge.

Tobias cursed. "I hate this plan."

"Then you'll hate this part even more," Jarek said. "Get in."

Tobias stared at him. "WHAT?"

Jarek grinned. "It's like a really fast horse, except made of metal and probably unsafe."

Tobias groaned but jumped in.

Sylva, to Jarek's surprise, didn't argue. She simply climbed into the cart beside Tobias, her face unreadable.

Jarek turned back toward the oncoming assassins. "Alright, Caden." He shoved the cart forward.

Then he jumped in after it.

The cart lurched forward, the rusted wheels screeching against the tracks.

Momentum carried them downhill, straight toward the bridge.

Jarek braced himself.

Behind them, Caden's men scrambled to catch up. Too late.

The cart raced forward, barreling toward the bridge at dangerous speed.

Tobias was yelling.

Sylva remained silent.

Jarek?

Laughing.

Because this was absolutely stupid.

And he loved it.

The Bridge Gamble

The cart hit the bridge.

Jarek felt the wood shudder beneath them.

The bridge was old. Too old.

As the cart rushed across, cracks formed in the planks.

Sylva's eyes widened. "This bridge won't hold much longer."

Jarek grinned. "Perfect."

Tobias gaped at him. "How is that perfect?!"

Jarek twisted in his seat, glancing back at Caden's men.

They were rushing onto the bridge.

Too many at once.

Jarek smirked.

The moment their cart reached the far side, he grabbed a discarded sword from the ground—

And hurled it back at the bridge.

The blade struck a weakened plank.

With a loud crack, the bridge collapsed.

Caden's men barely had time to yell before the wood gave way, sending them plunging into the chasm below.

Jarek dusted himself off. "Well. That worked."

Tobias slumped over. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Sylva stood, watching as Caden himself barely managed to stop before falling.

Caden looked up, his gaze locking onto Jarek's.

Jarek grinned. "Told you I'd get across."

Caden's eyes darkened. "This isn't over, Thorn."

Jarek saluted. "Looking forward to the sequel."

Then he turned away, heading toward the distant glow of the trade roads ahead.

Their next move awaited.