Deviating from the original plot

Chapter ninety-four

"I just hope she's okay," Evelyn said, clenching her fists in frustration. "Do you even know a way out of here?" She turned sharply to Cassius, who sat slouched in a corner, silent and brooding.

His silence only fuelled her anger. She stormed forward and punched him square in the face.

"I was talking to you!" She shouted. "And don't think I'm letting this slide-you're the one who got us into this mess!"

"Doesn't give you the right to hit me!" Cassius shot back, rubbing his chest.

"You told that backstabbing liar all our plans!" Evelyn yelled, glaring at him.

Cassius finally looked up, his jaw clenched. "I didn't know."

Evelyn threw her hands up. "Didn't know what? We all know exactly what Damien is."

Cassius shook his head, frustration tightening his voice. "People change, okay? I thought-just maybe-I was getting through to him."

Evelyn scoffed. "That's your problem. You expect everyone to just listen to you and follow whatever stupid thing you come up with. Without thinking properly." She stepped closer. "If we die in here, I swear I'm killing you first."

"That's not fair!" Cassius snapped back.

"Both of you-just shut up!" Celeste suddenly screamed, hands pressed to her ears. "Shut up, shut up!"

The dungeon fell into a sharp, echoing silence. Evelyn and Cassius stared at her, startled.

Celeste took a shaky breath, eyes glistening. "You two are seriously fools to think this is the best time to argue."

The room fell into a tense silence.

Cassius exhaled sharply. "Alright. Then we need to focus. There has to be a way out of here."

"Some kind of hidden passage, maybe?" Evelyn suggested, scanning the dim dungeon.

Celeste shook her head. "I don't see anything."

"Neither do I," Evelyn added, her frustration evident.

Then, faint but unmistakable, the sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor. All three froze, their bodies tensing instinctively.

The footsteps grew closer, slow and deliberate. Shadows stretched along the cold stone walls, flickering in the torchlight.

Evelyn pressed herself against the wall, fists clenched. Celeste's hand hovered near her side, ready but cautious.

Then Damien appeared, standing just outside the cell.

Cassius lunged at the bars, glaring at him. "You've got a lot of nerve showing up here!"

Damien smirked. "Funny words coming from someone behind bars."

Cassius's anger took over; he reached through the bars, grabbed Damien by the collar, and slammed him against them.

"Don't let him go anywhere!" Celeste shouted.

"Let go of me!" Damien struggled, but Cassius held firm.

"No way!" Cassius yelled, and Damien unleashed a burst of magic, sending him reeling backward-painful but not serious.

"Can you just calm down?!" Damien barked.

"You bastard! We will never be calm!" Evelyn snapped.

Damien's smirk faltered. "Then maybe I shouldn't open the door and just leave you here."

"Please," Evelyn snapped, crossing her arms. "You didn't come here to help us. Not all of us are as naive as the crown prince."

Cassius frowned, turning toward her. "That's not necessary," he muttered.