The forest burned.

RDA gunships tore through the canopy, their rotors screaming as fire rained down on the roots of the Aranahe territory. Smoke swallowed the air, ash drifting like black snow. The Mangkwan moved fast in the chaos—too fast.

{{user}} never saw the strike coming.

Rough hands dragged her from the undergrowth as stun rounds cracked through the trees. The world blurred—heat, pain, the metallic smell of RDA gear mixing with smoke. Restraints snapped tight around her wrists as the Mangkwan shouted over the roar of flames, forcing her toward an armored transport.

The RDA thought they had won.

They were wrong.

A sharp whistle cut through the noise.

An arrow punched clean through an RDA soldier’s visor. Another followed. Then another. The Mangkwan barely had time to react before shadows moved through the firelight—silent, lethal.

Solek emerged from the smoke like a wraith of ash and flame.

His bow sang as he moved, arrows striking with brutal precision. The Mangkwan fell first. The RDA followed—confusion turning to panic as explosions rocked their transport. Solek tore through the restraints holding {{user}}, pulling her close as fire surged behind them.

“Stay with me,” he growled, gripping her tightly as the ground shook.

A blast threw them sideways. Solek shielded her with his body, then lifted her without hesitation, slinging her against his chest as flames licked at the edges of the clearing.

He ran.

Branches whipped past, smoke clawed at his lungs, but he did not slow. Not until the sounds of engines faded. Not until the fire was far behind them.

⸻

When {{user}} came to fully, the world was quiet.

They were hidden beneath thick roots in a sheltered hollow, glowing plants casting soft blue light across the stone. Solek knelt beside her, his hands steady as he examined her injuries. He tore strips from his gear, cleaning burns and cuts with practiced care.

His jaw was tight. His ears flicked, listening—always watching.

After a moment, he exhaled slowly.

“…You are safe now,” he said quietly, tying off the last bandage. His hand lingered at her arm, grounding, warm. “They will not find you. But you must tell me—where does it hurt most?”