Married To The Villain
Chapter 75: Kidnapping Gabriel

Chapter 75: Kidnapping Gabriel

Chapter 75: Kidnapping Gabriel

"Two centuries, huh?" Pedro said as they moved through the dense underbrush, breaking the silence.

"Guess that makes you the oldest member of our ragtag team. Feel like sharing any ancient secrets, Grandpa?"

Kael gave him a smile.

"Like how to bake the perfect bread over an open flame? Or maybe you’d prefer tips on how to dodge arrows without breaking a sweat?"

Pedro snorted. "If you know how to dodge Meylo’s wrath, that’s the one we need."

Lirian sighed.

"Can we focus, please? We’re about to go up against Raphael, Meylo, and an entire fortress. Banter isn’t going to get us out of this."

Pedro raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. Back to serious mode."

"You’re right. This isn’t going to be easy. But remember, you’re not alone in this."

She nodded, though doubt was planted in her mind.

"I just don’t understand why Raphael would listen to me. He probably sees me as an enemy, or worse, as a threat to Meylo’s plans."

"That’s exactly why you have an advantage," Kael said. "Raphael thrives on loyalty, but only as long as it serves him. If he senses Meylo’s priorities don’t align with his own, he’ll start to question everything."

Pedro chuckled. "So we’re counting on a villain’s ego to save the day. Classic."

Kael ignored him, turning to Lirian. "It’s going to take more than words, though. Raphael needs to see the cracks himself. That’s where we come in."

Lirian frowned. "And what if we fail? What if Raphael doesn’t buy it and Meylo sees through our distraction?"

Kael’s expression darkened, and he didn’t respond immediately.

When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than usual.

"Then we improvise. But failure isn’t an option, Lirian. Gabriel’s life depends on us."

The words settled over her like a storm cloud.

She clenched her fists, blood was flooding her veins. "Then we don’t fail."

They reached the edge of the forest by nightfall.

In the distance, the ruins of the Obsidian Spire looked like jagged teeth against the horizon.

The remains of what was once a powerful fortress now served as their desperate plan.

Pedro crouched behind a boulder, checking the area.

"Looks like Meylo’s forces have set up camp on the far side. What’s the plan for making it look like we’re attacking?"

Kael pulled out a bundle of small, rune-inscribed stones from his pack.

"These are mana bombs. They’re designed to cause big, flashy explosions without much collateral damage. We’ll set them up around the ruins and detonate them simultaneously."

Pedro raised an eyebrow. "You’ve been carrying those around this whole time? What else do you have in there, a dragon egg?"

Kael smirked. "Trade secrets."

Lirian crouched beside them, her eyes scanning the ruins. "And while they’re distracted, we infiltrate the fortress?"

Kael nodded. "Exactly. Once the bombs go off, Meylo’s forces will rush here to secure the site. That’ll give us a window to get inside and find Gabriel."

Pedro rubbed his hands together. "All right, let’s blow some stuff up."

Setting up the bombs was a nerve-wracking process.

Every shadow seemed to hold an enemy, every sound was like a potential ambush.

Kael worked quickly, placing the stones in strategic locations while Lirian and Pedro kept watch.

"How long will the distraction last?" Lirian whispered as Kael set the final bomb.

"Long enough," he replied. "But we’ll need to move fast once it starts. The teleportation shard will only work if we’re in close proximity to Gabriel."

Pedro adjusted his grip on his blade. "No pressure, huh?"

Kael stood, brushing dirt off his hands. "Ready?"

Lirian took a deep breath. "As I’ll ever be."

Kael activated the bombs on his wrist, and the night erupted into a mess.

Blinding bursts of light, accompanied by booms that echoed for miles.

Flames licked at the edges of the ruins, making shadows that danced like ghosts.

"That should do it," Kael said, a grim smile on his face. "Let’s move."

Meylo’s forces had thinned out, most of them rushing toward the distraction at the ruins.

The few guards that remained were dispatched silently by Kael and Pedro.

Inside, the air was cold and heavy with the scent of damp stone.

Lirian’s heart pounded in her chest as they crept through the winding corridors, every step brought them closer to Gabriel—and potential danger.

Kael paused at a corner, holding up a hand to signal silence.

He peeked around the edge, then motioned for them to follow.

"He’s in the central chamber," Kael whispered. "It’s heavily guarded, but I have an idea."

Lirian raised an eyebrow. "Another one of your ’strategic’ moves?"

Kael smirked. "Trust me."

He stepped into the corridor, shifting his posture.

Suddenly, he wasn’t the Kael they knew but someone else entirely—confident, commanding, and dangerous.

"Halt!" a guard barked, stepping forward.

Kael’s expression hardened. "Stand down. I have orders from Meylo himself."

The guards hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. "Orders? What orders?"

Kael stepped closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial tone.

"There’s been a breach at the ruins. Meylo sent me to secure the prisoner personally. Do you want to explain to him why you delayed me?"

The guards paled, stepping aside. "Of course not, sir. Go ahead."

Kael strode past them without a second glance, motioning for Lirian and Pedro to follow.

They kept their heads down, blending into the shadows as best they could.

Inside the chamber, Gabriel hung from chains, his head slumped forward.

He looked battered but alive.

"Gabriel!" Lirian whispered, rushing to his side.

He lifted his head, his eyes widened, not being able to believe it was her.

"Lirian? What are you—?"

"No time," she said, pulling at the chains. "We’re getting you out of here."

Kael stepped forward, holding up the teleportation shard.

"Hold onto him. This is going to be quick."

Lirian wrapped an arm around Gabriel as Kael activated the shard.

A burst of light enveloped them, and the chamber dissolved around them.

They reappeared in a secluded clearing far from the fortress.

Gabriel collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.

Pedro smiled. "Well, that was easy."

Kael glared at him. "Don’t jinx it. We’re not out of the woods yet."

Gabriel looked up at Lirian. "You... you risked everything to save me."

She smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"That’s what wives do."

Kael knelt beside them.

"Gabriel, there’s something you need to know. Meylo’s plans go deeper than we thought, and we’re going to need your help to stop him."

Gabriel nodded. "I know...he paid me a visit...Whatever it takes."