The air on the ridge was different, colder, fresher. Aidi welcomed the breeze, though it did little to calm the relentless pounding of her heart. The sound of their pursuers had grown fainter, but she couldn't allow herself to relax. Every shadow in the distance, every rustle in the wind, kept her on edge. They weren't safe yet.
Julian's pace hadn't slowed. He moved with a quiet urgency, his eyes scanning the horizon as though expecting an attack at any moment. Aidi and Liam followed closely behind, trying to catch their breath as they traversed the rocky terrain. The ridge was steep, and their progress was slow, but it was their only hope for finding shelter, for gaining some advantage over the enemies who'd been hunting them for days.
"We have to keep moving," Julian said without looking back. His voice was sharp, almost frantic. "They won't stop."
Aidi's muscles screamed for rest, but there was no choice. She couldn't let herself stop—not now. Not when their lives were on the line.
"We need a plan," Liam said, his voice strained from the effort of climbing the rocky incline.
"We'll figure that out once we get to the other side," Julian replied, his tone tight. "Keep up. We're almost there."
Aidi nodded, though she knew the real danger had only just begun. If they made it to the other side of the ridge, they would still have to deal with the vast, untamed wilderness on the other side. But at least they'd have the high ground, the ability to see their attackers coming before they got too close.
But the ridge didn't offer as much safety as Julian had hoped. As they neared the top, Aidi could hear the sound of movement again—more than one set of footsteps, moving fast and deliberately through the dense underbrush below. They were still on their trail, and they were closing in.
Julian stopped suddenly, holding up a hand to signal for them to halt. The wind carried the sound of the approaching enemy, but it was no longer muffled by the trees. Aidi could hear the familiar thud of boots hitting the earth, the quick rustle of bodies moving through the underbrush. It was only a matter of time before they reached the ridge.
"What now?" Aidi whispered, her voice barely audible above the wind.
"We make a stand," Julian said, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the terrain around them. "If we keep moving, they'll catch us. We need to find cover—somewhere they can't get to us easily."
Aidi's gaze swept across the ridge. On the far side, the terrain dropped off sharply, but there were jagged rocks and outcroppings that could provide cover. If they could reach those, they might be able to set up a defense, hold their ground long enough to regroup and plan their next move.
"Head for the rocks," Julian said, his voice urgent. "We can't outrun them. But we can fight."
The three of them sprinted toward the outcropping of rocks, their feet slipping on the loose earth as they scrambled for safety. Aidi's breath came in ragged gasps, and her legs burned with exhaustion, but she pushed herself harder. They had no choice.
They reached the rocks just as the first of their pursuers emerged from the trees below. Aidi's heart skipped a beat. The figure was tall, cloaked in black, moving with unnatural speed. A moment later, another figure appeared, then another—each one moving with deadly precision. They weren't just regular hunters. They were skilled, trained. And they were closing in fast.
"We've got company," Liam said, his voice low but filled with urgency. "Julian, what now?"
Julian didn't answer immediately. He was crouched low, his eyes scanning the enemies below as he gripped his weapon. Aidi followed his gaze, her heart pounding as she realized that there were more than they had anticipated. At least five figures moved in perfect formation, each one scanning the ridge for any sign of movement.
"We wait," Julian said finally, his voice cold. "They'll think we're retreating. We're not. We're waiting for the right moment."
Aidi nodded, understanding the plan. They would wait until the enemy grew too confident, thinking they were safe, and then strike—quick and decisive.
The minutes dragged on like hours. Aidi could feel the tension mounting, her muscles tense with readiness. She could hear the faint rustling of the enemy below, their voices low and hushed as they communicated with one another. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the wind no longer carrying the same crispness. Everything felt still, as though the world was waiting for something to happen.
Finally, Julian motioned for them to move. "On my mark," he whispered.
The enemies below had split up, moving in different directions as they searched for the trio. Julian's hand shot up, signaling the attack.
"Now!" he hissed.
In a blur of motion, they leapt from their cover, charging down the rocky slope toward the nearest enemy. Aidi's heart raced as she drew her knife, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she sprinted toward her target. The enemy was caught off guard, stumbling backward as they tried to bring their weapons up. But it was too late.
Aidi slammed into one of the attackers, knocking him off balance and sending him tumbling to the ground. Before he could recover, she was on him, her knife flashing in the sunlight as she pressed it to his throat.
"Stay down," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.
The enemy didn't fight back, his eyes wide with shock. He knew they were outnumbered now. The tide had shifted.
Julian and Liam had engaged the other attackers, and the battle raged in the chaos of the rocky terrain. Aidi's heart pounded in her chest, but there was no time to think—only time to act.
The fight was brutal, but quick. Within moments, the remaining attackers were either disarmed or incapacitated, their weapons scattered across the rocky ground. Aidi's chest heaved with exertion, and her hands were slick with sweat as she stood over the fallen enemy.
"We're not done yet," Julian said, his voice gruff as he wiped blood from his blade. "But we've bought ourselves some time."
Aidi looked around at the battered landscape. The fight wasn't over—but for now, they had won. And they had made it clear: they were not easy prey.