Rescue

I jolted awake with a sharp gasp, my whole body twitching like I'd just been electrocuted. My head
ached, and it felt like someone had pounded on it with a hammer. My arms and legs felt leaden,
refusing to lift despite my efforts. I realized I was lying against the rough wood floor of Lottie's tree
hideout.
"Lottie?" I whispered into the darkness, but only silence answered.
I squeezed my eyes shut and blew out a shaky breath. My chest felt so tight, like someone had tied a
rope around my ribs and pulled. A strange emptiness hollowed me out from within. I recognized it as
mana depletion—like I'd been drained dry. Usually, when I overdid it, I just got a little woozy. But this
was way worse. It made my whole body feel hollow and weak.
Curious and a little desperate, I tried to pull on the tiniest spark of mana, hoping something was left. But
I got nothing except a stabbing pain in my head. My vision swam, and I stopped before I passed out.
Great. My magic was completely shot.
A wave of panic surged through me, crushing my chest like a vice. Every time anxiety had threatened
to overwhelm me in this world, I'd instinctively channeled healing magic, letting its warm glow wash
away the fear. But now—nothing. Just that terrible emptiness where my mana should be.
My hands trembled uncontrollably as the thought spiraled deeper. The walls of the hideout seemed to
press inward, and my throat constricted until each breath came in sharp, desperate gasps. Dark spots
danced at the edges of my vision, and a high-pitched ringing drowned out everything but the thunder of
my own heartbeat. This isn't happening. This can't be happening. But it was, and without my magic to
anchor me, I was drowning in the panic I'd kept at bay for so long.
"Breathe," I whispered to myself, the word coming out choked and ragged. "Just breathe." I dug my
fingers into the rough bark of the floor, focusing on its texture, trying to ground myself in
something—anything—physical and real. Slowly, painfully, I forced my breathing to steady. Each
controlled breath felt like trying to swim against a current, but I clung to the rhythm desperately. It was
all I had now, without the comforting warmth of healing magic to chase away the fear.
Still lying there, I saw through the doorway a night sky blazing with unfamiliar constellations, their
brightness stark and overwhelming—a sharp reminder of how far I was from Earth’s familiar twilight.
Usually, these alien stars filled me with wonder, but tonight they only emphasized how far I was from
everything familiar, everything safe.
I failed her, the thought rose unbidden, threatening to trigger another wave of panic. But I couldn't afford
to break down again. Not now. Not when Lottie needed me. Even if I felt as hollow and fragile as a dried
leaf, I had to keep moving. Had to find her.
Tears pricked my eyes. I swallowed them down. Staying here crying wasn't going to fix anything. If
Lottie was in danger, I needed to move. I pressed my palms against the rough floor and pushed myself
up to sitting, fighting against the wave of dizziness that followed. My legs felt like water as I tried to
stand, and I had to lean heavily against the wall to keep from collapsing. But I forced myself to stay
upright. I had to.
The forest was almost pitch-black and without my mana it felt especially eerie. Every snapping twig
made my pulse jump. But I kept going, following a barely-there path until the city rose up in front of me.
Towers and strange glowing foliage poked into the sky, while lanterns flickered along the walls.
By the time I reached the city, I was pretty much on the edge of collapsing. One guard was dozing, and
the other was too busy talking to his buddy to notice me slipping by. Fine by me. I stumbled into the
city, still trying to catch my breath.
The streets twisted around like some kind of maze, and it was way darker than I remembered. The blue
lanterns left weird patches of light and shadow, perfect hiding spots for creeps. I tried not to freak out
every time someone brushed past me, but it wasn’t easy. My heart was still pounding after what
happened in the forest.
Finally, I ended up on a narrow side street where the cobblestones were slick with some nasty-looking
water. I spotted a rowdy group of pig-like men leaning against a wall, holding ale tankards. They
laughed loudly, the sound echoing in the alley.
“…and those blond lions strut into town like they own it,” one said with a sneer, flashing his tusks.
“Capital knights think they’re too good for us. Bet they run off soon enough.”
My heart skipped. “Blond lions?” My breath caught. Could it be Ash’s family? Were they really in this
city? For a split second, I thought about trying to find them—maybe they could help. But what if they
were here to send me back to prison? Do they still think I killed Layne? The fear of being dragged back
to that awful place made my stomach twist. Even if I explained everything, would they even believe
me? My heart raced as the thought threatened to spiral further, but I shook my head, forcing myself to
focus on the immediate task ahead. Lottie was still out there, and wasting time on fears I couldn't
control wouldn't help him. I took a deep breath, clutching the fabric of my tunic to steady myself, and
pressed forward into the city streets.
I ducked past the pig-like men before they noticed me. The buildings got closer together and taller the
farther I went, until I could hardly see the sky. My stomach growled, reminding me I’d missed at least
one meal.
