A hollow mid autumn night

Part 9

Battle

Aumi and Jack left the Whispering Glade. They still didn't know the true cost of the ritual, the exact piece of their essence they had sacrificed. But holding the vial, a symbol of their freedom and their bond, they ventured forth, ready to face whatever the future held. They were no longer just a girl and a wisp on the run. They were partners, bound by a connection deeper than magic, ready to forge their own destiny.

A cold dread settled over Aumi as they emerged from the Whispering Glade. The witch's final words echoed in her mind, "the essence sacrificed cannot be retrieved." What part of themselves had they given up? A piece of their memory? Their emotions? Uncertainty gnawed at her, but the sight of Jack, his form more solid than before, filled her with a fierce joy. They were free.

Jack, however, seemed troubled. His gaze, usually filled with a newfound warmth, held a flicker of something else – a steely determination that sent shivers down Aumi's spine.

"Aumi," he began, his voice low and serious. "There's something I need to do."

"What is it?" she asked, a tremor in her voice.

He took her hands in his, his touch sending a familiar warmth through her. "I can't shake the feeling that those mercenaries won't give up. They know about the ritual, and they'll stop at nothing to get my power."

A dark fire ignited in Aumi's chest. The thought of those men, those who had hurt her and hunted Jack for so long, filled her with a cold fury.

"But the potion," she stammered, clutching the vial tightly. "We have it. We can use it to fight back."

Jack shook his head sadly. "It wouldn't be enough. They're trained killers, Aumi. And besides," he added, his voice hardening, "someone needs to make them pay for what they've done."

A sickening realization dawned on Aumi. He was talking about revenge. He planned to face the mercenaries alone. Panic surged through her.

"No, Jack, you can't! They'll overpower you."

Jack met her gaze, his eyes filled with a fierce resolve. "I'm stronger now, Aumi. And I won't let them hurt you or anyone else ever again."

His words were and protectiveness, but Aumi saw the danger lurking beneath the surface. A sudden, strong intuition gripped her. Jack wasn't just seeking revenge; he was driven by a deep-seated desire to protect her.

"Wait, I'm coming with you."

Jack's brow furrowed. "No, Aumi. It's too dangerous. I can't risk-"

"But I can't risk losing you either," she interrupted, her voice filled with a quiet strength. "We face this together, remember?"

Jack hesitated, his resolve warring with his concern for her. But seeing the fierce determination in her eyes, he finally nodded.

"Alright," he conceded, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "But you stay hidden. I'll create a diversion, and then we'll escape together."

A wave of relief washed over Aumi. She wouldn't let him face this alone. However, a different thought, a nagging suspicion, began to form in her mind.

There was something off about the mercenaries' relentless pursuit. Why would the King be so desperate for Jack's power, especially after the ritual? A cold dread settled in her stomach. What if the King himself was somehow involved?

Fueled by this newfound suspicion, Aumi made a decision. She wouldn't wait for Jack's plan to unfold. She would go directly to the source – the King's castle.

The journey was fraught with danger. Sneaking into the heavily guarded castle was no easy feat. But fueled by her determination and a growing fear for Jack, Aumi managed to slip past the guards, her agility honed from years of exploring the forest.