The light of the late dawn sky helped bring late onto the forest floor, as the birds chirped with renowned energy. Lero was leaning against the tree trunk, still asleep until the noise got louder and awoken him. Readjusting his eyes to the light, he looked around at the quiet forest floor before noting Keru tightly holding him.
He was just about to jump in surprise until the man saw that her eyes were still closed in slumber. They both had been walking for hours the night prior, well into the dark, with Lero doing most of the work due to her injury, until he couldn't physically move another step. As exhausting as it was, he was sure that they had gotten far away from those guards but even he wasn't too sure.
Looking back at the woman, he could see some of the blood was removed when they crossed the river, but she still had it caked over her skin. Even still, she did seem at peace despite clinging tightly onto his stomach. It was time to move.
"Hey, we gotta move out soon." Lero began to shake her, causing her to slowly be aware of her surroundings.
"How did we-," Keru looked around confused, before staring into Lero's face. "Oh, if it isn't our savior!"
Lero was prepared as he managed to hold the woman back before she went for another kiss. He really did not have time to fantasize or appeal to this woman in any way or shape.
"Good morning to you," Lero made note of, "As you can see, we're still in the bloody forest in the middle of who-knows nowhere, and our priorities should be dealt with. There's no time for your romance."
"Aw, but you did do all of this for me?" Keru changed her facial expression to look more innocent.
"I did it so we can get out of that bloomin' complex they call a prison, and get back to burning Jamal."
"Wait, Jamal Wrint? That Jamal?" the woman actually widened her eyes in surprise. "You know him?"
"Yeah, I brought em' right back to that winter wonderland and last heard he out and about in Saputa or what country this place is called. He owns me Ariocaster a fixin'."
With those words, Keru couldn't help but shriek with joy with Lero watching in a bit of surprise. He knew that Jamal was powerful and feared across these lands, but his name alone bringing hope to some of the people was almost inspiring in a sense. He had that special leverage.
"Well, the only way we shall see him is if we get steppin'. And unless you got a map, I don't have a clue to where. Let alone, we are still in these prison costumes."
With those words, Kero got up rather quickly with a sense of urgency to meet the man himself. Fumbling on her other wrist, Lero watched as the woman managed to drop something on the ground before seeing it being the other energy link.
"Now I can actually use my powers for once!" she started to smile, while looking at Lero.
"What powers?"
"Guess."
Not having the time in the world to bother, the man started to walk forward ready to get on with their journey. Only a few steps in, a large gust of wind pushed into his back, causing him to crash into the forest floor. Turning around, Lero could see Keru standing just fine as she walked towards him before flicking her finger up.
He could feel some wind rush underneath him, as it was strong enough to lift him up from the ground, and was able to place his feet down. Within those few moments was he able to quickly connect the dots to what she could do.
"You a windmaker? Ain't ever seen one of those in a long time." Lero was impressed.
"A windmaker? I mean if that's what you call the ability to control the wind itself and make use of it, then I'll gladly take that name."
"Well, it suits you." Lero gave her a grin, causing her to slightly blush, "Anyway, it's time to move out."
With those final words, Lero kept his head high, ready for his freedom once and for all. It was long deserved.
.....
Panting for breath, the duo managed to finally reach a source of water, a small stream of ice-cold water, as they dropped to their knees and drank as much as they could. After walking for realistically two hours, the pair had only passed by more trees and small open fields a few meters wide, but no sign of civilization at all. They could not keep going while being this low on energy.
"My powers, I'm starving!" Keru managed to cough out, once she got enough water to drink. "You gotta get us some food."
"Like I got something bloody to hunt with, or any animals!" Lero spat back, water dripping from his face.
Heaving for breath, Keru laid on her back and stared at the blue sky, a few birds flying high above them. They couldn't afford to die here and now, and yet both of them were in so much pain. Turning to Lero, she could watch as the man washed his face and stared ahead, before crouching to the ground.
"What is it?" she asked him, with him covering her mouth.
Staring ahead with him, they both saw a pair of what appeared to the human, although it was hard to tell for sure. It was only until Lero saw the glint of metal, did it confirm the worse of their fears. It was really people in this part of the woods.
