The darkness of the forest didn't make much of a difference, it was the recent rain that slowed them down. Nine and Twenty-two ran, praying they wouldn't lose footing on the slippery grass and leaves that lay underfoot. Twenty-one was close behind them, they knew, heavily tempered and moving faster than they were, completely heedless of any undergrowth that stood in his way. If he stumbled, he scrambled back to his feet and kept coming, nearly impervious to the pain, the glowing primal threateningly floating at his back.
He had to protect Twenty-two.
He'd promised Twenty-one he would.
Even if he had to protect him from Twenty-one himself.
They came to a clearing before a cliff and skidded to a stop. They'd have to take off along the edge of the gorge now, but the rocks would slow them down worse than the damp forest had. Turning back and crossing weren't options. They'd have to confront Twenty-one here. At least, Nine would. His nouliths raised shakily from his back. He turned his body toward the forest and his head to Twenty-two.
"Toto, run. Keep running and don't look back."
Twenty-two's eyes were the size of saucers. He was too afraid to argue, but too afraid to move. Nine stepped toward him and put a firm hand on his chest, shoving him a step backwards and hissing.
