Ethan's unexpected encounter VII

Bali's gaze snapped towards Aiko, concern etched across his face. His voice resonated with urgency as he called out to her, "Hey, are you all right?!" His outstretched hands reached out for his spear, eager to have his weapon back within his grasp.

Aiko, her body trembling with both physical strain and determination, struggled to respond amidst her labored breaths. Her eyes met Bali's, filled with a mixture of surprise and relief. "What... What are you doing here?" She managed to utter, her voice strained and weak.

"I thought you and the others were..." Before she could finish her sentence, a violent cough erupted from her chest, causing crimson blood to stain her lips. She fell to her knees, her sword serving as a steadfast support.

Bali stood frozen, shock reflected in his widened eyes as he witnessed the blood escape Aiko's lips. The realization of her dire condition washed over him, leaving him momentarily speechless and helpless.

Amidst the pain coursing through her body, Aiko mustered the strength to speak once more. She wiped away the blood on her mouth with the back of her hand, leaving a vivid streak across her pale skin.

Her voice, though strained, held a resolve that refused to waver. "I'm fine," she declared, her words laced with a touch of defiance. "I was poisoned, but not enough to kill me".

As if defying the physical toll exacted upon her, Aiko summoned her willpower and rose to her feet, using her sword as support. Her posture, though weakened, exuded an unyielding determination that matched the fire burning within her eyes.

The battle-hardened warrior refused to succumb to the venom coursing through her veins, steeling herself for the challenges that lay ahead.

Bali's gaze shifted from Aiko's blood-stained form to her resolute countenance, a mix of concern and uncertainty flickering in his eyes. With a sigh escaping his lips, he absently scratched his tousled hair, gathering his thoughts before he spoke. "Hey, Aiko, I have something important to tell you..."

Aiko, her determination undeterred by her weakened state, interjected before Bali could finish his sentence. "You can tell me later," she chimed in, her tone firm yet tinged with urgency. She continued to stride forward, her grip on the sword tightening, each step taking her deeper into the unknown. "Right now, I must find Ethan. He needs me."

Bali's eyes widened in surprise, his desire to share his thoughts momentarily eclipsed by Aiko's resolute determination.

He pivoted to face her, his voice laced with concern. "Hold on, Aiko. I'm coming with you," he declared, his gaze darted to the side, a flicker of guilt surfacing in his eyes. "Besides, I need to apologize to him as well."

Aiko's steps didn't falter, her gaze fixed ahead, unyielding in her pursuit of their missing comrade. She responded without looking back, her tone firm and resolute. "Do as you like," she uttered, her voice carrying a hint of detachment. "But my mission remains the same. I won't stop until I find Ethan, so don't get in my way".

As Aiko continued to push forward, disappearing into the dense foliage, Bali's conflicted emotions churned within him. He hesitated for a moment, torn between his duty to the heroes and his longing to reconcile with Ethan. Finally, he clenched his fists, his resolve solidifying. With determined steps, he followed in Aiko's wake.

As they continued to navigate the labyrinthine forest, their footsteps muffled by the carpet of fallen leaves, a sense of urgency hung in the air.

Bali's voice, tinged with a touch of exhaustion, cut through the quietude. "Aiko, mind slowing down a bit?" He called out, his words laced with a subtle plea. "At this pace, we can't effectively pick up on any clues... Hey, are you even listening?".

However, Bali's entreaty faded into silence as he noticed Aiko's sudden stillness. His steps faltered, and he closed the distance between them, his voice laden with concern. "Aiko?" He called out, his tone soft but urgent. "What's wrong?".

Aiko, her eyes fixed on the bloodstained fabric clutched tightly in her trembling hands, seemed momentarily lost in a haze of shock. Her face, usually determined and resolute, now bore an expression of profound disbelief and dread.

Her voice quivered as she spoke, each word weighed down by the weight of her emotions. "He... he was here," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But... why is there blood on it?" Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, betrayed her inner turmoil.

Bali's heart sank as he pieced together the implications of Aiko's words. He took a step closer, his voice filled with a mix of concern and desperation. "Is that Ethan's?" He asked, his voice tinged with a tinge of fear, dreading the answer.

Aiko's reply came swift and resolute, her determination unwavering despite the unsettling discovery. "Yes," she confirmed, her voice laced with a flicker of anguish. "He was here, and something has happened to him."

Her grip tightened on the bloodstained fabric, her knuckles turning white as her resolve solidified. "I have to find him. He's out there somewhere".

Driven by a potent mixture of determination and concern for their missing comrade, Aiko rose from her kneeling position with newfound strength.

She cast a determined gaze toward the dense foliage that enveloped them, her voice carrying a resolute determination. "We can't afford to waste any more time. Ethan's life might be hanging in the balance. Let's press on," she declared, her words carrying an unyielding resolve that left no room for doubt.

Bali, though apprehensive about the unknown dangers that lay ahead, couldn't deny the conviction burning within Aiko's eyes. With a deep breath, he steeled himself, ready to face the imminent trials alongside her.

Aiko and Bali continued their relentless search for Ethan. The weight of uncertainty bore down upon them, every passing moment making the task ahead feel more daunting. Suddenly, their attention was diverted by an unexpected discovery—a motionless figure, an assassin, sprawled naked on the ground.

Aiko's eyes darted around the surroundings, her brow furrowed with confusion and apprehension. The sight before them added an unsettling layer of complexity to their mission. Every passing second without finding Ethan became an unbearable burden upon her shoulders, and the appearance of this unknown assassin only heightened her sense of urgency and unease.

Bali, undeterred by the enigmatic circumstances, knelt down beside the unconscious figure, cautiously extending a hand to wake them. Before he could make contact, a voice, laden with a hint of intrigue and mystery, sliced through the air, interrupting their actions.

"Why aren't you guys departing with the rest?"

The sudden intrusion startled both Aiko and Bali, causing them to exchange bewildered glance