The rhythmic pounding of hooves echoed through the dense forest, but when Corvis peered through the foliage and realized the sound did not come from the familiar eagle mount of the wizard Atias, a wave of relief washed over him. His shoulders relaxed, and he let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
Yet his relief was short-lived. The figures who had followed him, ones he knew all too well, were not the enemies he had feared, but they were not entirely welcome either.
Leon dismounted swiftly, handing the reins of his horse to Brandon with a quick nod. "Watch him," Leon instructed, his tone brisk. Without waiting for a reply, he pushed through the undergrowth, following the faint rustle that led deeper into the woods. There, crouched on the forest floor, he found Corvis, his blond hair catching glimmers of light that pierced the canopy above, as he worked the ground with a shovel, a small crystal clutched in his other hand.
Leon crossed his arms, arching a skeptical brow. "Is this what you meant by 'important business'?" he asked dryly. "Burying treasure by the roadside like some runaway thief?"
Caught in the act, Corvis froze for a heartbeat. He glanced up sheepishly. "What are you doing here?" he muttered, shifting uncomfortably. "I thought you left."
Leon huffed a laugh, though there was little humor in it. "I had a hunch that some idiot was planning to act like a hero," he said, his eyes narrowing. "Running off to distract the enemy on your own, huh? Thought no one would notice?"
Corvis winced, scratching the back of his neck. "It's... not as noble as you think," he admitted with a half-hearted shrug.
Leon shook his head. "Right. Because noble people usually dig holes in the middle of nowhere." He gestured to the shovel and crystal. "Care to explain, or should I guess?"
With a weary sigh, Corvis sat back on his heels. "I miscalculated," he confessed. "They're after me. If I keep moving, maybe I can draw them off. There's no need for you to get dragged into this mess."
Leon's expression darkened, the teasing edge in his voice replaced by something sharper. "So the rune on your back 'is' tracking you," he said, as if confirming a suspicion. His jaw tightened. "Damn it. That complicates things."
Corvis nodded grimly. "I didn't realize it at first. The tracking magic was too well-hidden; subtle enough that I never noticed until now. It's not the kind of spell that lingers after the caster dies, though."
Leon frowned, his mind racing. "So it wasn't Atias. Who?"
"Piriano," Corvis replied, tapping the shovel handle against his shoulder thoughtfully. "Or... more likely, Amon, Piriano's apprentice. That bastard had plenty of chances to mark me. If it's him, we're in trouble. He should be back at the embassy soon, and when he is..."
Leon's brows knit together in frustration. "Amon." The name was sour in his mouth. "And that means he's probably riding that cursed Hippocampus of his."
Corvis gave a grim nod. "Yeah. Big beast. Horse's body, eagle's head. Fast, too. If Amon gets airborne, it won't take long for him to close in on us." He met Leon's gaze, his voice growing softer. "You should go. You still have Miss Elena to escort back to Orland. This is my problem, not yours."
Leon didn't budge. Instead, he crossed the remaining distance between them and knelt so they were eye level. His gaze was steady, unwavering. "Answer me honestly," he said, voice low but firm. "Do you really think you can survive this on your own? Can you outfight or outrun Amon if he catches up to you?"
Corvis opened his mouth, then closed it again. A bitter smile tugged at his lips. "You know the answer."
Leon exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head in disbelief. "Damn it, Corvis. You seemed smarter than this."
The blond boy lowered his gaze. He knew Leon was right, knew how foolish his plan had been from the start. He was barely more than a novice in magic, his training under Piriano meant only to make him a conduit for raw power. Combat spells were far beyond his grasp. Against someone like Amon, a fully trained wizard, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Leon stood and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Even if Amon gets what he wants and kills you, do you think he'll just leave us alone after that? You're not thinking straight."
Corvis winced. He knew exactly what Leon meant but had hoped; foolishly, that sacrificing himself might end the pursuit.
