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Guyon pondered his dire situation. And why, why was he so unlucky?!
They were stranded in the mountains, teeming with monsters and dangerous animals, with almost no medicine, no doctor, and minimal supplies. He was a melee fighter; the first harpy or bird would kill him. Nysha was practically a civilian. She was brave, but Guyon clearly noticed that after a couple more bites from those snakes, she would have perished. Fortunately, she played very inspiringly, giving him strength, but Beata with a crossbow, standing back-to-back with him, would have given him even more strength. How much longer would they wander in the mountains? And what if they had to spend another night here?
He simply didn't know what to do.
"Great Anush... Gods... Anyone who can hear me! Please, I beg you! Help us! We can't manage on our own; we desperately need someone to help us in the mountains, guide us past all the dangers and monsters, and take us home!"
In desperation, he covered his face with his hands, realizing that his prayers were in vain.
***
But they were heard.
The call for help carried beyond Anush, beyond the celestial spheres, beyond all the worlds known to mages, to a place where even the most skilled summoners could not reach, where even the celestials had no power.
The call pierced the horizon of darkness.
It was too weak for an ordinary person to perceive. But the keen ears of one who had relied only on hearing and smell all her life could not miss it.
"My friends need me... But it seems someone needs me even more. The North Claws won't abandon those in need. A glorious hunt awaits me!"
There was someone who asked for help, and someone who offered it. The higher powers of the Havëex multiverse deemed this sufficient.
Lin and her team, having cleared the undead labyrinth and defeated the main boss, watched in horror as Nikta began to fade. Henry rushed to the huntress, trying to grab her, but his fingers caught only air.
- No! Nikta! Who will I tell the Daredevil and Batman comics to now...?
- What was that?! - Lin asked in an icy tone, but worry was visible through her mask.
- I don't know... - Davalia said. - Something strange, unfamiliar... I can't call it magic; it seems higher powers intervened...
- I see, - the leader sighed. - Can she be brought back?
- I don't know. But she probably didn't die. It looked more like teleportation.
- Let's hope she's alive and finds her way back, - Lin nodded. - She's indispensable in battles against cave monsters and scouting. Let's go, guys; we have a lot to do.
The North Claws continued their search for Kervania.
***
Nikta fell to her knees. The first thing she realized was that she wasn't in a cave. The thin skin was warmed by the sun, and the moving air ruffled her hair.
But she was in the mountains. In her native, beloved mountain labyrinths.
And there were two more people next to her. A frightened man of average height and a woman in a long, rustling robe.
The huntress stood up and turned to face them.
***
When someone fell next to them, Guyon jumped in fright. But then he examined the stranger and calmed down a bit.
It was just a small, fragile albino girl in poor health. Barely a meter and a half tall, reaching him to his chest. In a dark cloak and inconspicuous dark clothes. A bow almost as big as her hung on her back, and a cane was hanging there for some reason, and daggers and throwing knives glinted on her belt.
The stranger stood up and turned to face them. Only then did Guyon notice the bandage over her eyes.
A miniature, blind girl, whom he could easily break in half. And yet, she was armed to the teeth and not very scared.
- Who are you? Don't worry, we're not enemies! - he said, extending his palms forward, although this gesture was of little meaning, considering that she probably couldn't see him.
- I'm Nikta. A huntress. From the North Claws. Have you heard of us? We do good, we bring justice, and all that, - the girl replied in a confident tone, pointing with her finger at a strange blue-white patch on her chest.
- I've never heard of you, - Guyon admitted honestly. - But we wouldn't mind some help. My name is Guyon, and my companion's name is Nysha. Our airship crashed, and we're stranded in the mountains.
- Air...ship? What is that? - Nikta tilted her head expressively.
- It's a large ball with hot steam; they attach a cabin with people to it, and it flies through the air, - Guyon explained, trying to be as simple and detailed as possible.
He noticed Nikta shudder all over.
- I hope I never have to get close to that infernal thing, - she muttered.
- Hey, they're not that bad; they're a convenient mode of transport; we use them often in our empire...
- Let's drop the subject, - the huntress folded her arms across her chest. - So... stranded in the mountains...? Let's go hunting.
She sniffed the air with her nose, inhaling the mountain air, and confidently moved along the mountain path, gesturing with an exaggerated movement, inviting Guyon and Nysha to follow. They exchanged glances and followed the blind guide. They had nothing to lose.
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