Page 5

Ai quivers violently. I pull her around the corner, pressing our bodies flat against the rough stone. We can’t stay hidden indefinitely. These elves are methodical—they’ll comb every alley soon enough.

A scraping shuffle behind me signals movement. My heart pounds in my throat. I risk a glance over my shoulder. A soldier steps into the lane, tall and wiry, chaotic energy flickering around the blade in his hand. He sweeps his gaze across the shadows, scanning for motion.

I hold Ai’s arm, urging her to remain still. My breath sits lodged in my chest. One step closer and we’ll be forced to reveal ourselves. We’re pinned here, like cornered animals.

Inside my mind, a single realization surfaces: the Red Purna definitely set this up. They knew Ai’s presence would draw the city guard. They expected me to pull her out anyway—and maybe they assumed I’d prove our superiority in the process. I want to spit curses. Instead, I steel myself.

Ai whimpers under her breath. I press my lips to her temple, whispering, “Don’t make a sound.”

My free hand slowly lifts, shaping a small distortion in the air—just enough to project a fleeting hum that skitters against the opposite wall. The soldier’s ears perk, and he whips around, chasing the phantom noise. I exhale shakily. Thank the Source for illusions, even if small ones.

We creep forward while he’s distracted, inching along the wall. The glow of torches arcs over the rooftops. Another barked order rings out, “Form a perimeter at the cross-street! Don’t let them slip away.”

My stomach twists. They’re systematically boxing us in. Ai gazes at me in horror, lips trembling. The time for subtlety might be gone.

Up ahead, the lane widens into a neglected courtyard with a single exit—blocked by a duo of dark elves, both armed.

They haven’t seen us yet, but it’s only a matter of seconds.

I scan for an alternative route. None. The walls are too high for Ai to climb easily, and we’re too far from the canal to double back without crossing into the path of more soldiers.

The pair of elves steps closer, scanning the gloom. Ai’s nails dig into my arm. The flicker of an ember from their torch reveals their sleek obsidian skin, the high cheekbones that mark them as Orthani elites. For a heartbeat, their cruelty is almost tangible, a static charge in the air.

I duck behind a splintered barrel. Ai huddles beside me, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. We share a single, heart-pounding look.

Movement near the cross-street signals more elves converging. I catch glimpses of pointed ears, the gleam of polished leather armor, the swirl of arcane energy. They’re systematically tightening the net around us.

My pulse echoes in my ears. I have a choice: use my magic openly and risk them sensing it, or keep relying on subterfuge. If I don’t act, we’ll be captured. If I do act, we’ll have to run for our lives in a city that belongs to them. Either path is fraught with danger.

Ai trembles so hard I fear she’ll pass out. Something in me coils with raw anger at the predicament we’re forced into. This child isn’t meant to endure such terror. Yet here she is, dragged into Orthani’s darkest corners.

One of the elves glances toward the barrel, eyes narrowing. “I thought I heard something.”

That’s all the warning we get. He steps closer, raising his blade. Torchlight spills across the ground, illuminating the edge of Ai’s tattered skirt. She sucks in a ragged gasp.

His partner smirks. “Come on out, little humans. We won’t hurt you... much.” A mocking laugh echoes.

A swirl of energy ignites in my core. I grit my teeth, preparing to lash out with a controlled burst. Before I can unleash it, a triumphant shout erupts from the corner behind us. Another group of soldiers marches in, making escape in that direction impossible. We are surrounded from both sides.

For one breathless moment, the entire courtyard resonates with tension. Ai clings to me, her teeth chattering. The elves advance, a few steps away, confident grins etched on their faces.

I see no path left but to fight or create a distraction large enough to slip away with Ai.

My illusions might not cut it this time.

I glance at the child, her face pale with dread.

My muscles tense. If I have to reveal a fraction of my purna magic, so be it.

At least we’ll stand a chance at escaping.

But something flickers in the distance—an orange glow from the main street, accompanied by harsh cries and the clang of weapons. Another dark elf raid is sweeping the entire district. This intensifies the chaos. Maybe, just maybe, that confusion can work in our favor.

I catch a glimpse of tall figures striding into the alley from the corner of my eye. More soldiers, well-armed. My stomach churns as I realize that with each passing second, the net tightens.

