NARRATOR

Álvaro ran through the forest, weaving in a zigzag, using the tall trees as obstacles.

He could hear the neighing of horses, the crunch of leaves being crushed beneath their heavy hooves as they pursued him—a fox fleeing through the underbrush.

The river wasn’t far; maybe he still had a chance to dive into its depths and swim away, despite the danger.

He could smell it now, almost see it. Then—a sharp crack in the air.

As he emerged into a clearing, the horses gained the upper hand over the two legs of an elemental.

“Aaaggrr!” he growled as something coiled around his boots and yanked him backward with brutal force.

His body slammed forward, hitting the ground hard, skidding through dirt and grass. He barely managed to shield his face, arms bracing against the rough impact and scraping drag.

The sheer momentum and strength of the horse’s pull overpowered him completely.

No matter how hard he struggled, no matter how desperately he fought to free himself from the whip binding