“C-can we take a break?” Risa stumbles, struggling to keep up with Finn's pace.

  “I’m afraid not. We need to get through the forest and out of here fast,” Finn replies, rejecting her suggestion without hesitation.

  “Why the rush? Are we running low on canned food? Now that we’re back on the surface, we can always forage for edible plants and hunt along the way.” Risa frowns, puzzled.

  Finn meets her gaze. “I have someone to meet when we get back to Mistwood. Besides, it’s getting colder. It’s safer to return before winter sets in.”

  “Still, slowing down a little wouldn’t hurt. It’s not like the weather is turning bad any time or… or someone is chasing us!” Risa protests by raising her voice, and her steps pause.

  Then, in a quieter tone, she asks, “Will we go back for Inky and Plushie?”

  Finn falls silent, then exhales heavily. “Let’s get back first. We can discuss it later.”

  “No! We need to talk about it now! Why are you avoiding the question?” Risa snaps.

  “Because it’s a difficult question!” Finn retorts, frustration flickering in his eyes. “Do you think it was easy for me to leave them behind in the maze? But if we bring them along, can we ensure they won’t attack others?”

  “They didn’t attack us when we were asleep!”

  “That doesn’t mean they won’t on the surface!” Finn counters.

  Risa falls silent, eyes widened and lips shut tight.

  “We don’t know what they are. It’s too dangerous to let them live among people before we understand them better. It’s not that they didn’t attack us in our sleep—it’s that we wouldn’t have stood a chance if they had.”

  (Finn has also been keeping both his masking stone and vision camouflage spell active the moment they left the maze.)

  Risa clenches her fists, unable to argue. Finn is right.

  Noticing her quick grasp, Finn feels a twinge of admiration for her empathetic nature. Her parents must have raised her well. “We can always go back later,” he reassures her. “We can ask someone from the Hunters' Guild, the stationed knights, or the Sanctuary to learn more about them. If they’re harmless—or even good allies—we can always come back for them.”

  Risa exhales, nodding reluctantly.

  “Come on, you want to be a knight, right? You should know the rules of chivalry.” Finn’s tone softens.

  Risa straightens. “A knight acts with honour and courtesy, protects those who cannot defend themselves, and fights for the good of all.”

  She sighs. “Fine. Fine. I’ll listen to you. But promise me this: if we find out they’re not dangerous, we go back for them.” She looks at him earnestly.

  Finn nods. “More than happy to. Inky is a great fighter.” And Plushie has storage ability, too.

  Having reached an agreement, they continue their journey, only stopping when necessary: when night falls or there’s a heavy downpour.

  Each night, they take turns keeping watch, eyes sharp for any sign of movement in the darkness. The days blur together with endless walking beneath shifting clouds, boots sinking into soft earth, the distant calls of unseen predators echoing through the trees. On the fifth night, just before midnight, the lights of Mistwood finally appear between the branches.

  Relief and exhaustion weigh on them, but they quicken their steps, eager for rest. Finn leads Risa to Mira’s inn and arranges a room for her. She beams at him. “Thank you, Finn! I’ll pay you back.”

  “No rush,” he replies.

  They agree to meet in the lobby for breakfast the next morning and head to their separate rooms for a well-earned rest.

  When morning comes, both wake refreshed, settling at a table to eat.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Mira, the innkeeper, approaches them. “Good morning, Finn and Risa!” They both greet Mira in return.

  “It was too late yesterday, so I didn’t tell you that Frank and Steve left a message for you. Rathen is recovering well at the Sanctuary. They’ll be there if you want to meet them.”

  Finn exhales in relief. “That’s great news. I’ll visit him today.”

  Turning to Risa, he asks, “I’m heading to the Sanctuary later. Want to come?”

  Risa thinks for a moment. “I want to check the guild first. I need to ask about my friends.”

  "I'm planning to visit the guild as well. How about I show you the way before I go see my friend?" Finn offers.

  After finishing breakfast, they make their way to the Hunters' Guild.

  “Risa!” A voice calls from across the hall.

  Risa turns, eyes widening. “Audrey!”

