The team moved quickly through the forest, the adrenaline from the fight still coursing through their veins. Estelle winced as she adjusted her grip on her sword, the pain from her shoulder injury throbbing with every step. Dante, who had been glancing back at her periodically, finally spoke up.
“Lily, let me take a look at that wound,” he said, his voice tinged with frustration and concern.
Estelle shook her head. “We don’t have time to stop. We need to keep moving.”
Garrick, who had been walking beside her, chimed in. “She’s right, Dante. We can’t afford to slow down. But you can’t keep pushing yourself like this, Lily. That bastard did a number on you.”
Dante clenched his fists, the anger from the encounter still simmering just beneath the surface. “This wouldn’t have happened if you had just stayed back like Iris and I told you to. You’re too damn reckless!” His voice was sharp, the fear of what could have happened to Estelle coming out as anger.
Estelle shot him a look, her eyes hard. “I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. You saw what he was capable of. If I hadn’t engaged him, he would have torn through the rest of you.”
Garrick grunted in agreement. “She’s got a point, Dante. We’re lucky she’s as good as she is, or we’d be in much worse shape.”
Dante exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “I know, I know… but still. You’re injured, and now we’re in even more danger. We’ve got to be smarter about this. Next time, we stick to the plan.”
Estelle nodded, though she could see how deeply Dante was affected by what had happened. His anger wasn’t just at her; it was at the entire situation—the constant danger, the never-ending fight for survival, and the looming threat of someone like Vayne. She understood his frustration, but she also knew she couldn’t have done anything differently.
As they continued to move through the dense forest, Estelle could feel the weight of her injury growing heavier. The blood from the wound had slowed, but the pain was constant.
Garrick, noticing her struggle, quietly moved closer to offer support. “Lean on me if you need to, Lily,” he offered. His voice was gruff, but there was a gentleness in his tone that reminded Estelle of the camaraderie she had once known.
She gave him a grateful nod, leaning slightly on his shoulder as they continued. “Thanks, Garrick. I’ll be fine. We just need to get back to the shelter.”
The rest of the team, though silent, kept their eyes sharp, scanning the surroundings for any signs of pursuit. They knew that Vayne wouldn’t give up so easily, and the threat of being tracked back to the shelter weighed heavily on all of them.
As they continued their trek, the team worked in unison to cover their tracks. Garrick used his earth manipulation ability to subtly disturb the ground, erasing any clear footprints or signs of their passage. Another member, a quiet but skilled Aeth named Lysandra, used her wind manipulation to scatter leaves and debris, further obscuring their trail. Dante contributed by scouting ahead, ensuring they stayed off any well-worn paths and avoided potential ambush points.
The forest around them was eerily silent, the usual sounds of wildlife absent as if the creatures themselves were hiding from the danger that lurked nearby. The oppressive atmosphere weighed on them, each rustle of leaves or snap of a twig sending their nerves on edge.
As they approached a particularly dense section of the forest, Dante signaled for them to stop. "We’re close to the shelter’s perimeter," he whispered. "Let’s take a moment to regroup and make sure we haven’t been followed."
The group huddled together, their senses on high alert. Garrick stood guard at the rear, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement. Estelle took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She couldn’t afford to let her fear get the better of her—not now.
Suddenly, there was a rustling sound from behind them. Everyone tensed, weapons at the ready, but it was just Lysandra, who had been checking the wind patterns to ensure they weren’t being tracked by scent. "All clear," she reported softly, her voice carrying a note of relief.
Dante nodded. "Good. Let’s move."
As they neared the edge of the forest, Dante spoke up again, his voice calmer but still firm. “Once we get back, you’re heading straight to the infirmary, no arguments. We’ll cover our tracks as best we can, but we need to make sure that wound doesn’t get infected.”
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Estelle sighed, knowing he was right but not wanting to admit how much the injury was affecting her. “Fine,” she agreed, her voice softening. “But we need to focus on the bigger picture too. That guy is out there, and he knows we’re here. We need to be ready for whatever comes next.”
Garrick nodded in agreement. “We’ll be ready. But first, let’s make sure you’re taken care of. We can’t afford to lose anyone—especially not someone who can stand up to a maniac like that.”
As they finally emerged from the forest and made their way back to the shelter’s hidden entrance, the tension in the group remained high. They had survived the encounter, but the shadow of Vayne’s presence loomed large. The fight was far from over, and they all knew it.
Dante, still visibly tense, took a deep breath as they reached the shelter. “We’ll regroup and figure out our next move. But no more going off-script, Lily. We need you at your best, not risking everything on a hunch.”