That was when I stumbled on a bright, noisy bar. Warm light spilled onto the street, and I heard music
and loud chatter from inside. Normally I’d be wary of going in, but I was too hungry and desperate to
care. If I was lucky, maybe someone could spare some food. Maybe I could get directions back to the
castle.
Inside was chaos. Adventurers bragged about their quests, merchants argued prices, and some folks
were already drunk, raising their mugs high. I found a corner and slipped into a seat. My hands
trembled a little—partly from exhaustion, partly because I knew I was in no shape to defend myself.
I overheard bits of conversation: missing people, suspicious groups, stuff about knights poking around.
But it was all so scattered. My eyes grew heavy, and I fought the urge to lay my head on the table.
Then a dizzy spell hit me so hard I nearly blacked out. I grabbed the edge of the table to keep steady,
breathing slowly until the darkness at the edges of my vision went away.
“Aria?”
The voice was soft but urgent. I lifted my head and saw Mao. Her big red eyes were full of relief, and
her usually fluffy white hair looked messy, like she’d been running around in a panic.
“Thank goodness,” she said, hurrying over. “Where’ve you been? I was worried sick!”
Seeing her was like a punch to my emotions. All the guilt, fear, and panic I’d been shoving down came
rushing up in an unstoppable wave. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision as I tried to
speak. “Lottie… they—they took her,” I sobbed, my voice breaking into a desperate wail. “I… I couldn’t
stop them… I couldn’t do anything!” My chest heaved as I gasped for air, the weight of everything
crashing down on me all at once.
Mao’s expression went from relieved to horrified. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around me
and hugged me so tight I almost couldn’t breathe. I clung to her, letting the tears spill out even though I
hated crying in public.
“It’s not your fault,” she whispered, rubbing my back. “We’ll fix this, okay? We’ll get her back.”
I nodded weakly, though I didn’t really believe it yet. She pulled me up to my feet, arm around my waist
to keep me steady. “Let’s get you out of here,” she said. “We can find a safer spot, maybe grab
some—”
She didn’t finish because a rough voice cut in. “You’re looking for them, aren’t you?”
We turned to see a man leaning against the wall, just at the edge of the lantern’s glow. He looked
haggard—dark circles under his eyes, messy hair, clothes that had seen better days.
Mao immediately stepped between us, her stance protective. “Who wants to know?”
He shrugged. “I’m not one of them, if that’s what you’re scared of. But I know about the slavers. The
ones who’ve been taking people.”
My heart fluttered. “You do?” I asked, probably sounding more hopeful than was safe.
He nodded. “Not here. Too many ears.” His glance swept around the crowded bar. “You want real info,
follow me.”
Mao shot him a suspicious glare, her hand drifting near her dagger. “How do we know this isn’t a trap?”
He let out a short, bitter laugh. “Name’s Doran. My daughter was taken by them five years ago. I’ve
been digging for info ever since.” His eyes flicked to me. “If you’re desperate to find a friend, I’ve got
details.”
I glanced at Mao, my heart pounding. We really didn’t have any leads besides random rumors. “We
should go,” I whispered.
She sighed, then leveled Doran with a warning look. “Fine. But if this is a setup, you’re gonna regret it.”
Doran half-smiled, but there was no warmth to it. “Wouldn’t blame you.”
We left the bar quickly, stepping into the cool night air. Doran guided us through twisting alleyways that
I’d never have dared enter alone. My stomach churned with nerves—I kept imagining a gang of thugs
leaping out. But Doran moved like he knew every corner, and soon we reached a beat-up old building
near the edge of the city.
He opened the door, checked to be sure we weren’t followed, then waved us in. One little lantern hung
from the ceiling, creating long shadows on the walls. My eyes went wide as I looked around. The place
was covered in maps, notes, and colored string connecting pins. It was like someone’s wild conspiracy
board, except it was all about missing people and shady trade routes.
Doran locked the door behind us, then let out a breath like he’d been holding it for days. He gave me a
long, assessing look and frowned. “Your mana looks dried up,” he muttered, shaking his head.
Grabbing a small vial, he poured some greenish liquid into a beat-up cup. “Drink this,” he said, handing
it to me. “It helps restore mana. Not fully, but it’ll keep you on your feet.”
I hesitated, but I felt so weak that I didn’t exactly have a choice. I took a small sip—bitter, gross, but
instantly warmth spread through my body. It wasn’t enough to refill my mana, but at least the dizzy
feeling eased. The warmth spreading through my body worked its way into my mind, untangling some
of the knots of fear and panic. My breaths came easier, and for the first time in hours, I felt like I could
think clearly again.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
Mao gave Doran a once-over and crossed her arms. “So? Spill. Who are these slavers, and how do we
find them?”
He rubbed his temples, looking exhausted. “Like I said, my daughter, Rena, got taken by them. She
was only ten at the time. I’ve been chasing these scum ever since.” He swallowed hard. “They’re
backed by powerful people—someone in the kingdom who’s got the connections and money to hush it
up. They vanish every time I get close.”