  A woman in her late thirties rushes over, barely holding back tears. “I’ve been waiting for days! I thought… I thought—”

  Risa’s eyes grow red. “I thought I was done for, trapped in that maze… If not for Finn and his companions, I wouldn’t have made it.” She hugs Audrey tightly.

  Finn watches them, concluding they must be guildmates as well as close friends. He steps forward. “Nice to meet you, Audrey. I’m Finn. I’m glad you’re safe.” Over the past few days, Finn has pieced together Risa’s past from her campfire stories. He knows Audrey was the one who brought Risa out to join her hunting group.

  Audrey wipes her eyes, turning to Finn. “I cannot thank you enough. If not for you, I don’t know how I would have faced Risa’s parents.”

  With a warm smile, he says, “Anyone would have done the same.” He then steps back. “I’ll leave you two to catch up. I need to head to the Sanctuary to visit my friend.”

  “Wait!” Risa calls. “W—what about the carcasses and magic cores we collected?” she asks hesitantly.

  “Oh, right. Let’s discuss it when you’re back at the inn,” Finn answers with a knowing smile.

  “Alright! See you later!” Risa's face blushes as she waves at him.

  Next is the Sanctuary.

  For the first time, Finn steps inside rather than simply passing by. The white stone walls shine softly under the morning light filtering through tall arched windows. The air smells of lavender, chamomile, and incense, gentle, calming, like a breath of peace.

  White lilies bloom in neat clay pots, ivy trailing gently down from carved shelves. The Sanctuary radiates serenity, offering rest to the weary—be it in body, soul, or spirit.

  He passes the prayer chamber, where soft hymns and whispered prayers linger in the air. A nun stands nearby; he approaches her and asks for Rathen. She points the way, and soon he finds himself at the entrance to the healing chamber.

  Sheer white curtains divide the healing chamber, softening the light and lending the space a gentle order. Sturdy cots line the walls, each made up with crisp linen. Patients lie quietly as clerics move between them, hands glowing with magic or busy mixing herbs.

  Finn spots Rathen sitting upright on his bed, engrossed in a book. Though his neck is still wrapped in bandages, he appears to be recovering well. Beside him, Caroline dozes off in her chair, her head drooping as she struggles against sleep.

  Amused, Finn strides over. “Hey, Rathen. Caroline. Look who’s back.”

  Caroline stirs, blinking up at him—then bolts upright. “Finn! You’re back!”

  Her voice echoes through the chamber, drawing a few curious looks.

  Rathen’s eyes light up. Even weakened, the relief in his face is clear. “Good to see you… safe and sound,” he says softly, his voice raspy but full of warmth.

  Finn chuckles. “Rathen, it’s great to see you pulling through. I know you both missed me, but Caroline, could you maybe keep it down before we get kicked out?”

  Before, Caroline would fire back with a remark, but she is generous enough to let it slide today because she is too relieved to bicker. She lowers her voice. “Where have you been these past two weeks? We were looking for you. We thought that hyena pack had got you.”

  Rathen nudges his daughter’s hand in quiet reproach, silently reminding her to be more tactful with her words.

  Finn grins. “Well, I’ve been wandering in the forest. Oh, and guess what—I even ventured into the Labyrinth of the Unknown.”

  He briefly shares tales of his fight (or one-sided chase) with the hyena pack and the times in the maze, carefully omitting Inky and Plushie and what happened to Lucille’s team. His stories hold both Caroline and Rathen captivated.

  “Wow!” Caroline’s eyes sparkle with excitement. “Should we explore the Labyrinth of the Unknown on our next hunt?”

  Finn grins. “If we get the chance, why not?”

  Turning to Rathen, he asks, “How’s your wound? When will you be able to go home?”

  Caroline answers in her father’s place. “The cleric said he can leave tomorrow, as long as there aren’t any complications.” Rathen nods faintly in agreement.

  “That’s great news! What about Steve and Frank?”

  “They’ve been visiting every few days,” Caroline replies. “They’ll be here tomorrow to help us move back home.”

  “Got it. Then I’ll come by tomorrow as well to lend a hand.”

  Their conversation drifts on, quiet and easy, until Finn excuses himself so that Rathen can get more rest. He slips out, footsteps soft in the hallway, and makes his way back to the inn with his thoughts tugged by the road ahead.