The warmth of the cabin's fire was comforting, but the tension between Serena and Alexander remained thick as they sat at the wooden table, staring at the artifact. The air inside the small, isolated cabin was heavy with anticipation. Serena's heart raced as she kept her eyes on the stone disk. Whatever power it held, it was more than they could have imagined.
Outside, the snow continued to fall steadily, blanketing the forest in a white stillness. The distant howl of the wind through the trees made Serena feel even more cut off from the world—a world that was still hunting them. Vanguard was out there, closing in. But inside this cabin, Serena felt something else—an energy that wasn't just coming from the artifact. It was coming from her.
"This place feels different," Serena whispered, her voice barely breaking the silence. She glanced at Alexander, who was sitting across from her, his gaze fixed on the glowing artifact.
"I feel it too," he said quietly. "It's like the air itself is charged."
Serena's hand hovered over the stone disk, the faint glow casting flickering shadows on her skin. The artifact hummed softly, its energy almost vibrating through the wooden table. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The artifact had already saved them once, back at the monastery. But Serena knew they had only scratched the surface of its true power.
"What if I'm meant to unlock it fully?"
she asked, her voice uncertain.
"Back in the monastery, it reacted to me. But I still don't understand why."
Alexander leaned forward, his expression serious. "Your family's connection to the artifact runs deep. It chose you for a reason, Serena. Maybe you're the only one who can unlock its full potential."
Serena wasn't sure if that comforted or frightened her. The idea of having control over such immense power was terrifying. What if she couldn't handle it? What if, in trying to stop Vanguard, she became something else—something dangerous?
"I don't even know how to use it," Serena admitted, her hands resting on the table.
"What if I can't control it?"
Alexander reached out, his hand resting gently on top of hers. His touch was warm, grounding her. "You can do this," he said firmly. "I believe in you. We've come this far together, and we're not giving up now."
Serena's eyes softened, and she squeezed his hand in return. Alexander had been by her side through every twist and turn. He had faced danger head-on, never wavering in his loyalty or his belief in her. His confidence gave her the strength to face the unknown.
Taking a deep breath, Serena slowly lifted the artifact in her hands. The moment her fingers touched the cool surface of the stone, she felt a surge of energy ripple through her body. It wasn't painful, but it was intense—like a sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The artifact glowed brighter, its hum growing louder, filling the room with a low, resonant sound.
Alexander watched her closely, his expression cautious but supportive. "Serena, whatever happens, I'm right here."
She nodded, her grip tightening on the artifact as she focused on the connection she had felt back in the monastery. It had been raw, instinctive, like the artifact was speaking to her in a language she didn't fully understand. Now, she had to dig deeper, to trust the bond between them.
Closing her eyes, Serena allowed herself to feel the energy of the artifact flowing through her. It was powerful, ancient, and alive. Slowly, she let her mind drift, surrendering to the sensation of the artifact's presence.
The humming grew louder, and the glow intensified. Serena's heart pounded as she sensed something unlocking within her—something she hadn't realized was there. The energy of the artifact wasn't just inside the stone disk. It was inside her, too.
Images began to flash through her mind—memories that weren't hers but felt familiar. She saw glimpses of ancient rituals, of people dressed in robes, gathered around a fire. She saw her ancestors, passing the artifact from one generation to the next, always guarding it, protecting its power from those who would misuse it.
The visions were overwhelming, but Serena didn't pull away. She let them wash over her, immersing herself in the history and the legacy that had been entrusted to her family for centuries.
And then, the final image came—clearer than the others.
Serena saw herself, standing in the center of a great hall, holding the artifact high above her head. A burst of light erupted from the stone, filling the room with radiant energy. She wasn't alone. Behind her stood generations of Blackwoods, their faces solemn, watching her. They were guiding her, showing her the way.
When the vision faded, Serena's eyes snapped open, and she gasped, her heart racing. She was back in the cabin, the artifact still glowing in her hands.
Alexander leaned closer, his eyes wide with concern. "Serena? What did you see?"
Serena took a shaky breath, her mind reeling from the intensity of the vision. "I saw them," she whispered. "My ancestors. They were… guiding me. It's like they've been waiting for this moment."
"What does that mean?" Alexander asked, his voice filled with awe.
Serena shook her head, still trying to process everything. "The artifact… it's been passed down for generations, but it was never meant to be used—until now. My family was chosen to protect it, to keep it safe until the right time. And now, that time has come."
Alexander's expression grew serious. "So the artifact is more than just a source of power. It's a responsibility."
Serena nodded, her gaze fixed on the glowing stone. "The artifact is tied to our family's legacy. It's connected to me in ways I don't fully understand yet, but I know one thing—it's meant to stop Vanguard. That's why it was hidden for so long. They can't control it because it wasn't made for them."
Alexander's eyes darkened. "Then we need to figure out how to use it to stop Damon. He's not going to stop coming for it."
Serena took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "We will. The artifact has shown me what it can do. But first, I need to fully unlock its power."
Before either of them could say another word, a loud thud echoed from outside the cabin. Serena's head snapped toward the door, her body tensing as she listened. The sound came again—closer this time.
Alexander moved quickly, pulling a knife from his bag and nodding toward the door. "They found us," he said quietly. "We need to be ready."
Serena's heart pounded in her chest as she clutched the artifact, its energy humming louder than ever. Damon Hale and his Vanguard agents had found them, but this time, Serena wasn't just running.
This time, she was ready to fight.
As the door of the cabin creaked open, Serena felt the artifact pulse in her hands, its power radiating through her like a wildfire. She locked eyes with Alexander, their unspoken plan clear.
They would face whatever came next together.