Azure tore through the forest faster than she had ever moved before. Every step felt lighter, stronger, almost unreal. She had been too exhausted to notice it at first, but now that Aqua had healed her, the change was impossible to ignore.
In her current state, she was sure even the full-scale ambush from before would struggle to scratch her.
But she could not afford to dwell on the past. Her mind held only one thought: Find Sheira and bring her home.
She pushed her body to its limits, using the trees to launch herself farther with every step.
And yet the red-haired woman from before was effortlessly keeping up with her newfound speed.
Her pride would not allow her to fall behind someone, so she pushed herself to rush even faster.
She turned her head for a split second as she noticed the woman right behind her, following her closely but still letting her take the lead.
Her pride was hurt, but she was still happy that someone as powerful as this elf agreed to help her.
Soon, the forest thinned, and the two women reached a dirt road.
After a moment of investigation, Azure noticed a track embedded in the soil. She knelt and touched it.
These tracks are fresh; they will surely lead us directly to the enemy.
She turned to Aqua before asking, "What do you think, is it likely that the enemy took Sheira this way, or would they still be holding her at the camp?"
Even if the woman was practically a stranger to her, she still wanted to hear her opinion.
Aqua shook her head before answering, "My senses cannot pick her up nearby. If that wagon is close enough for us to catch and I still cannot sense her, then it is likely bait."
Aqua's answer made sense. If the attackers were clever, they would use one wagon as bait while the real transport carried Sheira elsewhere.
She rubbed her face and groaned. She was unsure of how to proceed.
If the wagon ahead of them did not carry the princess, then the real wagon could already be hours away, and at worst, it could be out of the Ebon Forest.
Why did I have to fall unconscious? I should have just given chase instead of attacking Aqua.
If they reached the main road, we wouldn't be able to track her, and my shame would be too great for me to bear. Her thoughts gnawed at her so much that it started to hurt her in both body and spirit.
She felt a gentle hand touch her on the shoulder, making her snap out of her thoughts.
Azure turned around and saw a smiling Aqua. Azure couldn't help but smile and shake her head. She was truly lucky Aqua was there to help her.
If she sank into despair now, the chances of rescuing Sheira would be slim to none.
If not for Aqua, she would most certainly have taken her own life by now.
She did not speak with her much, but just having the presence of someone else was enough to at least keep her cool.
"I know how you feel. You lost someone very important to you," Aqua said solemnly.
Aqua stood in front of her and gently whispered, "I know what it's like to lose someone important… I've been through something similar before. So, I'll do everything I can. We'll find her."
Aqua stretched out her hand before pulling Azure back to her feet.
Azure could only nod at her words. She had neither the strength nor the will to speak, and yet she felt her suspicion of Aqua weaken. For the first time since the ambush, trusting Aqua felt possible.
Azure smiled before muttering. "Thank you. After all of this is done, I will make sure that you are properly rewarded."
Aqua shook her head. "There is no need for a reward. I am helping you because I want to."
Azure smiled warmly as she finally had the will to stand proud as she was before. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's go after that damn wagon. With our speed, we should be able to reach it!"
"Indeed. Let us go, Lady Azure."
A moment later, both women rushed after the wagon.
As both women ran at breakneck speeds, Aqua only had one thought in her mind: She finally trusts me. I promise, no harm will come to you or your little friend.
For the first time in many decades, she felt she might have found someone worth trusting.
Perhaps I should make sure that the goddess couldn't reach her again... She dismissed the thought as soon as it came.
Aqua observed the blessing placed upon Azure as they rushed toward the carriage that was possibly transporting her friend; the blessing was burning even brighter than before. It was too suspicious.
She tried her best to analyze, to find a clue, or just a trace of the divine corruption.
Divine corruption would eventually override her free will and force her to obey.
Part of her wanted to believe the blessing was true and pure, but the brighter it burned, the less she trusted it.
Aqua knew how divinity operated; they cared not for the mortals, their blessings were merely curses with a shiny coat of paint.
Either the god that placed the blessing was truly benevolent, or, more likely, powerful enough to conceal its influence in a way Aqua had never encountered before.
She knew her eyes could see through any and all divine deceit, and yet the only logical explanation was that there was no catch with this blessing.
"It's impossible, no god would freely give so much power without trying to control their chosen," Aqua muttered to herself, quiet enough that Azure could not hear her even while the elf was only a short distance ahead.
Perhaps the god that blessed Azure only wanted the princess retrieved. Perhaps Azure was just a tool to be discarded once her usefulness ran out.
That had to be it. Once Sheira was rescued, Azure was likely to be killed by the divine parasite.
She shook her head to dismiss the thoughts as she noticed Azure signaling her that they approached a stone path that connected to the main road.
