Branches hit his arms, legs and face, creating small but stinging scars. He didn't pay any attention to them, as he pushed forward, not daring to look back. His heart pumped so fast it threatened to jump out right there.
Suddenly, his leg got stuck in one of the roots and he stumbled forward with a startled yelp. His elbow grazed on the surface and he hisses at the pain. Not daring to look in fear of seeing the wound, he pushed himself back up and pressed forward.
He burst out of the wood into a clearing and his baby blue eyes scanned the surrounding, searching for a place to hide. Noticing a medium-sized stump he dived behind it, back pressed to the cold wood.
He listened closely, while he tried to calm his breathing. His heart stopped when he heard light footsteps entering the clearing.
"I know you're there, Varian~" an overly familiar male voice sing-songed and the alchemist tried his best to stay quiet. He closed his eyes as he heard the footsteps coming closer to his hiding place.
"You can run, but you can't hide" the male continued, his voice menacing. "The princess won't be here to save you this time"
Suddenly, a sword embedded itself in the top of the stump, missing Varian's head by mere millimetres. The boy clasped a hand over his mouth to stifle a whimper. He felt a pricking at his eyes and clenched his eyes once again, trying to stop the tears from falling.
It seemed like an eternity, but finally he heard the footsteps moving away, the sound slowly fading into the night. He stayed still for few more minutes, until he couldn't hear anything else, apart from the wind blowing through the trees and the critters chirping.
Varian let his body slowly relax on the ground, releasing the tension from the muscles. He was safe, at least for now. He let out a deep exhale and cautiously peered from behind the stump.
The clearing was empty, not a soul visible. The alchemist felt relief with the sight and stood up. He was not out of the woods yet (both literally and not). He needed to get to the castle.
He turned around and stealthily moved through the dark forest, more relaxed but still eyes and ears open for threat. It took him longer than he wanted, but he finally saw the light between the trees and the towers of the castle stretching in the horizon.
I couldn't add all of the characters which appear, one of them is important. I won't write who it is tho, let it be a surprise :)
His heart leaped at the sight and he moved faster. He was almost there, only few more steps…
Suddenly, he felt a hit in the back and he fell forward with a yelp. He pushed up with his arms, stopping in his track when a pair of black boots entered his vision.
"You didn't really think you can escape me, did you?" a male voice sounded in his ears and Varian's breath hitched. His eyes widened with realisation and he stumbled back.
"No, get away!" he cried, tears blurring his vision. Why? He was so close, then why? His back hit a trunk of the tree and he stared in horror at the approaching man
"Varian" the male stopped in front of the terrified boy and crouched. His dark hair tied in the usual bun at the top of his head and eyes staring right at him. "You and I both know, this is not happening"