The forest grew darker the deeper Alina ran.
Branches clawed at her arms, roots threatened to trip her, and the wind howled louder than ever—no longer just guiding, but warning.
"They're still behind you."
"I know!" she gasped, her legs starting to weaken.
Her chest burned. She couldn't keep this up much longer.
Then suddenly—
The wind shifted.
Not pushing her forward… but pulling her to the side.
"Wait—what?" she stumbled as an invisible force dragged her off the path and into a narrow clearing hidden between thick trees.
"Stop here."
"What?! Are you crazy? They're chasing me!"
"Trust me."
Before she could argue, the wind died down completely.
Silence.
Alina's heart pounded as she stood there, frozen.
Then—
Footsteps.
The cloaked hunters emerged from the trees, their movements slow, cautious. One of them stepped forward, scanning the area.
"She was here."
"No," the other replied. "She couldn't have disappeared."
Alina covered her mouth, barely breathing.
They were so close.
Too close.
Seconds felt like hours as the hunters
searched… then finally—
"…We'll split up."
And just like that, they were gone.
Alina dropped to her knees, shaking.
"I… I'm alive…"
"You won't be if you stay here."
Her head snapped up.
That voice—
It wasn't the wind.
It was… someone else.
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
A boy.
About her age, maybe a little older. Dark hair, sharp eyes, and a calm expression like he wasn't afraid of anything—not even the hunters chasing her.
"You're loud," he said simply.
Alina stared at him. "W-Who are you?!"
"Someone who just saved your life."
"I didn't ask for your help!"
"And yet, here you are. Alive."
She clenched her fists. "How did you—"
"You can control the wind," he interrupted, eyes narrowing slightly. "Or at least… it
listens to you."
Alina froze.
"How do you know that?"
He didn't answer right away.
Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze studying her like she was something rare… or dangerous.
"Because," he said quietly, "I've been looking for you."
Her heart skipped.
"…What?"
Before he could explain—
A sharp gust of wind slammed between them.
"Move!" the voice shouted urgently.
The boy reacted instantly, grabbing Alina's wrist and pulling her down just as a blade of light cut through the air where she had been standing seconds ago.
The hunters.
They found them.
"Tch," the boy clicked his tongue, pulling her up. "Guess we're out of time."
"Wait—who ARE you?!"
He looked back at her, a small smirk forming despite the danger.
"Your only chance of surviving."
Another attack came—
This time closer.
"Run," he said, tightening his grip on her hand.
And for some reason…
Alina didn't resist.