The first rays of dawn stretched across the horizon, penetrating the gaps in the tents and rousing Orion from a fitful sleep. The clamor outside was unmistakable: the sound of steel clashing against steel, of grunts and screams, and the distinct rhythm of boots pounding the ground. The cultist camp was under attack.
Orion had spent countless years in battle, the feel of conflict was familiar. Yet, this time, there was no cultivation within him to amplify his senses or to shield him from danger. He was vulnerable, like a fledgling amidst predatory hawks.
He peeked outside his tent. The scene was one of utter chaos. The soldiers of Eldoria, clad in shimmering armor, faced off against the dark-robed cultists. From his vantage, he saw Varnus in the midst of combat, his movements a blur, every strike parried, every advance met with resistance. The sheer display of power between the opposing forces was enough to make ordinary men tremble.
But Orion had no time for contemplation. Escape was the only thought that raced through his mind.
He began to assess his surroundings, searching for potential escape routes and items of utility. Nearby, a table lay strewn with parchments and inkwells. Amongst them, Orion spied a rudimentary map of the camp. Seizing it, he quickly noted the layout, pinpointing a potential exit route that would lead him to the dense tree line on the edge of the encampment.
Orion was about to move when a soldier charged into a nearby tent, the cries of its inhabitants abruptly silenced moments later. Going unnoticed was paramount.
Thinking quickly, he ripped a piece of his cloak and soaked it in a jar of black ink. Wrapping it around a wooden stick, he created an impromptu torch. Lighting it with a nearby flint, he lobbed it into a tent filled with stacked hay.
Flames leapt up instantly, the fire spreading rapidly. A great cry arose as cultists and soldiers alike attempted to control the spreading inferno. The diversion worked; Orion's escape path was clear, at least for the moment.
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Moving stealthily, he bypassed skirmishes and confrontations, staying in the shadows. At one point, he encountered a wounded cultist, left for dead amidst the chaos. The man's eyes pleaded for help. Acting on instinct, Orion hoisted him over his shoulder, providing the barest semblance of protection as they navigated the camp.
However, the weight slowed him down. The distant tree line seemed to stretch further and further away with each step. Soldiers closed in from all sides.
Approaching a makeshift pen of animals, Orion released a herd of goats into the soldiers' path, causing a minor stampede and a temporary blockade. It bought them precious time, and they inched closer to freedom.
But, as the trees began to loom larger, the wounded cultist gasped in pain and slumped, unable to move any further. "Go," he whispered to Orion, "Save yourself."
Orion hesitated only for a moment, then nodded, laying the man down gently behind a cluster of bushes. "Stay hidden," he whispered back.
The edge of the forest was now within reach. As he neared it, a loud horn sounded, and he could hear shouts of "Retreat! Fall back!" The kingdom's soldiers, it seemed, had achieved their primary objectives and were regrouping.
With one last surge of energy, Orion broke through the tree line, diving into the dense forest. The cool shade of the trees and the chirping of birds were in stark contrast to the chaos he left behind.
He didn't stop to rest until he was deep within the woods. Leaning against a sturdy trunk, he took a moment to gather his thoughts. With no cultivation to aid him, he'd have to rely on his wits and the lay of the land for survival.
Determined, he set forth, using the sun's position to navigate. As the day wore on, Orion, a once-legendary figure, found himself challenged by the basic needs of hunger, thirst, and exhaustion.
But his will was unbroken.
By the time night fell, he stumbled upon a clearing with a small freshwater stream. Orion decided to camp for the night, collecting berries and drinking from the stream. Using some dry wood and leaves, he managed to start a small fire.
As the flames flickered, casting dancing shadows on the trees, Orion's thoughts drifted. His life had taken a sudden, unexpected turn, and the path ahead was uncertain.
In the distance, the dim glow of the burning camp reminded him of the battles still being waged. For now, however, Orion had achieved a hard-won freedom. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, under the canopy of stars, he found a moment of peace.