Chapter 6: The Hunter’s Pursuit

Mira's breath came in short, sharp bursts as she ran. The forest was an endless stretch of twisting roots and thick foliage, the darkness swallowing all but the faintest hints of moonlight. Nia was right beside her, her smaller frame allowing her to dart between trees with ease, her feline instincts guiding her through the terrain.

The distant howls of pursuit sent a shiver down Mira's spine. The slavers weren't going to let them go easily.

"They're catching up," Nia hissed, her golden eyes flickering with unease.

Mira grit her teeth, forcing herself to keep moving. The curse that warped her mind urged her to fight, to stand her ground and destroy those who dared chase her. But she knew better. Not yet. Not while she was still weak.

"We need to find higher ground," Mira muttered, scanning the surroundings. "We can't outrun them forever."

Nia nodded, her ears twitching. "I saw some cliffs earlier, but we'd have to move fast."

A rustling in the undergrowth cut off their conversation. Mira barely had time to react before a crossbow bolt whistled past her ear, embedding itself in a nearby tree with a sickening thunk.

"Shit," she cursed, pushing Nia ahead. "Go!"

They dashed through the trees, branches clawing at their skin as more projectiles zipped through the air. The slavers weren't just chasing them—they were herding them.

Mira's mind worked furiously. They wouldn't be sent back to the cage. No, the slavers had already decided they were too much trouble. They'd be killed and left as a warning to the other prisoners.

Another bolt grazed her arm, leaving a sharp sting. She bit back a pained hiss. No time for distractions.

A few paces ahead, Nia suddenly veered left. "This way! There's a slope—we can lose them!"

Mira followed without hesitation, trusting Nia's instincts. The ground tilted sharply, and they half ran, half slid down a rocky incline. Their pursuers hesitated at the top, barking orders at each other before resuming the chase.

"Not much time," Mira panted. "We need an advantage."

Nia's ears flicked back as she stared at the dense underbrush ahead. "I… I might be able to do something."

Mira turned to her, surprised. "What?"

Nia swallowed hard, her hands clenching at her sides. "I think I can feel it. My blessing. It awakened back in the cages, but I haven't had the chance to try using it."

Mira's eyes widened. She had completely forgotten about that. Every person blessed by the gods had a unique gift, and if Nia's had finally awakened…

"Try it," Mira urged. "Whatever it is, use it now."

Nia hesitated only for a moment before closing her eyes. She took a deep breath, and then the air around her seemed to shift. The shadows cast by the trees flickered, stretching unnaturally. The wind grew still, the sounds of the forest muffled as if the world itself was holding its breath.

Then—

Darkness erupted from Nia's form, tendrils of deep shadow curling outward. The shifting mass enveloped them both, distorting their silhouettes, making them blend into the night. Mira felt a cold sensation wrap around her skin, like she was being swallowed by the void itself.

The shouts of the slavers grew frantic. "Where did they go?!"

Mira watched as their pursuers skidded to a halt, their eyes scanning wildly. It was working. Nia's blessing wasn't just hiding them—it was making them nearly invisible.

"Holy shit," Mira whispered. "Nia, this is incredible."

Nia opened her eyes, her breathing uneven. "I can't hold it long… we need to move."

Mira nodded. They slinked through the darkness, the slavers none the wiser as they passed just feet away from them. It was exhilarating, knowing they were so close to death yet untouchable in the shroud of Nia's power.

After several tense minutes, they finally broke free from the worst of the danger. Nia exhaled sharply, and the shadows receded. The moment they vanished, she stumbled, catching herself against a tree.

"Are you okay?" Mira asked, grabbing her shoulder.

Nia nodded, though she was visibly drained. "I'm fine. Just… using it takes a lot out of me."

Mira felt a strange sense of satisfaction. This wasn't just some passive skill—this was a true divine blessing. And with time, Nia would become a force to be reckoned with.

"Good work," Mira said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You just saved our asses."

Nia managed a small smile in return. "I guess I did."

Mira looked ahead. The forest was still dangerous, but now they had an advantage. If they played this right, their escape wouldn't just be survival—it would be the start of something much bigger.

The slavers wouldn't stop hunting them. But that was fine.

Because from this moment on, Mira refused to be prey.