Leo kept his gaze on the elf, watching for any flicker of clarity in their eyes. None came. Just that hollow, distant stare, like they were stuck halfway between waking and collapse.
"Can you tell us your name?" he asked, voice low.
The elf’s lips moved but no sound came out. Crystal leaned in closer.
"They’re too weak to speak. Barely hanging on."
Greg shifted beside them, arms crossed. His gaze fell to the frail figure inside the cage, and he exhaled slowly.
"I can carry them," he offered. "Safely. If I shift up, I can cradle them without issue."
Leo looked up at him. "That would leave you wide open."
Greg nodded. "Yeah. No way to defend myself if something shows up. My arms would be full and my size would draw attention from half the forest."
Crystal glanced toward the treeline. "We don’t have a better option unless we want to leave them here."
"We’re not doing that," Leo said immediately. "And we’re not waiting until something finds us."
So carrying them it is. I can still kick but this guy seems to be really fragile. One wrong move and I may hurt them." Greg grunted as he tugged at the door of the cage. While it was made of wood, it did not open immediately.
The bindings creaked. The knots held firm.
Greg narrowed his eyes, jaw tightening. With a deep breath, he shifted his stance and braced. His muscles flexed with controlled force. Wood splintered. There was a sharp crack as the lashings snapped. The entire side of the cage gave way with a loud groan and fell to the ground, half intact but clearly defeated by brute strength.
"Got it," Greg muttered.
"Wait. Wait. Wait," came Penny’s voice, running up with quick steps and a bright grin. In her hand was a small, rusted key. "I found a key. It was in the commander’s belt loop. Bark pattern and everything. Bet it opens the cage and—"
She skidded to a halt.
Her eyes flicked to the broken cage. Then to the key in her hand. Then to the splinters.
Greg looked at her blankly.
Penny held the key up again, like it might still have some value. "Really?"
Greg shrugged. "You were gone."
"I was gone for like a minute."
Leo let out a quiet exhale that almost passed for a laugh. "You tried, Rose. But sometimes muscles work faster I guess."
Penny sighed, tucking the key back into her pouch. "One of these days I’ll find something useful."
Greg shifted the elf carefully in his arms, making sure not to jostle them. "Let’s get moving before something else shows up."
Crystal glanced at the dark treeline, then back at the group. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she stayed alert.
Aria nodded, her eyes sharp as she scanned the forest canopy. "I’ll stay above and keep watch."
Leo took the lead, muscles tense and senses alert. The forest was alive with sounds, but none seemed to signal danger just yet. Still, they moved swiftly, every step cautious.
Penny fell in beside Greg, her bag heavy with loot from the camp. She kept glancing at the elf cradled carefully in Greg’s arms, worry written across her face.
"We’ll get them to safety," Leo said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
The path back to the ridge was narrow and winding, but they moved steadily. The weight of the elf in Greg’s arms seemed to grow lighter with every step, as if hope was slowly returning to the fragile figure.
Behind them, the remnants of the camp faded into the shadows and the night swallowed the sound of their passage.
The group moved carefully through the dense forest, every sound heightened by the stillness of the night. Greg’s heavy footsteps were surprisingly quiet for his size as he cradled the elf with careful strength. Penny stayed close, occasionally glancing at the elf with concern.
Aria’s soft voice came from above. "I don’t see anything following us. So far, so good."
Crystal’s steps were steady beside Leo. "We can’t let our guard down yet. This area feels like a trap waiting to spring."
Leo nodded. "Agreed. We keep moving, keep alert. No sudden stops."
Penny’s brow furrowed as she tried to think of ways to help the elf beyond what they were already doing. "If only I could do more than just gather scraps."
Greg glanced down at her. "Your skill has already made a difference. We wouldn’t have this much without you."
She smiled faintly but stayed quiet, her mind still on the elf’s pale face.
The forest grew darker as the trees thickened, but the group’s resolve stayed firm. Leo led with sure footing, eyes scanning the path ahead.
Suddenly, a faint rustle echoed from the underbrush nearby. Everyone froze. Leo’s claws flexed. Aria’s wings spread slightly. Greg tightened his hold on the elf, ready to react.
A pair of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows. A small creature, more curious than hostile, stepped into the light. It blinked, then scampered away without a sound.
The tension eased but did not fully leave the air.
"We’re almost there," Leo said quietly.
The group reached the ridge, their footsteps slowed by the sight waiting for them. A line of elves stood across the clearing, their faces hard and eyes blazing with anger. Weapons were drawn, bows notched, blades gleaming in the moonlight.
The leader, a tall elf with piercing green eyes and braided dark hair, stepped forward, voice sharp and accusing. "You dare bring this one here? This is kin of ours. You have no right to take them."
Leo’s jaw tightened. "We found them imprisoned by orcs and goblins. They were in danger. We saved them."
Another elf spat on the ground. "Saved? You kidnapped one of our own. You threaten their life more than any enemy."
Greg shifted, tightening his hold on the fragile elf. "We mean no harm. We only want to protect them."
The crowd murmured, distrust thick in the air. Crystal’s eyes narrowed, fingers twitching as she stayed alert.
The leader’s gaze didn’t waver. "If you cared for them, you would have come to us first. Instead you acted like thieves and kidnappers."
Penny stepped forward hesitantly, voice small but steady. "We wanted to help. They were trapped. We couldn’t just leave them there."
An elf near the front raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "Words won’t change what you’ve done. We will decide their fate, and yours."
Leo met the leader’s stare without flinching. "We saved a life. We will not give them up to those who doubt our intentions."
Tension coiled in the air, thick and sharp. Both sides were ready to snap. The fragile balance threatened to break with a single wrong move.