Adventures beyond the void

Chapter 24: Bandits and Tree-troopers

3RD POV

Finally out! Ronan exhaled sharply, his heart thundering with relief as his four massive paws met the warm, mossy forest floor. No more damp cavern walls. No more cold stone tunnels. The Beast Mage had taken on his colossal wolf form to carry the youngest of the children out on his back after Selin had split off to rescue Zana. The moment they were out, he knelt down gently, letting the frightened kids slide off his furred back. As soon as the last child was down, his body shimmered with white light, shrinking and folding in on itself as he returned to his mage form.

Moments later, a sudden gust of wind swept through the trees. Airos emerged from the cave's shadow, his arms raised in concentration. Behind him, more children floated gently through the air, suspended by his wind magic. As he reached the tree line, he let them down one by one with care.

       Ronan: - Airos?

He called out. The mage with the orchid-colored hair gave a short nod, eyes scanning the group.

      Airos: - That's everyone.

      Ronan: - Good. Let's get them moving. We have to return them to the village before-...

But he stopped. Airos wasn't moving. He was staring back at the cave entrance, brows furrowed, shoulders rigid.

      Ronan: - What's wrong?

Airos didn't answer at first. The wind around him stilled. Then, he added quietly:

      Airos: - Remember what Captain Selin told us? If we heard a woman screaming for help.... we were to ignore it?

Ronan's throat tightened. He nodded slowly, the memory striking hard.

      Airos: - I checked anyway. I went deeper into the left tunnel, past the old storeroom. There was a cage. Made from Nihil.

Ronan's eyes widened.

      Airos: - It was empty.

      Ronan: - Empty? But....she couldn't have escaped. Nihil cancels magic, and-....

      Airos: - I know.

He reached into his armor and pulled out a small, cracked glass vial. Inside was a faint trace of glowing lime-green liquid. He held it out between his fingers, tilting it. A single drop fell to the earth. The ground hissed. Smoke rose. The dirt sizzled, leaving a blackened crater the size of a coin. Ronan audibly gulped.

       Ronan: - This is bad. This is really bad.

His hand ran through his damp, grey-white hair, frustration mounting. If she had escaped, the bandits would be warned. Selin would lose the element of surprise. She could walk into an ambush.

      Ronan: - We have to go back. We can't just leave her. If she's discovered-...

      Airos: - No.

Airos coldly spoke. Ronan stared at him.

      Ronan: - What?

      Airos: - Our mission is the children. Nothing else.

     Ronan: - But Mrs Selin-...!

     Airos: - Trusted us. She gave us these children. She ordered us to get them out safely. And we will not break her trust.

His voice cut through like a blade. The two locked eyes. All around them, the children clung to one another. Some whimpered. One sniffled. Another tugged on Ronan's sleeve with trembling fingers.