A single thought races through my mind: I have to act now.

I twist, pressing my lips to Ai’s ear. “Stay behind me,” I whisper. “When I say run, you go.”

She nods jerkily, her entire body trembling.

And then, with a surge of raw determination, I prepare to unleash the smallest, tightest sphere of transformative magic I can manage—enough to warp the air around us and obscure our forms from direct sight. It won’t hold long, but it might buy precious seconds.

Before I cast, I see a swirl of motion near the far alley.

The silhouettes of soldiers become distinct.

One stands taller than the others, posture proud, commanding.

His presence alone radiates authority. Even from this distance, I can feel the tension that thrums from him, as if he’s used to leading men into battles or hunts.

He shouts orders that echo across the courtyard.

Ai’s breath catches. She stares at him with terrified wonder, as though sensing his aura. I suspect he’s a high-ranking officer. Another fraction of me wonders if he’s the one the soldiers mentioned earlier.

I swallow hard, fear and fury churning into a heated knot in my chest. The Red Purna must have planned this.

Why else would so many converge exactly where Ai and I are cornered?

They want me to face Orthani’s best. Perhaps they imagine I’ll break or triumph, either outcome serving their twisted goals.

The tall elf gestures sharply, and his men spread out in a fan around him. They’re going to comb every possible hiding spot. My heart pulses in my throat.

I mouth a silent vow: They won’t take us without a fight. Then I set my attention on Ai, locking eyes with her. She nods, resolve flickering behind her fear. She’s ready to trust me.

Torchlight glitters off the soldiers’ blades as they move in.

Footsteps echo on the cobblestones, drawing closer.

My blood thrums with psionic force, the edges of my vision tinted with the anticipation of wielding magic.

I gather it in my core, shaping it into a protective cloak that might mask us for a short while.

It’s risky, but we have no other choice.

A single shout rings out from the side alley, alerting the others to our position. They’ve spotted movement. I curse internally, pressing Ai against the broken barrel for cover.

Moments from now, they’ll see me. I will reveal what I am. The mission is compromised, but Ai’s survival is what matters. I exhale, forcibly calming my pounding heart. The swirl of half-summoned illusions crackles along my arms, faint arcs of shimmering light that only I can feel in full detail.

Footsteps approach, slow and certain. In the dim glow of flickering torches, I glimpse the group of soldiers creeping closer. Ai sucks in a ragged breath.

I whisper, “Now.”

With a swift motion, I release a wave of distorted imagery. The air ripples, shimmering around us like a mirage. I grab Ai’s hand and sprint forward, weaving past the stunned soldiers. They shout curses, brandishing weapons at illusions of multiple figures running in different directions.

Ai and I dash toward the narrower gap between two half-crumpled walls, hearts hammering, illusions flickering behind us.

My focus frays with each step, the magic unraveling.

The soldiers realize the trick in seconds.

By the time we burst into another alley, I hear them behind us, footsteps pounding on wet stones.

A swirl of menacing flames brightens the sky, signaling a larger raid enveloping Lowtown. My mind races, searching for a path we can take.

That’s when I catch sight of the tall elf stepping into the end of the alley, cutting off our route.

His expression remains hidden by the gloom, but the authority in his stance is unmistakable.

He stands with sword in hand, poised to block our escape.

I can’t see his face clearly, but I sense the lethal confidence in the set of his shoulders. More figures gather behind him.

Ai whimpers my name. My illusions are spent. The swirling energy in my veins flickers, half drained by the attempt. We skid to a stop, trapped on both ends.

The situation is dire. My heart thunders so hard I feel it in my throat. Ai’s small hand clenches mine, trusting me in a way that nearly breaks me. I don’t have a real plan left—only my willingness to fight with every scrap of magic if it means keeping her alive.

Torchlight blazes brighter as more soldiers flood into the alley, their voices a raucous clamor. My fear spikes, but fury ignites a savage edge within me. They wanted a cornered purna? They’re about to face one.

The tall elf lifts his blade, pointing it at us. The gleam in his eyes speaks volumes: he expects me to surrender. He thinks I’m just another purna too weak to challenge Orthani’s might.