Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 486: Escaping

The moment Patrick’s signal came, everything shifted from careful planning to immediate execution, and Lucas did not hesitate for even a second as he moved toward the storage building where Sage Raph was held, while Darmian broke off in perfect sync, their actions swift but controlled, every movement precise to avoid drawing even the slightest attention. The door opened just enough for Darmian to slip inside, and once he was in, he wasted no time as he crossed the short distance to Sage Raph, his expression tightening at the sight of the frail man, but there was no room for reaction, only action.

He crouched quickly, his hands moving with quiet efficiency as he worked on the restraints and the reinforced lock, applying just enough force and technique to break it without creating noise, the faint sound barely more than a soft crack in the still air, and within seconds, the barrier gave way. Darmian immediately reached forward, supporting Sage Raph’s weakened body as he lifted him into a seated position, his voice low and urgent as he whispered, "Stay with me, we’re getting you out," though there was no response, only the faint rise and fall of the man’s chest confirming he was still alive.

At the same time, Lucas had already entered the adjacent storage room, his movements just as swift, just as controlled, and the moment the door closed behind him, Lady Isabelle moved without restraint, crossing the space between them in an instant and throwing her arms around him. The sudden contact caught him for a fraction of a second, her grip tight, her body trembling slightly as the relief she had been holding back finally broke through, and for that brief moment, everything else faded.

But only for that moment.

Lucas’ expression tightened almost immediately as reality snapped back into place, and though his hand came up instinctively to steady her, he did not allow the moment to linger as he said in a low but firm voice, "We don’t have time," his tone not cold, but urgent, grounded in the danger surrounding them. He gently but decisively broke the embrace, his eyes meeting hers as he added, "We move now."

Lady Isabelle nodded quickly, her emotions still visible but already being pushed aside as she forced herself back into focus, her voice steady despite everything as she replied, "I understand," and without another word, she turned and moved with him, stepping out of the room as they regrouped with Darmian.

The moment she saw Sage Raph’s condition, her expression shifted, concern flashing across her face, but she did not waste time questioning it as she immediately moved to Darmian’s side, helping him support the weakened man, adjusting his weight so they could carry him more efficiently. Darmian gave her a brief nod of acknowledgment as he said quietly, "He can’t walk, we’ll have to carry him all the way," and Lucas responded, "Then we move faster, not slower."

Outside, Patrick had already positioned himself ahead, his role now more critical than ever as he scanned the path forward, his posture still that of a commanding guard, but his eyes constantly moving, tracking patrol routes, identifying openings, and anticipating potential threats before they even appeared. He did not look back, but his hand moved subtly at his side, signaling when the path was clear, when to move, when to pause.

Lucas caught the signal instantly and gave a slight nod, prompting Darmian and Lady Isabelle to follow as they began moving in formation, their pace controlled but urgent, blending into the environment as much as possible despite now carrying an unconscious man between them. Every step was measured, every turn deliberate, and the tension in the air was suffocating, because now, more than ever, one mistake would not just expose them, it would end everything.

Patrick raised his hand slightly again, signaling a brief halt as a group of guards passed ahead, their voices low as they spoke among themselves, unaware of what was unfolding just meters away, and once they were clear, his hand dropped subtly, signaling them forward again.

No words were exchanged.

Only movement and signals.

And the fragile hope that they would make it out before the illusion shattered.

They moved with controlled urgency, following Patrick’s lead as he guided them through the thinning paths of the compound, each step bringing them closer to the outer edge where the fencing marked the boundary between captivity and escape, and despite the tension tightening around them, they maintained their composure, their movements still measured enough to avoid drawing suspicion from any passing guards. Darmian and Lady Isabelle supported Sage Raph between them, adjusting their grip when needed but never slowing, while Lucas stayed close, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, watching for any sudden shifts that could signal danger.

Patrick slowed slightly as they approached the section of the fence he had identified earlier, one positioned near a less active corner of the compound where patrol presence was minimal and visibility from the main paths was limited, and just beyond it, as planned, lay a narrow alley that would give them immediate cover the moment they crossed over. He raised his hand subtly, signaling them to stop for a brief moment as he checked the area one last time, his gaze sweeping left, then right, ensuring no guards were approaching from either direction.

After a second, he gave a short motion forward.

Clear.

Lucas nodded faintly, his voice low but firm as he said, "This is it, we go over and don’t stop moving," and Darmian responded with a quiet, "Got it," while Lady Isabelle tightened her hold on Sage Raph, her expression set with determination despite the strain.

