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He had risked his life for us, a Chi who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Yet, he was nowhere to be found.
“Lorik!” Madison’s voice called out, shattering my contemplation.
Turning, I found her climbing down the final few branches, her eyes wide with a mix of worry and curiosity.
“Madison,” I said. “Aznai. He’s not here.”
Her gaze darted around the clearing. “Maybe he escaped? Got away when the fog receded?”
It was a possibility, but it didn’t sit right.
He had always been by my side, always ready to lend a hand.
Where could he have gone in the heart of the fog’s terror?
But I would allow myself to hope. “Maybe.”
As we decided on our next steps, I couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate the beauty around us.
The forest was alive with vibrant colors, the sweet scent of morning dew wafting through the air, the soft caress of the wind on our skin, the distant murmur of a stream — it was as if nature was trying to make up for the terror it had unleashed.
ThatIhad unleashed.
The ordeal had brought us closer, bound by shared experiences and unwavering trust.
And as we moved forward, stepping into the unknown, I was grateful for the companion by my side.
Yet, the events of the past night were a stark reminder that in this vast universe, dangers lurked around every corner, and one could never be too careful.
23
MADISON
The journey to Ruara’s estate was a blur of sensations.
With every step, the soft crunch of dried leaves and twigs echoed beneath our boots, and the forest slowly gave way to manicured landscapes and hedges.
The aroma of blooming orchids flirted with my senses, a light, almost intoxicating scent that hung in the air, momentarily making me forget our recent encounters.
Lorik walked ahead, the familiar rhythmic cadence of his footsteps offering me a semblance of comfort.
Behind him, I couldn’t help but admire the broadness of his shoulders and how they carried our shared burdens with such ease.
The golden rays of the sun were warm against my skin, its touch gentle like a lover’s caress.
Birds sang in harmonized tunes, their songs melodious and soft.
Everything felt so ordinary, yet after all we had gone through, ordinary feltextraordinary.
Soon, the majestic form of Ruara’s mansion came intoview, a sprawling estate with shimmering fountains and gardens that seemed to stretch on forever.
The juxtaposition against our disheveled appearances wasn’t lost on me.
We were so close to safety.
As we approached the grand entrance, the massive wooden doors swung open, revealing Ruara.
