Chapter 18: Alliances in the Darkness
Sunlight filtered through the tree leaves, casting uneven shadows as EMI and Aria raced through the forest. Alex's sudden disappearance left them reeling, but there was no time to delay. Every second lost increased the gap between them and their friend.
"I can't believe he was kidnapped right in front of us," Aria grumbled, grinding her teeth. Her hand hovered over the hilt of her dark dagger as she stared at the ground with frustration and regret. "This is my fault—if I hadn't picked this quest or decided to come…"
"Calm down!" EMI snapped, her voice firm though her eyes betrayed her worry. Alex was their friend, and failure wasn't an option. "Besides, Alex trusted your choice. You must be strong so his decision isn't wasted."
The forest seemed alive, whispering silently as branches creaked beneath their feet. EMI paused, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. "There's residual magic here," she said, holding out her hand to follow a faint trail on the ground. A blue glow shimmered in her palm. "I can track it."
Aria watched her with quiet admiration. Though she rarely admitted it, she respected EMI's natural leadership. "Lead the way," she said, her voice serious.
They ventured deeper and soon found evidence of recent activity: broken branches, signs of struggle on tree trunks, and finally, a group of armed men patrolling ahead.
"They're part of those mercenary bandits," Aria whispered, her eyes flashing with anticipation. "Let me handle this."
Aria stepped forward and summoned a small orb of shadow in her palm. Tossing it to the ground, the sphere expanded into a dark circle from which faceless warriors emerged, spectral blades in hand. "You can't fight what you can't see," she murmured as the shadow figures struck with lethal precision.
The mercenaries tried to resist, but the shadows overwhelmed them quickly. Meanwhile, EMI threw up translucent barriers that deflected arrows and thrown knives aimed at them.
"Aria, watch out!" EMI yelled when one mercenary broke through the shadow circle and charged at Aria.
Without hesitation, EMI channeled her power into an offensive spell. A burst of bluish light shot from her hands, knocking the attacker down before he could reach Aria.
"Thanks," Aria breathed, though pride made her voice uneasy.
Just as they thought the danger was past, a new enemy appeared. A tall woman in a crimson robe stepped from the trees, her gaze fixed on them. "Rescuing your friend?" she mocked. "How touching. But you won't get far."
Aria advanced, shadows swirling protectively around her. "Who are you to stop us?"
The woman gave a cold smile and then cast a spell that shook the ground. Black roots exploded upwards, attempting to ensnare them. EMI reacted swiftly, using magic to sever the roots before they could reach them.
"Aria, we don't have time for this!" EMI's voice was urgent now.
"I won't let her beat us!" retorted Aria, charging forward. Her shadows clashed with the woman's power, but the woman anticipated every move.
EMI studied their battle for a moment, then intervened. She focused her magic into a single spell—a luminous orb she flung into the sky. Its dazzling light distracted the woman momentarily, allowing Aria to land a critical blow with her shadows, immobilizing her.
"That should slow her down," Aria said, a satisfied grin on her face.
Though the victory was temporary, both knew every delay cost precious time. They resumed their pursuit of the magical trail through the forest. Aria broke the silence:
"You know, EMI, I didn't expect working with you to be this… effective."
EMI, surprised, managed a small smile. "Me neither. But we need Alex, and that's all that matters right now."
Aria nodded, acknowledging that despite their differences, their goal united them. Their friendship, born out of adversity, was growing stronger with each challenge.
They were closing in on what looked to be the woman's hideout, ready to face any danger for the sake of their friend.
---
Meanwhile inside the cave…
The leader grabbed one of the youngest girls, a trembling short-haired teenager, and dragged her toward the cave's center. He held her by the arm, cringing the other prisoners with his cruelty.
"She'll set an example," he proclaimed, addressing the other captives. "So they all understand what happens if they don't cooperate."
"And you…" he nodded toward Alex, who knelt bloodied and beaten at the edge. "You'll see what reality is when you can't protect anyone."
Alex clenched his teeth, powerless. He tried to rise but was shoved down by a mercenary. The girl began to sob, but the leader just sneered.
"Where's your heroine now? Where are your noble words, boy?"
Then a thunderous roar shook the cave. The stone ceiling creaked violently, and a moment later something came crashing in from above like a magical meteorite, raising a cloud of dust and debris.
A seal of golden light hovered in the air. As the dust cleared, two silhouettes emerged among the rubble.