The storm intensified as Serena, Adrian, and Elena scrambled down the narrow trail, the roar of the wind and rain nearly drowning out their footsteps. The sky was now a chaotic swirl of dark clouds, lightning flashing overhead with increasing frequency. Every step felt treacherous, the slick rocks threatening to send them plummeting down the mountainside. Yet, the real danger wasn't the storm—it was the relentless pursuit of the Covenant, whose drones now circled the area like vultures.
Serena's mind raced as she led the group down the path. She kept her eyes locked on the trail, but her thoughts were on Rebecca and Alex, who had split off in the opposite direction. She trusted Rebecca's instincts, but the mountain was no place for mistakes, and splitting the group was a gamble. Still, Adrian had been right about one thing—if they stayed together, the drones would have found them all.
"How much farther?" Elena shouted over the storm, her voice strained.
"Not far," Serena called back, though in truth, she wasn't certain. The base of the mountain felt impossibly distant, and the weather wasn't helping. She could barely see more than a few feet in front of her, the trail winding and twisting unpredictably.
Behind her, Adrian moved with infuriating ease, his balance seemingly unaffected by the slick rocks. His dark jacket flapped in the wind, but his expression remained unreadable. Serena had to admit, begrudgingly, that his confidence and skill were an asset, but that didn't change how little she trusted him.
They pressed on in silence, each of them focused on the treacherous path ahead. The drone's distant whirring was still audible, a reminder that the Covenant's eyes were always searching.
Suddenly, a sharp crack of thunder split the air, followed by a brilliant flash of lightning that illuminated the mountainside. For a brief moment, Serena saw the vast drop-off to their right—a sheer cliff that descended hundreds of feet into jagged rocks below. Her stomach lurched at the sight, and she pressed herself closer to the mountainside, her heart racing.
"We need to find better cover," she shouted to Adrian, who was just behind her. "This trail's too exposed."
Adrian nodded, glancing around the mist-covered landscape. "There!" he pointed ahead to where a narrow cleft in the rock face jutted out, providing a small overhang that could offer some protection from the drones and the storm.
Serena didn't hesitate. She led the way toward the outcropping, carefully picking her way down the uneven path. Elena followed close behind, her face pale but determined. Adrian moved last, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the sky.
They reached the overhang and ducked beneath it, crouching low as the drone's buzzing grew louder overhead. Serena pressed her back against the cold rock, her breath coming in short gasps as she waited, tense, for the searchlight to sweep across the trail. Beside her, Elena clutched her pack tightly, her knuckles white with tension.
The drone passed overhead, its searchlight barely missing them. Serena held her breath, her heart pounding. After a few tense moments, the drone moved on, its whirring fading into the distance as it continued its patrol.
Serena exhaled slowly, the tension in her body easing slightly. "That was close," she muttered, glancing at Adrian. "We can't keep doing this. If we're caught out in the open again, they'll spot us for sure."
Adrian gave a slight shrug, his calm demeanor unchanged. "Then we'll have to make sure we're not caught. There's another path that leads down into the valley—a hidden trail that's not on any maps. The Covenant won't be able to track us there."
Serena raised an eyebrow. "You know a hidden path?"
Adrian's smirk returned. "I told you, Serena. I have my ways."
Serena felt a surge of frustration. Adrian always had an angle, always knew more than he let on. But right now, they didn't have the luxury of second-guessing him. If he knew a way to avoid the drones, they had no choice but to follow his lead.
"Fine," Serena said, her voice clipped. "Lead the way."
Adrian nodded and slipped out from under the overhang, leading them down a narrow, barely visible trail that cut away from the main path. Serena followed, keeping one hand on the rough stone wall to steady herself. The trail was steep and treacherous, winding through thick underbrush and jagged rocks. The rain poured down harder, turning the dirt into slick mud that made every step feel like a battle for balance.
Elena stumbled once, her foot slipping on the muddy trail, but Serena grabbed her arm and pulled her upright before she could fall. "Careful," Serena warned. "This trail's a death trap."
"I noticed," Elena muttered, regaining her footing.
The hidden path led them deeper into the valley, the oppressive storm clouds looming overhead. The drone's buzzing grew fainter, and Serena hoped they had finally shaken off the Covenant's watchful eye. But as they descended, her gut told her that this was only a temporary reprieve. The Covenant wasn't the type to give up easily.
After what felt like an eternity of tense, careful walking, the path finally leveled out, leading them into a dense forest at the base of the mountain. The thick canopy above provided some shelter from the rain, though the storm continued to rage around them.
"We're close to the valley," Adrian said, his voice low as they paused to catch their breath. "Once we're down there, we can find shelter and regroup."
Serena nodded, her muscles aching from the long descent. She wiped the rain from her face and looked around. The forest was eerily quiet, the only sound the constant patter of rain on leaves. They were out of sight, but not out of danger.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Serena couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and she scanned the trees for any signs of movement. Something wasn't right.
"Adrian," Serena said, her voice tense, "are you sure this trail is safe?"
Adrian paused, glancing at her with a frown. "It's the safest route we have. Why?"
Before Serena could respond, a sharp crack echoed through the forest—the unmistakable sound of a gunshot. Serena's heart lurched as she dove for cover behind a thick tree trunk, adrenaline surging through her veins.
"They've found us!" Elena hissed, her voice filled with panic.
Serena's pulse pounded in her ears as she pressed herself against the tree, her hand going instinctively to her weapon. The forest was filled with shadows, the rain making it difficult to see where the shots were coming from.
"Covenant?" Serena whispered to Adrian.
He shook his head, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the trees. "No. This is something else."
Another shot rang out, closer this time. Serena's mind raced. They were surrounded—by who, she didn't know. But the feeling of being hunted was unmistakable.
Adrian drew his weapon, his expression grim. "Looks like the other players are finally catching up."
Serena's stomach clenched. Adrian had warned them that the Covenant wasn't their only enemy, but she hadn't expected the attack to come so soon. Whoever these new players were, they were coming fast and they weren't waiting to negotiate.
"Stay low!" Serena called to Elena as she crouched behind the tree. "We need to get out of this forest."
Adrian glanced at her, his eyes dark with determination. "This is just the beginning, Serena. Things are about to get a lot more dangerous."
Serena's grip tightened on her weapon as another shot cracked through the air.
He was right.
And the storm wasn't the only thing they needed to survive.