Chapter 9 - Exploration (4)

The Recluse comes face to face with Maïko, whistle in mouth. Panicked, she blows it with all her might.

_ Ayden: “ That's the signal! ”

All the Recluses hear the whistling sound and stop their search.

_ Recluse Leader: “ What's that? Where's it coming from? ”

_ Recluse: “ It's coming from that direction, Chief. ” he said, pointing to a tree some distance away from them.

_ Recluse Leader: “ Maybe other Reclus. Draw your weapons and head towards that whistle. ”

All the Reclus rush in that direction. A clear space forms in my perimeter. At the same time, the Recluse next to Maïko quickly understands the situation.

_ Recluse: “ENEMY IN SIGHT!”

He draws his club to try to smash Maïko's head. In the heat of the moment, Maïko moves his head away from his torso at the last second. A loud sound echoes from the tree where his head had been. It is the club that has smashed into the tree with full force.

_ Ayden: “ I can hear those guys' footsteps gradually fading away. Now's my chance! ”

With my Source, I destroy part of the burning igloo out of sight. The opening is large enough for everyone to get out. Maïko comes to her senses. With a fist pump, I congratulate her.

_ Ayden: “ You got this, Maïko! ”

After I say that, she doesn't move an inch. Her body is shaking, her two hands are on her head, terrified by what she just dodged.

_ Maïko: “ He almost blew my head off... I almost died… ”

_ Ayden: “ Maïko! ”

_ Maïko: “ Huh? ” she said, coming to her senses.

_ Ayden: “ Pull yourself together, it's not over yet. We have to escape now. ”

_ Maïko: “ You... You're right. ”

_ Ayden: “ Help me carry Keren and let's leave before we're spotted. ”

_ Maïko: “ Okay! ”

We rush out of the igloo, getting as far away from the Reclus as possible.

_ Ayden: “ The air is more breathable now, but with the tutor to carry, we're going to have a hard time escaping them. ”

Then, a memory comes back to him.

_ Ayden: “ Unless… ”

A bark comes in our direction. A tracking dog has spotted us.

_ Recluse: “ Look! There are kids in the distance! ”

_ Recluse Leader: “ Get on your horses. We're heading toward the dog. ”

The Reclus rush toward us.

_ Ayden: “ Damn it! Let's hurry up! ”

_ Maïko: “ They're going to catch us at this rate, Ayden! ” she said, panicking.

_ Ayden: “ No, not unless we reach the end of this road! ”

_ Maïko: “ Huh? Why? ”

_ Ayden: " I was sure of it. "

When we arrived, behind the dense trees, a small waterfall about ten meters high gushed out before our eyes.

_ Ayden: “ The noise I heard not far from the abandoned clinic was indeed a waterfall! ”

_ Recluse: “ Look! Over here! ”

Our muscles tense up and we start sweating more.

_ Ayden: “ Let's jump, Maiko! ”

Her eyes widen instantly.

_ Maïko: “ Are you serious?? Have you seen how high the waterfall is? ”

_ Ayden: “ We don't have a choice! It's either we jump or they kill us! ”

The next moment, the Reclus are a few feet away from us, ready to fight. I shout passionately.

_ Ayden: “ JUMP! ”

I jump off the cliff while carrying Keren's guardian with Maïko. We all fall into the water. Because of our fall, I lose my grip on the guardian. With Maïko's help, I retrieve it from the water.

_ Recluse: “ Chief, should we pursue them? ”

_ Recluse Leader: “ No need, they won't survive anyway. Let's go. ”

We emerge from the water, soaked and exhausted. A huge sense of relief washes over us. Our pursuers are no longer there. But the hardest part is yet to come.

Now we have to go around the area to get back to the village as quickly as possible, and pray that we don't run into anyone.