"Try to keep up," Jeis called over her shoulder, her voice clipped with urgency. In a flash, she activated her movement skill, and her figure blurred—an afterimage trailing behind her like wind-blown leaves—as she rushed toward the direction she believed Auren and Jaira had gone.
"I can't slow down just to wait for you two. I'm worried I might not make it in time for my daughter!" she added, her tone a sharp mix of panic and purpose, just before vanishing from Robert and Marissa's view entirely.
"Damn it," Robert cursed under his breath, gritting his teeth as he pumped his legs faster. Though he was a trained soldier and an experienced herbalist, even his stamina had limits. His body could carry him far, and fast—but with Marissa beside him, his pace was suffering. He kept glancing sideways, worried for both her and the boy they were running to save.
