Ravine,s Right

Chapter 84: Ravine's Right

The narrow ravine swallowed them whole as they sprinted deeper into its twisting depths. The sharp rocks scraped against their skin, but they couldn't afford to slow down. Kael led the way, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his senses on high alert. Behind him, Luka was struggling, his leg a constant reminder of their limited time.

Mira, always the sharpest, was a few paces ahead, her bow still clutched tightly in her hands. Her eyes darted to the walls of the ravine, looking for any signs of danger, but the shadows were thick, and the only sounds were their heavy footsteps echoing off the stone.

"We can't outrun them forever," Kael panted, his voice gruff. "We need to find a way to turn the tables."

Mira's response was quick, her voice tight with focus. "I know. Keep moving."

The ravine twisted sharply to the left, forcing them to slow down just for a moment. In that brief pause, the distant sound of the cultists' pursuit grew louder, echoing off the stone walls. They were closing in, and the trio had no illusions about what would happen if they were caught.

"We need to get higher," Mira suggested, her voice low but urgent. "There's a ledge up ahead. We can use it as cover."

Kael nodded in agreement, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Let's go."

They pushed forward again, Luka trailing slightly behind but still keeping pace. The ravine narrowed even more, forcing them to move single file. Kael's hand tightened on the hilt of his machete, and his heart pounded as they moved.

Ahead, the ravine opened slightly, revealing a jagged rock face that led to a ledge about ten feet above. Mira, always the agile one, was the first to start climbing, her feet finding small crevices in the stone. Kael followed closely, helping Luka as best he could, though the younger man's limp made the climb difficult.

The cultists were gaining on them, and Kael could feel their presence like a dark weight. His breath quickened, not just from the exertion but from the palpable fear that gnawed at him. He couldn't let them catch up—he couldn't let them take the orb.

Luka reached the ledge just as one of the cultists' calls echoed through the ravine. Kael hoisted himself up, his muscles aching from the climb. Mira was already crouched low, her eyes scanning the darkness ahead.

"Can you make it?" Kael asked Luka as the younger man staggered to his feet.

"I'm fine," Luka muttered, though his pale face told a different story. He leaned against the rock face for support, breathing heavily.

Kael nodded but didn't linger. He focused on the path ahead. The ledge was narrow, but it provided some cover, and if they could move quickly enough, they might be able to slip past the cultists unnoticed.

But the sound of boots scraping against stone sent a chill down Kael's spine. They were too close.

"Get ready," Kael hissed.

The cultists were almost there.

With a swift motion, Mira loosed an arrow, the sharp twang of her bow ringing out through the air. It hit one of the cultists square in the chest, and he staggered back with a cry, but the others pressed forward. They weren't slowing down.

Kael gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his machete. "We fight."

Mira turned to him, her eyes steely. "No, Kael. We survive."

With a final look at the group, she sprang into action, firing another arrow to keep them at bay. Kael pushed Luka to the side, positioning himself between the young man and the approaching danger. He could hear the cultists' chants growing louder, the eerie sound of their unified voices reverberating through the ravine.

"Go!" Kael shouted.

He launched himself forward, his machete flashing in the dim light. He swung it with brutal precision, striking the first cultist who dared to get too close. The man's body crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud.

Luka, despite his injuries, managed to pull out his knife, and with a defiant roar, he lunged at another cultist. The blade barely grazed the man's arm, but it was enough to distract him, buying Kael and Mira precious seconds.

"We need to move!" Mira yelled. "The ledge won't hold forever."

Kael glanced around desperately, his mind racing. There had to be another way out, something they hadn't seen before.

Just then, a sudden noise echoed from the right—louder, closer, and more distinct than the footfalls of the cultists. A rockslide. The ground beneath their feet shook, and a cascade of loose rocks came tumbling down, blocking the path the cultists had been taking.

Mira's eyes widened as she realized what was happening. "The ravine's closing off!"

Kael wasted no time. He grabbed Luka by the arm and pulled him towards a small opening in the rock just ahead. It was tight—too tight for comfort—but it was their only chance.

"Go! Now!" Kael barked, his voice harsh with urgency.

Mira followed close behind, and just as the last of the cultists' shadows reached the edge of the now-collapsing ravine, the trio squeezed through the gap, their hearts pounding in their chests.

On the other side, they found themselves in a narrow tunnel, the darkness swallowing them whole. Kael didn't hesitate. He pulled Luka along, Mira leading the way once more. The sounds of the rockslide echoed behind them, and though they couldn't hear the cultists anymore, they knew they couldn't stop. Not yet.

They had escaped—but for how long?

"I think we lost them," Luka said, his voice hoarse.

Mira didn't answer right away. She was looking ahead, her brow furrowed. "We're not out of the woods yet. There's something off about this place."

Kael nodded, already feeling the weight of their next steps. "Let's keep moving. We don't have time to rest."

The orb at his side pulsed again, its hum growing louder. And Kael had the sinking feeling that whatever lay ahead, it was far worse than what they had just escaped.