Estelle nodded. “I understand, Dante. But sometimes taking risks is the only way to survive.”
Dante's expression remained hard, a storm of emotions playing across his features. Though his anger was palpable, it was clear that it stemmed from a place of concern. He looked at Estelle for a long moment before finally letting out a frustrated sigh. “I hate that you’re right, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept. We need you alive, Lily. Don’t forget that.”
Estelle offered a faint smile. “I won’t. You don’t need to worry so much.”
Dante huffed, his concern evident despite his attempt to keep his tone light. “I’ll worry as much as I want. Just don’t make me regret it.” He turned to Garrick, giving a nod. “Get her to the infirmary. I need to report back to Alaric.”
Garrick gave a curt nod. “On it.”
As Dante turned and headed off to find Alaric, his shoulders still tense with the weight of the day, Garrick stepped up beside Estelle. “Let’s get you patched up before Lydia decides to hunt us both down.”
Estelle couldn’t help but chuckle despite the dull throb of pain in her shoulder. “Sounds like a good plan.”
The two made their way through the shelter, the familiar sounds of daily life beginning to return as the immediate danger faded into the background. Garrick kept a steady pace beside her, offering support whenever her steps faltered. Though he didn’t say much, Estelle appreciated his quiet presence.
As they approached the infirmary, the tension in Estelle’s body grew. She knew she was in for another round of Lydia’s well-meaning but stern lectures. Sure enough, as they entered the room, Lydia’s eyes narrowed the moment she saw Estelle.
“Again?” Lydia’s exasperation was clear as she looked at Estelle’s bandaged shoulder. “What did I tell you about keeping out of trouble?”
Before Estelle could respond, Garrick quickly excused himself, clearly eager to avoid being on the receiving end of Lydia’s frustration. “I’ll leave her in your capable hands, Lydia. Got to make sure the others are squared away.” With that, he was out the door, leaving Estelle to face Lydia alone.
Lydia let out a huff as she began gathering the supplies to treat Estelle’s wound. “One Dante is already too much to handle, and now you’re making it two. What am I going to do with you both?”
Estelle couldn’t help but chuckle at the comparison. “I’m sorry, Lydia. It wasn’t exactly part of the plan.” She said, though she knew it wouldn’t do much to ease Lydia’s annoyance.
Lydia grumbled something under her breath as she unwrapped the makeshift bandage and began cleaning the wound. “You’re going to make me run out of bandages at this rate. Hold still, and let me take a look.”
Estelle winced slightly as Lydia’s firm but gentle hands worked on the injury. “You should be sorry,” Lydia muttered, her tone a mix of frustration and concern. “You’re lucky this isn’t worse. You’ve been here, what, barely a few days? And already you’re making a habit of getting injured.”
Estelle didn’t argue, knowing that Lydia was right. The medic finished cleaning the wound and applied a fresh bandage with practiced efficiency. “There,” Lydia said, stepping back to examine her work. “That should hold. But don’t think you’re off the hook yet.”
As Estelle stood to leave, Lydia put a hand on her other shoulder, stopping her. “Oh no, you’re not going anywhere,” Lydia said sternly. “You’re staying put until I say otherwise. Someone’s got to keep an eye on you, and since you seem intent on creating more work for me, I guess that someone is going to be me.”
Estelle sighed but nodded in agreement. “Alright, I’ll stay.”
“Good,” Lydia replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. “The last thing we need is for you to go out there and get yourself hurt again. I’ve got enough to deal with without having to worry about you and Dante running wild.”
Despite the medic’s grumbling, Estelle could see the genuine concern in her eyes. The same concern that had been there when Lydia first saw her injuries.
As Estelle settled onto one of the infirmary cots, she couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions—gratitude for the people around her who cared enough to worry, and a lingering unease about the path ahead. She knew she needed to be more careful, not just for her sake, but for the sake of those who had come to rely on her, even if they didn’t fully trust her yet.
Lyria, now satisfied that Estelle wasn’t about to wander off, returned to her other duties, muttering under her breath about reckless Aeths and the trouble they caused. Estelle watched her go, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Despite everything, there was something comforting about being fussed over, even if it came with a healthy dose of scolding.
For now, Estelle would rest. Lydia was right—she needed to heal, both physically and mentally, if she was going to keep fighting. And so, for the first time in what felt like days, Estelle allowed herself to relax, knowing that she was safe, at least for the moment.
And that, in itself, was a victory.