The moon hung high in the velvety night sky, casting a pale glow overhead. Erlinda stood at the edge of the town, her heart pounding as she surveyed the area. Beside her, Emily, the little girl whose name she had learned, trembled, her small hand gripping Erlinda's tightly. The girl's eyes, wide and glistening, darted toward a dilapidated building cloaked in shadows.

"There," Emily whispered, her voice quivering. She pointed a shaky finger. "The old prison. That's where they took him."

Erlinda narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the decrepit structure. The once formidable stone walls now bore the marks of time, with visible cracks and patches of moss that seemed to grow with each passing moment. The rusted, partly open wrought-iron gate at the entrance creaked in the gentle breeze, its eerie sound mingling with the moonlight that illuminated it. Vines and ivy, like tendrils of nature's grasp, had claimed the walls, winding their way through the crevices, a testament to the building's neglect.

Shattered windows, their jagged glass shards glinting in the subdued light, stared back at Erlinda like hollow eyes. As she scanned the dimly lit courtyard, a flicker of movement caught her attention. There, in the towering walls that enclosed the area, a breach revealed itself, its edges crumbling.

Turning to Emily, Erlinda knelt down, her hands gently resting on the girl's shoulders. She looked into Emily's eyes, a soft smile on her lips. "Emily, you've shown so much courage tonight," she said, her voice filled with warmth and admiration. "I can't express how grateful I am for your help. But now, it's time for you to go back to your brother. He must be worried."

Emily's lower lip trembled, and she blinked back the tears that threatened to spill. "Please," she pleaded, her voice barely a whisper. "Be careful in there." With one last squeeze of Erlinda's hand, Emily turned and ran, her small figure disappearing into the night, her footsteps echoing in the silence.

Erlinda watched her go, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. A flicker of worry danced in her eyes as she thought of the young girl and her brother. She closed her eyes for a moment, as she silently prayed for their safety.

With a whispered incantation, Erlinda cast the spell " Swift Step." As the words left her lips, her amethyst necklace began to glow, pulsing with a soft, ethereal light. The magical energy emanated from the pendant, enveloping her in a gentle, shimmering aura. Small gusts of wind swirled around her, caressing her skin and causing her hair and cloak to dance in the breeze. She glanced back at the night sky for the final time and drew in a deep breath. Lucas, you better be ok she thought as she moved toward the opening hiding from soldiers or guards that could be nearby. The path led to an iron door, its surface marred by rust and time. With a firm yet gentle push, the door creaked open, revealing a vast underground chamber. The flickering lanterns hanging from above provided meager illumination, casting long shadows that danced upon the stone walls; across the chamber was a wooden door. As Erlinda's eyes adjusted to the muted light, her heart sank at the sight before her. Guards stood at regular intervals throughout the chamber, their stances alert and weapons at the ready. There are too many of them, she realized, her mind racing. I need to find a way past them without being noticed.

Erlinda closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply as she focused her thoughts. The subtle breeze that wrapped around her intensified. Memories of her training with Darwin flashed through her mind, her learning to move with stealth and precision. Stay low, stay quiet, his voice echoed in her thoughts. Opening her eyes, she surveyed the chamber again, mapping out a path thorough the shadows. If I time it right, I might be able to slip past them unnoticed, she mused, her gaze darting between the guards and the flickering pools of light cast by the lanterns.

Step, pause, breathe, she mentally recited, falling into a familiar rhythm as she began to move. Erlinda crept along the walls, her footsteps barely audible over the soft crackle of the lanterns. Each step was deliberate, carefully placed to minimize any sound. She kept her body low, pressing herself against the cold stone.

Erlinda's breath caught in her throat as a guard suddenly changed direction, heading straight towards her hiding spot. Shit, shit, shit, she thought, her heart racing as she pressed herself further into the shadows.

The guard's heavy footsteps drew closer, each one sending a jolt of fear through Erlinda's body. She held her breath, not daring to make a sound. Please, just keep walking, she silently begged, her eyes tracking the guard's every move.

To her surprise, the guard stopped just a few feet away from her, kneeling down to fiddle with his bootlaces. Erlinda remained perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe. Don't look up, don't notice me, she thought, her palms sweating as she watched the guard's bent head.

The seconds dragged on as the guard fumbled with his laces, his fingers working to secure his boots. Erlinda's mind raced, trying to come up with a plan in case she was discovered. I could try to knock him out with a spell, but that might alert the others. Maybe I could just make a run for it...

After what felt like an eternity, the guard finally finished tying his laces and stood up, oblivious to Erlinda's presence. He moved on, continuing his path towards the iron door. As his footsteps receded, Erlinda let out a shaky breath, her body trembling with the aftershocks of adrenaline.