Leon crossed his arms again, his voice edged with exasperation. "Let me spell it out for you. If we split up from the beginning, sure, maybe Amon would've chased you alone. But now?" He gestured back toward the forest trail. "He knows where you are. He knows where we are. Even if you go down, he'll tell the Kantardars where we're headed. You think they'll just let us ride off into the sunset?"
Corvis sighed deeply, feeling the weight of his failure press down on him. "I know... but I couldn't think of any other way."
Leon gave him a look; half pity, half frustration. "You don't need to do this alone, Corvis."
Corvis glanced at the crystal in his hand, turning it slowly between his fingers. "I just don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me."
Leon softened, placing a hand on Corvis's shoulder. "Listen, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that going it alone only makes things worse. If we stick together, we stand a chance, however slim that chance might be."
For a moment, the two stood in silence, the tension between them slowly dissolving in the quiet hum of the forest. Then Leon gave Corvis's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"Come on," he said with a faint smile. "We've got a wizard to outrun. And this time, you're not ditching me halfway."
Corvis chuckled, though the sound was more weary than amused. "Fine. But if we both die, I'm blaming you."
Leon grinned. "Deal. Now let's move before that damn Hippocampus catches up."
Together, they turned toward the trail, leaving the half-dug hole behind as the forest whispered around them.
Leon's words cut through the tension like a blade. "You say you don't even have offensive spells," he said, his tone sharp. "Meanwhile, the marks from 'Isha's Arrows' are glowing like a beacon. Do you really think Amon will buy the idea that you killed Piriano with magic like that?"
Corvis shifted uncomfortably but said nothing, knowing Leon was right. He had no magic strong enough to leave such obvious traces, let alone kill a skilled wizard like Piriano.
Leon pressed on, relentless. "Even if you 'want' to take the fall for Piriano's death, Amon isn't an idiot. As soon as he figures out you couldn't possibly cast that spell, do you know who he'll come after next?" Leon's expression darkened. "Me. And the rest of us."
The weight of the situation hit Corvis like a blow to the chest. There was no escape from the tangled mess they had walked into, and now the trouble was larger than he had anticipated.
Leon didn't waste another second. His hand shot out, gripping Corvis by the arm. "Enough of this. We need to move. Now."
Corvis stumbled slightly as Leon hauled him out of the woods with a determined tug, nearly dragging him along the narrow forest path.
"You think you'll just wait here for Amon to kill you?" Leon snapped as they ran. "And after you're dead, he'll come for the rest of us. Our horses aren't fast enough to outrun a damn Hippogriff in the sky." He gave Corvis a pointed glare. "So what's the point of your little plan? Dying just makes it easier for him to catch us."
Corvis blinked, startled by the bluntness in Leon's words. The weight of his friend's urgency was undeniable, and the grim truth left no room for argument. Swallowing his doubts, Corvis grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he sprinted alongside Leon.
Leon's thoughts raced. The situation was spiraling fast, faster than any of them had realized and they didn't have the luxury of time to strategize. They needed to act, and they needed to act 'now'. A spark of an idea flickered in his mind, and he clung to it like a lifeline.
"Brandon!" Leon called, his voice carrying above the rustle of leaves and the pounding of hooves. His companion turned sharply, startled by the sudden command.
"Head back! Find Liam and Miss Elena, and take them east. Change the route. We can't all travel together anymore."
Brandon blinked, clearly confused. "What? Separate? Why—"
Leon threw a glance over his shoulder, already climbing into the saddle of his horse. "There's a tracking rune on Corvis! Amon will find us soon, and we need to split their focus."
Corvis mounted his own horse, though he still hesitated, the weight of Leon's plan settling uneasily on his shoulders. "You want us to split up?"
Leon swung onto his horse smoothly, gripping the reins. "If we stay together, we're done for. We need to throw them off. Brandon, take Liam and Miss Elena east, and when you get the chance, head back north toward Orland. Amon won't expect us to change directions."