On the side of the road was the carriage, its passengers were chatting and laughing.
Azure stared at the carriage, thinking of a plan to take back the princess. Something isn't right here. Azure knew something was amiss here, and she was sure Aqua knew too.
She felt this was a trap, a trap that could kill her old self, but now, she felt so much more powerful.
Bring it on, you monsters, I will show you what it means to mess with the royal family and the martial champion! She gritted her teeth as she remembered what these monsters did to her people.
For a moment, Azure could not tell whether the rage was hers alone.
But she still needed to investigate; Sheira could still be beneath the white cloth covering the carriage, improbable as it was.
She needed to be careful, and yet bloodlust filled her head.
She wrapped her fingers around her sword as she shouted, "Give me back my friend, you monsters!"
The moment she entered striking distance, Azure drew her blade.
Even she barely registered the speed of her own movement.
One of the hooded men turned toward her, shouting just as his head parted from his body.
Her eyes glowed green in her anger, catching the next unfortunate victim with her acidic gaze, melting him and leaving nothing but a puddle of acid where an enemy once stood.
She rushed toward another enemy that tried to fling a fireball at her, her blade splitting the mage in two.
Her bloodlust thickened until even the air around her seemed difficult to breathe.
The remaining hooded figures tried to flee. Azure caught them one by one.
Only one survived.
The last survivor would have died like the others, but before Azure could strike him down, a barrier of fire blocked her blade.
Azure slashed at the barrier over and over.
"Wait, Azure, the princess isn't here!" Aqua called to her. She stood next to the carriage, pulling the cloth away from the empty cage.
But Azure did not listen; she kept slashing at the cowering enemy, to no avail, as the flame barrier stood firm.
Aqua approached her before pulling Azure backward, making Azure fall on her back.
Aqua gripped Azure's shoulders and forced her to look at the empty carriage.
"Look! The carriage is empty. This was a diversion!" Aqua yelled before grabbing Azure's hand and pulling her back.
Aqua waited until Azure's eyes cleared, then said, "We need that man alive. He may be the fastest way to learn where they took your friend."
Azure nodded at her as both turned their attention to the cowering enemy, which was now trying to crawl away but was trapped inside a barrier of flame.
He tried punching and kicking, and yet the barrier did not budge.
"Now you would like to answer some of our questions, wouldn't you?" Aqua asked, smiling softly as she crouched in front of the trembling hooded figure, her fingers gently removing his hood, revealing a scarred face, brown eyes, and long black hair.
Azure wanted to interrogate this survivor herself, but admittedly, it was not her specialty; she was better suited for battle.
Aqua seems to have this under control. I can't believe I lost control and almost killed the only source of information we have left. Azure thought as she investigated the carriage, no trace of Sheira was to be found here.
She was tricked, and she was tricked again; these people shamed her enough, and her anger boiled so fiercely it seemed to taint the air itself.
Aqua placed two fingers against his forehead. Black flame flickered beneath her touch, not burning his flesh, but unraveling and consuming his memories.
His eyes rolled back. A moment later, Aqua released him, and the flame consumed what remained.
I should have guessed she was a magic user... I do not want that to happen to me. Azure walked ahead to meet Aqua.
Aqua smiled faintly. "That man only knew that their orders were to escort the carriage deeper inside the Ebon Forest, and they did not know what they were transporting. However, there is an officer in the camp that we can interrogate."
Azure brightened slightly before saying, "You seem to already know where it is, and if we rush with full speed, we could reach it very quickly. I do not want them to hold Sheira longer than they already are!"
Aqua smiled while placing her hand on Azure's shoulder. "Azure, there are no guarantees that Sheira will be held at the camp; all we can do is get information on where they are headed," she said casually.
Azure sulked a little before Aqua interrupted her again. She stepped back a couple of feet before closing her eyes. "You won't tell anyone about this, right?"
She was about to question her red-haired companion before she sprouted flaming wings from her back.
I don't think anything can surprise me anymore, she thought as she responded to Aqua's question, "Not a soul, you have my word! But since when do elves have wings?!"
Aqua laughed at her response. She hid her halo and glowing eyes, making sure that Azure did not see anything that could have frightened her.
"It's a secret," she whispered, smiling as she grabbed Azure and flew high into the sky.
"I don't think it is a good idea for me to say that I'm afraid of heights," Azure said, squirming in her embrace as she flew hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye.
"Then tell me after we land."
Aqua adjusted her grip, holding Azure tightly before encasing her in a thin veil of flame.
Aqua flapped her wings and shot toward the Golden Rose camp with speed surpassing sight.
"Wait, I am not ready!" Azure shouted, yet Aqua ignored her and carried her toward the Golden Rose camp.