The streets of Spider Miles blurred around Kaden as he ran, each step sending jolts of pain through his body. His legs felt like lead, his lungs burned, and the black frost simmered just beneath his skin, begging to be released. But he couldn't stop. Not yet.
Beside him, Geralt moved with more steadiness, but even he was starting to show signs of fatigue. The battle had pushed them both to their limits, and now their only hope was to escape before their enemies regrouped.
"We need to keep moving," Geralt muttered, his eyes scanning their surroundings as they slipped through a narrow alley. "The Compass—what's it telling you?"
Kaden clutched the Compass tightly, its cool surface offering little comfort as the needle spun, finally settling on a direction. The soft glow from the Compass was the only thing guiding them through the chaos, pulling them away from the death trap they had narrowly escaped.
"This way," Kaden said, his voice barely above a whisper.
He couldn't explain why, but the Compass felt like it was pulling him toward something important—something he needed. Every time it pointed in a new direction, there was a sense of purpose, like the universe was showing him the way. Right now, that was the only thing keeping him on his feet.
They moved through the deserted streets, weaving between crumbling buildings and shadowed alleys. The air was thick with the stench of smoke and oil, and the distant hum of machinery filled the silence. But despite the sounds of the city around them, Kaden could sense the danger lurking just out of sight.
"They're going to follow us," Geralt said, his voice low. "Those thugs... they're not giving up that easily."
Kaden nodded, his grip tightening on the Compass. "I know."
His vision blurred again, and he stumbled, nearly collapsing against the wall of a building. His body was screaming for rest, but there was no time for that. Not now.
"Hey." Geralt caught him, steadying him with one arm. "You alright?"
Kaden nodded weakly, even though he wasn't sure if he believed it. His skin was cold, far colder than usual, and he could feel the frost creeping up his arms, spreading through his veins like a poison.
"I'm fine," Kaden muttered, though his voice betrayed his exhaustion.
Geralt's eyes narrowed. "You're pushing yourself too hard. We're not going to make it if you collapse."
Kaden didn't respond. Instead, he pushed himself off the wall and started walking again, following the soft glow of the Compass. They didn't have a choice. They had to keep moving.
After what felt like hours of running, the streets slowly began to change. The oppressive industrial landscape gave way to a quieter, more desolate area—one that felt strangely isolated from the rest of the city. The buildings here were older, more rundown, and the air was colder, even without Kaden's powers.
Kaden's legs finally gave out, and he collapsed to his knees, the Compass still glowing faintly in his hand.
"Kaden!" Geralt knelt beside him, his expression grim. "You're not alright. We need to stop."
Kaden shook his head, forcing himself to breathe through the pain. "No. We can't stop. Not yet."
But even as he spoke, he knew he was nearing his limit. The frost inside him was growing stronger, harder to contain. It was like a storm building in his chest, threatening to break free and consume everything in its path.
Geralt looked at him for a long moment, then glanced down at the Compass in Kaden's hand. "It's guiding us somewhere, isn't it?"
Kaden nodded, his breath coming in shallow gasps. "We're close. I can feel it."
Geralt's eyes flicked to the horizon, where the streets stretched out into darkness. He didn't like it—none of it—but they didn't have a choice. If the Compass was their only guide, then they had to trust it.
With a sigh, Geralt pulled Kaden to his feet, slinging one of his arms over his shoulder to help him walk. "We'll make it. Just hang on."
They stumbled forward, following the faint glow of the Compass as it pulled them deeper into the desolate part of Spider Miles. Every step felt like a struggle, and Kaden's vision began to darken around the edges.
His mind was clouded with exhaustion, and he could barely focus on anything other than putting one foot in front of the other. But the Compass—its glow grew stronger, brighter, and with every step they took, the pull toward something, or someone, became undeniable.
The streets opened up into a small, abandoned courtyard, and Kaden could feel it—the presence of someone else, someone powerful. The Compass in his hand pulsed once, then fell still.
Geralt lowered Kaden to the ground gently, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. "What now?"
Kaden struggled to breathe, the weight of the frost pressing down on him. "The Compass... it led us here. She's close."
Geralt frowned. "She?"
Kaden couldn't explain it, but he knew. The Compass had guided them to someone who could help—someone they desperately needed. With trembling hands, Kaden held the Compass up, focusing on the energy that radiated from it.
"Help us," Kaden whispered, his voice barely audible. "Please."
The air around them shimmered, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. The wind stirred, carrying with it a strange warmth that contrasted with the cold that had been following Kaden. A soft light filled the courtyard, and then, from the shadows, a figure emerged.
It was a woman—tall, with long blonde hair tied in loose tails behind her back. Her presence was commanding, yet calm, and her sharp eyes immediately took in the scene before her. Her clothing, a mix of warrior and healer's garb, was unlike anything Kaden had ever seen.
Without a word, she knelt beside Kaden, her hands glowing with a soft green light.
"Don't move," she ordered, her voice firm yet gentle.
Kaden's vision blurred as her hands hovered over his chest, the green light spreading warmth through his frozen body. He wanted to say something—wanted to ask who she was—but the exhaustion overtook him, and everything went dark.
As Kaden slipped into unconsciousness, Geralt stood back, watching the woman work. Her focus was intense, and he could see the strain in her expression as she healed Kaden's injuries. Whatever powers she had, they were extraordinary.
Finally, she stood, wiping the sweat from her brow. "He's stabilized, but he's not out of danger yet."
Geralt crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Who are you?"
The woman's sharp gaze met his, unflinching. "My name is Tsunade. I was brought here by that." She nodded toward the Compass still clutched in Kaden's hand. "He's been pushing himself too hard. His body's on the verge of collapsing from the strain."
Geralt's jaw tightened. "Can you save him?"
Tsunade didn't hesitate. "Yes. But he needs rest—and time. I've done what I can for now, but if he keeps pushing himself like this, he won't survive long."
Geralt's eyes flicked back to Kaden's unconscious form, his expression dark. "Then we'll make sure he doesn't."