The cave felt suffocating.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Until Nora did.
"I'm not waiting here."
Julien looked at her sharply.
"That's not smart."
Nora didn't stop walking.
"Neither is doing nothing."
Lucas sighed.
"…She's right."
Velik stepped forward—
"We stay together."
But Nora was already near the cave entrance.
The forest outside—
Too quiet.
Too still.
She stepped out.
One step.
Two—
And suddenly—
A shadow moved.
Fast.
Aeron.
He appeared behind her—
And grabbed her wrist instantly.
Nora reacted—
But he was faster.
Stronger.
"Let go—!"
Aeron pulled her closer—
Not violent.
Not rough.
But impossible to escape.
"Relax."
Nora glared at him.
"I will kill you."
Aeron looked at her—
Not angry.
Not amused.
Something else.
"I love you, Nora."
Silence.
Nora froze.
Just for a second.
"…You're insane."
Aeron didn't deny it.
Behind them—
The air shifted again.
Finn.
He appeared beside Aeron—
Not rushing.
Not attacking.
Just… standing.
Everyone inside the cave saw it.
Zoe stepped forward.
"What do you want?!"
Finn's voice was low.
Empty.
But controlled.
"We won't kill anyone."
Silence.
Lucas muttered—
"…That's new."
Finn continued—
"We just need you."
His eyes moved to Zoe.
"Trust us."
Zoe shook her head immediately.
"No."
Finn didn't react.
"You have my word."
Velik stepped forward.
"Your word means nothing."
Aeron spoke quietly—
"It will."
And then—
In the next second—
They were gone.
And Nora—
Went with them.
Aftermath
Silence crashed into the cave.
Zoe whispered—
"…Nora…"
Julien clenched his fists.
"No."
Lucas didn't wait.
He ran outside.
"Lucas—wait!"
Too late.
He stepped into the forest—
Looking around.
Searching.
Thinking.
Then—
He stopped.
"…What is that?"
He looked down.
The ground beneath him—
Felt… wrong.
He crouched.
Pressed his hand against it.
And then—
Smiled.
"…Oh, this is interesting."
The Discovery
Back in the cave—
Lucas dragged something in.
Everyone froze.
A girl.
Unconscious.
Still.
Zoe whispered—
"…Who is that?"
Velik's eyes darkened.
"…No."
Lucas dropped her gently.
Still smirking slightly.
"We just got lucky."
Lana stepped closer.
Then froze.
"…Axuma Vox."
Silence.
Eva whispered—
"That's his sister…"
Velik nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Lucas looked at them.
"So we just picked up a bonus problem?"
Lana shook her head.
"No."
A pause.
"…We picked up leverage."
That changed everything.
Securing Axuma
Lana stepped forward.
Her hands glowing softly.
She whispered—
"Stay asleep."
Energy wrapped around Axuma.
Binding.
Sealing.
Zoe added her magic.
Strengthening it.
Velik watched carefully.
"…She must not wake up."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"Yeah, I figured that part."
The Plan Shifts Again
Eva stepped forward.
Focused now.
No hesitation.
"We track Nora."
Zoe nodded immediately.
"I can feel her."
Lana joined them.
Hands glowing.
Together—
They closed their eyes.
Energy formed between them.
A connection.
Thin.
But real.
Zoe whispered—
"…I've got her."
Eva opened her eyes.
"Where?"
Zoe pointed into the forest.
"…Not far."
Cut — Nora & Aeron
Deep in the forest—
Far from the cave—
Aeron stood beside Nora.
Not holding her anymore.
But she didn't run.
Because she knew—
She couldn't.
Aeron looked at her.
Quiet.
Serious.
"You're not afraid."
Nora crossed her arms.
"I just don't show it."
Aeron stepped closer.
"You don't understand what you are yet."
Nora snapped—
"I'm not like you."
Aeron shook his head slightly.
"Not yet."
Silence.
He looked at her—
Like he wasn't seeing who she was—
But what she could become.
"I don't want to hurt you."
Nora scoffed.
"Then let me go."
Aeron didn't answer.
Because for him—
That wasn't an option.
Back in the cave—
The group stood ready.
Zoe pointed forward.
"We go now."
Lucas cracked his neck slightly.
"…Finally."
Julien stepped forward.
Focused.
Velik nodded.
Lana looked at Eva.
"No mistakes this time."
Eva nodded.
"No fear either."
And just like that—
They moved.
Because now—
This wasn't just a fight.
It was a rescue.