Brandon still looked uncertain, the hesitation clear on his face. "But Liam doesn't speak the language. He's going to struggle out there."
"Exactly why he needs you with him," Leon said, already preparing to move. "If anyone can get them safely to Orland, it's you."
Leon leaned closer, his voice quiet but firm. "We don't have time to argue, Brandon. Just do it. I'll draw the wizard's attention with Corvis. You take the others and get them out of here."
Brandon's lips pressed into a tight line. He knew Leon well enough to recognize when his mind was made up. "How much gold do we have left?" Leon asked abruptly.
Brandon rummaged through a small pouch at his belt. "About fifty coins."
"Give me half. Keep the rest for the others."
Brandon handed over a small purse of gold, his brows furrowed in concern. "This is too dangerous, Leon. You can't possibly take on Amon alone."
Leon smiled, though there was little warmth in it. He reached out and gave Brandon's shoulder a reassuring pat. "I'm not planning to fight him. Just buy some time."
Brandon's frown deepened, but before he could object, Leon nudged his horse forward. "See you in Selva," Leon called over his shoulder. "Get them there safely."
With a frustrated sigh, Brandon adjusted the reins of his horse. He knew Leon well enough to understand there was no changing his mind. With a final glance toward his departing friend, Brandon muttered under his breath, "You'd better come back alive."
He turned his horse toward the path where Liam and Elena had gone, spurring it into motion. Dust kicked up beneath the hooves as Brandon galloped to catch up with them, his thoughts tangled in worry.
Meanwhile, Leon and Corvis rode hard in the opposite direction, the sound of their horses' hooves thundering through the forest like a heartbeat. Corvis rode in silence for a while, his mind heavy with doubts and questions. Finally, he urged his horse closer to Leon's side.
"Why are you doing this?" Corvis asked, his voice just loud enough to carry over the wind.
Leon gave him a sidelong glance. "Because letting you die alone isn't an option."
Corvis frowned. "You could've taken the safe route. Gone with Brandon and the others. Left me to deal with this mess."
Leon shook his head, a grim determination in his eyes. "If I've learned anything, it's that running from trouble just makes it worse. We stick together, or we all fall apart. Now stop whining and ride faster, we've got a wizard to outrun."
Corvis couldn't help but smile, despite the fear still gnawing at him. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he wasn't entirely alone.
The two of them pressed on, the forest blurring around them as they rode. Somewhere far behind, Brandon's horse thundered along a different path, the cloud of dust marking his trail slowly fading into the distance.
Ahead lay danger; uncertain and deadly. But for now, they rode together, two figures against the rising storm. And in that fleeting moment, that was enough.
"Can you break the tracking spell on you?" Leon shouted over the pounding of hooves, twisting around in his saddle to look at Corvis, who trailed just behind him. His voice carried through the rushing wind and the thundering of their mounts, but exhaustion weighed heavy on him, every word felt like a struggle against the fatigue pulling at his limbs.
Corvis gritted his teeth, frustration creeping into his voice. "Not easily! It would take weeks; twenty, maybe thirty days, to dismantle it properly. I'd have to use my magic to dissolve the structure bit by bit."
Leon cursed under his breath. "Amon must've been working on this spell in secret for a while, huh?"
"Yeah," Corvis muttered bitterly. "That bastard didn't cast it in one go. He must've added to it little by little; probably every time he was near me. I never even noticed."
Leon allowed himself a short breath of relief. "Well, as long as it 'can' be broken, we'll figure out a way." His eyes flicked ahead to the road. "Are there any towns nearby?"
Corvis closed his eyes briefly, visualizing the map he'd memorized from the embassy. "Yeah, there's a village not far from here, if I remember correctly."
Leon nodded, spurring his horse forward. "Perfect. We'll stop there for a bit."
Corvis furrowed his brow, confusion mixing with growing concern. "Wait; Leon, where exactly are you taking me?"
