"Don't let go."
"I'm not planning to!" Alina snapped, struggling to keep up as the boy pulled her through the forest.
Branches whipped past them, the ground uneven and dangerous, but he moved like he knew exactly where he was going.
Behind them—
The hunters were gaining.
A flash of light struck a tree, splitting it in half with a loud crack.
Alina flinched. "They're going to kill us!"
"They're going to capture you," he
corrected. "I'm just in the way."
"That doesn't make me feel better!"
"Good. Stay scared. It keeps you fast."
She glared at him. "You're annoying."
"And you're loud."
Another blast hit the ground near them, sending dirt flying into the air. The boy suddenly stopped, pulling her behind a large rock.
"Stay here," he said.
"What? No—!"
Too late.
He stepped out.
Alina's eyes widened. "Are you crazy?!"
The hunters appeared seconds later, their cloaks swirling as they approached.
"There you are," one of them said coldly.
The boy rolled his shoulders, completely unfazed. "You're persistent. I'll give you that."
"Step aside," the second hunter warned.
"This does not concern you."
"It does now."
For a moment, everything went still.
Then—
The air changed.
Alina felt it instantly.
The wind wasn't just moving anymore… it was reacting.
To him.
Her breath caught. Wait… what?
The boy raised his hand slightly.
A sudden burst of force exploded outward—not wind like hers, but something sharper, heavier. It slammed into the hunters, forcing them back several steps.
Alina stared.
"You… have powers too?"
He didn't look back at her. "Now would be a great time to run."
"But—"
"Go!"
Another attack came, brighter and stronger. This time, he barely blocked it, sliding back slightly.
He was strong… but not enough.
Not alone.
Alina's hands trembled.
The wind stirred around her again.
"You can't leave him."
"I know!"
"Then stop running."
Her eyes widened.
"…What?"
"For once," the voice said firmly, "stand."
Alina swallowed hard.
Everything inside her screamed to run.
But something else—
Something stronger—
Told her to stay.
Slowly, she stepped out from behind the rock.
"Hey!" the boy snapped. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm done running," she said, her voice shaking—but her feet stayed planted.
The hunters turned toward her, their attention shifting.
"Good," one of them said. "Makes things easier."
"Not for you," she whispered.
The wind exploded.
This time, stronger than before.
It roared around her, lifting leaves, dust, even small stones into the air. Her hair whipped wildly as the force gathered, responding to her fear… her anger…
Her choice.
"Back. Off."
The ground trembled as a powerful gust surged forward, slamming into the hunters and pushing them back harder than before.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Shocked.
The boy stared at her.
"…Okay," he muttered. "That's new."
Alina's chest rose and fell rapidly. "I—I did that again…"
"Yeah," he said, a small grin forming. "You did."
The hunters slowly stood, their posture more cautious now.
"She's stronger than expected," one said.
"Then we stop holding back."
The air grew colder.
Darker.
Alina felt it immediately—this wasn't over.
Not even close.
The boy stepped beside her this time.
Not in front.
"Looks like we're doing this together," he said.
She glanced at him, still nervous… but no longer alone.
"…Looks like it."
The wind circled them both.
And for the first time—
It didn't feel like fear.
It felt like power.