She couldn't run without revealing her position, and she couldn't stay hidden for long with the Nightbloom's glow still faintly visible.
As Isabel remained hidden, the tension was almost unbearable. She held her breath, praying the group wouldn't find them. To her immense relief, the group moved farther away, their voices growing fainter until they disappeared altogether.
Once the immediate danger had passed, Isabel slowly emerged from her hiding spot, signaling Phex to follow. She knew she couldn't stay in one place for long; more people were undoubtedly arriving, drawn by the Nightbloom's allure.
There was also a chance that the Valareath military had sent scouts from the North camp. Encountering anyone now could spell disaster.
Isabel took a moment to gather her thoughts, then set off again. Her senses were on high alert, every rustle and shadow in the forest putting her on edge.
Phex fluttered beside her, his earlier anger forgotten as he focused on keeping up with Isabel.
The forest seemed endless, each turn and path blending into the next. Isabel had been walking for hours, but the trees still surrounded her, offering no sign of an exit.
She began to feel a creeping frustration. Despite her efforts to stay calm and composed, the endless maze of the forest was taking its toll.
Eventually, she found herself back at the place where she had killed the horned wolf. The massive beast lay in the same position, its valuable horn still intact.
Isabel's frustration melted away, replaced by a glee. She ignored her earlier caution and eagerly approached the carcass, pulling out her dagger once more.
As she worked on cutting the horn, completely engrossed in her task, she suddenly felt a cold blade press against her throat. Her hand stiffened, and the dagger fell from her grip. A deep, husky voice sounded above her head.
Isabel's heart raced as the cold blade pressed against her throat, the sharp edge cutting slightly into her skin. The pain was sharp, but her mind was even sharper. She knew she had to act fast, but any wrong move could mean her death.
"Hand over the divine flower. Your life will be safe," the deep male voice commanded.
Isabel's mind whirled. How could he know about the Nightbloom? She had kept it hidden, its glow completely concealed. She feigned ignorance, trying to buy herself some time.
"Mr., I think you've got the wrong person," she said, her voice shaking but trying to remain steady. "I don't know anything about a flower. Which flower? I didn't see anything at all."
The blade pressed deeper, and a small red line appeared on her fair neck. The pain was sharp, and she felt her resolve waver for a moment.
"Stop blabbering," the voice growled. "Quickly, or the next cut will be deeper."
Isabel swallowed hard, feeling the sting of the blade. She knew she couldn't lie her way out of this. "Okay, okay," she said quickly. "I'll give it to you. Just please, keep the dagger away. We can talk nicely."
The blade eased slightly but remained poised at her throat. "Hurry up," the man demanded.
Isabel's hands trembled as she reached inside her coat, carefully pulling out the jar with the Nightbloom. Its faint glow illuminated her face, casting an eerie light in the dark forest. She held it up, her hand shaking.
"Here it is," she said softly. "Just please, let me go."
The man's grip on her loosened slightly as he reached for the jar. In that split second, Isabel's mind raced. She had to act now or never. With a swift motion, she dropped the jar to the ground and kicked it towards the bushes.
The man's attention shifted for just a moment, and Isabel took advantage of the distraction. She twisted her body, breaking free from his grip, and slashed her dagger upwards, catching him off guard. The man stumbled back, clutching his arm where she had cut him.
Phex, sensing the danger, flew at the man's face, chirping loudly and scratching with his tiny claws.
Isabel didn't waste a moment. She lunged forward, grabbing the jar from where it had rolled. She turned and ran, her heart pounding in her chest.
With a thud, Isabel collided with something solid, though nothing was visible in front of her. She reached out and her hand met a sturdy, invisible wall. Panic surged through her as she realized she was trapped within an invisible barrier. Her face grew pale, and she clutched the jar tightly to her chest.
She turned to face the man who had been chasing her. For the first time, she got a good look at him. He was tall, with features that seemed carved from ancient stone, like a god from an old painting. His cloak concealed most of his body, but his face was illuminated by the moonlight, showing a cold, emotionless expression that sent chills down her spine.
His icy blue eyes bore into hers with a predatory gleam, making her feel like prey cornered by a beast. Her gaze shifted to his hand, where he held Phex by the neck. Her little companion looked terrified, his round eyes filled with tears.
Isabel's heart ached at the sight. Phex was usually so quick and slippery, hard to catch even for her. Yet this man held him effortlessly, as if he were nothing more than a lifeless object.
A realization struck her: this man wasn't from Valareath. He wielded powerful magic, far beyond what she had ever encountered. Creating such a barrier was no small feat; it required immense skill and power.
The man stepped closer, his voice icy and commanding. "Hand over the divine flower."
Isabel's mind raced, trying to think of a way out of this dire situation.
She knew she couldn't overpower him physically, and his magic was far superior. But she couldn't let him have the Nightbloom. It was too precious, too important.
With trembling hands, she held out the jar. "Please," she said, her voice shaking. "Just let Phex go. You can have the Nightbloom."