Rin dashed at full speed toward the place Andreas had indicated, his heart heavy with fear and worry for his friend Rio. The street was crowded with passersby, but Rin passed them all without looking back, his mind focused solely on his kidnapped childhood friend.
After a few minutes, he reached the back gate of the empire, where he noticed dirty footprints on the ground, as if someone had been carried quickly. Rin followed the trail, feeling his tension rising; time seemed to slip away, and any delay could be fatal.
Meanwhile, Yurie was carrying Rio away from the empire in a luxurious carriage, surrounded by servants and armed guards. Rio sat trapped between a plush cushion and the wall of the carriage, trying to resist, but he was weak against Yurie's gas and well-laid plans.
Rio said angrily:
"What do you want with me, for heaven's sake?! I will not be a pawn in your schemes!"
Yurie laughed coldly:
"My dear, don't run from the truth. You are the rightful prince, and I must ensure your return to be the ruler Faleoria chose. You have no choice."
Rio: "Choice?! I've been exiled for ten years! I have the right to refuse!"
Yurie: "I don't care about your feelings, Rio. If you don't do as I say, the kingdom will fall into chaos, everyone will be in danger, and you will bear all the consequences."
Rio felt both anger and helplessness at the same time, but he did not surrender internally. His mind raced, searching for any weakness in Yurie's plans, any loophole that could give him a chance to escape.
Meanwhile, Rin reached the edge of the forest near the city, tracking the carriage's trail. He looked around and saw that the guards were not paying attention behind them, and Rin took advantage of this, moving stealthily among the trees, advancing step by step without being noticed.
Then, as the carriage moved along a narrow path through the forest, Rin noticed something strange: the guards were slowing down slightly, as if double-checking something. This was his chance.
Rin cautiously approached the side of the carriage, took a deep breath, and leapt from a nearby tree, using his combat skills to strike the guard on the side of the carriage. The guard collapsed unconscious, and some of the carriage's bags fell to the ground.
Yurie was momentarily taken aback, not expecting someone to attack so boldly. She glanced to the side and saw Rin standing there, smiling a terrifying smile:
"Finally decided to show up, hero of the Fire Kingdom."
Rin: "Stop deceiving yourself, Yurie! I will get Rio out of here no matter what it takes!"
Yurie smiled:
"Do you really think you can do it alone?"
The carriage entered an open area, and at that moment, Yurie pressed a button, releasing a poisonous gas that spread around, killing everything in its path. Then, she released sleeping gas again, but Rin was prepared this time—he was unharmed.
Rin approached the carriage quickly, using all his physical strength to climb its side, and saw Rio. He got him out of the carriage and left.
Rio: "Rin! I didn't expect you to come so fast!"
Rin replied: "I won't let them take you away! Hold on!"
At that moment, the carriage suddenly stopped, having collided with a large stone deliberately placed on the road. The guards tried to regain control, but Rin used the chaos, jumped from the carriage to the ground, and began striking the guards one by one, using unexpected power and skill.
Still, Yurie moved with incredible speed, trying to regain control, but she had not anticipated Rin's cleverness. With astonishing agility, Rin cut the restraints holding Rio, and the two stood side by side, ready to face Yurie and any other threat.
Rio said: "I never thought anyone would come to save me. Thank you, Rin."
Rin smiled: "No need to thank me. I won't let anyone hurt my friend."
At that moment, Yurie realized things were starting to turn against her. She tried to use her magic, pulling a small glowing gem from her bag, but Rin was faster and snatched it away, nullifying all its effects.
Yurie screamed in anger: "This isn't over, Rio!"
Rio replied defiantly: "If fate wants me, I'll choose it myself, not by your will!"
In an unexpected move, Yurie dashed toward Rin at incredible speed, grabbed his face, and just before releasing the poisonous gas, she said: "Goodbye!" A cloud of toxic gas exploded from Yurie's hands, engulfing Rin completely.
Rio shouted in anger: "Rin!"
Rio rushed at Yurie furiously, unleashing a continuous barrage of purple lightning at her.
Yurie screamed in pain.
Then the attack ceased, and Yurie, enraged, lunged at Rio, releasing a storm of poisoned swords.
Rio effortlessly dodged all of them. He then lifted Rin and ran swiftly to another location.
After some time running, Rin regained consciousness.
Rin stood, exhausted but ready for any upcoming confrontation, and said: "What happened?"
Rio smiled for the first time in a long while and said: "I'm glad you're okay, thank God."
Rin smiled at Rio, but his expression quickly turned serious.
Rin (looking behind him): "It seems this battle isn't over yet."
Yurie: "I will not give up so easily!"
To be continued…