The Promise

"How long were we away?" Azrael's voice carried urgency as he spurred the horse forward.

"Not that long, I suppose. Probably no more than half an hour. They can't have gone too far," she replied, her tone measured as her eyes scanned their surroundings.

"I believe they won't harm him," Azrael stated, his grip on the reins tightening.

"Not harm him?" Kaitlynn's incredulous voice revealed her surprise. "What do you mean by that? You've seen what they're capable of, haven't you? Even if you think they're after me, they could still hurt him. Cut off his fingers, his hand, or even his tongue, especially since he's a bard. The fact is, he's in danger, and we must find him as quickly as possible." Her words were sharp and pointed, betraying the gravity of the situation.

Kaitlynn's skill as a tracker shone through, a testament to her Elven lineage. The forest seemed to respond to her, guiding her steps as she analyzed the subtle signs left behind.

In a matter of moments since their arrival at the scene of Illeron's disappearance, she deciphered the direction the group had taken.

Azrael couldn't help but be impressed by her expertise. In his previous life, he had believed that tracking and navigation were beneath him due to his focus on power.

The concept of using tracks and indicators to navigate seemed almost mundane back then. Watching Kaitlynn work, he realized how wrong he had been.

"They are luring us," Kaitlynn stated, a sense of unease in her voice as she pieced together the situation. "Perhaps if I go alone, Illeron might be released."

"Yeah, that's true," Azrael concurred, his response direct and matter-of-fact.

Kaitlynn's heart sank at his response. She hadn't quite anticipated such a straightforward reply, and for a moment, she felt a pang of betrayal. Her emotions wavered, and she slumped in her seat, struggling with her conflicting feelings.

But he wasn't just dismissing her suggestion.

"Look, I get it. You care about him, and I get it because you're kind. But walking into their trap alone is a surefire way to get both of you killed. I won't let that happen."

Kaitlynn looked up at him, surprise mingling with the turmoil in her eyes. It was a rare moment of candidness from him, a glimpse of the complexities hidden beneath his tough exterior.

'It is foolish, but I guess I've grown fond of that idiot bard. He clearly doesn't have any power to betray me, and he could be proven useful in other situations too,' Azrael mused to himself.

As his thoughts turned to Kaitlynn, he realized that she, too, had her own value in his quest for revenge. Whether they liked it or not, their fates had become entwined, and he saw potential in their companionship that could aid him down the line.

...

After about an hour of journey, they still hadn't come across any decisive trails. The first light of morning cast a bluish tone over the forest, while the sounds of birds and animals chirping added to the vibrant atmosphere.

Azrael pulled the reins near a small pond, causing his horse to slow down and trot towards the water. It stopped at the edge of the pond, lowering its head to drink. Azrael and Kaitlynn dismounted the horse and stretched their limbs.

"What do you think he's doing now?" Kaitlynn asked as Azrael washed his face in the pond.

"I want to believe he has already lost consciousness due to fear."

"That's true." She smiled and nodded. "That would be the best option."

"Well, he must have already lost it—" All of a sudden, a shiver raced down his spine as he sensed a faint glimmer of magic from behind him.

He turned swiftly, his heart pounding, about to shout a warning to Kaitlynn, but the ground beneath her seemed to tremble and quiver. Before he could react, the earth itself surged upward, soil and rocks cascading over her legs and body.

"No!" Azrael lunged forward, desperation gripping him, but it was too late. The ground had already entwined her, pulling her down into its grasp, swallowing her form with cruel efficiency.

Panic surged within him as he reached out, his fingers closing around hers, but the unyielding force of the earth resisted his efforts.

He fought with all his strength, his muscles straining, but the ground's hold was unrelenting. Only her head and hands remained visible, and those too were gradually succumbing to the relentless pull.

Her eyes, wide with terror, locked onto his, pleading for salvation. The grip of despair tightened around Azrael's heart as he watched her being swallowed by the earth. He could hear her anguished screams piercing the air.

"Hold on," he gritted through clenched teeth, the weight of helplessness heavy on his shoulders.

"Gaian!" He frantically reached for his Earth spell, the magic resonating through his being as he poured his power into the ground, attempting to counteract the relentless force pulling her down.

The fear in her eyes intensified, mingling with a haunting sense of despair, as she continued to be consumed by the ground's cruel embrace. It was a nightmare he couldn't wake from, a nightmare where his abilities were pitted against an immensely powerful earth magic.

"I'll find you. I promise. I'll find you," he shouted, his voice tinged with desperation, his promise a desperate plea. He hoped beyond hope that his words had reached her, even as the earth fought back against his magic, claiming her completely.