Ethan's unexpected encounter III

In the midst of the enveloping fog and the roaring inferno before him, Ethan stood unwavering, his expression composed, as he clutched a diminutive vial between his fingers.

His voice barely above a whisper, he murmured, "I suppose it worked," casting the bottle away with a swift motion. His gaze then shifted to the left, where Quin's countenance brimmed with a furious intensity, fixed upon Ethan.

Ethan released a weary sigh, diverting his attention to Aiko, who knelt amidst the raging flames, her sword serving as a steadfast support.

Astonishingly, there was not a solitary blemish upon her, as if the relentless blaze had been unable to mar her delicate form. Her breaths were labored, escaping her lips with palpable exertion, as she uttered, "How is it possible...? How did I not take any damage from that?" Her eyes remained steadfastly fixated on the ground, her voice laced with both disbelief and wonder.

The crackling fire danced around Aiko, its tendrils reaching out hungrily, yet her presence remained untouched, a testament to an inexplicable safeguard.

Ethan approached her with deliberate steps, his expression reflecting a mix of relief and concern. The flames flickered in a macabre dance, casting eerie shadows upon his face as he crouched beside her.

"Are you okay?" Ethan asked, standing in front of Aiko, with his gaze darted down at her.

Aiko's eyes slowly lifted, meeting Ethan's gaze with a blend of gratitude and confusion. "You don't need to worry about me… I'll be fine," She admitted, her voice filled with a sense of wonderment as she slowly lifted herself up from the ground.

"Good, because you'll need to start running a few seconds from now." Ethan uttered, looking at the thick forest.

"Uhn? What do you mean by that?" Aiko asked, "I know we were ambushed, but I can easily take care of this, you don't need to worry".

"It's not an ambush, it's an assassination, for both you and I." Ethan responded, "Once the fog settles, they'll come looking for us again… honestly really stressful".

"Assassins? That's ridiculous, who would send assassins after us and if so, why would they target only us and not the other heroes?" Aiko asked, her expression desperate for answers.

Ethan regarded Aiko for a moment, his gaze steady. "I thought that was already obvious, but I suppose you wouldn't want to suspect them." He mused, a faint sigh escaping his lips.

"Well, regardless, it's alright." With resolute determination, he began striding towards the looming forest ahead. "The effect of the damage transfer should have dissipated by now. Just be careful not to get yourself killed again," he advised, his tone tinged with a mix of caution and concern.

Aiko's voice rose urgently, her feet propelling her forward as she shouted, "Wait...!" She closed the distance between them in a desperate rush, planting herself directly in Ethan's path. "I said wait!" Her hands found their place upon his chest, a gesture of both physical and emotional restraint.

Ethan regarded her, a flicker of bewilderment dancing in his eyes, uncertain of the reason behind her sudden pursuit.

With her attention averted to the ground, Aiko's voice trembled as she posed her question, her palms pressing against Ethan's chest for support. "Where are you going?" The words slipped out, filled with a blend of concern and uncertainty.

Ethan's response came without hesitation, his voice calm and measured. "Before I die, there is something very important I have to check out." He revealed, his finger extending to point at a specific spot within the dense forest. "It's just over there, on the left side".

A myriad of emotions flickered across Aiko's face, a mix of confusion and concern entwined. Questions welled within her, longing to be unleashed, but for now, she simply stood there, her hands resting upon Ethan's chest, as if grounding herself in his presence.

"Aiko?" Ethan's voice rang out, filled with a mix of concern and confusion, as he noted her sudden silence.

"Why must you persist in your stubbornness?" Aiko's words broke through the silence, her hand inching towards the hilt of her sword resting on the ground. Her voice resonated with unwavering determination. "How many times must I reiterate... I will protect you!"

In a swift motion, Aiko lunged forward, her sword gleaming in the air as it found its mark, piercing the would-be assassin who had stealthily crept up behind Ethan, intending to strike.

The assailant crumpled to the ground, his nefarious intentions thwarted by Aiko's swift action. The forest reverberated with the clash of steel against flesh, as the defeated assassin's body hit the earth, an embodiment of their shattered plot.

Ethan's eyes darted to be back, to see the assassin laying waste to the ground. He watched as Aiko's form stood resolute, her stance unyielding, her blade still imbued with the remnants of her valiant strike.

A sigh left Ethan's lips as he spoke, his voice laced with awe. "Thanks for your help… but you really should focus on yourself".

Aiko turned to face him, her gaze ablaze with determination. "There is no need to be modest, Ethan. It is my duty, my choice, to stand by your side," She declared, her voice carrying the weight of her conviction, "Now shut up and let me do my job"."Ahhhh!"

Their conversation was abruptly cut short by a cacophony of anguished cries. Multiple assassins emerged, converging upon them from all directions, their movements precise and swift, each wielding a distinct weapon with deadly intent.

Aiko stood her ground, her body crackling with vibrant sparks of lightning, ready to face the impending onslaught. She turned towards Ethan, determination etched across her features. "Just stay behind me... okay?" Her voice carried a resolute command.

But before they could brace themselves for the imminent clash, a sudden gust of wind swept through the scene. Aiko's eyes widened, instinctively darting to the rear, only to witness a figure disappearing into the distance, carrying Ethan away with alarming speed.

"Ethan!" Aiko's voice reverberated with a mix of desperation and determination as she attempted to give chase. However, the relentless pursuit of the assassins who closed in on her made it impossible to reach them in time.

Aiko found herself surrounded, the assassins encircling her with lethal precision. Her heart pounded in her chest as she prepared to face the ensuing battle, knowing that every move she made carried the weight of their survival.

The air crackled with anticipation, charged with the impending clash between Aiko and the assassins. Aiko's hands tightened around her blade, the sparks of lightning dancing ominously, matching the fierce resolve in her eyes.

The battle commenced, a dance of steel and lightning, as Aiko fought valiantly against overwhelming odds. Each swing of her blade and surge of lightning aimed to repel her adversaries and clear a path towards her stolen companion.

But even as she displayed unwavering determination and skill, the assassins' numbers and coordinated attacks threatened to overwhelm her. With every passing moment, the distance between Aiko and Ethan grew, and her resolve to bring him back unharmed intensified.

In the midst of the chaos and danger, Aiko's unwavering spirit burned bright. She refused to yield, her heart set on reuniting with Ethan, no matter the challenges that lay before her. The clash of blades and crackle of lightning echoed through the forest, as her relentless pursuit to save him drove her forward, determined to overcome any obstacle in her path.