They moved.

Patrick went first, stepping up to the fence and using the structure to pull himself over with practiced ease, landing silently on the other side in the narrow alley, his body immediately lowering into a guarded stance as he checked their landing zone. Lucas followed next, his movements swift and fluid as he vaulted over, landing without a sound before turning slightly to assist from below, his eyes already scanning the alley for threats.

Darmian and Lady Isabelle came next, working together to maneuver Sage Raph over the fence, the process slightly slower due to his condition, but still controlled, still careful, and just as they were about to clear the top...A sharp, piercing sound tore through the air.

An alarm.

Loud.

Relentless.

"Prisoners have escaped, secure the compound," a voice echoed in the distance, followed by the sudden surge of movement as guards reacted almost instantly, the calm order of the compound collapsing into urgency and chaos.

Lucas’ eyes sharpened immediately as he hissed under his breath, "Move, now," his tone leaving no room for hesitation, and Patrick, already on the other side, raised his hand sharply, signaling urgency as he said in a low but pressing voice, "Drop him, I’ve got him," stepping forward to help pull Sage Raph the rest of the way over.

Darmian wasted no time, pushing Sage Raph forward as Patrick grabbed hold and brought him down safely into the alley, while Lady Isabelle followed right after, dropping down with less grace but no less determination, and Lucas came over last, landing quickly before turning back for a brief second to ensure no one had seen them directly.

Voices were already getting closer.

Footsteps.

Shouts.

"Search the perimeter, no one leaves," another voice barked from within the compound.

Lucas stepped forward immediately, his voice low and urgent as he said, "We don’t stop here, we keep moving," and Patrick nodded, already shifting to take the lead once again as he signaled the direction down the alley.

Driven by the knowledge that they were only seconds ahead of being discovered, because now, the entire compound was on alert, and the margin for error had completely disappeared.

The moment the alarm spread, the entire atmosphere of the compound and its surroundings shifted violently, as the once controlled movements of guards dissolved into rapid, coordinated chaos, with shouts echoing from every direction and the sound of armored footsteps multiplying as squads began to pour out from both inside the station and the outer perimeter. What had once been a predictable system of patrols was now a tightening net, as guards fanned out in numbers, sweeping through corridors, scaling vantage points, and spilling into the surrounding streets with urgency, their sole objective clear.

Find the escapees.

Lucas’ expression hardened as he caught the shift instantly, his voice low but sharp as he said, "They’re mobilizing faster than expected," while his eyes flicked toward the mouth of the alley, already catching glimpses of movement beyond, silhouettes of guards beginning to spread outward, their formation tightening with every passing second.

Patrick did not slow, his pace increasing slightly as he moved ahead, his voice controlled but urgent as he said, "They’re locking down both sides, we can’t go back toward the main roads," his mind working quickly as he adjusted their route on the fly, choosing narrower paths and deeper cuts through the alleys where visibility would be limited, even if it meant more obstacles.

Behind them, the sound of metal clashing faintly echoed as gates were being reinforced and sections sealed off, while from the outside, another wave of guards began sweeping inward, creating overlapping search patterns that would soon converge on areas like the one they were heading through. Darmian tightened his hold on Sage Raph as he muttered under his breath, "They’re everywhere," his tone strained not from fear, but from the sheer pressure of the situation, while Lady Isabelle stayed close, her movements steady despite the exhaustion, her focus locked on keeping pace.

Lucas glanced back briefly, his senses stretched to their limit as he tracked the incoming presence from multiple directions, his voice calm but carrying urgency as he said, "We stay off the open paths, cut through anything narrow, anything that slows them down but not us," knowing full well that speed alone would not save them now, only smart movement would.

A group of guards rushed past the far end of the alley ahead, their voices loud as one of them shouted, "Split up, check every passage, they couldn’t have gone far," their words sending a ripple of tension through the group as Patrick immediately raised his hand, signaling a halt as they pressed themselves closer to the wall, slipping into the deeper shadows just as the patrol passed by the opening without looking in.

For a brief moment, everything held still.

Then Patrick moved again.

"Now," he whispered.

They pushed forward once more, their movements tighter, faster, yet still controlled, weaving through the maze of alleys as the search intensified around them, the sounds of pursuit growing louder, closer, more coordinated with each passing second, because now it was no longer just a search.

It was a hunt.

And they were right at the center of it.