Leon didn't slow his pace. "Once we hit the village, I'll buy two more horses. When your horse tires, you'll switch to a fresh one. Same goes for me. If we see another settlement, we'll stop and get more." He glanced back briefly. "We're riding north, straight for the Soul-Splitting Forest."
Corvis stiffened, his golden eyes widening in disbelief. "Soul-Splitting Forest?" he shouted, nearly choking on the words. "You mean the 'Soul-Splitting' Forest, the biggest spiritual land in Kantadar? 'That' Soul-Splitting?"
Leon shot him a grin over his shoulder, the expression far too casual for someone suggesting a plan that sounded like madness. "Yeah, that one. You call it a 'soul- field,' right?"
Corvis shook his head in disbelief. "That's not me, that's what Mage Atias called it. Wait" His heart skipped a beat. "You want to go 'into' the Soul-Splitting Forest? Are you insane?"
Leon looked mildly amused by the outburst. "What? It's dangerous?"
"Dangerous?" Corvis let out a disbelieving laugh, staring at Leon like he'd lost his mind. "Without someone as powerful as the Imperial Ruler to guide us, stepping into that place is a death sentence! It's cursed, everyone knows that! Haven't you heard any legends about it on your side of the continent?"
Leon chuckled, entirely unfazed. "Oh, that's 'perfect'! If it's that dangerous, the wizard hunting you won't dare follow us in." He urged his horse into a faster gallop. "So we just need to get inside the forest, and we'll lose him for good!"
"What?' Corvis could barely believe what he was hearing. He stared after Leon, stunned. "You're out of your mind!"
Leon grinned over his shoulder. "Probably. But it's our best shot. Now stop complaining and keep up, we need to get to the forest before nightfall!"
Despite his disbelief, Corvis had no choice but to follow, gripping his reins tighter as they galloped down the road. The sound of their horses' hooves drummed in unison, echoing through the empty countryside.
Soon enough, the outskirts of a small town came into view, nestled at the edge of a river bend. Leon spotted the marketplace and slowed his horse just long enough to pull Corvis aside. "Go find us a spare horse, something fast. And don't haggle. Just pay and move."
Corvis nodded, slipping off his saddle with a wince and sprinting toward the merchants. With his knowledge of the local language, the transaction was quick, and within minutes, they were back on the road with an additional mount.
They pressed on, racing north without pause. The journey stretched painfully long. Hours slipped by, and with every mile, the strain of the ride weighed heavier on them. Their thighs burned, the skin rubbed raw from the relentless friction of the saddle. Still, neither dared stop.
As dusk began to settle over the horizon, Leon could feel exhaustion gnawing at his every muscle. His legs throbbed, and his grip on the reins grew weaker. At one point, he nearly slumped forward in the saddle, the edges of his vision blurring.
Corvis noticed and quickly pulled his horse alongside Leon's. "Hold on!" he shouted. Without waiting for permission, he placed a hand on Leon's arm and whispered a quick incantation. A soothing warmth spread through Leon's body, washing away the worst of his fatigue. His vision cleared, and the ache in his legs dulled to a manageable throb.
"Thanks," Leon muttered, sitting straighter in his saddle. "That was... close."
Corvis managed a tired smile. "You're welcome. But don't get used to it. I can't keep casting that spell every time you want a nap."
Leon chuckled, though the sound was strained. "I'll try not to."
By now, Corvis had swapped horses several times, giving each one a chance to rest while they rotated through their mounts. Still, even the best-bred horses had limits. One by one, they reached their breaking point.
One of the finest horses; a sleek Uriah steed Leon had purchased at a steep price from the Western Port, collapsed beneath Corvis, unable to take another step. The boy rolled from the saddle just in time, landing in the dirt as the horse's legs gave out.
Leon reined in his own mount and turned back. "Leave it," he called. "We can't afford to stop!"
