~Alora~

The forest was dense and dark, the moonlight barely breaking through the thick canopy of trees above. My breath came out in short, visible puffs as I ran, my feet crunching against the fallen leaves and twigs.

'We're almost at the border,' Anya said in my mind, her voice tense. 'Just a little further.'

I pushed myself harder, ignoring the burning in my lungs and the ache in my legs. I'd been running for what felt like hours, putting as much distance between myself and Stonefang as ...