Chapter 63: The Race Against Time

Aiden’s horse thundered through the dark forest, its hooves pounding against the dirt in a steady rhythm. The night air was cold and biting, but Aiden barely felt it. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Robert and Lily, trapped in the bandit camp, and the mistake Robert had made in his fury. Now, Aiden had to get back to the community before it was too late.

He cursed under his breath as he pushed the horse faster. The moonlight flickered through the trees, casting eerie shadows on the ground, but Aiden’s focus was singular. The community was at least half a day’s ride from the camp, but he would have to make it in less time. If he delayed too long, Robert would be killed, and Lily… he didn’t want to think about what the bandits would do to her.

As he rode, Aiden replayed the scene in his mind. The leader of the bandits, the smug look on his face as he ordered Robert tied up. The men dragging Lily into the tent. Aiden had seen cruelty before—he’d lived through enough horrors in this shattered world—but this was different. This was personal.

By dawn, Aiden was close to the community. His horse was exhausted, its sides heaving with each breath, but there was no time to rest. The sun was rising, casting a golden light across the landscape, but Aiden barely noticed. His thoughts were already on the people he would need to gather, the fighters he would convince to come back with him.

He had to get Gabriella’s help. She was the only one who could organize the rescue quickly, and he knew she wouldn’t hesitate once she learned Robert and Lily were in danger.

As he approached the gates of the community, he pulled his horse to a stop, dismounted quickly, and ran toward the entrance. The guards, recognizing him, waved him through without question.

Inside, the community was just waking up. Smoke rose from chimneys, and people were beginning their daily routines, unaware of the urgency that had gripped Aiden. He moved swiftly through the streets, heading directly for Gabriella’s house.

When he reached the door, he pounded on it, his heart racing. Moments later, the door opened, and Gabriella stood there, her face etched with concern as she took in Aiden’s breathless state.

“Aiden? What’s going on?” she asked, her voice sharp with worry.

“It’s Robert,” Aiden gasped. “We found Lily. But... he’s been captured.”

Gabriella’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Captured? Where is he?”

“The bandits have him,” Aiden said, trying to steady his breathing. “He went after them without waiting, and now they’ve got him and Lily. I need help—fighters, anyone who can come. We need to get them out before it’s too late.”

Gabriella’s expression hardened. “Give me a minute.”

She disappeared inside the house, and Aiden could hear the hurried sounds of her preparing for action. Moments later, she emerged, fully armed, a determined look on her face.

“We’ll get him back,” Gabriella said, her voice steady despite the tension in her eyes. “I’ll gather a team. We’ll leave within the hour.”

Aiden nodded, relief washing over him. He knew Gabriella was the right person to lead this mission. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and wouldn’t let Robert or Lily suffer for a moment longer than necessary.

Within an hour, the community’s best fighters had assembled. Gabriella had chosen a group of a dozen skilled men and women—people who had proven themselves in battle before. They were armed with swords, bows, and a few makeshift firearms they had salvaged over the years. It wasn’t a huge force, but it was enough to make a difference.

Aiden briefed them on the situation as they saddled their horses. He described the layout of the bandit camp, the number of enemies they had seen, and the challenges they would face. He didn’t sugarcoat it—this was going to be dangerous, and they would be outnumbered. But they had the element of surprise on their side, and with Gabriella leading them, Aiden knew they had a real chance.

Gabriella mounted her horse, her eyes hard with determination. “We ride fast,” she said to the group. “We don’t stop until we get there. If anyone needs to turn back, do it now, because this is going to get bloody.”

No one moved. They were all committed, their faces set in grim resolve.

“Let’s go,” Gabriella said, and with that, the group set off.

The journey back to the bandit camp felt like an eternity, even though the group pushed their horses to the limit. Aiden rode near the front, his eyes scanning the horizon, his heart pounding with anxiety. He hadn’t seen Robert or Lily since the attack, and he couldn’t stop thinking about what the bandits might be doing to them.

By the time they reached the outskirts of the camp, it was late afternoon. The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows over the forest. The group dismounted quietly, tethering their horses a safe distance away, and moved silently through the trees toward the bandits’ hideout.

Aiden led the way, motioning for everyone to stay low and quiet. The camp was much as it had been when he’d left, though now it was quieter. Most of the bandits seemed to be resting, unaware that danger was lurking in the woods just beyond their camp.

Gabriella crouched beside Aiden, her eyes scanning the scene. “Do you see them?” she whispered.

Aiden shook his head. “No. But they’re here. Robert’s tied up near the fire. Lily’s in one of the tents.”

Gabriella nodded, her expression hardening. “We’ll split into two groups. One to free Robert, the other to get Lily. We’ll move in quietly and strike fast. We can’t afford to let them sound the alarm.”

She gave orders quickly, assigning half the group to the task of freeing Robert, while she and Aiden would lead the effort to rescue Lily.

As they crept closer, Aiden’s heart raced. He could see the post where Robert was tied up, slumped over, his head hanging low. There were two guards nearby, but they looked bored, their weapons casually resting against the log beside them. It wouldn’t take much to take them out.

Aiden signaled to the group, and they moved silently into position. Gabriella’s team was already making their way toward the tent where Lily was being held.

Aiden’s pulse quickened. This was it. The moment they had been waiting for. He just hoped they weren’t too late.

With a sharp nod, Gabriella gave the signal, and the first group moved in.

The attack was swift and brutal. Aiden and his team struck the guards near Robert with deadly precision, taking them down before they could react. Aiden rushed to Robert’s side, cutting the ropes that bound him.

“Robert,” Aiden whispered, shaking him gently. “Wake up.”

Robert groaned, his eyes fluttering open. He looked disoriented, but as soon as he saw Aiden, his expression shifted to one of relief.

“Lily,” Robert croaked, his voice hoarse. “Is she—”

“We’re getting her,” Aiden said quickly. “Just hold on.”

Across the camp, Gabriella’s team was moving toward the tent where Lily was held. The tension in the air was palpable as they approached.