Corvis grimaced, patting the exhausted animal's neck one last time before scrambling onto the spare horse. The abandoned steed lay in the road behind them, too weary to move, its chest rising and falling with labored breaths.
They pressed on, galloping through the twilight, the towering silhouette of the distant forest looming ever closer.
Leon glanced over at Corvis, his expression grim but determined. "Just a little further," he promised. "We'll make it."
Corvis gave a half-hearted nod, though the exhaustion in his body threatened to betray him. But somehow, hearing Leon's unwavering confidence kept him going, even when his own faith faltered.
Ahead, the dark shadow of the Soul-Splitting Forest stretched across the horizon, ominous and foreboding. Its twisted trees clawed at the sky, and an unsettling stillness seemed to radiate from the depths of the woods.
For a moment, Corvis wondered if entering that cursed land was truly the safer option, or just another path to their doom. But with Amon's magic pressing down on them like a noose, there was no room for second-guessing.
"Almost there," Leon muttered to himself, as much a reassurance as a command.
They galloped toward the forest's edge, their fate sealed the moment they crossed into the shadow of the trees.
Three horses, each purchased in different towns along the way, had fallen one by one, their strength depleted after hours of relentless galloping. Their legs gave out, and they collapsed onto the dirt, their sides heaving with exhaustion. Even Leon's prized warhorse, a noble creature bred for battle, was now faltering, its breath ragged, nostrils flaring with every labored inhale. The powerful dark stallion, which had carried Leon through thick and thin, could barely lift its hooves. Each step seemed an enormous effort, and the once-majestic beast trembled with fatigue.
Leon ran a hand along the horse's sweat-drenched neck, feeling the tremor beneath the sleek coat. Even if they somehow survived and returned to Selva, the warhorse would need months of rest to recover from the hidden injuries and strain. Fat would need to be rebuilt, tendons mended, and muscles healed.
He sighed, crouching down beside the animal, rubbing its side with a sense of guilt and admiration. "You're a damn miracle, you know that?" he whispered under his breath. The stallion had carried him almost 400 kilometers since the night before, a distance no ordinary horse could manage in such a short time.
Leon gave a tired chuckle, his mind wandering. "This one's as good as the Red Hare from those old stories," he thought. "Maybe I'll name you Black Hare... no, that's annoying. Black Horse?" He shook his head. "Yeah, you deserve better than that. I'll think of something once we get through this."
Corvis handed Leon a water skin and a small bundle of bread, his own exhaustion evident in the slump of his shoulders. Leon accepted the food and sat on the ground, taking a long swig of water, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Should we rest here for the night?" Corvis asked, collapsing beside him with a sigh. His blond hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat, and the bags under his eyes told the story of the relentless journey.
Leon shook his head. "No. We keep moving, even if it's on foot. We lead the horses if we have to." His eyes flicked to the horizon, where the shadow of the Soul-Splitting Forest loomed ever closer. "We can't stop until we make it to the forest."
After sharing a quick meal in silence, Leon stood and stretched. His muscles groaned in protest, but he knew they didn't have the luxury of resting. He went to the warhorse and patted its side. "Come on, buddy. Just a bit farther," he coaxed softly, grabbing the reins. The exhausted beast flicked its ears in reluctant response, but with Leon's firm encouragement, it struggled to its feet, trembling but standing.
Corvis followed Leon's lead, coaxing his own horse to rise. With one last check of their gear, they set off again. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting fiery streaks of red and gold across the sky. As night crept in, Leon pulled a torch from his saddle and kept it ready to light at a moment's notice.
They trudged through the rugged wilderness, the ground uneven beneath their boots, each step forward feeling like two steps back. The only sounds were the crunch of dirt underfoot and the labored breathing of the horses.
Suddenly, Corvis let out a sharp gasp of pain.
"—Tsk!"
Leon spun around just in time to see the boy clutching his shoulder, his face contorted in discomfort. Cold sweat broke out on Corvis's brow, and his eyes widened in alarm.