Pointing towards the taller grass, Lero made sure Keru knew what he was talking about, as they shared a quick look before making their way. Once hidden properly, it took a few more steps before the other pair was close enough to them for Lero to be able to hear what they were really saying.
"I don't know if there are more animals in this part of forest. Last I heard from the weather, the area had been flooded for a good two weeks." the taller man of the incoming duo announced.
"Pretty sure we don't know that. We already got ten pounds of vension back at camp, three pounds of bird on us now. It's literally been an hour." the shorter person, which turned out to be a woman, replied back. "We're doing just fine."
Thirteen pounds of meat, Lero could hardly contain himself with those words! Even with that much food, it could last them at least a few days if used right. Turning to Keru, she was practically drooling at the thought as her taste buds were getting enticed by the food itself.
"Keep still. We don't want to make any noise." Lero muttered softly.
The hunting duo on the other side were much more quiet as they leaped over the small stream, before continuing pass the hidden pair and deeper into the woods. Lero waited a few more minutes for them to go through, before making sure the coast was clear.
"Alright, we got to go now." the man got up from the grass, not hesitating to leap over the water.
Keru didn't even mutter another word, as she followed right behind him, as they practically began to chase towards the camp. For all they knew it had to be in the direction that the hunting pair came in, but not only did they not get a distance or even direction, but what it even consisted of. But whatever it was, would likely be better than nothing that they didn't have.
Moving through the trees a bit further in, did Lero see another opening towards a somewhat larger field, and a better inspection proved to be what they hoped for. With several boxes and two tents, it only confirmed what they were in dire need of. A campsite with all types of supplies that they could use to aid them in their journey.
"Wait, is this it?" Keru finally got her way through the woods. "It actually is!"
"Yeah, we really got lucky here." Lero managed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Just as he was going to properly check everything the hunters had, Keru appeared in front of his face and landed another kiss against his lips. This time it lasted a bit longer than the day before, as she pulled back. At a loss of words, he couldn't even say anything, as the woman stared back at him for a little bit longer with a smile, before moving towards the boxes of crates. Not even able to speak, the man just shook off whatever happened, and moved towards the opposite direction by the tents to unravel and collect what they needed.
.....
They were basically in and out in terms of looting the camp in ten minutes, as Lero was carrying a backpack containing supplies for camping, clothes, and other basic necessities. Keru herself was holding up a duffel bag of sorts, which it contained as much food as they could physically hold and a few cooking supplies to make it easier to heat and prepare the food. Speaking of the food itself, they managed to grab at least eight pounds of venison and a few more pounds of fruit and snacks that the hunters had on them. Keru herself was snacking on a piece of meat, savoring every bite that she missed since their escape.
"So good!" she said between bites, although it was hard to hear. "We got everything we need?"
"I sure hope so." Lero took a breath, before looking back at the tent for a final inspection and seeing a sparkle in the tent. "I think I actually forgot something, go on a bit without me."
"Why?" the woman moved behind him, just as Lero opened the tent cover. "Woah."
It appeared in a rush to stock up, in the corner of the shelter was a hunting rifle of some type, with a sling attached.
"There's no way you forgot to grab that." Keru swallowed the last piece of meat she was eating, before reaching towards it.
"Make sure there's ammo." Lero took a quick look behind, "We'll need as much as possible."
Nodding, the woman only took a quick look around before finding the stash of ammo boxes on the other side. Collecting as much as they could without the set-up looking too moved about, it came up to about forty bullets.
"This should do?" Keru made sure the clip was fully loaded, before clicking it into the weapon.
"I mean, yeah, but I'm surprised you know how to use that?"
"Do you know how?"
"Pfft, of course, I do." Lero joked after a few seconds of silence, "Come on, we got to get out of here before they come back."
Just as she was going to confirm that claim, Lero moved around her and was already in the woods once again in mere moments. Not wishing to be left alone, she quickly followed suit and was forever grateful for the encampment that would more than likely have saved their lives. There could truly be nothing that stopped them now at this point, unless their own wrongdoing. And neither of them was going to follow through with that mindset.