anwhile, a few monts earlier, Stefan had already moved away from the others. His figure moved between the thin blackened trees as he searched for any sign of the soldiers. His steps slow but his gaze sharply sweeps across the surroundings with growing unease.
He slowed, then stopped at the edge of the swamp where they had fought against the vines. His eyes scanned the torn ground and broken remains left behind from the earlier battle, but there was nothing else, no movent, no voices, and no sign of anyone.
A faint frown ford on his face as his brows drew together.
"They should be here..." he muttered under his breath, his voice low as he looked again, more carefully this ti, as if sothing might reveal itself if he focused harder. But the silence did not change and it only made the situation feel more grim.
His gaze lingered for a mont longer before he straightened slightly, his thoughts shifting as he considered the next possible location.
’The camp. If they had retreated, they would be there.’
He slowly exhaled. As he was about to teleport, his body tensed slightly. A deep growl cut through the air behind him, the sound low and heavy, and far too close.
Stefan froze as his heart slamd hard against his chest. The sound echoing in his ears while his body stiffened instinctively, the world stilled as he slowly turned.
The mont his eyes landed on it, they widened in horror.
’What in the na of...’
A massive black monster was already above him, its body stretched forward as it lunged down, its jaws wide open with long fangs bared, and its claws extended as it aid straight for him.
There was no ti, and no space to think. For a brief instant, his mind went completely blank, yet his body reacted as the space around him twisted and he disappeared.
The monster crashed into the ground where he had been. Its claws dug deep into the soil as it let out a loud, furious growl, its head snapping around as it searched for its vanished prey.
Stefan reappeared several ters away, his feet hitting the ground unevenly as he stumbled slightly forward. His breathing heavy as he tried to steady himself, and he did not even know how he had done it. Because his mind had frozen, yet his body had still moved.
He drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but before he could fully gather himself, another growl echoed through the forest, followed by another, and then several more.
His spine straightened instantly as tension snapped back into place. He turned sharply, his eyes scanning the surroundings before realization struck him.
He was back at the place where he had left Ida, Jack, and Tina, and what he saw right there made his chest clenched so hard that panic shot through him.
Several monsters had gathered in one area, their bodies circling tightly around sothing as their claws struck repeatedly while they lunged inward. From within the cluster ca the sharp sound of gunshots, uneven and strained.
Stefan’s heart lurched the mont he saw a brief part of her. "Ida..."
In the next instant he teleported, appearing beside her.
Ida was on the ground, her body twisted as she struggled to fend them off, her weapon raised as she fired at close range, but her movents were slower than they should have been and her strength was clearly fading.
Blood covered her, fresh and heavy, staining her back, her arms, and her legs, the wounds deep and uneven where claws and teeth had torn into her.
A monster lunged toward her, aiming directly for her neck.
Stefan reached out, and the mont his hand touched her, the space around them distorted again before they vanished into thin air.
The monsters froze for a brief second, their attacks halting mid-motion as their prey disappeared in front of them. Confusion flickered in their eyes before they let out furious growls, but there was nothing left to strike.
Stefan and Ida reappeared inside the fortress, and the sudden shift in environnt made the air feel different instantly. But the tension did not ease as Ida’s body sagged the mont they arrived, the adrenaline fading as the pain caught up to her.
Her eyes widened as her breathing beca uneven. Blood pooled from her wounds as it dripped onto the ground, her strength slipping with each passing second.
Her fingers clenched tightly into Stefan’s shirt.
"Jack..." she whispered, her voice weak and strained. "...and... Tina..."
Her eyes filled with despair as she struggled to continue. "...out there..."
Stefan’s jaw tightened as her words settled heavily in his chest. Guilt gnawing at his face.
Footsteps rushed toward them, and several soldiers arrived quickly, their expressions hardening the mont they saw her condition.
"What happened?"
"She’s badly injured!"
"Get dical support now!"
Stefan looked at them, his voice firm. "Take her to the dical sector imdiately."
They moved without delay and stepped forward to carry her carefully. But the mont they tried to pull her away, her grip tightened again, her fingers refusing to let go of Stefan’s shirt.
Her eyes locked onto his, filled with fear, desperation, and a silent plea.
Stefan understood what she wanted. His hand moved to hers, gripping it briefly, as he covered hers reassuringly.
"I’ll bring them back," he said, his voice calm and unwavering.
Ida held his gaze for a mont longer before her fingers slowly loosened, her strength giving way as the soldiers lifted her and carried her away. Their hurried steps echoing as they disappeared down the street.
Stefan remained in his spot, his knuckles whitened from how hard he was clenching his fist. His heart bled as he believed, it was his fault that Ida got hurt and it was his fault that the kids had gone missing.
If he hadn’t left, none of this would have happened. And he wouldn’t forgive himself if sothing bad happened to them.
Just as he rose to his feet, ready to go search for Tina and Jack. A voice rang from behind.
"Wait."
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