The winding roads of the Carpathian Mountains stretched out before them, shrouded in mist and shadow. As the car climbed higher into the mountains, the atmosphere grew darker, the ancient peaks looming like silent sentinels over the landscape. Serena's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as they drove deeper into the heart of the unknown, her mind buzzing with everything they had learned from Elena.
The Lumen Corvus, the third artifact that, when combined with the Sangreal and Crux Ignis, could reshape reality itself. The thought made Serena's stomach twist with both fear and anticipation. They were chasing something far more powerful than they had originally imagined, and the consequences of finding—or failing to find—it were immeasurable.
In the back seat, Elena sat with a calm confidence that irritated Serena. She had given them the lead, but as always, Serena had to wonder if there were things Elena wasn't telling them. Adrian, riding shotgun, looked out at the dark forests surrounding them with the same calm amusement he always wore, as though none of this fazed him.
Alex and Rebecca, both silent, were just as tense as Serena. Rebecca had been checking her laptop periodically, trying to gather what intelligence she could on the area. But out here, in the mountains, they were in the dark—both literally and figuratively.
"Any movement on the Covenant?" Serena asked quietly, her eyes flicking between the road and the rearview mirror.
Rebecca shook her head. "Not yet, but it's only a matter of time. They'll be looking for us, especially after that auction. We need to get to the location Elena mentioned before they do."
Serena nodded, her mind racing with the urgency of the situation. They didn't have much time. Every second that passed was another second closer to the Covenant closing in on them.
"Care to enlighten us on what exactly we're looking for when we get there?" Serena asked, her tone sharp as she glanced at Elena.
Elena's lips curled into a faint smile. "The Lumen Corvus is hidden in a place known only in old legends. An ancient temple, forgotten by time. The locals believe it's cursed—buried deep in the mountains, and protected by forces that none of us truly understand."
Serena's grip tightened on the wheel. "Forces? You could have mentioned that earlier."
Elena shrugged lightly. "I didn't think you needed another reason to be paranoid."
"Great," Alex muttered from the back seat. "So, we're not just dealing with the Covenant and Adrian, but also curses. This keeps getting better."
Adrian chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Alex. I'm sure you'll handle it just fine."
Serena shot Adrian a look. "This isn't a joke. If the Lumen Corvus is as powerful as Elena says, there are going to be more than just a few obstacles. We need to be prepared for anything."
The road narrowed as they ascended higher into the mountains, the mist thickening around them. The air grew colder, and the landscape became more rugged, with jagged cliffs and dense forests surrounding them on all sides. Serena's eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of the temple or the hidden location they were heading toward.
"Elena, you're sure this is the right area?" Rebecca asked, her voice tense.
Elena's eyes flicked to the window, her gaze distant. "It's here. Trust me, I've spent years tracking this place down. We're getting close."
Serena's heart raced. She had heard legends of ancient temples hidden in the Carpathians, whispered among scholars and treasure hunters. But none of those stories had ever seemed real. Now, driving through the thick mist, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were approaching something far more dangerous than any of them had bargained for.
The road ended at a small clearing, and Serena pulled the car to a stop. Beyond the clearing was a narrow, winding path that led deeper into the forest—too narrow for the car to navigate.
"We'll have to go on foot from here," Serena said, her voice quiet but firm.
The group climbed out of the car, the cool mountain air biting at their skin. Serena grabbed her pack from the trunk, double-checking that the artifacts—the Sangreal and Crux Ignis—were secure inside. They were going into the unknown, and she wasn't about to leave anything behind.
"Everyone ready?" Serena asked, glancing at each of them.
Rebecca nodded, her expression grim but determined. Alex adjusted his pack, wincing slightly from the pain of his still-healing injuries. Adrian stood with an easy confidence, as if this were just another adventure. Elena, as always, looked completely at ease.
Serena led the way down the narrow path, the dense forest closing in around them as they ventured deeper into the mountains. The sounds of the forest—rustling leaves, the distant calls of animals—filled the air, but beneath it all, there was an eerie silence that made Serena's skin crawl.
After an hour of hiking, the path began to rise sharply, leading them up a steep incline. Serena's legs burned with the effort, but she pushed forward, her determination driving her onward. They couldn't afford to stop now. Not when they were so close.
As they climbed higher, the mist parted, revealing a towering cliff face ahead. Carved into the rock was an entrance—an ancient stone archway, half-hidden by overgrown vines and moss. It was massive, its surface covered in intricate carvings that had been worn smooth by time.
Serena's breath caught in her throat. This was it. The temple.
"We're here," she whispered.
The group stood in awe for a moment, taking in the sheer scale of the temple's entrance. It felt ancient, forgotten—untouched by the modern world.
"Elena," Serena said, her voice quiet but firm. "What's inside?"
Elena stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the entrance. "The temple was built to house the Lumen Corvus. According to the legends, it was placed here by an ancient order to protect it from those who would misuse its power. But the temple is… dangerous. There are traps, guardians—things none of us fully understand."
"Guardians?" Rebecca repeated, her voice incredulous.
Elena nodded. "Not human. Something else. The temple itself is a defense mechanism, meant to keep intruders out."
Serena's pulse quickened. This was exactly what she had feared—more unknowns, more dangers. But they had come too far to turn back now.
"We go in," Serena said firmly. "We find the artifact and get out. Stay alert. We don't know what we're up against."
Without another word, Serena stepped forward, leading the way through the massive stone archway. The temperature dropped sharply as they entered the temple, the darkness swallowing them whole. Their footsteps echoed off the cold stone walls as they moved deeper into the temple's labyrinthine corridors.
The air was heavy, oppressive, and Serena could feel the weight of centuries pressing down on them. The further they went, the more she could sense the presence of something ancient—something powerful.
The path twisted and turned, leading them through narrow passageways and vast chambers, each more foreboding than the last. The walls were covered in carvings—symbols and images that seemed to tell a story, though none of them could decipher the meaning.
Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the temple, and the ground beneath them trembled. Serena froze, her heart hammering in her chest.
"What was that?" Alex whispered, his voice tense.
Before anyone could answer, the walls around them seemed to shift, the stone grinding against itself as the passageway ahead began to close.
"Move!" Serena shouted, her voice cutting through the rising panic.
They sprinted forward, the temple coming to life around them as traps and mechanisms activated, the ancient defenses finally awakened after centuries of dormancy.
The race for the Lumen Corvus had begun.