CH97 - Kai's POV

Despite the cramps in my sides, I push onwards. I’ve finally lost that fool who kept chasing me, but now I’ve delayed returning to Dereck’s small group by quite some time. There has been no sign of them yet and I fear they’re still fighting or something else has delayed them.

I perk my ears forward and listen out for any signs of the others. I was sure I had left them around here somewhere. There are no familiar sounds of battling anywhere near me.

I glance around for something familiar. Had I taken the wrong turn earlier? Or had they fled the area? Dereck would have tried losing them at some point, but would he have gone so far in the wrong direction?

I want to call out to them, but there could still be enemies around here somewhere. Instead, I lower my head to the ground. If I can find even a trace of their scent, then that’ll lead me in the right direction. At first, nothing stands out to me, but after more searching, I find Dere