The cold wind whipped across the mountainside as Serena stood on the narrow ledge, the weight of the Lumen Corvus heavy in her pack. The distant rumble of the temple continued to echo in the air, a reminder of the ancient forces they had disturbed. Behind her, the others were catching their breath, their faces pale and drawn with exhaustion. But there was no time to rest—the mountain wasn't safe, and they weren't alone.
Serena looked out at the gathering storm clouds, her heart still racing from their narrow escape. The sky had darkened, thick clouds swirling overhead, and she could feel the first drops of rain against her skin. The storm was coming fast, and it would only make things more dangerous.
"We need to move," she said, her voice cutting through the wind. "The temple's defenses might have slowed down the guardian, but it's not going to stop it for long."
Rebecca wiped the sweat from her brow, her breathing still heavy from the climb. "Where do we go from here? The Covenant's going to be on us soon. We need to get out of the mountains."
Serena's mind raced, trying to calculate their next move. They were high up in the Carpathians, with steep cliffs and narrow paths all around. There was only one way down the mountain, and if the Covenant was tracking them—which they undoubtedly were—it would be a dangerous, harrowing descent.
Adrian, who had been unusually quiet since their escape from the temple, stood at the edge of the cliff, his eyes scanning the horizon. His usual smugness was gone, replaced by a rare seriousness. "The storm's going to make it hard for them to track us, but we can't count on that for long. Once they realize we have the Lumen Corvus, they'll throw everything they have at us."
Serena shot him a wary glance. "Why are you still here, Adrian? You got what you wanted. The artifact's in our hands, but that doesn't mean you're part of this."
Adrian turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "Don't be so quick to push me away, Serena. You're going to need me more than ever now. The Lumen Corvus is only half the battle. The Covenant isn't the only threat we're up against."
Serena's jaw tightened. She didn't trust Adrian—never had, never would—but the truth was, they needed all the help they could get. The Lumen Corvus was too powerful, and the enemies after it were too many. But relying on Adrian was like dancing with a devil who knew all the steps, and she wasn't keen on letting him lead.
"Elena," Serena said, turning to the woman who had led them here, "you said this artifact is part of a trinity of power. If the Sangreal, Crux Ignis, and Lumen Corvus are combined, what happens? What's the Covenant planning?"
Elena's eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and excitement as she adjusted the strap of her pack. "They're after total control—over life, death, and reality itself. The Lumen Corvus holds the key to unlocking that control. If they get their hands on all three artifacts… they'll be able to rewrite the laws of existence. It would be the end of the world as we know it."
Serena's stomach twisted. This wasn't just about power or influence—it was about reshaping reality itself. The stakes had never been higher, and now, with the Lumen Corvus in their possession, they were carrying the very thing that could tip the balance.
"We're not letting that happen," Serena said firmly. "But first, we have to get off this mountain."
Rebecca pointed to a narrow trail that wound its way down the cliffside, barely visible in the fading light. "That's the only way down. It'll take us to the base of the mountain, but it's treacherous—especially in this weather."
Serena nodded, already feeling the weight of the coming storm pressing down on them. "We don't have a choice. We'll move fast and stay low. If the Covenant's tracking us, we can't afford to be seen."
Without another word, they started down the trail, the wind howling around them as the storm intensified. The rain began to fall in earnest, pelting them with cold drops that made the rocky path slick and dangerous. Every step was a calculated risk, and one wrong move could send them tumbling down the cliffside.
Serena led the way, her eyes focused on the narrow trail ahead, her body tense with the effort of keeping her balance. Behind her, Rebecca followed, with Alex and Elena close behind. Adrian brought up the rear, moving with the same practiced ease that had always irritated Serena. He was far too comfortable in dangerous situations.
The rain fell harder, turning the trail into a slippery mess of mud and jagged rocks. The sky was a deep, angry gray, and thunder rumbled in the distance, growing louder with each passing minute. Serena's boots slipped more than once, but she caught herself before falling, her heart racing with the knowledge that they were one misstep away from disaster.
"We're exposed out here," Alex called from behind her, his voice barely audible over the wind. "If the Covenant's watching the mountain, they'll see us."
Serena glanced over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the darkening sky. He was right. The trail offered little cover, and if the Covenant had drones or scouts in the area, they could be spotted at any moment.
"Keep moving," Serena shouted back. "We'll find cover when we can, but right now, we need to get off this ridge."
The rain pounded harder, the wind driving it into their faces like icy needles. The path grew narrower as it wound around the side of the mountain, and the drop below became steeper, a sheer cliff that fell hundreds of feet into the fog-covered valley below. Serena's heart raced with every step, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps as the storm bore down on them.
Suddenly, a flash of movement caught Serena's eye. She froze, her pulse spiking as she spotted something in the sky—a dark shape moving fast through the clouds.
"Drones!" Rebecca shouted, spotting it too. "They've found us!"
Serena's blood ran cold. The Covenant was here.
"We need cover!" Serena yelled, her voice barely audible over the storm. "Now!"
Adrian pointed to a jagged outcropping of rock just ahead, where the trail dipped down into a narrow crevice. "There! We can take shelter!"
They scrambled down the trail, the wind howling around them as the drone buzzed closer. Serena could hear the high-pitched whir of its blades, cutting through the storm like a predator hunting its prey.
They reached the outcropping and ducked into the narrow crevice, pressing themselves against the cold, wet stone. The drone flew overhead, its searchlight cutting through the darkness, scanning the mountainside for any sign of movement.
Serena held her breath, her body tense as the drone passed over them. The wind howled, the rain pounded, but for the moment, they were hidden.
"We can't stay here long," Rebecca whispered, her eyes wide with fear. "They'll send more."
Serena nodded, her mind racing. The Covenant was closing in, and they were running out of options.
"We need to split up," Adrian said suddenly, his voice calm despite the danger. "It's the only way we'll have a chance. If we move as one group, they'll pick us off."
Serena's instincts screamed to keep the group together, but Adrian was right. If they stayed in one place, they would be trapped. But splitting up meant taking even greater risks.
"Fine," Serena said through gritted teeth. "We'll split into two groups. Rebecca, you go with Alex. I'll take Adrian and Elena. We'll meet at the base of the mountain."
Rebecca hesitated for a moment, but she nodded. "Be careful."
With that, they slipped out of the crevice, splitting off into the storm. Serena's heart raced as she moved down the mountain with Adrian and Elena, the Lumen Corvus pressing heavily against her back.
They were running out of time.
And the Covenant was closing in.