"What's wrong?" Leon demanded, his hand instinctively going for his sword.
"The rune; it's burning," Corvis hissed, rubbing at his shoulder as though trying to soothe an unseen wound. "The magic in my body... it's reacting." His voice cracked with fear. "Amon's near! We need to move! 'Now!"
Leon's heart skipped a beat. "Damn it." Without hesitation, he grabbed the reins and swung into the saddle. "Get on your horse!" he shouted.
Corvis, despite the pain, gritted his teeth and threw himself onto his mount. They urged the exhausted animals into motion, the horses responding with desperate bursts of speed, as if sensing the danger looming behind them.
"Go, go!" Leon shouted, digging his heels into his warhorse's sides. The horse snorted, its tired legs pushing forward, but the strain was evident in every movement.
Corvis followed close behind, slapping the reins and whipping the air to drive his horse faster. The two riders tore through the wilderness, the night air rushing past them.
Then Leon heard it; a faint whistling sound, carried on the wind. He looked up toward the sky and spotted a shadow gliding across the red-streaked clouds. His sharp eyes picked out the figure perched atop the flying mount: a man draped in black robes that billowed in the wind. A wand glinted in his hand, and its tip pulsed with an ominous red glow.
"Shit!" Leon cursed. "He's here!"
Amon sat astride his Hippogriff; a sleek creature with the body of a horse and the wings of an eagle. The beast soared effortlessly above them, its sharp talons gleaming as it circled lower. Amon's dark eyes were alight with malice, and he raised his wand, the crimson gem at the tip flaring with magical energy.
Leon heard the wizard's voice echo through the air, laced with power:
"Lorelite! Snake that devours the body, scorching fire! Capture my enemy!!"
From the tip of Amon's staff, a spiral of molten fire erupted, coiling like a serpent. The flaming snake twisted through the air, its glowing eyes locked onto Corvis as it spiraled downward, hissing with the fury of molten rock.
"Corvis, move!" Leon shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.
Corvis didn't hesitate. Despite the pain burning through his body, he yanked the reins and urged his horse to veer sharply to the left, narrowly avoiding the flaming serpent's jaws. The fiery snake hit the ground where he had been a second before, exploding in a burst of heat and sparks.
"Faster!" Leon roared, his heart pounding as the sound of wings beat ominously above them.
Amon's Hippogriff swooped lower, the wizard's gaze fixed on his prey. The red glow of his wand intensified as another spell began to take shape.
Leon leaned forward in the saddle, whispering to his horse. "Just a bit more, come on. I know you're tired, but we're almost there."
The stallion snorted, as if understanding, and pushed itself harder.
Corvis rode alongside him, clutching the reins tightly, his face pale but determined. "Leon, we can't outrun him forever!" he shouted over the rush of wind.
"I know!" Leon shouted back. "We just need to get into the forest!"
The treetops of the Soul-Splitting Forest were now visible in the distance, dark and foreboding under the twilight sky. If they could just make it to the cursed woods, they might have a chance to lose Amon.
But the wizard wasn't giving up so easily. Another wave of heat washed over them as Amon unleashed another spell, this time a cascade of fire bolts streaking toward the riders like falling stars.
"Hold on!" Leon yelled.
They dodged and weaved, the fire bolts searing the air around them. One bolt grazed Leon's shoulder, burning through his cloak, but he gritted his teeth and kept going.
"Almost there!" he shouted, the forest now just within reach.
Corvis urged his horse onward, adrenaline surging through his veins. The entrance to the forest loomed ahead, the shadows of ancient trees beckoning them into their depths.
With one final, desperate push, Leon and Corvis plunged into the dark embrace of the Soul-Splitting Forest, the curse of the land swallowing them whole just as the fiery serpent snapped at their heels.
Behind them, Amon's mount hovered at the forest's edge, the wizard's furious gaze burning like embers in the night. For now, the curse of the forest held him at bay.
But the hunt was far from over.