The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 265: Ch 264: Not Staying for Long - Part 2

Selene stood frozen, her heart pounding in her ears as the strange, smoke-shrouded entity took a single step forward.

Every instinct told her to run, but her legs wouldn’t move.

The air around it pulsed with energy, heavy and ancient, as if it didn’t belong in this world at all.

’Did I get caught by a tough opponent? What should I do? Should I try to knock him out as well and then try to run? Somehow, I don’t think I will be very successful if I do that.’

Her breath hitched. The voice in her head—the one that always had something to say—was silent for the first time in days.

She took a slow, cautious step back. The entity mirrored her with a step forward, not aggressive, but deliberate.

"What do you want?"

Selene asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The entity tilted its head, as if curious. Its voice was low and distorted, as though several people were speaking in unison from deep underwater.

"I came to check on something."

Selene furrowed her brows.

"Check on what?"

"You."

It said simply.

She didn’t know how to respond to that. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. She wanted to bolt past it and escape this place once and for all.

But she couldn’t.

Not yet.

"Are you going to leave?"

It asked.

Selene hesitated. Then nodded.

"Yes. As soon as I can."

The entity didn’t speak right away. It seemed to be thinking—or maybe listening to something only it could hear.

Finally, it said.

"I will help you."

Selene blinked.

"What?"

"I will help you leave."

Confusion twisted inside her.

"Why?"

"I don’t know. There’s something about you. Something... familiar. I’ve been here for a long time, and nothing has ever felt like this."

The entity’s voice grew softer.

Selene stared at the figure. Familiar? What did that mean?

"I don’t understand."

She said honestly.

"Neither do I. But I know I must help you. That much is clear."

It replied.

For a long moment, Selene simply stood there. Then, she took a breath and gave a small nod.

"All right. I’ll take the help."

She said.

The strange entity moved ahead of Selene with fluid, measured steps, the black smoke cloaking its form like a second skin.

As they approached the palace gates, Selene tensed, expecting the guards to spring into action, to shout or draw their weapons at the sight of her attempting to flee.

But nothing happened.

The guards stood at attention, eyes fixed ahead, bodies rigid—but unmoving. Almost like statues.

Selene glanced at the being walking beside her.

There was no fear in its posture, no hesitation.

Its very presence seemed to warp the air around it, commanding silent obedience. The guards didn’t even glance at her.

They reached the gates without a single word exchanged.

The entity raised one hand.

The towering metal gates creaked open with a low, resonant groan. Beyond them lay darkness and the unknown—freedom, maybe.

Or something worse.

"You can run straight forward. That’s the fastest way to leave this place."

The entity said, voice quiet but heavy.

Selene turned to him. She opened her mouth, paused, then said.

"Why don’t you come with me?"

The entity tilted its head again, as if her question confused it.

"I cannot."

"Why? If you can open the gate, you can walk through it."

She asked.

"It’s not a matter of power. It’s fate. My presence is bound here. I was never meant to leave."

It replied.

Selene frowned. The idea of leaving this strange, broken place behind should have thrilled her.

But instead, a sharp stab of guilt sat heavy in her chest. Whoever—or whatever—this being was, he had helped her without asking for anything in return.

"I’m sorry."

She said quietly.

The entity gave the faintest of nods.

"Run, outsider. While you still can."

Selene didn’t wait. She sprinted forward, boots thudding softly against the stone path, then into the undergrowth.

The castle faded behind her, its haunting walls swallowed by the trees.

Once she was far enough, and the air grew clearer around her, the voice returned.

[What are you doing? Are you truly running? What about your destiny?]

It asked, tone coiled in annoyance.

"Shut up! You don’t get to decide that."

Selene muttered, breathless.

[You’re making a mistake. You were meant to take control, not run.]

"I’ll decide what I’m meant to do."

She pressed her palm against a tree trunk, catching her breath.

The truth was, she didn’t know what she was doing.

This dungeon—if it could even be called that—was unlike anything she’d ever encountered. There were no clear objectives, no monsters to slay, no end-boss to defeat.

Just layers of manipulation, ancient power, and a prince who smiled too easily.

There was no way she’d clear it through conventional means. freeweɓnovel.cøm

Which meant her only option was to find the exit. If there even was one.

She started moving again, keeping to the shadows.

The forest thickened, but Selene moved quietly, following instinct more than any real plan. Her mind raced with what she’d seen and felt.

That entity... What was it, really? And what did it mean by saying she was familiar?

Before she could dwell on it longer, she heard voices. Footsteps—fast and close. Selene ducked behind the nearest tree, crouching low.

A patrol passed, two guards in polished uniforms grumbling between themselves.

"I swear, this is a waste of our time."

one said.

"Right? Why are we even chasing some runaway brat? She’s not even important."

"Prince Atticus has his moods. You know how he gets when something slips from his control."

They passed without noticing her, heading deeper into the woods.

Selene waited until the last trace of their footsteps faded, then stood again. Her jaw tightened.

So they were searching for her. That meant she needed to move faster.

She adjusted her grip on the knife hidden beneath her jacket and took off again—this time deeper into the forest, further from the palace, and hopefully... closer to the truth.