Fuck, that was close, she thought, wiping her clammy palms on her pants. I need to get out of here before someone else comes along. She took a moment to gather her wits, her heart still pounding in her chest. Ok, let’s go. She thought as she moved towards the door.

Erlinda crept forward, her footsteps light and cautious on the stone floor. She kept to the shadows, her eyes darting left and right, alert for any signs of movement. The door was ahead just a few feet away.

As she approached the door, Erlinda smiled. It was too easy to sneak in a place like this. Pressing her ear to the door, listening for sounds, she could hear faint murmur of voices, but they seemed distant, muffled by thick wood.

She waited, her breath held, until the voices faded away. Then, with a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure no one was watching, Erlinda grasped the handle and gently pushed the door open, just wide enough for her to slip through.

The hinges creaked softly, and Erlinda froze, her heart in her throat. She waited, one second, two seconds, three, but no alarm was raised. They need to work on their prison, she thought as she eased the door shut behind her, wincing at the soft click of the latch.

As the door closed behind her, Erlinda found herself in a dimly lit corridor. Its stone walls echoed with distant footsteps, reverberating through the confined space. Erlinda moved cautiously through the prison corridors, her eyes darting from side to side as she moved though the corridor. When she made it to a crossroad, she followed the right path the had bars. Her body was tense, ready to react at a moment's notice. As she approached a cramped cell, she noticed a weary prisoner inside, his clothes tattered and stained. The man's face was gaunt, his eyes hollow with despair.

"Erlinda, is that you? By the goddess it is you”, the prisoner exclaimed, his eyes widening with relief as he gripped the cell bars tightly. "Please, let me out. They're going to hang me in the morning." His voice trembled with fear.

Erlinda examined the lock, her brow furrowed in concentration as she attempted to manipulate the wind to unlock it. She gestured with her hands, trying to guide the wind, but her efforts were unsuccessful. I still need more practice, she thought, frustration creeping in as she clenched her fists.

“I can't, the lock is too tough, I need the keys." she said, looking at the man. "But first, have you seen a man with reddish-brown hair wearing brown and red leather armor?" The bandit's face contorted with a mix of anger and frustration. "No, and why should I care?" he retorted, his voice laced with bitterness. “Ok, what about Darwin?” Erlinda asked as she looked back at the lock. He took a few agitated steps, his boots scuffing against the cold stone floor. “Yeah, I seen him. That bastard's the reason we're all in here," he spat, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the cell bars.

Erlinda's heart skipped a beat What has Darwin gotten himself into? "What do you mean? What happened?"

He got involved with some noblewoman. She hired him to steal some fancy artifact from the prince's collection. Said it would make us all rich.” He slammed his fist against the wall in frustration. Woman? That's unusual for Darwin, Erlinda thought, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What woman?" she asked, leaning closer to the cell.

“Hell, if I know, I just knew it was a bad idea, but he didn't listen." He shook his head in disgust.

A noblewoman and a theft from the prince... this don’t sound like Darwin at all. She bit her lip pensively. "Tell me more about this woman and the stolen item," she pressed, her voice urgent.

The bandit shrugged, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I don't know much. She seemed powerful, and Darwin thought she could make us rich. But I had a bad feeling about it from the start." He rubbed his face wearily.

Could she have set him up? Erlinda wondered, her heart sinking at the thought. "Do you think she betrayed him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Maybe," the bandit said, his eyes meeting hers with a hint of uncertainty. "Or maybe she was just using him for her own schemes." He shrugged again, looking away.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

This doesn't add up. Darwin wouldn't betray his own team, would he? Erlinda's heart sank, a chill running down her spine. If Darwin had been set up or betrayed, he could be in serious trouble. She took a deep breath, calming herself. "Where are the keys kept?" she asked.

"Last I heard, they were in the warden's office. But good luck getting in there, the place is crawling with guards." The bandit gave her a wry smile, his eyes glinting in the dim light.

The warden's office. Great. Erlinda sighed inwardly, her shoulders sagging slightly. Well, I've handled worse. Promising the bandit she would return for him, she slipped back into the shadows.

The warden's office, of course. Nothing's ever easy, she thought wryly, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. She nodded to the bandit, her voice low and urgent, "I'll be back for you." Then she was gone, darting back the way she came, her cloak billowing behind her as she veered left down a narrow passageway. The air grew colder, the prison seem more oppressive, as she move deeper into the prison. Just keep moving, she urged herself, trying to ignore the growing sense of unease that prickled at her. As she turned another corner, a flicker of orange light danced across the walls ahead, the warm glow of torchlight spilling into the corridor. Erlinda froze, her heart leaping into her throat. Guards, she realized.

