Chapter 14: Escape to Delport
Hayyan and Amy had been on the move for nearly a week, weaving their way through dense forests, avoiding the main roads as they made their way toward Delport. Hayyan's mind remained sharp, his senses on high alert for any sign of knights. Despite the hardships of their journey, he and Amy had settled into a rhythm, and in the quiet moments, he found himself surprised by how much he enjoyed her company.
The forest was their temporary refuge—a shield of trees that kept them hidden from prying eyes. But it also concealed dangers, as they found out one humid afternoon.
Encounter with the Knights
They were resting by a small stream when the sound of distant footsteps reached Hayyan's ears. He signaled Amy to stay quiet, pressing a finger to his lips. Amy's eyes widened with fear, and she nodded, crouching low behind the thick underbrush.
Peering through the trees, Hayyan saw the glint of metal in the dappled sunlight. Four knights, armored and armed, trudged through the forest with their eyes scanning the area. Their faces were stern, and their swords looked freshly sharpened. Hayyan's heart pounded in his chest.
They must be searching for him, he thought. Or maybe they've heard rumors of a wizard in the area.
He considered their options quickly: they could try to run again, but if the knights caught sight of them, there would be no way to outrun them in this dense terrain with Amy unable to use wind magic to run faster. He could sense Amy's panic rising beside him, her breaths coming in short, quiet gasps.
He squeezed her shoulder gently. "Stay hidden, Amy. I'll handle this," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves.
She clutched at his hand, her eyes wide. "Please be careful, Hay," she murmured, a note of desperation in her voice. He managed a small, reassuring smile before turning to face the knights, willing his mind to focus.
The Confrontation
As the knights drew closer, Hayyan stood and stepped out from behind the trees, keeping his hands at his sides to appear non-threatening. But inside, he was already gathering his mana, feeling the energy pulse through him like a second heartbeat.
One of the knights spotted him first, a burly man with a scar running down the side of his face. He drew his sword, pointing it at Hayyan. "You there! What are you doing in these woods?" he barked.
"I'm just a traveler," Hayyan replied, forcing calm into his voice. "I've lost my way."
The knight's eyes narrowed. "Lost, you say? Or hiding something? Perhaps...you are the damned bastard Wizard?"
Hayyan clenched his fists, feeling the air around him begin to swirl. He could see the other knights tightening their grips on their weapons, ready for trouble. He couldn't let them find Amy.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll turn back now," Hayyan said, his voice low. "I don't want to hurt you."
The scar-faced knight sneered. "Bold words for a lone Wizard. Get him, boys!"
The Battle Begins
As the knights lunged forward, Hayyan reacted on instinct. He reached out with his mind, tapping into the air around him. With a swift gesture, he summoned a gust of wind that howled through the trees, slamming into the nearest knight and knocking him off his feet. The man crashed into a tree trunk with a grunt of pain.
The remaining three knights hesitated, their surprise evident. But they quickly regained their composure and charged. Hayyan gritted his teeth and called upon his fire magic. With a snap of his fingers, a small flame flickered to life in his palm, growing rapidly until it became a swirling orb of fire.
He hurled it at the nearest knight, who barely managed to raise his shield in time. The fireball exploded against the metal, the heat scorching his armor and forcing him back. The knight cursed, clutching his burnt arm.
But Hayyan wasn't done yet. He drew on the earth beneath him, feeling its solidity, its weight. With a sharp motion, he drove his fist into the ground, and the earth rippled outward in response. A wall of rock erupted from the ground, separating him from the knights.
"Come on, then," he taunted, backing up as the knights began to scramble over the barrier. "Let's see what you're really made of."
Hidden behind the trees, Amy watched the scene unfold, her heart racing. She had never seen anyone stand up to the knights like this, never seen anyone fight for her. As she watched Hayyan weave fire and earth with such determination, something stirred inside her—a sense of admiration, of awe.
She knew he was risking everything for her, putting himself in harm's way to keep her safe. And she realized, with a mixture of gratitude and something warmer that she couldn't quite name, that she cared deeply about him. He was more than just her rescuer—he was her protector, her ally in a world that had turned against them.
I want to help him, she thought desperately. I can't just sit here while he fights alone.
But she also knew that her powers, still so new and unstable, could be more dangerous than helpful. So, she stayed hidden, biting her lip, silently willing Hayyan to succeed.
Turning the Tide
As the knights breached the earth wall, Hayyan shifted his focus back to the air, drawing in a deep breath and channeling the mana through his body. He raised both hands, and the wind surged to life around him, forming a vortex that swirled with increasing speed.
"Enough games," he muttered, feeling the strain of maintaining control. He directed the wind toward the knights, turning the air into a cutting force that sliced through their ranks, sending their weapons flying and leaving them scrambling for balance.
The scar-faced knight, now bleeding from a cut on his arm, glared at Hayyan with fury. "You'll pay for this, wizard," he growled, struggling to rise. But before he could reach his feet, Hayyan clenched his fist, and the ground beneath the knight shifted violently. A column of earth shot upward, sending the knight tumbling back down.
Breathing heavily, Hayyan kept his stance, his eyes scanning the fallen knights. "You should leave," he warned. "Or I won't hold back next time."
The knights, bruised and beaten, exchanged wary glances before dragging their injured comrades away, retreating into the trees. Hayyan waited until their footsteps faded before finally relaxing, letting the magic dissipate. His legs felt weak, and he dropped to one knee, panting for breath.
Hayyan wasn't ready to kill yet. He had never killed anyone. So this might he a huge mistake and which he himself felt about him but still couldn't overcome it.
A Quiet Moment
Amy rushed out from her hiding place, kneeling beside him with worry etched across her face. "Hay, are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Hayyan managed a tired smile, reaching up to ruffle her hair. "I'm fine, Amy. Just... a little tired. But they won't be bothering us anymore."
She bit her lip, looking down at her hands. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help. I... I was too scared."
He shook his head, his expression softening. "You don't need to apologize. Staying safe was the best thing you could have done. I wouldn't forgive myself if you got hurt."
Amy felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, a fluttering sensation she had never felt before. She blinked back tears, looking up at him with a small, shy smile. "Thank you, Hay. For saving me... again."
He chuckled softly, giving her a gentle nudge. "We're in this together now, Amy. Let's keep each other safe."
After a few days they saw the vast never ending blue sea.
---