Chapter 11: Hunted in the Moonlight
The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant firewood. Raviel and Horizon rode fast and silent, their stolen horses thundering down a narrow dirt road that cut through the thick forest.
"Alright," Horizon muttered, leaning forward in his saddle. "We made it out of the city, but the Celestial Court isn't stupid. They'll send hunters after us."
Raviel's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. "Then we make sure they don't find us."
As if the universe was determined to mock his confidence, a sudden flare of blue light shot across the sky behind them.
Horizon cursed. "That's a tracker spell. We've been marked."
Raviel's eyes narrowed.
From the city, the sounds of galloping hooves and distant shouting echoed through the trees. The Celestial Court's bounty hunters were already in pursuit.
"Change of plans," Raviel said, pulling the reins. "We leave the horses."
Horizon groaned. "I was just starting to like mine!"
"Move."
They leapt off their mounts, vanishing into the thick forest. Branches snapped underfoot as they sprinted deeper into the shadows, weaving between towering trees.
The sky above them glowed ominously, the tracker spell pulsing like a beacon in the dark.
"We need to get rid of that," Horizon said, panting. "Otherwise, we're basically running with a giant 'catch us' sign on our backs."
Raviel's hand tightened into a fist, and a faint pulse of black energy flickered around his fingers.
Horizon's eyes widened. "Wait, wait—whatever you're about to do, make sure it doesn't cause an explosion."
Raviel ignored him. He focused, letting his power seep into the air, stretching out like invisible tendrils. The tracker spell flickered, as if sensing the unnatural force pressing against it.
Then—SNAP.
The light overhead shattered, like a broken glass lantern.
For a brief moment, the forest was plunged into absolute darkness.
Then—
A whistle cut through the air.
Raviel turned just in time to see a gleaming silver arrow streaking toward them.
He barely had time to react before Horizon grabbed his collar and yanked him down.
The arrow slammed into a tree trunk behind them, releasing a pulse of freezing magic that instantly turned the bark to ice.
"Yep," Horizon muttered. "Definitely bounty hunters."
Raviel's eyes flashed. "Then let's deal with them."
The forest was alive with movement.
Figures in dark cloaks darted between the trees, their weapons gleaming under the moonlight.
Raviel and Horizon stood back to back, their eyes scanning the shadows.
A soft chuckle echoed through the air.
"Well, well," a voice drawled. "The Demon God's little prince and his… eccentric companion."
A figure stepped into view—a tall woman with silver hair, her face hidden behind a half-mask. The sigil of the Celestial Court was embroidered on her cloak.
"Congratulations," she said. "You made it farther than most fugitives. But this chase ends here."
Horizon sighed. "Why do they always say that? It never ends here."
The bounty hunter's hand twitched—a signal.
In an instant, arrows rained from above.
Raviel lifted a hand, and a dark barrier erupted around them. The arrows struck, disintegrating upon impact.
Horizon grinned. "My turn."
With a flick of his wrist, throwing knives shot from his sleeves, vanishing into the shadows. Pained grunts followed.
The bounty hunters weren't expecting a fight.
The silver-haired woman narrowed her eyes. "Fine. Let's see how long you can last."
She lunged forward, her blade shimmering with enchanted light.
Raviel met her with a clash of steel and magic.
The battle was short but brutal. Raviel and Horizon managed to take down three of the hunters, but the silver-haired woman proved too skilled to defeat outright.
In the end, they fled deeper into the forest, leaving behind a trail of smoke and broken trees.
By dawn, they had reached a small village near the river.
"We need disguises," Raviel muttered, glancing at his dirt-covered cloak. "The Celestial Court knows what we look like."
Horizon smirked. "Don't worry. I've got an idea."
—
A Few Hours Later…
The two fugitives walked into the village square—completely unrecognizable.
Raviel's once-dark robes were gone, replaced by the simple attire of a traveling scholar. His silver hair was now dyed a deep brown, and his demonic aura was completely suppressed.
Horizon, on the other hand…
Raviel sighed. "You look ridiculous."
Horizon twirled in his bright green tunic and oversized hat. "You don't understand fashion, my friend. This is style."
"You look like a failed bard."
"Thank you."
Before Raviel could argue, a group of village boys ran past, chattering excitedly.
"Did you hear?" one of them said. "The Celestial Court is searching for two dangerous criminals! They're demons in disguise!"
"Scary," another boy whispered. "I hope they don't come here."
Raviel and Horizon exchanged a glance.
It was official.
They were the most wanted fugitives in the world.
And this was just the beginning.