Chapter 72 - Hunt (1)

The gathering downpour, combined with the proximity of our enemies, electrifies the atmosphere. While the scale of the danger about to strike in the coming seconds sinks in, there is a stir at the back of the group. Shailly drops one of her crutches and fumbles hurriedly in her pocket.

_ Shailly: " Here! Hold them tight in your hand! "

_ Maïko: " Huh? But... Wh…? "

_ Shailly: " Trust me!! “

Under pressure, Maïko performs the tasks mechanically despite her confusion. Meanwhile, intense growls can be heard. The hunt is imminent. I take a deep breath, then turn my head toward my group, determination and adrenaline etched into my features.

_ Ayden: " RUN!! "

The alarm triggered, everyone rushes, disappearing into a labyrinth of foliage. Thick, gnarled vines hang from the highest branches, while damp moss covers the ground. Everyone, except for one. Shailly, leaning on her remaining crutch, remains stoic, her jaw clenched. Yet, in a striking contrast, her eyes burn with an inner flame.

_ Son: " What the hell is she doing?? " he said, keeping up his pace, his head turned back.

_ Maïko: " TRUST HER!! " she yelled, shoving her comrade's back with her hands, urging him not to slow down.

Through this astonishing diversion, she naturally draws away two of the three hyenas. However, the third one takes the initiative to hunt us down. Without wasting a moment, I scan my surroundings, searching for a way to increase our chances of survival.

_ Son: “ It’s insane how fast she’s running! ”

_ Hazel: “ She’s definitely going to catch up to us! ”

_ Ayden: “ Let’s split into three groups! She’ll be forced to make a choice! ”

A furtive glance targets me.

_ Maïko: " You want one of us to be sacrificial lambs?! "

_ Kaya: " SHUT UP AND EXECUTE! "

In the rush of the moment, groups form and split apart naturally. Accompanied only by Kaya, a lightly cleared path appears on our right flank. Then, emerging a few meters behind us, an unexpected third person joined the chase: Edna. Running at full tilt, she too came hurtling down our path. Unfortunately, being the closest to the hyena, the latter decided to hunt her down, and consequently, to target us as well.

Simultaneously, on the other side, a magnetic aura lightly envelops Shailly’s body, signaling a potential action.

_ Shailly: “ I'm going to help the team too! Wounded or not! “

A few strides away from the gaping maws of the predators dripping with saliva, Shailly abandons her last crutch. On one leg, she holds for a few seconds, then, in a surge of despair, she intensifies her Source. Just before impact, she teleports at the very last second to Maïko’s side, who is already further away to the left.

_ Maïko & Son: “ Shailly!! “

The intensity of the teleportation, straining her entire body, causes the scar on her thigh to split open.

_ Maïko: “ Have you lost it?! " Maïko snapped, trying as best as she could to prop her friend up.

The girl remained silent, biting her lip to stifle her pain, her eyelids tightly shut.

_ Son: “ Hold her there for just two more seconds while she climbs onto my back! ”

_ Maïko: “ Got it! ”

_ Son: “ Luckily, that animal ignored us. ”

_ Maïko: “ Yes, but the other two won't be far behind. ”

_ Son: “ You're right, let's hurry! ”

With the wounded woman finally hoisted onto his back, the race resumes instantly. On our side, the hyena, a looming shadow, draws closer with every passing second, turning our flight into a living nightmare.

_ Ayden: " According to Mr. Blaike, the caves shouldn't be much further now… "

Letting my eyes wander from right to left, hoping to stumble upon some kind of clue, my gaze focuses on one point in particular.

_ Ayden: " An… embankment? "

The seconds, stretched to infinity, turn into minutes of agony. My endurance, pushed to its breaking point, begins to falter, while an overwhelming heat makes me doubt my ability to go on.

_ Ayden: " Is this heat normal? Is it because I'm out of breath? "

Then, I scan the horizon along our path.

_ Ayden: " Or maybe… "

_ Kaya: " There! The cave! "

The cave comes at just the right time. In a final burst of energy, we hasten toward it, but it proves to be strangely small. Indeed, at first glance, it measures less than a meter. In the heat of the moment, we hoist ourselves toward its tiny entrance. A mere hole in the rock, an improbable refuge, but theoretically enough to escape the hyena's fangs given its size.

Crouched in this pit, we watch Edna and the hyena from just a few feet away. Aware that a sudden stop would be fatal, she attempts a desperate slide into our hole, aided by the rain, but her leg scrapes the ground as a result. The next instant, the beast skids to a halt, wedged by the narrowness of the passage. A sigh of relief escapes me. My hypothesis was correct.

_ Kaya: “ You've got some nerve... showing up here… “ she said, out of breath.

_ Edna: “ Shut it... I'm not... exactly thrilled about this either… " she said, also out of breath.