After they had managed to distance themselves from the tense battlefield, Dimas and Indra immediately began their search, hoping to find Shella and Erik to aid Anggi without delay. Their steps were swift and cautious, as they sought to avoid the slippery ice or any other obstruction that might lie in their path. The cold, frozen environment they had left behind was slowly transforming. The trees that had once been encased in frost now showed signs of life once more, and the biting air gave way to the familiar, moist breath of nature. The hard earth was softening beneath their feet, as grasses and shrubs grew in abundance. The dense rainforests, once eerily silent, now greeted them as they first set foot in this place.
Yet, this peace was but fleeting. Indra felt an odd sensation, a tremor creeping slowly along his spine. It was as if eyes were upon him, watching his every move, lurking in the shadows between the trees. He slowed his pace, his sharp eyes scanning for any sign that might explain the unsettling feeling. He did not speak to Dimas, yet the tension on his face was enough to be understood.
Suddenly, a sharp and resonating sound split the air, breaking the silence with a deafening crack. An arrow flew swiftly, aimed directly at Indra. His instincts reacted faster than his mind. With practiced grace, Indra drew his sword, deflecting the arrow with perfect precision. It spun off to the side, embedding itself in the ground with a loud crack.
"What was that?" Dimas shouted, already on high alert beside him. "Are those long-eared ones still after us?"
Indra gazed towards the source of the arrow, his eyes narrowing. "They won't let us go so easily," he muttered, his voice low but filled with caution. "Stubborn fools."
At first, Indra had thought the arrow came from the Elvian forces that might still be pursuing them. Dimas, too, prepared for battle, though both knew that engaging the Elvian forces would be dangerous. Cautiously, Indra raised his hand and called out, hoping to communicate with whoever might be watching them, wishing they could understand.
"Leave us be! Didn't your leader order you to let us go?" Indra shouted, his voice booming with warning. Yet, there was no reply, only the oppressive silence of the dark forest.
Indra and Dimas exchanged a glance, both feeling the weight of the moment. They proceeded with even more caution, bracing for whatever might come next. The forest, once calm, now seemed to close in around them. Invisible eyes seemed to watch from every shadow, and the sound of footsteps growing nearer echoed ominously.
Dimas drew a long breath, steeling himself to face the unseen foe. "Are they really Elvian soldiers?" Dimas asked, his voice tinged with worry. "Something feels different. Before, when they ambushed us, they seemed arrogant. But now, it's so silent, as if they've become one with the stillness itself."
"Well, well, I never thought I'd find you here!" suddenly came a voice from behind the roots of a towering Hanarusa tree.
Indra froze, his ears catching the familiar heavy voice that he knew all too well. His sharp gaze pierced the darkness of the forest, and in an instant, the figure stepped from the shadows—an elderly man of tall, commanding stature. Anyone who saw him would feel an instinctive threat, for his very presence exuded an aura of dread. Especially when he smiled wide, his thick mustache neatly groomed, a feature unmistakable.
"C-Captain Guffy!" Indra gasped in disbelief.
His former captain, a hard-faced knight with black hair now graying at the edges, emerged with a smile full of warmth. But no fool would mistake that smile for genuine kindness. It was the intention behind it that sent shivers down one's spine.
Behind him stood several former comrades from the Elite Knights who had once fought alongside Indra. There was also Obrigis, First Corporal of the Elite Knights, a massive, dark-skinned man with a muscular build. Faces that had once been allies were now enemies before Indra. All of them, without exception, wore the gleaming armor of knights, swords at their waists. Indra noted that he did not hear the sound of hooves or the clatter of horses' feet, meaning they had arrived on foot.
Indra's gaze swept around. He counted barely a dozen members of the Elite Knights accompanying Guffy. The man knew his former leader well. If Guffy were handling a mission personally, he would bring only his strongest men, leaving the rest behind. That meant Guffy was serious about carrying out his mission from the Crown Prince of the Lurivia Empire—to bring Anggi, the Haier-Elvian, to the Azure Palace in Lurich, the capital of Lurivia.
Indra fell silent, his eyes turning to Anggi, unconscious in Dimas' arms. The stout man had made up his mind to protect his friend from any threat. But he was not naive enough to believe he could defeat the Elite Knights, especially not with Guffy himself present.
"C-Captain! Please... let the girl go. I don't care what happens to me, just don't harm her," Indra pleaded quietly. His voice, usually deep and strong, now faltered in the presence of Guffy.
