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Her lungs burned from the cold morning air, and her legs ached from the long run. Furina began to stumble every other step as soon as her feet hit the sand, which lay a fair distance from the sea.
The actions of the island flying in the sky were impossible to predict. De Fontaine kept trying to make out the features of Focalors' face as she ran ahead. To understand whether things were truly that bad right now, and what needed to be done next. But the long locks billowing in the strengthening wind obscured the former Archon's face, and only weary wheezes came from the girl's throat.
De Fontaine wanted to recoil from the cold water that had enveloped her ankles, knees, elbows, and then her head, but the voice of Focalors sounding in her mind called her to move farther away from the surface, to hide where they would not be searched for. At least for the time being.
The cold constricted her throat. Only large bubbles of air escaped her mouth. Furina did not dare to speak. Her arms rowed with all their might in an attempt to catch up with Focalors' figure plunging downward.
"Wa... wait, please," the words came out with difficulty, but no response came in the form of Focalors returning to the lagging De Fontaine.
She needed a short rest. To hide behind a large rock and hope they had a couple of minutes to gather their strength. Swimming over to one of the small caves, the girl's eyes began scanning the area. Seaweed, darting small fish, and armored crabs.
Her gaze stopped on a familiar blue glow, which had ceased moving forward. From behind the tall green seaweed, a female figure emerged. She rose back up to Furina. Thin arms wrapped around her shoulders and nudged the girl forward. Only after De Fontaine had swum away from the temporary shelter did Focalors gently take Furina's palm and continue on, almost carrying the girl along due to De Fontaine's lack of strength.
"Not much longer. Do you see that little cave behind the seaweed? We'll rest there and then move on."
Furina struggled to focus on what awaited them ahead. She gave a weak nod to show she understood and pressed herself closer to Focalors.
The refuge turned out to be spacious enough for two full-grown adults. It would be good if it remained as safe as it appeared. They won't look for them here. Right?