The wind howled through the dense wilderness as hooves thundered against the earth, kicking up clouds of dust and scattered leaves. The Obsidian Empire elites pursued with unwavering determination, their dark-cloaked figures weaving through the undergrowth like phantoms. The chase had begun, and there was no turning back.
The group's upgraded mounts had proven their worth. Xue Mor, gripping the reins tightly, couldn't help but acknowledge their fortune in securing these beasts. Their previous mounts would have faltered long ago under such extreme conditions.
"Keep pushing forward!" Xue Mor commanded, her voice carrying through the chaos.
Raikai and Shinryu rode side by side, their expressions unreadable. Though both were battle-hardened warriors, they understood the wisdom in this retreat. For now, survival took precedence over honor.
---
Rear Guard: The Phoenix Cry Geniuses Take the Lead
Yan Feiyan's Blazing Fans glowed with an intense heat, absorbing incoming energy-based attacks and redirecting them with refined precision. The moment a bolt of dark energy streaked toward the group, she flicked her wrists, unleashing a wave of scorching flame back at their pursuers.
Yan Xifeng, positioned slightly behind her, knocked another arrow. Her movements were fluid, almost instinctual, as she loosed a flaming projectile. The arrow struck the ground behind them, igniting into a burst of fire that forced their enemies to momentarily halt.
Xue Mor and Xue Lan worked in perfect synchrony. Using their Death Arms, they wove intricate traps into the terrain, manipulating fire in a way that made direct pursuit nearly impossible.
"Aim for their footing!" Xue Mor called out, hurling a set of razor-sharp wires across a narrow gorge. Xue Lan followed up, her fiery threads igniting along the terrain, turning the path into a scorched battlefield.
A group of Obsidian elites, riding close behind, failed to react in time. Their mounts skidded violently, some stumbling over the smoldering embers while others barely managed to leap past.
"Damn them!" one of the Obsidian warriors cursed, his breath coming in ragged gasps from the rising heat.
---
The Relentless Pursuers
Despite the numerous obstacles, the Obsidian elites pressed on, their skills honed from years of war. These were not mere foot soldiers—they were chosen warriors, conditioned for endurance and prolonged combat.
Their leader, a masked commander with piercing red eyes, raised his hand.
"Force them into the ravine ahead. Cut off their retreat!"
Two of his subordinates broke off, taking an alternate route through the dense forest to intercept them. If the group continued straight, they'd be cornered against steep cliffs.
But the group was already adapting.
---
Adapting to the Terrain: Tactical Maneuvers
Raikai, ever perceptive, noted the slight incline in the terrain and the thinning of trees.
"They're herding us!" he called out.
Shinryu, golden markings gleaming in the fading sunlight, glanced ahead. A treacherous ravine lay in their path.
"Then we break their formation first!"
He pulled sharply on his reins, his mount veering to the side. With a single fluid motion, he raised his Eternal Arms gauntlets and released a shockwave, sending debris cascading behind them.
Yan Xifeng took advantage of the disruption, firing an explosive arrow into the falling rubble, creating a makeshift rockslide. Dust and boulders crashed onto the trail, further widening the gap between them and their pursuers.
---
Five Hours of Chaos
The chase stretched on for what felt like an eternity. The group utilized every tool at their disposal—speed, terrain manipulation, and ranged suppression.
The sky darkened as evening approached, their breath misting in the cooling air. Despite exhaustion setting in, they pushed forward, their mounts galloping tirelessly.
Behind them, the once-relentless pursuit began to wane. The injuries inflicted, the obstacles set, and the sheer endurance needed to continue had begun taking its toll on the Obsidian warriors.
At last, the enemy commander reined in his horse, frustration barely concealed.
"Enough!" he spat.
His men, bloodied and fatigued, halted. Some had lost their mounts, while others barely clung to consciousness.
"We continue this chase, and we risk losing even more men before reaching the real battlefield," one of his officers warned.
After a moment of tense silence, the commander clenched his fist before relenting. "Let them run. For now."
And just like that, the hunt was over.
---
Aftermath: A Hard-Earned Escape
The group, now safely distanced, slowed their pace as they entered more secure territory. The oppressive tension finally lifted.
Yan Feiyan let out a slow breath, her Blazing Fans finally cooling after extended use.
"That was… exhilarating," she admitted.
Yan Xifeng, exhausted but victorious, smiled faintly. "Five hours. Not bad."
Xue Mor, normally composed, allowed herself a smirk. "Not all battles are won with swords. The mind is also a weapon."
Shinryu and Raikai exchanged glances. For all their battle hunger, they couldn't deny the truth in those words.
They had survived—no, they had won.
But the road ahead was far from over.