Chapter 4 On the run

CHAPTER 4

Galen's chest heaved with exhaustion as he ran, his senses on high alert as he tried to shake off his pursuers. He ducked behind a sturdy tree trunk, holding his breath as he waited for the Gifted warriors to close in. His hand instinctively went to the dagger at his waist, the familiar weight of it a comforting presence.

Though he was still struggling to control his Gifts, Galen was determined not to become a helpless pawn in the Empire's games. He peered around the tree, watching as one of the Gifted warriors crept closer, her eyes scanning the underbrush for any sign of him.

Galen's heart pounded in his chest as he saw his chance. He crept out of his hiding place, his movements silent as he stalked his prey. With a swift, deadly motion, he slit the Gifted warrior's throat, the sound of her gurgling gasps echoing through the forest.

But Galen's triumph was short-lived. As he turned to face the second Gifted warrior, he felt a sudden surge of energy, and his body was lifted off the ground, flying through the air to crash into a nearby tree. The impact left him dazed and breathless, his vision blurring at the edges.

Panic set in as he struggled to sit up, his eyes locking onto the second Gifted warrior, who stood over him, her eyes blazing with fury. Galen's mind went blank as he scrambled to think of a way to escape, but his body seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move or defend himself.

The second Gifted warrior approached leisurely, energy crackling around her fingers and Galen's mind wandered to the possibility of his own demise. He was jolted back to reality when the warrior suddenly lurched forward, four arrows protruding from her back. As she crumpled to the ground, Galen's gaze shifted to his unexpected savior, and his face went pale.

Standing before him was another warrior clad in the distinctive armor of the First File, marking them as one of the Empire's Gifted elite. But it was a man this time, his features chiseled and imposing. Galen's instincts screamed at him to retreat, but his body seemed frozen in place. The male warrior approached him with a leisurely pace, his eyes fixed intently on Galen.

Galen tried to scoot back, his mind racing with the implications of this new development. Why would a member of the First File, sworn to serve the Empire, intervene on his behalf? The warrior's intentions were unclear, and Galen's uncertainty only grew as the man drew closer, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

As the man knelt before him, Galen felt a sense of trepidation, unsure of what to expect. But instead of attacking him, the man simply observed him, his eyes taking in Galen's battered and bruised state. "You're worse for wear," the man commented, his voice low and smooth.

Before Galen could respond, the man placed his hands on Galen's chest. A warm, tingling sensation spread through Galen's body, and he felt his injuries and fatigue begin to ebb away. His breath came easier, his muscles no longer aching, and his mind clearing of the fog of exhaustion. He felt strong again, revitalized.

Galen's eyes locked onto the man's, and he asked, "Who are you?" The man smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "My name is Stefan," he said. "Stefan LaGraine. I have been searching for you."

Galen's confusion deepened as he took in Stefan's words. He was wearing the armor of the First File, the Empire's elite warriors, and yet he claimed to have been searching for Galen. The contradiction was jarring, and Galen's mind struggled to reconcile the two. "You...you're with the Empire," Galen stammered, his eyes fixed on Stefan's armor.

Stefan's smile never wavered, but his eyes seemed to gleam with amusement. "I am," he said. "But I'm also the one who's been shadowtravelling to find you, Galen." The word "shadowtravelling" only added to Galen's confusion, and he felt his mind reeling with questions.

"Why have you been searching for me?" Galen asked, looking suspiciously at the man. "Come, let's take a walk. I will tell you." Stefan said as he stood up. Seeing no way out, Galen stood up as well.

As they walked, Stefan began to explain his motives for searching for Galen. "You see, Galen, you're quite powerful. Your Gift is... substantial. And when someone with a Gift like yours emerges, the Oracle of the Empire takes notice. Immediately." Stefan's eyes seemed to cloud over for a moment, as if recalling an unpleasant memory. "Emperor Alyaz sends his First File, his Gifted elites, to retrieve the individual. We're talking about people with Gifts that could potentially rival those of the gods themselves."

Galen's eyes widened as he listened, his mind reeling with the implications. "And how do you find these people?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Stefan smiled wryly. "We use something called shadow traveling. It's... difficult to explain, but essentially, it's like teleportation. That's the best way I can put it."

Galen sighed, his expression skeptical. "And why are you helping me, exactly? How do I know you won't just turn me in to the Empire yourself?"

Stefan's smile never wavered, but his eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of amusement. "Let's just say that I have my reasons for wanting to help you, Galen. Reasons that have nothing to do with the Empire's interests." He paused, studying Galen's face intently. "But I think it's time we got off the main road. We're not alone out here, and I'd rather not attract any more attention than necessary."

As they walked into the clearing, Stefan's expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto Galen's. "I'm not asking for your trust, Galen," he said, his voice low and measured. "Just listen to what I have to say."

Galen nodded reluctantly, his mind still reeling with questions and doubts.

Stefan's gaze seemed to bore into Galen's very soul. "You have a great destiny ahead of you, Galen. Something the Empire would love to get their hands on and twist to their own ends."

Galen's eyes widened, his face pale, as the weight of Stefan's words sank in. The thought of the Empire's agents pursuing him, seeking to exploit his Gift for their own purposes, was a chilling one.

Stefan's expression softened slightly, his voice taking on a more gentle tone. "Until you're ready, you'll need to hide, Galen. Keep the dampener on your wrist, and avoid drawing attention to yourself."

Galen nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over him. He knew that he couldn't stay hidden forever, but for now, it seemed like the only option.

As Stefan prepared to leave, Galen felt a pang of anxiety. "Wait," he said, his voice urgent. "How am I supposed to get beyond the Deep? And what about Xanthos? What's going to happen to him?"

Stefan's expression turned somber, his eyes clouding over. "You have to let Xanthos go, Galen. As for the Deep... you'll find a way. You're resourceful, and you have a strong will. That's all you need for now."

With that, Stefan stepped forward, and a void seemed to open up before him. The air seemed to ripple and distort, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate the void. Stefan's form began to fade, his features blurring as he stepped into the void.

Galen watched, awestruck, as Stefan vanished into the darkness, leaving him alone in the clearing. The silence that followed was oppressive, weighing heavily on Galen's shoulders as he struggled to process the events that had just transpired.