Chapter 36: Where Leaves Fall, Shadows Stir
"Try to keep up," Jeis called over her shoulder, her voice clipped with urgency. In a flash, she activated her movement skill, and her figure blurred—an afterimage trailing behind her like wind-blown leaves—as she rushed toward the direction she believed Auren and Jaira had gone.
"I can’t slow down just to wait for you two. I’m worried I might not make it in time for my daughter!" she added, her tone a sharp mix of panic and purpose, just before vanishing from Robert and Marissa’s view entirely.
"Damn it," Robert cursed under his breath, gritting his teeth as he pumped his legs faster. Though he was a trained soldier and an experienced herbalist, even his stamina had limits. His body could carry him far, and fast—but with Marissa beside him, his pace was suffering. He kept glancing sideways, worried for both her and the boy they were running to save.
"You go ahead," Marissa suddenly said, stopping mid-stride. Her voice was calm, but her eyes trembled with the weight of a terrifying realization. She had read the concern on Robert’s face.
"I’ll go back to our house and grab the potions we’ve hidden away—the ones strong enough to help Auren if he’s badly wounded. You’ll need them." Her voice cracked slightly, but she didn’t let it slow her down.
Robert paused, torn between the two people he loved. He turned toward her, eyes softening. "Alright. I’ll go straight to our house the moment I find Auren. Until then..." He took her hand for a heartbeat, leaned in, and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. "Please be careful, my dear."
Marissa gave a shaky nod, then forced a small smile. "You too," she replied, turning swiftly in the opposite direction.
"Please save Auren."
"I will," Robert vowed, his voice firm as steel. Then he turned back toward the forest, feet pounding the earth beneath him.
Their figures split without hesitation—two different paths in the Runewood, both heavy with fate.
Robert charged down the sun-dappled trail that wound through the green forest. Shafts of light pierced the canopy, flickering like fireflies against the leaves. The ground was uneven and damp with recent dew, but Robert barely noticed. His instincts drove him forward, each stride carrying the full weight of a father’s hope and a soldier’s discipline.