The sound of low voices drifted toward her, the gruff tones of men deep in conversation. Erlinda pressed herself against the rough stone wall, inching closer until she could make out the scene before her. A reinforced door, heavy and imposing, stood at the end of the path, flanked by two burly soldiers. Their faces were grim, their stances alert, hands resting on the hilts of their swords.

I need a distraction, Erlinda thought, her eyes scanning the shadowy recesses of the corridor. A glint of something caught her eye, and she crouched down, her fingers closing around a loose stone on the floor. It was small, but it would have to do. She drew in a deep breath, feeling the familiar tingle of magic coursing through her veins as she called upon her wind magic.

With a flick of her wrist, she sent the stone skittering across the floor, propelled by a gentle gust of wind. It clattered against the far wall, the sound jarring in the stillness. The guards' heads snapped toward the noise, their hands tightening on their weapons as they moved to investigate.

Now's my chance, Erlinda watched the guards step away from the door. She darted forward, her cloak whispering against the stone as she slipped past the distracted guards and into the warden’s office.

The room was a cluttered mess, a stark contrast to the spartan corridors outside. Stacks of paperwork teetered precariously on every surface, the air thick with the musty scent of old parchment and ink. Keys glinted in the dim light, scattered haphazardly across the warden's desk. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, Erlinda thought. On his desk was a drawing of Darwin wanted poster. The shadows etched around his twin blades seemed to dance in the flickering candlelight, a stark contrast to the substantial reward of 100 silvers printed beneath. A fortune for anyone who could capture him, she thought, her brow furrowing in concern.

Picking up one of the posters to examined more closely, she noticed a discrepancy that sent a chill down her spine. One poster demanded Darwin's capture or death, while the other merely sought his capture. Why the difference? Amidst the jumble of documents, a recurring theme emerged: mentions of an item stolen from a location accessible only to the royal family.

So, the noble woman had him steal from the royal family. She looked around, rifling through the scattered papers on the desk, her fingers trembling slightly as she searched for answers.

Suddenly, a noise from outside jolted Erlinda, causing her to jump in surprise. The sound of approaching footsteps and clanking armor filled the air, signaling the guards' return to their positions. I need to hurry, her eyes darting frantically from key to key in search of the one that would unlock the cells.

As she sifted through the jumble of keys, a glint of metal caught her eye. It was a small, intricately designed key that seemed out of place among the others, its unique appearance drawing her attention. Grabbing it she returned her attention to escaping the room. Her stomach sank as she noticed the shadows of the guards growing larger beneath the crack.

Time is running out. I have to do something, she thought, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at her side. Unsheathing it, she moved behind the door and with a flick of her wrist used the wind to hit one of the keys that was hanging. The noise caught the attention of the approaching guard, and she could hear his footsteps pause just outside the door.

The door creaked open, and the guard cautiously peered inside, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger. Just a little further, Erlinda thought, holding her breath as he stepped into the room. In a blur of motion, Erlinda struck, her dagger finding itself in the guard's back with a sickening thud. She felt the warmth of his blood on her hand as he crumpled to the floor, his last breath escaping in a gurgled gasp.

With a flick of her wrist, Erlinda manipulated the wind, using it to delicately shift the lifeless body to the side. The air seemed to crackle with tension as the remaining guard's footsteps drew closer, his confusion evident in the hesitant way he opened the door. Erlinda could see the bewilderment etched across his face as he stepped inside, his eyes darting around the seemingly empty room.

Before he could turn around, Erlinda closed the distance between them. The eyes widened as she moved her knife across his neck. As the second guard fell to the floor, Erlinda took a moment to steady her breathing, the metallic scent of blood filling her nostrils. I have to keep moving.

With quiet urgency, she exited the room, her footsteps barely making a sound on the stone floor. Pausing at the door, she grabbed nearby objects, placing them in front of the entrance to create a makeshift barricade. It's not much, she thought, but it might buy me some time.

Erlinda crept through the dimly lit corridors, her footsteps barely audible against the cold stone floor. Darwin, what have you gotten yourself into? she thought, her mind racing with the shocking revelations she had stumbled upon.

The wanted posters had depicted Darwin as a dangerous criminal, his twin blades casting ominous shadows. But the stolen documents hinted at a far more complex story, one that involved a mysterious regal woman. Who is she, and why would Darwin choose to work with someone who wants to steal from the royal family?

As Erlinda navigated the labyrinthine corridors, a flickering torchlight caught her eye. She pressed herself against the damp wall, her heart pounding in her chest as she peered around the corner. A group of guards huddled together, their voices low and urgent. The rustle of parchment and the clink of armor punctuated their whispered conversations. Erlinda strained to catch the snippets of dialogue, her curiosity piqued by their animated gestures and the map spread out before them.

