When Zeph, Vixxen, Ashral, and the others arrived in the Terran's territory, they felt very upset. What they saw was terrible. Buildings were broken, a strong smell of blood filled the air, and many injured warriors were on the ground. Some were getting help, but others were too weak to move. The battlefield was quiet and still, which was scary.
Zeph barely took in the destruction. Her mind was on one person.
"Where's Terran?" Zeph yelled, running past the hurt warriors. "Where is he?" Some of them shook their heads, showing their pain. "We don't know," one of them finally said.
“He fought their leader—someone powerful. "And then…” He winced, gripping his side. Then the enemy just… stopped fighting. They left.”
Left? Just like that?
Zeph’s heart pounded. That didn’t make sense. If their goal was destruction, they would have fought to the last man.
Unless… unless they had already gotten what they wanted.
Her stomach twisted.
"Help the injured," she told Vixxen and Ashral.
"I'm going to find Terran," Zeph said, and then she took off, running towards the pack house. Her feet moved quickly, barely touching the ground. She hurried inside and cried, "Terran!" her voice echoing off the walls. However, there was just silence.
Zeph clenched her fists, closed her eyes, and focused her mind to try and sense Terran's presence.
Nothing.
There were no thoughts. No presence.
Zeph's chest felt tight, and she started to panic. No, this can't be happening! She stumbled out of the pack house, breathing heavily, and almost ran into Vixxen.
"Did you find Terran?" he asked. Zeph shook her head, her eyes filled with fear. "I couldn't sense him. I can't feel him anywhere."
Vixxen looked at her calmly and said, "Okay, first calm down. You're going to pass out if you keep breathing like that. I don't want to have to carry you."
Zeph scowled. "Vixxen—"
"Second," he cut her off, placing a hand on her shoulder, "if Terran was dead, we'd all know it. The bond to the pack would be broken, and trust me, we'd feel it. So, unless you’ve developed a sixth sense that tells you when people vanish, I think you’re overreacting."
Zeph exhaled, his words sinking in.
He was right. If Terran had truly been killed, his warriors would have felt it. That meant there was still hope.
"You should heal the critically injured," Vixxen continued, a rare softness in his voice. "I’ll scout around and find him."
"But what if—"
Vixxen let out a loud groan and threw his hands up in the air. "No if! I'll go look for him. If I find him, I'll bring him back. And if I don't, I'll just stand there and shout his name until he appears!"
Zeph huffed out a laugh despite herself. "You’re impossible."
"That’s what makes me charming," he said with a wink before turning away. Now go work your magic hands. I’ll be back with Terran."
Zeph shook her head as she turned to help the injured warriors. She believed Terran was alive, and she would keep hoping until she saw him again.
Vixxen quickly walked through the ruined territory, making sure no one was following him. When he was sure it was safe, he left the main path and went to a hidden area. In front of him was a huge rock that looked impossible to move, but Vixxen knew it could be done. He didn't hesitate as he pushed the rock with all his might, and it creaked as it moved. A dark tunnel was revealed underneath. He stepped inside and rolled the rock back, sealing the entrance with a loud thud.
The tunnel was completely dark, but Vixxen didn't need to see. He took a deep breath and used his sharp senses to find his way. He smelled the damp rock, the old earth, and then... something else.
A familiar scent.
Vixxen picked up his pace, following it through the winding path until he finally emerged into a hidden chamber.
His eyes found Terran, lying on a stone bed, breathing hard and struggling. His muscles were tight, his skin sweaty, and his veins were visible under his skin. Even in the dim light, Vixxen could see that Terran's injuries - deep cuts and bruises - were having trouble healing. "Terran," Vixxen said, stepping closer. "What happened to you?"
Terran exhaled sharply, shifting slightly, his face twisted in frustration.
"The Kota leader," he bit out. "Bastard was one hell of a fighter. It’s going to take a while for this to heal."
Vixxen studied him carefully before crossing his arms. "Is this going to screw up your plans?"
Terran let out a rough laugh, shaking his head. "Over my dead body. I’ve come too far to back out now."
Vixxen huffed, glancing around the chamber before his expression turned serious.
"You know why he left, don't you?" Vixxen said. He couldn't find Zeph. "You're lucky she was taken away when she was." Terran's jaw clenched.
“Now that Zeph is back,” he continued, it was only a matter of time before Kota's leader came back. "And next time, he won't even spare you," Terran exhaled through his nose, his fingers curling into fists. "I know."
Silence stretched between them before Terran pushed himself up slightly, grimacing as he did. "I’ll keep her somewhere safe. Until the time is right."
Vixxen raised an eyebrow. "And when exactly is the right time?"
Terran didn’t answer immediately, his expression unreadable. Then, he looked directly at Vixxen. "When I decide it is."
Vixxen watched Terran for a moment, then sighed. "Okay. You seriously love taking big risks.”
Terran smiled a little, even though he was hurt. "It’s something that you should be used to already. "Great risks come with great power" Vixxen shook his head and turned to leave.
"Are you sure no one followed you here?" Terran asked, his voice low.
Vixxen glanced over his shoulder, his tone firm. "No one did."