The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 264: Ch 263: Not Staying for Long - Part 1

The captured soldier led Ethan and the others through the dense trees until the forest gave way to something completely unexpected—gleaming towers, smooth metallic roads, floating vehicles, and strange devices that buzzed with energy.

The skyline sparkled with artificial lights, and automated drones zipped through the air, projecting bright beams onto the path ahead.

Everyone stopped for a beat.

"Okay! That’s... not what I expected. What the heck is this place?"

Noah muttered, blinking in disbelief.

Orion let out a low whistle.

"It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie."

Nora kept her composure, but even she looked a little thrown off.

"This place... it’s beyond anything we’ve seen before."

Only Ethan remained impassive.

His eyes swept across the sprawling city, noting strategic points, potential exits, and security patrols with silent efficiency.

They continued forward, trailing behind the soldier as he moved through the city with quick, practiced steps.

People walked past in sleek uniforms, barely glancing at the newcomers.

The group threw questions at the soldier—asking about the place, the tech, the strange architecture—but the man either remained silent or responded in clipped, dismissive tones.

Zara eventually had enough.

"He’s not telling us anything. This city’s way too big for us to search blindly. There has to be a better way to find Selene."

She growled, rubbing her forehead.

Noah nodded.

"Tracking system’s dead. It’s like something’s jamming it."

The soldier paused. He glanced at them over his shoulder.

"Are you talking about... the other one? The one who appeared out of thin air?"

Noah’s reaction was immediate. He stepped forward and grabbed the man’s shoulder tightly.

"What did you just say?"

The soldier tensed, but quickly regained his composure.

"I don’t know anything."

He said evenly, eyes darting toward Ethan. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

But it was already too late.

Nora stepped up, her expression unreadable.

"Give me five minutes. I’ll get the truth out of him."

Ethan raised a hand to stop her.

"No need. I already know where Selene is."

He said, his voice calm.

Everyone turned to look at him.

Zara frowned.

"You do?"

Ethan nodded.

"If they’re this hesitant, if this guy suddenly clammed up the second we mentioned someone appearing out of nowhere... there’s only one place they’d hide someone important."

He turned his eyes toward the highest structure in the city, a sleek tower that glowed faintly under the setting sun.

"The royal palace."

He said flatly.

The soldier immediately shook his head.

"No. That’s—"

"Don’t bother. Your face already gave it away."

Orion cut in.

The soldier stayed quiet after that, knowing there was no point denying it further.

______

Back at the palace, Selene sat at the long dining table, surrounded by unfamiliar dishes she had no intention of eating.

The food looked extravagant, each plate styled with artistic precision—but it meant nothing to her.

She could feel the eyes.

Atticus, the ever-smiling young prince, played the role of host with unsettling ease.

"I had the chefs prepare a selection of our finest dishes. I hope you’ll try at least a few."

He said.

Selene gave him a polite smile, poking at the food with her fork but never bringing any of it to her mouth.

She kept her movements subtle, making it look like she was participating.

Julie noticed, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly, but thankfully she didn’t comment.

Atticus leaned forward slightly.

"You’ve been with us for a few days now. Have you come to like anyone in our palace?"

He said.

Selene stiffened at the question.

"I’m... still adjusting."

She replied, forcing a neutral tone.

"Oh? What are your plans, then? Surely you must have thought of something."

Atticus tilted his head.

Selene offered a vague shrug.

"I’m just taking it one day at a time."

The moment dinner ended, Selene stood.

"Thank you for the meal. I think I’ll rest early tonight."

As she walked away, she could feel the weight of his gaze drilling into the back of her head. Julie said nothing, but Selene caught the flicker of disapproval in her eyes.

Outside the hall, two guards quietly fell in behind her. She didn’t turn to look at them.

"I’d prefer to walk alone. No need to follow."

She said over her shoulder.

They said nothing, but slowed their steps.

Selene kept walking. She could still feel them—trailing her from a safe distance, watching.

It didn’t matter how quiet they were. She could feel their presence, always lingering just behind her like shadows she couldn’t shake.

She didn’t stop.

After all, she wouldn’t let herself be watched forever.

Selene kept her pace steady, not too fast, not too slow, pretending to casually stroll down one of the quieter palace corridors.

The guards trailed her at a respectable distance, still thinking she hadn’t noticed.

As soon as she turned the corner, she pressed herself against the wall, silent and still. Her breathing slowed, every sense sharpened.

One set of footsteps rounded the corner.

’Got you.’

Before the guard could react, Selene lunged. She grabbed him by the collar, yanked him off balance, and drove her knee into his gut.

The breath left him in a grunt, and before he could recover, she struck the side of his neck with a precise blow.

He collapsed, unconscious before he hit the floor.

Selene crouched beside him, checking for any communication devices. Nothing. He hadn’t even expected her to fight back.

She stood, scanning the hall. No alarms. No second pair of steps. Her instincts told her she wasn’t being followed.

Good.

Selene ran.

She darted through unfamiliar halls, weaving through paths she hadn’t taken before, searching for an exit. She didn’t care where it led, as long as it was away.

But the moment she reached the courtyard, she froze.

It was there again.

The dark, smoke-shrouded entity stood in her path. Silent. Still. Watching.

Selene’s breath caught in her throat. The air around her thickened.

She took a cautious step back, every instinct screaming.

But it didn’t move.

Just stood there, like it had been waiting.