The Asher

The Asher: Chapter 6 - The Chase Begins

The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon as Asher, Samuel, and Dr. Cross hurriedly left Elise's safe house. The chill of the early morning air filled their lungs as they made their way through the narrow, winding streets of Blackwood City. Asher could feel a sense of urgency pulsing in his veins, his heart beating in rhythm with the faint echo of his time-bending power.

They had three days before the Order's ritual. Three days to stop a disaster that could unravel the fabric of time itself. The thought of it made Asher's head spin, but he forced himself to focus. They had a plan, and it was time to put it into action.

Samuel kept a lookout, his eyes scanning every alleyway, every shadow. "You think Elise gave us everything she knows?" he asked in a low voice.

Dr. Cross nodded, though his expression was filled with doubt. "She gave us enough to get started. But I wouldn't trust her completely. She's a survivor. Her loyalty lies with herself first."

Asher clenched his fists. "Doesn't matter. We have a lead, and we can't waste time doubting it. We need to get out of the city and head to the chapel."

But before they could make it to the main road, a group of figures emerged from the mist ahead of them. Men in dark coats with silver chains around their necks—the emblem of the Ouroboros Clock glinted in the faint light. The Order's scouts.

"They've found us," Samuel whispered, his hand instinctively reaching for a metal rod he'd picked up earlier.

Dr. Cross's face paled. "We need to move, now!"

Asher felt a surge of adrenaline as the men started to advance, their eyes cold and unyielding. He turned on his heel and bolted down a side street, Samuel and Dr. Cross hot on his heels. The sound of heavy footsteps and shouts followed them, echoing through the empty streets.

"We're sitting ducks here!" Samuel shouted. "We need to lose them in the alleys!"

Asher scanned the area, his mind racing. He focused on the flow of time, willing it to slow down just for a moment. The world around him seemed to stretch and warp, giving him a split second to make a decision. He spotted a narrow alley to their right and veered sharply, motioning for the others to follow.

They ducked into the alley, sprinting past rusted fire escapes and abandoned dumpsters. The scouts were still on their trail, but the narrow passage slowed them down. Asher could hear the clinking of their silver chains, a chilling reminder of the Order's relentless pursuit.

"We can't keep running like this," Dr. Cross panted. "They'll catch us eventually."

Samuel glanced over his shoulder, his expression grim. "Then we need to fight our way out."

Asher nodded, skidding to a stop behind a large dumpster. He felt the pulse of his power again, a steady thrum beneath his skin. He didn't fully understand how to control it yet, but he knew he had to try.

The first scout rounded the corner, a cruel smile on his face as he spotted them. Asher raised his hand, focusing on the man's movements. He felt a strange connection, like he could see the man's next move before he made it. As the scout lunged, Asher twisted his wrist, and time seemed to ripple. The man stumbled, his attack slowed, giving Samuel enough time to slam the metal rod into his chest.

The scout crumpled to the ground, but more were coming. Dr. Cross pulled a small device from his bag—a homemade flashbang. "Cover your eyes!" he shouted.

Asher and Samuel ducked behind the dumpster as Dr. Cross threw the device. A blinding flash of light and a deafening bang filled the alley, disorienting the scouts. They stumbled, clutching their eyes and ears, giving the trio precious seconds to make their escape.

"Go, go, go!" Dr. Cross yelled, and they took off again, weaving through the backstreets. The city was waking up now; the first signs of morning commuters were starting to appear, giving them some cover as they merged with the early crowd.

As they neared the edge of the city, Asher spotted an old train yard, its rusting cars and tangled tracks offering a perfect place to hide. "This way!" he called out, leading them through a broken fence and into the yard.

They ducked behind a line of abandoned train cars, catching their breath. Asher peered out cautiously, watching as the Order's scouts fanned out across the street, searching for them. The flashbang had bought them time, but it wouldn't be long before the scouts realized where they'd gone.

"We need a distraction," Samuel said, looking around. His eyes fell on a stack of wooden pallets near an old, rusty barrel. He grabbed a piece of metal from the ground and started striking it against the barrel, creating a loud, echoing noise.

The scouts' heads snapped in their direction, and they moved towards the noise. Asher felt his heart race; this was their chance. He focused again, tapping into his power. The world seemed to slow as he watched the scouts move towards the noise. He could see their paths clearly now, like lines drawn in the air.

"Now!" Asher whispered. They slipped through the gap between two train cars and sprinted towards the train yard's exit, keeping low and out of sight. The sound of Samuel's distraction still echoed behind them, drawing the scouts away.

They reached the edge of the yard and ducked into a dense thicket of trees. The noise of the city faded as they made their way into the woods beyond. Only when they were deep among the trees did they finally stop, leaning against the trunks as they caught their breath.

"That was too close," Dr. Cross said, wiping sweat from his brow.

Asher nodded, his mind racing. He'd managed to use his powers, even if just briefly. It felt like an extension of himself, but still wild and untamed. He knew he had to learn to control it, especially if they were going to face the Oracle.

Samuel clapped him on the back, grinning. "Not bad for our first real encounter with the Order. But we can't rest yet. We've got a long way to go before we reach that chapel."

Asher looked out into the woods, feeling the weight of the journey ahead. The Order was onto them now, and the chase had begun in earnest. There would be no turning back, no second chances. The fate of time itself was in their hands.

"Then let's not waste any more time," Asher said, his voice filled with resolve. "We keep moving. We have a ritual to stop."

Together, they pushed deeper into the forest, leaving the city and its dangers behind. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows through the trees. They were on their way to the chapel, and with every step, the clock was ticking down towards the moment of reckoning.