Unexpected explosion II

A surge of alarm coursed through Veronica as the realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened in shock, her voice barely a whisper, "Wait... where is Aiko?".

Abruptly, a thick fog enveloped the surroundings, shrouding the area in an impenetrable haze. The once-clear visibility vanished, leaving only a disorienting veil of mist in its wake.

"Damn it, what is happening here?" Veronica muttered anxiously, her gaze darting around in a nervous frenzy. The muffled sound of approaching footsteps amplified her unease, each step echoing through the foggy atmosphere.

"Veronica!" a voice pierced through the mist, cutting through the eerie silence.

Reacting on instinct, Veronica pushed herself backward, her heart pounding with trepidation. She swiftly brought her fan to bear, pointing it with deadly intent towards the figure that had called out. However, her apprehension transformed into relief as she recognized Bali and Quin standing before her.

"You two..." Veronica exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and exasperation. "Where in the world have you been?!" Her tone carried a hint of frustration, tinged with worry for the safety of their missing companion.

Quin's voice carried a sense of urgency as he whispered to the group, his words laced with concern. "Listen, we are under attack. I don't have time to explain, but we need to leave immediately."

Veronica's determination faltered momentarily as her thoughts lingered on Aiko's whereabouts. "I understand the urgency, but Aiko is still out there. We can't just leave her behind," she asserted, her voice filled with a mixture of worry and determination.

Beli interjected, confusion etched across his face. "Why wasn't she sleeping with you all?" he questioned, seeking an explanation.

Veronica's frustration surged, her tone growing sharper. "Well, clearly she isn't here with us, is she?" she retorted, her voice laced with a tinge of worry for her missing companion.

Elena interjected, her voice cutting through the tension. "She wanted to sleep with the other guy," she offered, providing a glimpse of insight into Aiko's choice.

Bali and Quin exchanged concerned glances, their expressions betraying their worry. Bali's grip tightened around his spear, his teeth clenched with determination. "Urgh! Fine, let's go get her. Third carriage, right?" he confirmed, his resolve evident as he took a step forward, spear in hand, ready to lead the way.

Summoning a surge of strength, Bali propelled himself forward with a resounding cry. His body arched through the air, executing a graceful leap that carried him towards the front. As he landed, his spear plunged into the earth with a force that reverberated through the ground, dispersing the thick fog that had engulfed their surroundings.

A collective smile formed on the faces of the priestesses, briefly alleviating the tension that had weighed upon them. Their eyes gleamed with hope, buoyed by Bali's display of strength and the sudden clarity that unfolded before them.

However, their fleeting moment of relief was shattered like fragile glass. As the fog dissipated, it unveiled a chilling sight—a ring of figures, dressed in the garb of assassins, encircling their position.

Shadows danced across their stoic faces, their presence foreboding and menacing. The air grew heavy with the palpable aura of danger, sending a chill down the spines of the priestesses.

Silence stretched between the two groups, the tension building with each passing moment. The priestesses, though startled by the unexpected ambush, remained undeterred. Their expressions hardened, their resolve unshaken.

"Dammit, this wasn't part of the plan!" Bali yelled, gripping his spear and launching it straight at one of the assassins.

The spear pierced the heart of the individual, before sending him flying and crashing to the ground.

The sight of their fallen comrade incited fury among the remaining assassins. They surged forward, a wave of relentless determination propelling them towards the priestesses, their approach covering every angle with precision.

Quin, his teeth grinding together, swiftly dashed to the forefront, his scythe held firmly in his grasp. He positioned himself in front of the priestesses, who had already found themselves encircled by four assassins, their wicked intent evident in their cold gazes.

With a sudden stop, Quin twirled his scythe in a fluid rotation, flames bursting to life around its deadly blade. The scorching inferno enveloped the weapon, intensifying its menacing aura.

In a single swift motion, Quin's scythe sliced through the air, carving a fiery path as it connected with each of the four assassins. The searing flames consumed their bodies, reducing them to ash within moments, leaving behind only the remnants of their charred existence.

The priestesses, their eyes widening in awe, witnessed Quin's fierce display of skill and his unwavering determination to protect them.

The battle continued, and Bali and Quin took on most of the assassins, while Elena and Veronica gave support from behind.

In the midst of their heated battle, a voice cut through the chaos, resounding with urgency and familiarity. The sound pierced the air, causing Veronica, Elena, and Bali to halt their movements, their attention drawn to the distant fog.

"Elena! Bali! Can you guys hear me?!" Came the desperate cry, carrying the unmistakable voice of their missing companion.

Veronica's eyes widened with a mix of relief and surprise. "That's Aiko... she's alright," She murmured, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, a glimmer of hope lighting up her gaze.

Bali, his senses sharpened by the sound of Aiko's voice, fought off another assassin with a swift, precise strike. "Aiko! Where are you?" he shouted back, his words filled with a blend of concern and determination.

As the others exchanged words, Quin and Gabi stood frozen, their eyes locked in a gaze laden with fear and uncertainty. Quin stepped closer to Gabi, his voice barely a whisper. "Gabi? I thought you wanted to kill her too? But she's still very much alive," he questioned, confusion seeping into his words.

Gabi's response was a trembling murmur, her voice wavering. "I... I don't know. That attack should have killed them both," she stammered, her body suddenly betraying her, causing her to drop to her knees. A violent fit of coughing wracked her frame, blood spewing from her mouth.

Quin's concern flared, and he knelt beside her, gripping her arms. "Gabi! What's wrong? Answer me," he implored, desperation lacing his words. His eyes trailed to her neck, and his heart sank as he beheld the sight before him.

Her skin blazed with an unnatural heat, causing her to grimace in pain. As Quin peered closer at her wounds, he noticed tiny, swirling particles of magic dancing within her scorching flesh. The realization dawned upon him, intertwining fear with a sense of foreboding.