The first light of dawn filtered through the narrow passage that led to Adrian's safehouse, casting long shadows over the chamber. Serena rose early, her muscles stiff from the night spent on the cold, hard ground. She hadn't slept much—none of them had. The weight of what was to come hung over them like a heavy fog, and even in the silence, there was no peace.
Serena moved to the entrance, her eyes scanning the forest that stretched out below. The rain had stopped, but the air was thick with the smell of damp earth. Somewhere out there, the Seekers and whoever else was after the Lumen Corvus were closing in. Time was running out, and they needed to be ready.
Adrian emerged from the shadows, his movements as quiet and controlled as ever. He stretched lazily, as if they were preparing for a casual hike instead of an ambush that could decide the fate of their world. Serena wasn't fooled. Beneath his calm exterior, she could see the sharpness in his eyes, the readiness of someone who had spent a lifetime walking the edge of danger.
"Ready for a little mountain retreat?" Adrian asked, his voice light but edged with something darker.
Serena gave him a sidelong glance. "This better work, Adrian. If they see through the trap, it's not just the artifact we'll lose. We'll all be dead."
He flashed a quick smile, brushing off the seriousness of her tone. "Trust me, Serena. I don't like losing."
Rebecca and Alex joined them shortly after, both looking worn but determined. Rebecca had cleaned the cut on her forehead from the explosion, and though she looked better, her eyes carried the same wary resolve Serena felt in her own chest.
"How far is this fortress?" Alex asked, adjusting his pack and checking his weapons for what must have been the fifth time.
"About an hour's hike," Adrian answered. "It's tucked away in a series of mountain ridges. We'll approach from the south—it's the least exposed side. The northern approach is too open, and we can't risk giving them any advantage."
Serena nodded. "We need to get into position before they realize what's happening. If we time this right, we can catch them off guard."
Elena, who had been sitting quietly by the wall, stood up and approached the group. She still looked pale, but there was a new sense of determination in her eyes. "I'm coming with you."
Serena hesitated. "It's going to be dangerous. You're not—"
"I'm coming," Elena interrupted, her voice firmer than it had been since they started. "This is about more than just the Lumen Corvus. If we don't stop them now, they'll use it to open a gateway to something we can't control. I've read the legends. I know what's at stake."
Serena studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But stay close. If things go wrong, we'll need to be able to get out fast."
With the decision made, they packed up what little gear they had and set off toward the fortress. The hike through the mountain was steep, the path narrow and treacherous, but Serena kept her focus on the mission ahead. Every step brought them closer to the confrontation she knew was inevitable. The Seekers were coming, and with them, the full force of whatever they believed the Lumen Corvus could unlock.
As they approached the fortress, Adrian pointed out the first signs of the ancient structure—crumbling stone walls partially hidden by the thick foliage. The fortress itself was built into the side of the mountain, its tall, weathered towers still standing despite the centuries of abandonment. It was an imposing sight, even in its ruined state, and Serena could see why Adrian had chosen it as their battleground.
"This place used to belong to a warlord," Adrian explained as they made their way through the overgrown courtyard. "He built it as his last line of defense. The tunnels underneath were meant for retreat, but we'll use them to outflank anyone who tries to come at us head-on."
Serena nodded, impressed despite herself. Adrian's knowledge of the fortress gave them a real advantage, and she could see how the narrow passages and hidden tunnels could turn the tide of battle in their favor.
They spent the next hour preparing their positions, setting traps, and mapping out their escape routes. Serena positioned herself and Rebecca on the upper levels of the fortress, giving them a clear view of the surrounding area. Alex and Adrian took the tunnels, ready to move at a moment's notice if the battle shifted underground. Elena, though nervous, stayed close to Serena, her eyes constantly scanning the horizon for any sign of the enemy.
The sun had risen fully by the time they finished their preparations, casting long shadows across the fortress. The silence was unnerving, the calm before the storm. Serena's nerves were frayed, but she forced herself to stay focused. They couldn't afford any mistakes.
Then, in the distance, Serena heard it—the faint hum of approaching vehicles. Her heart raced. The Seekers were coming.
She signaled to the others, and they all took their positions. Serena crouched low behind the stone wall, her eyes locked on the road leading up to the fortress. The hum grew louder, closer, until finally, the first vehicle came into view—a large black SUV, followed by several others. The convoy rolled up the narrow road, stopping just at the base of the fortress.
Serena held her breath as the doors of the SUVs opened, and a group of armed men stepped out. They moved with military precision, spreading out around the area, their eyes scanning the fortress. But they weren't mercenaries like before. These were different—clad in dark robes, their faces obscured by hoods. Serena's stomach twisted. These were the Seekers.
At the center of the group stood a man taller than the others, his robe more ornate, embroidered with symbols Serena didn't recognize. His face was hidden beneath a hood, but there was no mistaking the aura of command around him. He gestured silently, and the others began to move, fanning out as they prepared to enter the fortress.
Serena's breath caught in her throat. This was it. They had one chance to spring the trap before the Seekers could overwhelm them.
She glanced at Adrian, who was hidden in the shadows of the tunnel entrance, and gave him a nod. He raised his hand, signaling the start of the ambush.
The first trap went off with a deafening bang, sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air as the explosives they had planted on the road detonated. Several of the Seekers were thrown to the ground, disoriented by the sudden explosion. Before they could recover, Serena and Rebecca opened fire from their position above, targeting the Seekers below with precise shots.
Chaos erupted as the Seekers scrambled to take cover, their calm and measured approach shattered by the surprise attack. But they weren't unprepared. Within moments, they were returning fire, their weapons tearing through the stone walls of the fortress with deadly accuracy.
Serena ducked behind the wall, her heart pounding in her chest. The battle had begun, and it was fiercer than she had anticipated. These weren't just fanatics—they were well-trained, disciplined fighters, and they weren't going down easily.
"We need to hit them harder!" Alex's voice crackled over Serena's earpiece, his tone urgent. "They're pushing toward the tunnels!"
Serena gritted her teeth, glancing down at the approaching Seekers. They were moving with terrifying speed, their advance relentless. The ambush had slowed them down, but it wasn't enough.
"We can't let them breach the tunnels," Serena muttered into her earpiece. "Adrian, Alex—hold them off as long as you can."
Adrian's voice came through, calm despite the intensity of the battle. "We'll handle it. Just make sure they don't get to the upper levels."
Serena reloaded her weapon, her mind racing as she prepared for the next wave. The Seekers were getting closer, and every second that passed brought them one step closer to their goal.
The trap had been sprung, but the real fight was only just beginning.
And this time, there would be no second chances.