Fallen General's Omega (BL)
Chapter 143: Escape

Chapter 143: Escape

Ben doesn’t hesitate, his strong arms holding tight to Noelle, who thrashes and screams, his voice breaking with raw, helpless grief. The night is filled with Noelle’s cries, each one echoing in the darkness and carving deeper wounds into the heart of anyone who hears. Ben’s face is set, jaw clenched with the weight of sorrow and duty. Tears glisten in his eyes, but he does not stop. He cannot stop. Every step forward is a step away from the horrors they are leaving behind, but also a step away from Doris, from a loved one left to fight alone.

Mona stumbles, her small legs unable to keep up, but Ben doesn’t falter. He sweeps her into his other arm, her tiny hands clutching desperately around a fragile bird, holding on as though it’s the only thing grounding her in this nightmare. Her face is pale, eyes wide with fear, yet she doesn’t make a sound. Only her shaking hands betray the terror she feels.

As they flee, Noelle’s journal slips from his fingers, pages fluttering in the cold wind before it lands on the ground, forgotten in their desperate escape. Ben sees it fall, but he doesn’t dare stop. He knows that even a moment of hesitation could mean the difference between life and death. With Mona clutched to his chest and Noelle held tight, he pushes forward, each stride a prayer for safety and mercy.

They finally reach the carriage waiting for them, the driver’s face grim and urgent. With a heavy heart and burning lungs, Ben places Noelle and Mona inside, his hands trembling as he urges the driver to go. The wheels begin to creak and roll, carrying them away from the crumbling sanctuary of their past life.

But the reprieve is short-lived. As they ride through the night, seeking refuge at Elaris’ church on the outskirts of the capital, a shadow moves in the darkness. A man with cold eyes and an even colder heart arrives at the church they just departed. His orders come like a death sentence, echoing through the crisp air. "Burn it to the ground. Leave no one alive," he commands. His men scatter, torches blazing and swords ready to spill innocent blood.

The flames soon crackle and roar, devouring the holy sanctuary. The night is filled with the screams of priestesses, cries of terror and agony swallowed by the fire and the unforgiving darkness.

Unaware of this fresh wave of violence, Ben holds Noelle and Mona close, their fragile, precious lives resting in his hands as the carriage races on. Their world has been shattered, and behind them, a trail of heartbreak and loss is left in the shadows.

*

"Are you heading to Vitra?" Noelle asked, his voice soft but carrying a note of urgency. His grip on Mona’s small hand tightened, the little girl pressing closer to his side, her wide eyes scanning the bustling docks with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

The merchant, a broad-shouldered man with a weathered face and a deep scowl, looked down at them with a sneer. His gaze traveled over Noelle and then to Mona, her hand clutching a small stuffed bird she hadn’t let go of since they fled. His dismissal was swift. "Yes, but I’m not running a passenger ship," he replied brusquely, already turning away, uninterested in the desperate pair before him.

Noelle swallowed hard, his heart pounding with the weight of urgency. He was exhausted, clothes dirty and travel-worn, but he straightened his spine, meeting the merchant’s gaze with a strength he barely felt. "Please," he whispered, his voice cracking.

"My sister and I have to leave. It’s... it’s important." His eyes shone with a quiet plea, a vulnerability he tried to suppress but couldn’t quite hide. For a moment, a flicker of emotion crossed the merchant’s face—maybe pity, maybe annoyance—but he sighed heavily.

"Fine," the merchant relented, waving his hand dismissively. "Stay out of the way and don’t cause any trouble." Relief washed over Noelle, and he murmured his thanks, clutching Mona’s hand even tighter as they made their way aboard.

The ship creaked and groaned, men and women rushing to prepare for departure. The smell of salt and fish mingled with the cool breeze coming off the water, but Noelle could barely register it. Ben had already taken his place as a temporary worker, his large frame moving crates with ease. When he spotted Noelle and Mona, his face softened with visible relief, but he didn’t approach, staying focused to keep from drawing suspicion.

As the final preparations were made, the merchant slipped away from the ship to a shadowy alley nearby. There, a man dressed in a dark cloak waited, half-hidden in the gloom. His face was partially obscured, but a cruel smile tugged at his lips as he handed the merchant a small velvet bag. It clinked with the sound of gold coins, and the merchant accepted it with greedy fingers.

"You’ve done well," the mysterious man said, his voice smooth and chilling. The same man who had orchestrated the attack on Elaris’ church, the one who had mercilessly ordered the slaughter of innocent priestesses. The merchant’s eyes flickered with guilt, but the weight of the gold in his hand quickly buried any lingering hesitation.

"Just make sure they don’t suspect a thing," the man continued, a sinister edge to his words. "And remember, this isn’t the end." The merchant nodded, his throat dry as he pocketed the coins. With a final, fearful glance at the man, he turned back toward the ship, the weight of betrayal heavy on his shoulders.

Unaware of the danger that still lurked nearby, Noelle held Mona close, whispering soothing words to keep her calm as the ship’s sails unfurled.

Noelle stood at the edge of the deck, the wind tugging at his loose hair, sending strands dancing around his face. The dock slowly faded from view, the kingdom he once called home shrinking into the distance, consumed by mist and memory. He held Mona’s hand tightly, her small fingers wrapped around his own, while she clutched the bird in the other, it seems to know the severity of the situation because the normally mischievous bird is silent except for a few coos.

Noelle’s mind drifted to the message he had left at Elaris’ church. A simple note, hurriedly scrawled, but one he hoped would reach Thorne in time. It held only the essentials, enough for his husband to follow them to Vitra. They had always planned to start anew in the neighboring kingdom, but now that plan has just been fast forwarded.

Still, if he had the chance to turn back time, to do it all over again, Noelle knew he wouldn’t change a thing. He’d still defend himself, still fight back against the crown prince, because the thought of letting someone else’s hands touch him filled him with a rage that burned brighter than any flame. He would rather die than surrender to that kind of violation. It was a choice he’d make over and over, no matter the consequences.

A gentle breeze carried with it the scent of the sea, momentarily clearing his mind. But a quiet, protective instinct kept him grounded, and Noelle’s hand drifted to his stomach, pressing lightly against the gentle curve beneath his clothes. His heart softened, a small smile flickering across his lips despite the chaos surrounding them.

He let out a soft, wry laugh, imagining the moment Thorne discovered what had happened. His fierce, loyal, and yes, a littleunhinged husband would undoubtedly wreak havoc upon the crown prince. Noelle could almost picture the fury in Thorne’s eyes, the storm he’d unleash without hesitation. The image warmed Noelle’s heart, giving him strength as he held onto the promise of their reunion.