THE RACE TO THE VALLEY

The forest blurred around him.

Isaac moved like the wind leaping over fallen logs, dodging low-hanging branches, sliding down slopes with the precision of a man who knew every inch of the terrain.

But for the first time in weeks, his pursuers weren’t just reacting to him.

They were guiding him.

He could feel the pattern.

Every time he veered left, a squad of Iron Hounds would appear ahead, forcing him right. When he tried to slow down and misdirect, they adjusted, pressing forward, keeping him in motion.

They were controlling his path.

Pushing him.

Driving him.

Towards the valley.

Isaac’s masked face remained unreadable, but behind it, his mind was calculating.

So. This is their plan.

He wasn’t surprised they had prepared for him. That was inevitable.

What interested him now was how committed they were to it.

And if they had an actual endgame.

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TESTING THE WATERS

Isaac decided to play along.

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For now.

He ran where they wanted him to go, but not in a straight line.

He shifted direction unexpectedly, zig-zagging, slowing down for just a moment, just enough to see how they reacted.

Would they hesitate?

Would they split up?

Would they abandon their plan?

The answer? No.

Every time he made a sudden move, the Iron Hounds adjusted instantly. Cutting off his escape routes with trained precision.

Which meant one thing.

They weren’t just chasing him anymore.

They had mapped this entire thing out.

Isaac smirked behind the mask.

Good.

That meant he didn’t need to hold back either.

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THE IRON HOUNDS CLOSE IN

Garrus Ironjaw ran at the front. His heavy armor doing nothing to slow him down. He had fought in countless raids, led armies against guild fortresses, but never in his life had he seen someone move like this.

Relay was fast.

Not just in speed but in reaction, agility, and awareness.

If they had no plan, he would have already slipped through their fingers.

But they did have a plan.

And they were sticking to it.

From the trees, Drake and Lena shouted updates:

“He’s going right!”

“He’s testing our movements! Don’t break formation!”

“Keep pushing him! VALLEY IN SIGHT!”

The ground was beginning to slope downward.

The Alderwood Valley lay just ahead, surrounded by steep rock walls on three sides. The perfect trap.

Garrus grinned.

This time, they had him.

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ENTERING THE TRAP

Isaac saw the valley entrance before anyone else.

He had known where he was going before the chase even began.

They think they’re leading me.

He let the thought settle, feeling amusement rise in his chest.

They think I have no choice.

He glanced behind him. Sixteen players all positioned perfectly.

If he stopped, they would close in.

If he turned back, they would block the way.

If he hesitated-

I would never hesitate.

Isaac sprinted forward, entering the valley.

The Iron Hounds followed, thinking the hunt was over.

They didn’t realize..

The real game was just beginning.