Padrino and his companions trudged through the thick forest, the weight of the previous battle heavy on their shoulders. Every step felt like a slog through mud, as the terrain grew more treacherous and the air colder. The shadows of the trees stretched out longer, making it harder to see, and the sense of being followed never left Padrino's mind.
The extraction point was close, but Galdros' scouts were relentless. They had shaken off Xanthos and his men, but Padrino knew it was only a matter of time before more hunters closed in. The Kingdom of Galdros wasn't one to let their prey slip through their fingers so easily.
"We need to rest," Niko said, his voice low as he glanced over at Elda, who was panting heavily, her face pale. The constant use of her magic had taken its toll on her. "She can't keep this up much longer."
Padrino frowned, looking at Elda. Her normally vibrant energy was dimmed, and her hands shook slightly as she leaned against a tree for support. He knew Niko was right, but stopping now meant risking another ambush.
"I'm fine," Elda insisted, her voice strained. "We have to keep going."
"We won't get far if you collapse," Padrino said, his tone firm but laced with concern. He scanned their surroundings, his sharp eyes searching for any sign of an ideal spot to rest. "There should be a cave not far from here. We can shelter there for a few hours, just enough for you to regain some strength."
Elda nodded, though reluctantly. Padrino led them forward, keeping their pace steady but cautious, until they reached a small cave hidden beneath the roots of an ancient tree. It was cramped, but it would provide enough cover for the time being.
Inside the cave, the tension eased slightly as they set down their packs. Niko immediately went to stand guard at the entrance, his keen eyes scanning the forest while Padrino tended to Elda, giving her water and a small portion of their remaining rations.
"I never thought I'd miss the comfort of Rimuru's inns," Elda said with a weak smile, taking a sip of water.
"War has a way of making even the smallest comforts seem like luxuries," Padrino replied, sitting across from her. His mind wandered back to the village, to the simplicity of his old life. But those days were gone, replaced by the harsh reality of his new role—a role he had chosen, but one that weighed on him more than he had ever imagined.
As Elda rested, Padrino and Niko kept watch, the silence between them heavy. There were no words to describe the mounting pressure they all felt, the constant threat of death looming just beyond the trees. Padrino knew that even a short rest could mean the difference between survival and defeat.
"We can't stay long," Niko said quietly, breaking the silence. "Galdros is closing in. They always are."
Padrino nodded, his eyes never leaving the dark forest beyond. "I know."
Hours passed, and though they had barely rested, the urgency to move pushed them forward. Elda, her strength somewhat restored, stood alongside them as they prepared to leave the cave. The extraction point was not far, and if they could just reach it, they would finally have a moment to regroup and plan their next move.
As they made their way through the forest once more, the distant howl of wolves sent a chill down Padrino's spine. It was a sound that always brought danger.
"Something's wrong," Niko whispered, his steps slowing as his eyes darted around the trees.
Padrino felt it too—a change in the air, a shift in the atmosphere. The forest, which had been eerily quiet, now seemed alive with unseen movement. He signaled for the group to stop, and they crouched low, listening.
Then, out of the shadows, a group of figures emerged, their cloaks blending with the darkness. Padrino's heart raced as he recognized the sigil on their armor—Galdrosian assassins, the elite hunters sent to finish what the scouts had failed to do.
"We're surrounded," Elda muttered, her voice tight with fear.
Padrino drew his sword, the blade glinting in the faint moonlight that filtered through the canopy. "No more running," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "We stand and fight."
The assassins moved with deadly precision, their blades flashing as they closed in on the group. Padrino met their charge head-on, his sword clashing with the first attacker's blade. The force of the impact sent a jolt through his arm, but he pushed forward, slashing through the assassin's defenses.
Niko moved like a shadow, his twin daggers finding their marks with lethal accuracy. He danced between the attackers, his movements swift and fluid, while Elda unleashed a barrage of magical energy, the air crackling with power.
But the assassins were relentless, their attacks coordinated and deadly. Padrino fought with everything he had, but for every enemy they felled, another seemed to take their place. The battle was fierce, and it became clear that this was not just an ambush—it was a trap.
"We need to break through!" Padrino shouted, his voice barely audible over the clashing of steel and the roar of magic.
Elda, her eyes glowing with determination, raised her hands and chanted a spell that sent a wave of energy crashing into the assassins, forcing them back for a moment. It was the opening they needed.
"Now!" Padrino ordered, and they sprinted through the gap, leaving the assassins scrambling to recover.
They ran through the forest, the sound of pursuit close behind. Padrino's mind raced, searching for a solution, for a way out. The extraction point was still ahead, but at this rate, they wouldn't make it before the assassins caught up.
"Look!" Niko shouted, pointing ahead.
Through the trees, Padrino saw it—a clearing with a small outpost, where a group of soldiers loyal to their cause waited. Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived.
The assassins were closing in, and there was no time to lose.
With a final burst of energy, they made it to the outpost, where the soldiers immediately raised their weapons to defend against the approaching assassins.
Padrino turned to face the forest, his chest heaving with exertion. The battle wasn't over—not by a long shot. But for now, they had bought themselves a moment of safety.
And in this war, every moment counted.