"Duck!" her grandmother screamed.
Elysara didn't think—her body obeyed instinct. She dropped to the ground just as an arrow whizzed past, grazing the air where her head had been moments before. It embedded itself with a sharp thud into a tree trunk behind her, quivering from the force.
Her breath hitched as she turned toward Aureth, who was already crouched low, her eyes scanning the shadows of the forest. Another arrow flew, slicing through the night, but Aureth swatted it away with a branch she had grabbed.
"Keep moving!" Aureth barked, her voice commanding.
Elysara scrambled to her feet, her heart hammering in her chest. The darkness around them seemed to pulse with unseen movement. Shapes flitted between the trees—silent and swift, too fast to make out clearly.
"Who's attacking us?" Elysara hissed, clutching her wooden knife tightly. Her hands trembled as she tried to steady her breathing.
Aureth didn't respond. She grabbed Elysara by the arm and pulled her deeper into the forest. The ground was uneven, roots and rocks catching at their feet as they ran. More arrows sliced through the air, one narrowly missing Aureth's shoulder.
"They're hunting us," Aureth finally muttered, her voice grim.
Elysara's blood ran cold. "Hunting us? Who?"
Aureth stopped abruptly, pulling her behind a large tree. She peeked around the trunk, her sharp eyes scanning the terrain. "I don't know," she admitted. "But they're organized. They know this forest well."
Elysara pressed her back against the tree, her pulse thundering in her ears. "What do we do?"
"We fight if we must," Aureth said, her tone resolute. She reached into the small satchel at her side and pulled out a handful of powder. "But we use our wits first. I need you to trust me."
Elysara nodded, her throat dry. "I trust you."
The forest seemed to hold its breath. For a moment, the world was still—too still. Then, from the corner of her eye, Elysara saw one of their attackers emerge from the shadows. The figure was cloaked in black, their face hidden beneath a hood. They moved with the grace of a predator, silent and deliberate.
Elysara's grip tightened on her knife. Her magic simmered beneath her skin, begging to be used.
"Wait," Aureth whispered, holding up a hand.
The attacker crept closer, their focus entirely on the spot where Elysara and Aureth had last been seen. Another figure appeared on the opposite side, and then another. They were surrounded.
Aureth tossed the powder into the air, muttering a quick incantation under her breath. The powder shimmered as it spread, catching the faint moonlight. A sudden gust of wind erupted from nowhere, swirling the powder into a dense, glittering mist.
"Now!" Aureth shouted.
Elysara didn't hesitate. She stepped out from behind the tree, her free hand raised. The magic within her surged, responding to her will. A burst of light shot from her palm, blinding the nearest attacker. They stumbled back, clutching their face, and Elysara didn't wait for them to recover. She lunged forward, slashing with her knife. The blade struck true, cutting through the fabric of their cloak and leaving a shallow wound on their arm.
Another attacker charged at her from the left, but Aureth intercepted them with a sweep of her branch, knocking them off balance.
"Stay close!" Aureth called, her voice steady despite the chaos.
Elysara nodded, her heart pounding as she turned to face the next threat. The attackers were fast, but her magic gave her an edge. She raised her hand again, sending another burst of light into the darkness. It illuminated the forest briefly, revealing more figures lurking in the shadows. There were too many of them.
"A trap," Aureth muttered, her eyes narrowing. "They've been waiting for us."
Elysara's stomach twisted. "How did they know we'd be here?"
"I don't know, but we can't stay," Aureth said. "We need to break through their line."
Elysara hesitated, glancing at the figures closing in around them. She felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her, the fear threatening to paralyze her. But then she saw Aureth, standing firm despite the danger, and something inside her steadied.
"Which way?" Elysara asked, her voice stronger than she felt.
Aureth pointed to a narrow gap between the trees. "There. We'll make a run for it."
Elysara nodded, her grip on the knife tightening.
"On my mark," Aureth said. "Three… two… one… go!"
They sprinted toward the gap, dodging arrows and slashing at any attacker who got too close. Elysara's magic flared again and again, bursts of light disorienting their pursuers. The forest seemed to close in around them, the ancient trees watching silently as the battle unfolded.
Finally, they broke through the line of attackers, bursting into a small clearing. Aureth skidded to a stop, breathing heavily, and Elysara nearly collided with her.
"We can't keep this up," Elysara gasped, clutching her side.
Aureth nodded, her expression grim. "We'll have to lose them in the forest. Follow me."
She led Elysara deeper into the trees, weaving through the dense undergrowth. The sounds of their pursuers faded slowly, but neither of them relaxed.
When they finally paused to catch their breath, Elysara sank to the ground, her legs trembling and her chest heaving. "Who were they?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't know," Aureth said, her eyes darting toward the shadows that seemed to shift in the darkened forest. "But they're dangerous. And they won't stop until they get what they're after."
Elysara shivered, the enormity of their journey settling over her. They'd only just begun, yet the dangers beyond Drhekor were already far greater than anything she'd imagined.
"We'll survive this," Aureth said, her voice firm with resolve. "But you need to prepare yourself, child. This journey will push you to your limits, and you'll face things you're not ready for. But you're stronger than you realize. Believe in that."
Elysara met her grandmother's steady gaze, drawing strength from her unwavering confidence. The fear that had gripped her began to loosen its hold, replaced by a flicker of determination.
All around them, the ancient forest loomed, its towering trees creaking softly as if alive, whispering warnings only they could hear. The air was heavy with a mix of foreboding and purpose, urging them forward even as it pressed down on them.
Adjusting her grip on the crude wooden knife, Elysara took a deep, steadying breath. Tonight had been her first real taste of the dangers that lay ahead, and it wouldn't be her last. She had to be ready for whatever came next.