I winced. “I’m so sorry,” I murmured. “My friend Lottie was taken last night. We were attacked, and… I
blacked out.”
Doran clenched his jaw. “If they took her, they’ll want to move her fast. You don’t have much time to act
before they’re gone again.”
Cold fear spiked through me. “Where?” I asked. “Where do they go?”
He walked over to a tangle of maps pinned to the wall. After a moment, he pointed at a big circle
marked on the outskirts of the city. “Here. People have reported hearing screams from these
warehouses.”
Mao leaned in, tapping the map. “So that’s where they’re holding everyone?”
“That’s my best guess.” Doran turned to me. “Just be careful. They bribe guards, and they may have
mages on their side. You won’t be able to charge in like some hero in a storybook.”
Mao gripped her staff. “We’re not stupid. We’ll sneak in, get Lottie, and leave before they even know
we’re there.”
Doran nodded. “I can show you the route. But once we’re in, you’re on your own.”
I frowned. “You’re not coming?”
His face fell, and he looked away. “I tried twice before and nearly died. I won’t risk it again unless I
know I can survive to keep looking for my daughter. I’m sorry. But if you manage to free anyone, maybe
you’ll learn something that’ll help me find her.”
Mao’s expression softened. “We’ll do what we can.”
He gave a tired smile. “That’s all I ask.”
We went over a quick plan: how to get to the warehouses without being spotted and where the guards
might be. Then we slipped back outside. The streets felt even darker, like the clouds had swallowed the
stars. A cold wind gusted through the alley, smelling of mildew and garbage. It was definitely the
sketchier side of town—broken lanterns, boarded-up shops, trash piled high in corners.
We darted through the streets, the air thick with the stench of rot and mildew. Every shadow felt like a
threat, every sound a warning. Doran led the way, his crossbow clutched tightly, while Mao stayed
close, her hand gripping mine like a lifeline.
“Almost there,” Doran whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding in my ears. But his words
were cut short by a low, metallic growl that froze us in place.
From the darkness ahead, a massive figure emerged. It was grotesque, a hulking beast cobbled
together from twisted metal and jagged stone, its glowing red eyes burning with malice. Steam hissed
from cracks in its body as it advanced, each step shaking the ground.
“A construct,” Doran hissed, his voice tight. “It’s enchanted—built to guard the warehouses.”
The beast roared, its claws scraping against the cobblestones. My breath hitched as it locked onto us,
its red eyes flaring brighter.
“We can’t fight that,” Mao said sharply. “We have to—”
The construct lunged. Doran fired his crossbow, but the bolt ricocheted off its metallic hide. The beast
swiped at him, claws gouging deep furrows in the stone as Doran dove out of the way.
“Mao, run!” he shouted, scrambling to his feet.
Mao grabbed my wrist, pulling me into a narrow alley. “Stay down!” she ordered, her voice shaking but
firm.
The construct’s heavy footsteps echoed closer, each one reverberating in my chest. It paused, sniffing
the air like a predator hunting its prey. Then it roared again, louder this time, and charged toward us.
I braced myself for the impact, my heart hammering in my chest. But before it could reach us, a sharp
whistle sliced through the air.
The construct froze mid-stride, its glowing eyes flickering. A faint metallic clang echoed from above,
and I looked up just in time to see a dark figure descending from the rooftop.
She landed with a graceful, predatory ease. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and
chains coiled around her arms, their metal glinting faintly in the dim light. She moved with purpose, the
chains snaking forward and wrapping around the construct’s chest.
For a moment, the beast thrashed, its movements frantic. But the girl held firm, her chains glowing with
an otherworldly light. The construct’s red eyes dimmed, and with a final groan, its massive body
collapsed, the pieces scattering across the alley like broken toys.
I stared, breathless and wide-eyed, as the girl straightened. Her movements were calm, almost casual,
as she retracted the chains, which shimmered faintly before dissolving into the shadows with a soft,
metallic hiss. She didn’t look at us—not directly.
“Aria?” Mao’s voice snapped me back to reality. She grabbed my arm, her face pale. “Are you okay?”
“I—” My voice caught in my throat as I glanced back toward the shadows where the girl stood, her form
barely visible in the dim light. “Did you see her?”
Mao frowned. “Who?”
“The girl,” I whispered, my chest tightening. “She had chains… black hair… She—she saved us.”
Doran stumbled back into the alley, his face pale and streaked with grime. “What happened? Where’s
the construct?”
Mao shook her head, her expression as bewildered as mine. “I… I don’t know. It just… stopped.”
But I knew better. Whoever she was, the girl had destroyed it—saved us.
I stared into the darkness, my thoughts racing. Who was she? And why did it feel like she’d been
watching me, even for just a moment?
I turned away from the wreckage, my hands still trembling as I clung to Mao for support. But then, a
voice—calm and confident—cut through the stillness, sending a chill down my spine.
“You’re welcome.”
I spun around, and there she was.
My mysterious savior was kneeling beside me, her smile warm and kind.
"I'm Azami."