Nyra didn't realise how loud the temple had been until she wasn't in it anymore. The first thing that greeted her was the silence and the cold.
After crossing the bridge that almost killed them, they found themselves at the exit of the cavern. They walked out to stare at the dark sky. A single star could be seen flickering in the distance.
"Who would have thought that there was a route leading from the temple into the great forest?" Finn thought aloud.
The forest was a vast expanse of land, situated north of the region where they lived. The region was called Beorn and it was the capital of the kingdom.
The temple was the closest structural building to the forest, as it was situated near the wall that surrounded the capital.
The temple was built this way to ensure its protection, as any invading army would never go through the forest to attack and the temple would be the last place to be reached in case of a breach. The forest was way too dangerous to be used as a passage or route of transportation.
Still, the distance between the temple and the edge of the forest was about 2 miles (3.2km).
She turned around to see the place they had just exited from and realised she could no longer find it. The entrance had completely disappeared and all she could see was just a giant rock. It seemed they were at the foot of a mountain, somewhere inside the forest.
"Finn, look", she gestured towards him.
Damn, this place really leaves no evidence behind. They were definitely miles away from Beorn
She sucked in a breath and immediately regretted it. The air was sharp and cold.
She laughed, a short, breathless sound that startled even her.
Finn stumbled ahead of her and bent over, hands on his knees, breathing hard. His coat was torn, dirt smeared across his cheek, and one boot was missing a lace entirely. He looked like someone who had just lost a fight.
"Still alive?" she asked.
He glanced back at her, eyes wild and bright. "Ask me again in a minute."
Nyra turned slowly, heart hammering, half-expecting the mountain to split open behind them. For soldiers to spill out. For the Astromancer's silver light to come ripping through the trees.
Nothing.
"It's over," Finn muttered.
Nyra shook her head. "No. It's just… behind us."
She lifted her gaze to the sky.
"There," she whispered.
Finn followed her stare.
A single star blinked faintly overhead. Weak and uncertain, but it was there.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finn broke first. "I thought you were imagining it."
"I don't imagine things like that," Nyra said softly.
Inside her chest, something stirred.
You noticed faster than your predecessors, Astrael-Null murmured. That's encouraging.
You're not helping, Nyra replied silently.
Finn straightened and scanned the treeline, every instinct in him screaming movement, routes, exits.
"We shouldn't stay here," he said. "This place is too obvious."
Nyra nodded, even as her legs protested. "Where do we go?"
"I know a path," he said. "It's not safe or exactly clean. But it won't be on their maps."
"Perfect," she replied. "I'm done with clean paths."
They started their journey into the forest, the ground uneven beneath their feet. Stones slid loose, knocking against one another too loudly for Nyra's liking. She caught herself stumbling, and Finn's hand shot out automatically, steadying her.
She didn't comment on it.
The forest swallowed them quickly. Trees rose tall and skeletal, branches whispering overhead like they were sharing secrets Nyra wasn't meant to hear. Moonlight filtered through in fractured patterns that made everything look half-real.
She could hear the sound of crickets, small movements in the bushes and some howling in the distance. It wasn't as quiet as she initially thought.
"Hey Null", she suddenly said out loud, "what are we gonna do now?"
The familiar smoke appeared briefly before he appeared beside them. He perfectly blended in with the night and was almost unseen, even though he was right beside them. His eyes, which shone brightly was the only way they knew he was there.
"The name is Astrael-Null, and I'm sure you can figure this out yourself" Astrael-Null replied.
"Are you saying you made us leave the temple with no plan in mind?"
"They would have ended your puny existence anyway. I was doing you a favour ."
"Ugh, you shitty–"
"Alright, that's enough" Finn interrupted. "We need to fix this mess, Astrael-Null, and we need your help."
"Fine. Since you put it so nicely, I'll give you some pointers." Astrael-Null said arrogantly, like he couldn't be bothered with their plight.
"As I said earlier, we are trying something new. A system to organise these things. The previous Starkeepers learned using old records and their instincts. The records have been lost and we can no longer trust the instincts. You must learn how to use the system to your advantage. " Astrael-Null halted and faced Nyra.
"Are you ready to bear the weight of salvation?" He seemed so serious now. The amusement that was in his eyes had completely vanished.
"Yes", she replied without hesitation.
"Good, we have a lot of work to do". He replied, his tone carefree once again.
They continued to walk deeper into the forest with Finn leading the way. Suddenly Astrael-Null stopped and smiled
"Ah, it seems your first mission has arrived"
"Finn," she said quietly. "Stop."
"You heard something?" He asked
A flash appeared before her eyes
☆ALERT!!!
☆ALERT !!!
☆ALERT!!!
☆NEW MISSION ☆
Task: survive your pursuers for the next 24 hours
Penalty: death
Reward: ???
You have got to be kidding.
"Turn left", Astrael-Null said." Now."
Nyra didn't question it. She grabbed Finn's sleeve and yanked him sharply off the path.
"What—?"
A moment later, footsteps passed where they'd been standing.
Nyra's heart slammed against her ribs.
Two figures moved through the trees, dark silhouettes, voices low and clipped.
"…orders were clear. They didn't go far."
"They always say that."
Finn didn't breathe.
Nyra could hear her heartbeat.
When the soldiers disappeared into the brush, she finally exhaled, hands shaking.
Finn leaned in close. "You're going to explain how you knew that."
"Later," she whispered. "Preferably somewhere less murder-adjacent."
"They can't be the only ones after us." He said trying to regain his composure. "I can't believe they were so close and we didn't hear them. Let's go."
Nyra turned around to call Astrael-Null but realised he had disappeared again. Just great.
You miss me already, he sounded in her head. She just sighed and then ignored him.
They moved again, faster now. No talking. Just movement. Finn led them through twists and narrow breaks in the trees that barely looked like paths at all. Nyra focused on placing one foot after the other, on not letting the panic rise.
Eventually, the forest thinned, opening onto a narrow ridge overlooking a dark valley below. A river cut through it like a silver scar.
Finn slowed. "We can't cross here."
Nyra nodded. "Too exposed."
Astrael-Null stirred again. Downstream. There is an old crossing. It's pretty much forgotten.
"Of course there is," Nyra muttered. "Everything important is forgotten."
Finn shot her a look. "You talking to it again?"
"Unfortunately."
They followed the river, keeping low, until the ground dipped suddenly and revealed a broken stone bridge half-swallowed by moss and vines.
Finn frowned. "That thing looks like it'll collapse if I look at it wrong."
It held once, Astrael-Null said. And it will hold again. Briefly.
Nyra did not like the emphasis on briefly.
They crossed anyway.
Halfway across, a shout echoed behind them.
"THERE!"
Finn swore. "Run!"
They ran.
The bridge shuddered under their feet. Stone cracked. Nyra stumbled as the world lurched sideways.
She immediately jumped and landed on the ground, right next to Finn.
"You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine"
Finn hauled her up as they turned to see their pursuers.
Silence followed.
No pursuit crossed the gap.
"That," Finn said hoarsely, "was not part of my usual routes."
She laughed, breathless and shaking. "You'll update your map. But first, let's get out of here"
Above them, the lone star flickered, still there.