The former commander raised his hand, signaling for the soldiers who were about to strike Indra to hold their ground.
"Ah, I'm flattered that you still call me Captain," Guffy said, his voice heavy with scorn. "If you still see me as your Captain, you know what you must do, don't you?"
"Just take my—"
"Your life is worth nothing!" Guffy shouted, his voice shattering the silence of the forest. "Even if you offer it, I wouldn't touch you. I'll pretend this never happened if you hand over the girl now."
Though cornered, Indra showed no weakness. He raised his sword with both hands before him, standing firm, prepared for the worst—fighting his former comrades.
For several seconds, a tense silence hung in the air, heightening the already oppressive atmosphere.
"Dimas, run!" Indra yelled.
Dimas hesitated, knowing he couldn't simply abandon Anggi. The girl was too fragile. But time was running out. Without another word, Dimas started running, pushing his legs to move faster despite the weight of Anggi. They had to escape, leaving the Elite Knights behind.
Guffy sighed deeply and shook his head. "Indra, I remember when you first wanted to join. I never thought you'd bite the hand that fed you this quickly."
"Captain! Allow us to chase them down and bring the girl back!" said an Elite Knight who stepped forward.
Captain Guffy growled lowly, his eyes filled with resolve. "They won't get away that easily," he said, giving orders to his Elite Knights. "Chase them down!" With a gesture, the elite soldiers moved swiftly, pursuing Indra and Dimas as the gap between them grew ever wider.
In the dense, dark forest, Dimas and Indra's steps grew heavier, hindered by the massive roots of trees that sprawled across their path, some wrapping around their legs. Dimas carried Anggi with great care, her frail body limp and helpless. Every step seemed slow, every moment narrowing the time they had left. They knew the Elite Knights would catch up to them soon, and they had to reach a safer place before they were overtaken.
Dimas, already exhausted, could feel the weight of Anggi slowing him further. The massive roots were becoming more of an obstacle, and his body was tiring. Anggi, nearly lifeless, made it harder for him to move. Their pace became painfully predictable. Soon, one of the Elite Knights appeared from behind the trees, sword drawn and ready to strike.
"Dimas!" Indra shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the sound of the Elite Knight's approach.
Just before the Elite Knight could strike, Indra lunged forward with daring resolve, his sword swinging in a swift motion to intercept the blow. Their blades clashed with a ringing noise that reverberated through the forest, sending sparks flying into the air.
"Dimas!" Indra shouted once more, his voice urgent, "Run! Don't stop! I'll hold them off!" he cried with determination, even as his body ached. He fought fiercely, clashing swords with the far more skilled knight.
Indra fought with everything he had, his sword meeting the Elite Knight's again and again, sparks flying from each clash. Their blades collided with a thunderous sound, the night air alive with the noise of battle. Indra dodged strike after strike, countering with swift blows of his own.
But just then, another Elite Knight attacked from the other side, moving with a speed almost impossible to follow. Indra hesitated for a moment, but with a trained reflex, he jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow. He now fought both Knights, their blades clashing with a violent crescendo that shook the very earth beneath them.
"Indra!" Dimas called from afar, his voice full of fear. He continued running, carrying Anggi, but the Elite Knights were gaining ground.
While Indra held off the two Elite Knights, Dimas, still running, was suddenly confronted by another figure emerging swiftly from behind the great trees. The figure attacked without mercy, his sword flashing in a quick strike. Dimas was caught off guard, almost skewered if he hadn't spun out of the way. In a heartbeat, his body staggered backward, and with a cry, he fell to the muddy ground along with Anggi.
Anggi was thrown from his back, her body crashing hard against the roots of a massive tree. Dimas quickly checked her, making sure she was still alive, though weak. He could feel her faint heartbeat beneath his fingers and gently placed her in a safer spot. "Anggi, I'm sorry! But stay here for a while," he whispered anxiously, ensuring she was alright, even though unconscious.
His attention now shifted to the Elite Knight standing before him, a smug smile on his face. "You won't escape, you filthy thief!" the Elite Knight said in a low, menacing tone, his sword raised toward Dimas.
Despite the dire situation, Dimas stood with determination, positioning himself between Anggi and the foe. "You won't have her," he said, his voice hoarse but full of courage. "Over my dead body first!"
With a swift motion, Dimas unsheathed his short sword, ready to fight, even though his opponent was far more dominant. The inevitable battle awaited him, in the dark and menacing forest. With every ounce of strength left, Dimas was prepared to protect Anggi—the girl he loved.