Alina sprinted through the dense forest, her breath coming in sharp gasps as branches whipped against her arms. The parchment was clutched tightly to her chest, her mind racing faster than her feet. She could hear Kael behind her, locked in battle, but she couldn't stop—not now.
She needed to get away. To hide. To *think*.
The robed man had barely lifted a finger, yet he had sent Kael flying. Whatever power he wielded, it wasn't natural. And if he caught her, she had no doubt he'd take the parchment… and perhaps much more.
Alina pushed herself harder, her boots crunching against leaves and twigs. The trees stretched endlessly before her, but she knew she had to find cover. Running blindly wouldn't save her forever.
Then, she saw it—a rocky outcrop ahead, half-hidden by thick foliage. A place to hide.
She veered toward it, her heart hammering against her ribs. Just a little further—
A sudden gust of wind slammed into her from behind.
Alina cried out as she was lifted off her feet and thrown forward. She crashed into the dirt, the parchment slipping from her grasp. Her vision blurred as she struggled to regain her senses.
Footsteps approached, slow and deliberate.
No.
Alina forced herself to move, crawling toward the parchment. But before her fingers could reach it, a boot came down on the fragile paper, pinning it to the ground.
Her breath caught as she looked up.
The robed man loomed over her, his expression eerily calm. "Running was foolish."
Alina's body tensed, but she refused to show fear. "Then you don't know me very well."
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "Bravery is admirable, but it won't change your fate."
He crouched slightly, reaching for the parchment.
Before his fingers could grasp it, a blur of motion struck him from the side.
Kael.
He tackled the man with full force, knocking him off balance. The parchment fluttered free, and Alina wasted no time—she snatched it up and stumbled to her feet.
Kael didn't give the robed man a chance to recover. He swung his sword in a fierce arc, forcing their pursuer back. "Go!" he barked at Alina, not taking his eyes off his opponent.
Alina hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to stay.
But she knew Kael was right.
If she stayed, they'd both be caught. If she ran, at least one of them had a chance.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she turned and ran once more, disappearing into the trees.
This time, she didn't stop.
Not until she was sure she was alone.
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