Finn hid behind Kniv, but he constantly sent gusts of magic to heal their wounds, no matter how trivial.
Kniv, as sharp as ever, dodged every attack that passed them and kept Maeve unharmed. Her frightened eyes darted everywhere, but no matter how close the danger came to her, she kept her cool.
Hakken pushed forward until he met face to face with the three coming their way. He had to fall back, hitting Kniv, to avoid the sharp blade that almost ripped his stomach open. He unsheathed his knife to hold back the blade, blocking a second blow.
The strength of the hit numbed his arm. This was the true power of the dust. Behind him, Regn and Flyg faced the second fighter, while the third clashed against Hevonen, who—wounded and dismounted—was still a magnificent warrior. “Hakken! Look out!” Maeve warned. He needed to end his fight before worrying about the others. He blocked a new attack, falling to a knee. Not like this! Hakken’s position left him way too vulnerable, and as the fighter raised his sword to strike the final blow, fear made his eyes widen.
But before the blade made its descent, Regn jumped to his aid, tackling the man to the ground and rolling with him.
Kniv had set Maeve next to Finn, Flyg defending them while the old man took on the second fighter.
Hakken scrambled to his feet, adrenaline pushing his body to the limit. He turned and held a hand to his mate, who immediately jumped to his arms.
“We can do this!” she said, fueling his resolve.
“Flyg! Finn! Stay close!” Behind him, Kniv fought next to Hevonen. They would have to keep going without him. “Where is Regn?” Last he saw him, the boy was busy knocking out cold one of Dröm’s strongest fighters.
“No! Regn, no!” Maeve bawled. Regn lay on the ground, seemingly unharmed, but his body contorted painfully as he frantically scratched his arms and torso.
“No...” Hakken’s breath caught at the sight of Regn being taken by the red dust. The boy sent a terror-stricken look his way before growing completely still.
And for the first time, Hakken hesitated.
CHAPTER XXXXIV
BRAVE
Regn
Wretched luck! Regn knocked out the fighter, but as soon as he stumbled to his feet to rejoin his group, the pull of the dust constricted his limbs. Despite his desperate attempts to scratch the red tendrils off, within seconds, it covered him entirely.
His body contorted in pain. Every bone, every muscle was forced to move against his will, and Regn’s lips opened in a voiceless scream. Terrified, he loosened his muscles to avoid breaking his bones. He couldn’t begin to imagine what the mountain half-breeds had been suffering all this time.
Before losing all control, he raised his eyes and found Hakken’s frightened gaze. He stood immobile, carrying Maeve and dithering between saving him and completing their mission.
Hakken, don’t be stupid! You need to finish this! He thought, hoping he would be smarter.
Relief washed over him when Hakken turned on his heels and ran away from him, closely followed by Flyg and Finn.
Maeve’s scream reached his ears, reassuring him. “Regn, stay safe! Fight! We will save you!”
Damn it! He failed her. Seeing Maeve getting farther and farther angered him. Why did he have to be the one to fall? Even though Hakken would protect her with his life, the fact he couldn’t shield Maeve from harm filled him with dread.
What if Hakken can’t fight? Would he stay behind, witnessing her demise? There had to be a way to resist! Flyg once mentioned Dröm had a moment of clarity, so he had the chance to regain control over his body and protect Maeve. He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to take deep breaths and concentrate.
He needed to move forward, one step at a time.
The strain on his legs reminded him of walking deep in mud, and every inch he conquered challenged his endurance to the brink. After only two draining steps, his strides gained speed. He raised his eyes, hopeful. They were still within reach.
Soon, he was running. Yes! I can do this! He jumped and dodged the warriors fighting around him with ease. He reached a remarkable velocity without effort, like all the exhaustion from before vanished.
Like if a new strength had been added to his limbs.
Oh, no! As soon as he realized his mistake, Regn urged his body to stop, but he kept going forward. Soon, Hakken would be within range, and his hand already gripped his knife. He couldn’t stop.
Maeve
She caught Regn running towards them, but her relief soon turned to fear. He had been taken, and there was no chance he freed himself so soon. The terrified look in his eyes confirmed her fears, and Maeve gasped in horror when she discovered the blade in his hand.
“Finn!” she screamed. Pouri aimed Regn’s attack at Hakken, but Finn bustled right in the middle.
Her brother snapped to the danger and waved both hands in front of him, shouting a quick enchantment. Regn’s body stopped, suspended mid-jump in the air. Finn yelled. “I can hold him, but I won’t be able to heal you!”
Hakken’s hold tightened, and he gasped. Before she turned to find what startled him, a potent force collided against them. The knock was so strong, Hakken lost his grip on her, and Maeve rolled on the ground, scraping her hands and face. The hit’s strength caused Finn to lose his footing, and her brother fell, crawling away from Dröm’s path while struggling to keep his hold on Regn.
She had no time to stand before Dröm’s new attack. Hakken lay right in front of her, stunned when the mountain leader grabbed him by the neck and jerked him up with one pull. Landing frantic blows, Hakken tried to release his grip, to no avail. Dröm’s face remained set in stone, unlike his tormented eyes.
“Hakken!” Maeve jumped to her feet, stumbling to reach Dröm. I need to