"The plan is set," a gruff voice muttered. "We'll have Darwin in our grasp soon enough."

"And the item he stole?" another guard inquired, his tone laced with apprehension.

"We would find it," the first guard replied, his voice tinged with a hint of fear. "Our job is to bring Darwin in, alive."

Amidst the gathered guards, a man garbed in black robes stood out, his attire adorned with intricate golden trim that glinted in the torchlight. He seemed to command the attention of those around him, his gestures emphatic as he spoke in hushed tones.

Erlinda's breath caught in her throat as she listened, her mind reeling with the implications of their words. They're planning to capture Darwin, she realized, a sense of dread settling in the pit of her stomach.

But even as the gravity of the situation weighed upon her, another thought suddenly struck Erlinda. Lucas. I can't let them catch me, she thought, her heart pounding in her ears. If I try to get closer, Lucas will be furious that I didn't prioritize his rescue.

Erlinda's palms grew slick with sweat as she weighed her options, the weight of her decisions bearing down on her. The temptation to inch closer, to gather more information about Darwin and this noblewoman, was almost overwhelming. But the risk was too great.

With a heavy heart, Erlinda made her choice. She couldn't jeopardize Lucas's safety, even if it meant leaving behind valuable insights. Slowly, carefully, she began to back away from the corner, her movements deliberate and silent as she melted into the shadows.

Erlinda wove through the narrow passages, her body a mere blur as she darted from shadow to shadow. The prison buzzed with activity, the echoing footsteps of guards patrolling every corner, their armor clanking with each step.

My mana is running low, Erlinda thought, feeling the familiar drain of her "Swift Step" spell. Each second she maintained the enchantment, she could feel her energy slipping away, like sand through an hourglass. Do I keep it up, or do I risk moving at a normal pace? The thought of her mana running out in a place like this sent a shiver down her spine, but the alternative of moving at a normal speed was equally unappealing. I haven't found Lucas yet, so I better keep it up. In fact, I should speed up.

Just as she was about to move, a thunderous crash echoed through the prison, followed by a deep rumbling that shook the walls. "What was that?" she whispered, darting into a nearby shadow. Guards scurried about like ants, their weapons glinting in the flickering torchlight. Captains barked orders, their voices strained with urgency, commanding their subordinates to prepare for an attack and locate its source. I need to find Lucas now.

"Hey, one of the prisoners we captured earlier has escaped!" a guard shouted, his voice reverberating through the chamber before he disappeared down a nearby passage. So, he escaped, she thought, her brow furrowing. Wait, if he escaped, then what was that noise? The acrid scent of fire and burning hair assaulted her nostrils.

"That way," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she broke into a full sprint. Her spell propelled her forward at blinding speeds, leaving a trail of knocked-down guards in her wake, their armor clattering against the stone floor. As she ran, the heat from Lucas's fire magic grew more intense, and the tremors from the guards' earth magic shook the ground beneath her feet.

Rounding a corner, she caught sight of Lucas, his sword ablaze with dancing flames as he swung it at a hulking guard. The guard leaped back, narrowly avoiding the fiery blade, only to be replaced by a massive boulder that materialized in his place. Lucas attempted to cleave through the rock, but the force of the impact sent him stumbling backward. He quickly regained his footing and dove out of the way, allowing the boulder to crash into the wall. The collision extinguished most of the lamps, plunging the corridor into darkness. Only the light from Lucas was visible.

Lucas, she thought as she followed the orange glow. Shadows on the walls started moving, followed by more shadows. It was clear that he was going to be surrounded soon. Grabbing her amethyst necklace and muttering the incantation, she pushed her magic to the fullest and unleashed her Gust Blast, knocking the guards into the wall.

Then she took a step, moving so fast that the world became distorted. The air around her crackled with energy as she surged forward. With each step, her speed increased, and her senses heightened. Time itself seemed to slow, granting her the ability to see the world in exquisite detail. Her tunnel vision intensified, and the world became a vibrant spectrum of orange, black, and grey.

When she made it to Lucas, she turned to see what she could do to help immediately. The guards were slowly falling away as if something was pulling them back in the air. Lucas had his hands in front of his face, shielding himself from the wind gust. With great effort, Erlinda began to decelerate. The world gradually regained its familiar appearance, and the exhilaration of her super-speed experience lingered in her racing heart. She finally came to a stop, sighing as the world came back into focus. The guards crashed into the walls and ground with dull thuds. Lucas's hand was still up, his sword flaring in the gust's dying wind.

"Erlinda," he panted, lowering his hand, "Hell of an entrance.”

"Thanks, I try," she replied with a smirk, glancing at the scattered guards. "Let's get out of here before they recover."