The Relentless Path

Chapter II : The Tenuous Journey

The sun barely crested the horizon when the trio arrived at a cave nestled deep within the forest. The dense trees, their thick branches interwoven like a fortress, kept the early morning light at bay, casting long shadows across the entrance. Partially hidden by overgrown vines and moss-covered rocks, offered the perfect refuge—a secluded spot away from prying eyes.The older man led the way, his strides purposeful and steady, despite the weight of the unconscious woman draped over his shoulder. Ryker followed close behind, his eyes darting around the clearing, ever watchful for any sign of danger. They had traveled through the night, the urgency of their mission driving them forward without rest. But now, with the woman beginning to regain consciousness, it was time to take this shelter.

As they entered the cave, the air grew cooler, the damp smell of earth and stone enveloping them. The interior was spacious, with a ceiling that rose high above their heads, supported by jagged pillars of rock. The ground was uneven, littered with loose stones and patches of moss, but it was dry—safe enough for the time being.The older man set the girl down near the back of the cave with little care, where the shadows were deepest. Her breathing had become more rapid, and her eyelids fluttered as she struggled to regain full consciousness. He stepped back, his gaze never leaving her as she started to come to.

Ryker leaned against the rough cave wall, crossing his arms as he watched her. 

"She's waking up," he remarked, his voice echoing in the vast space. The older man only grunted in response, his expression unreadable as always. His attention remained focused on the sleeping silhouette, watching as she gradually became aware of her surroundings.

Her black eyes slowly opened, vision blurry as she tried to make sense of where she was. The cold, hard ground beneath her was a stark contrast to the warmth she remembered before she lost consciousness. Panic flared as she realized she was not alone.She struggled to sit up, her movements sluggish and uncoordinated. As her vision cleared, she saw the two men standing nearby—the older man, tall and imposing, his dark hair falling in untamed strands around his face, and the younger man, leaner but equally formidable build, with sharp eyes that never seemed to rest."Where...?" she began, her voice hoarse, barely above a whisper. Throat feeling dry and her head dizzy.

Before she could finish, the younger man pushed off the wall and took a step towards her .

"You gave us quite the chase, you know." he said, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

The older man shot him a warning glance, silencing any further comments. He turned his attention back to their prisoner, his expression stern. 

"Don't bother" he said, his voice a low growl that resonated through the cave. "You've still got drugs in your system from last night."

The girl's heart pounded in her chest as his words sank in. She was drugged. The memory of the night before came rushing back—she had been resting at an inn, weary from her travels. The food had tasted amazing, but shortly after, she had started to feel unsteady, her connection to her powers weakening with every passing moment. It was too late when she realized what was happening, she bolted out the inn's door, in a desperate attempt to get away from the situation, but she sensed being chased down through the forest.Her eyes narrowed as she looked between the two men. They must have known the innkeeper. How else could they have slipped those drugs into my food? A wave of anger surged through her, but she forced herself to stay calm. She knew that in her current state, she was no match for them.

"Kellan!" a low growl laced with irritation comes from the younger counterpart, snapping her back from her spiraling thoughts. "The chloroform's wearing off too quick. She'll keep waking up. Want me to knock her out for good?"