The crackling of the fire echoed softly in the silence of the forest. The crisp morning air bit at the skin, sending shivers through Fin as he was awakened by Aveline's voice.
"Fin, wake up, it's already time," she murmured, gently pulling the blanket that wrapped him.
Fin slowly opened his eyes, letting his pupils adjust to the dancing lights of the fire and the silhouettes of the surrounding trees. "Already?" he asked, his voice still drowsy.
"Come on, let's go," replied Aveline, extinguishing the fire with a swift motion, sending a thin smoke curling into the cold air. The glowing wood died in crackles, and the smoke vanished into the morning air.
Fin got up and stretched, feeling every muscle protest. The forest seemed alive around them: the branches rustled in the light wind, the leaves trembled as if whispering a warning, and the damp ground left deep footprints. After checking the horse and preparing what they needed, they set off, disappearing between the dark trunks and morning mist.
The sun was already descending on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. The clouds drifted lazily, capturing the last rays and turning them into golden sparks. The horses' breaths stirred clouds of dust, and each hoofbeat echoed in the growing silence of the countryside. Fin then took out the photo of Baris Newman.
"That's him," said Aveline, squinting at the image.
"Yes… Baris Newman," murmured Fin, his fingers gripping the photo with a palpable tension. He turned the picture over and revealed a detailed plan of the castle. The lines and symbols almost seemed alive, as if the building itself wanted to warn them.
They approached the castle, its imposing walls rising like a barricade challenging the sky. The white towers, marked by time, cast long shadows on the ground. Fin paused at the base of the wall. "It's high," he murmured to himself.
"You think…?" asked Aveline, her voice tinged with challenge. Without waiting for an answer, she leapt forward, muscles tense, scaling the wall with surprising agility.
"I don't think…" she murmured with a small smile, before Fin followed, his body soaring in a powerful jump to join his friend.
Inside, the castle corridor welcomed them with the scent of aged wood, metal, and wax. The torches flickered, casting shifting shadows on the stone walls. Their steps were muffled, but each breath seemed loud in the heavy silence.
They crossed the main corridor, avoiding the guards patrolling with vigilance. Their movements were precise, calculated, yet every heartbeat seemed to resonate in the thick air.
In front of Baris Newman's room, Fin gently slid the handle. They entered, but the room was empty. A shiver ran down Fin's spine.
A sound behind him made him turn. A guard appeared, the attack was swift. Fin was caught off guard, but Aveline reacted immediately, blocking the strike and disarming the assailant with icy precision. The fight was brief but intense: Fin struck down the guard, his body falling heavily to the ground, and the two of them dashed toward the exit.
Running, the wind whipped their faces, branches scratched at their arms and legs. "Do you think it was a trap?" Aveline panted, her eyes shining with fear and adrenaline.
"He knew we were coming… who told him?" Fin replied, jaw clenched.
They reached the horse, but the fast gallop wasn't enough to shake off their pursuers. The castle guards were relentless, their hooves pounding on the hard forest floor.
"Can we go faster?" shouted Aveline, pulling on the reins. "They're catching up!"
"We're already at full speed! I can't shake them," Fin replied, panic mixing with anger.
Silence fell for a moment, broken only by the heavy breaths of the horses and the snapping of branches. Aveline averted her gaze, her eyes glowing with cold determination.
"I see…" she murmured.
They were approaching Zestria, but the presence of danger remained palpable. Aveline then made a decision that froze Fin in place.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, incredulous.
"I'll buy us some time," she said, her voice firm.
Before he could react, she jumped off the horse, placing herself in their path to slow the guards. "No, don't do this!" Fin shouted, but it was too late.
Aveline disappeared into the darkness of the forest, leaving behind one last vision of courage and sacrifice. Fin, heart heavy, continued alone, his mind consumed by fear, anger, and determination. He had to warn the king. He had to protect Zestria… at all costs.