Branches whipped at her face. Roots caught at her boots. But Tessa didn't stop.
She couldn't stop.
Every breath burned her lungs, and fear gripped her chest like ice. She didn't look back. The sounds of battle still echoed behind her, distant but terrifying.
She had to make it.
She had to reach the guild.
For Liora. For Garth and Nellie.
The sun was rising when the village gates came into view. She pushed herself harder, ignoring the stinging in her legs and the way her vision blurred.
She burst into the guild hall, panting, clothes torn, hair soaked with sweat and dirt.
"HELP!" she shouted. "PLEASE! There's an S-Rank beast in the northern forest! My mom, Liora, sent me to get help! Garth and Nellie are still there with her!"
The receptionist stood up in alarm, and several adventurers nearby turned to look. But the guild master, already walking forward, spoke with a pained expression.
"We… we've already sent every team we have, Tessa. Everyone is out in the other regions. Reinforcements… they'll take time."
Tessa's face fell.
"No…" she whispered, trembling. "You have to do something, they can't fight it alone! Please!"
The room was tense. Silent. No one moved.
And then,
Thump Thump,
The sound of boots against the floor. A woman with silver-streaked auburn hair in a long coat stepped in through the doorway. Her presence seemed to shift the air in the room.
Tessa turned.
Her eyes widened in recognition. Saria Thorne. Liora's old party leader.
"Saria!" Tessa cried, running to her. "Please, you have to help! It's my mom, Liora, she's fighting an S-Rank monster in the northern forest! There's no one else! Please, please go help her!"
Saria blinked. "Liora…?"
The room went still again.
Tessa looked up at her, tears streaming down her face. "She's my mom. She told me to run and get help. But the guild has no one… and I know you used to be with her. Please... don't let her die…"
Saria's expression darkened, but not with fear. With resolve.
She turned to the guild master. "Where's the nearest armory?"
The guild master blinked. "Back room. But Saria, you're."
"I may be retired," Saria said, already pulling on her gloves, "but if my old party member's out there buying time against an S-Class threat, then I'm not sitting around doing nothing."
She glanced at Tessa and gave her a small smile.
"You did good, kid. Now rest. I'll bring your mom home."
And without another word, she moved with purpose toward the back, toward her gear.
Tessa collapsed to her knees, sobbing from a mix of exhaustion and hope.
Help was finally on the way.