The group rushed through the ruins, the children clinging to each other as they ran. Lira led the way, cutting down any bandit who dared to cross their path, while Kellen darted through the shadows, his knives flashing in the dim light.
Cedric's magic surged within him, the ground shifting beneath their feet as he created obstacles to slow the bandits' pursuit. But the strain was beginning to take its toll. His vision blurred, and his muscles ached from the effort of maintaining so many creations at once.
They reached the outer courtyard of the ruins, the exit in sight. But as they neared the entrance, a hulking figure stepped into their path—a bandit leader, larger and more heavily armed than the others, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"You're not going anywhere," the bandit leader growled, raising a massive axe.
Lira stepped forward, her sword at the ready. "I'll handle him."
But before she could make her move, Tamsin stepped forward, her eyes wide with determination. "No, let me."
Cedric hesitated. "Tamsin, he's dangerous—"
"I know," Tamsin interrupted, her voice steady. "But I can stop him. Trust me."
Without waiting for a response, Tamsin raised her hands, her magic glowing faintly as she murmured something under her breath. The bandit leader took a step forward, but then staggered, his movements slowing as if he were suddenly too heavy to lift his own weapon.
"What… what is this?" the bandit leader growled, his voice slurring.
Tamsin's hands shook, but she held her ground. "It's a healing spell… but reversed. I'm slowing his body down."
Cedric watched in awe as the bandit leader collapsed to his knees, unable to move. Tamsin's magic had stopped him without a single drop of blood being shed.
Lira wasted no time. With a swift strike, she knocked the bandit leader out cold, ensuring he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.
"Nice work," Kellen said with a grin, his daggers still at the ready.
Tamsin, pale and trembling, nodded weakly. "I've never… done anything like that before."
Cedric placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice full of admiration. "You saved us."
---
The group finally made it out of the ruins, the children safe and the bandits left behind in disarray. As they walked back toward Tamsin's village, the tension in the air eased, and Cedric felt a sense of relief wash over him.
Tamsin walked beside him, still shaken from the battle but steady on her feet. "Thank you… for helping us."
Cedric smiled. "You were the one who saved us in the end."
Tamsin shook her head. "I couldn't have done it without you. Without all of you."
Maeve grinned, tossing a vial in the air and catching it with ease. "Well, we do make a pretty good team, don't we?"
Lira, as ever, was more serious. "We're not done yet. There will be more threats. More bandits. More enemies like that sorcerer. We have to be ready."
Cedric nodded, feeling the weight of her words. But for the first time since his exile, he felt like he wasn't facing it alone.
"We will be," he said quietly. "Together."
As the group continued their journey, the bond between them growing stronger with each step, Cedric couldn't help but feel that their adventure was just beginning.