The morning came far too quickly for Serena's liking. The cool dawn mist clung to the forest, wrapping the world in a blanket of gray as she stood at the mouth of the cave, watching Adrian and Elena prepare to leave. The uneasy silence between them only added to the tension hanging in the air. Today marked the beginning of a new, uncertain chapter—one that filled Serena with more anxiety than she cared to admit.
She glanced over at Adrian, who was securing the last of his gear. His movements were smooth, efficient, as though he had done this a hundred times before. Serena couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Adrian thrived in situations like this, where chaos gave him room to maneuver. It made him unpredictable, and that worried her more than anything else.
Elena, on the other hand, looked nervous, though her determination was evident. She was holding the small pack close to her chest, her eyes flicking between Adrian and Serena as if she were caught between two forces pulling in opposite directions. Serena hated sending her off with Adrian, but she had to trust that Elena could handle herself. She had proven it time and again, even if she didn't realize how strong she was.
Rebecca stood beside Serena, her arms crossed, watching the two prepare. "I still think this is a bad idea," she muttered, her voice low. "Splitting up makes us weaker."
Serena nodded. "I know. But we don't have a choice. We can't afford to be predictable right now. And Adrian's right—we need to gather more information before we can make our next move."
Rebecca sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Just make sure that snake doesn't double-cross us."
Serena's lips tightened. "Believe me, I'll be watching."
Adrian approached them, his smirk faint but present. "Ready for your pep talk, Serena? Or is this the part where you tell me not to mess things up?"
Serena shot him a cold look. "Just make sure Elena stays safe. And don't try anything stupid."
Adrian placed a hand over his heart, feigning mock sincerity. "I'm hurt. But don't worry, we'll be in touch regularly. And I'll be sure to keep Elena out of trouble."
Elena stepped forward, her expression more serious than Adrian's playful demeanor. "We'll find out what we can about the Lumen Corvus. There has to be someone who knows how to destroy it."
Serena nodded, reaching out to squeeze Elena's arm. "I trust you. Just be careful, okay?"
Elena smiled softly, though the tension in her eyes remained. "I will."
Serena watched as Adrian and Elena disappeared into the mist, their figures fading into the thick forest. A part of her wanted to call out, to stop them, but she knew that their journey had to continue in different directions. There were too many unknowns now, and they had to cover more ground if they wanted to stay ahead of their enemies.
As soon as they were out of sight, Rebecca sighed heavily. "I don't like it. Leaving them alone with Adrian—he's got his own motives. You know that."
Serena turned to Rebecca, her voice steady but conflicted. "I know. But we need him, at least for now. If he can help us find out more about the artifact, we'll deal with him later. Right now, we focus on staying hidden and figuring out who else is hunting the Lumen Corvus."
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly are we supposed to start with that?"
Serena scanned the forest, her mind racing. "We'll head south. There are some old contacts I have down near the coast. People who might know what's been going on in the underground world of artifact hunters. If anyone's heard rumors about the Lumen Corvus, it'll be them."
Rebecca nodded. "Alright. Lead the way."
They gathered their things quickly, moving with practiced efficiency. Serena had spent years learning how to stay off the radar, how to move without leaving a trace, but the weight of the Lumen Corvus in her pack made her hyper-aware of every step. This wasn't just about survival anymore—it was about keeping a force of unimaginable power out of the wrong hands.
As they started south, moving deeper into the forest, Serena couldn't shake the gnawing feeling of doubt that clung to her like a shadow. She had always been able to rely on her instincts, but the stakes were higher now, the lines more blurred. She trusted her team, but the danger of the artifact was beginning to test those bonds.
After hours of walking in relative silence, Rebecca finally spoke. "You're worried about him, aren't you? Adrian, I mean."
Serena glanced at her, not surprised by the question. "Adrian's always had his own agenda. He's not exactly trustworthy, but he's resourceful. And right now, we need that."
Rebecca frowned, her brow furrowing. "I get that. But what if he decides he wants to use the artifact? He's always been a wild card. We've seen how power corrupts people."
Serena exhaled, her mind drifting back to her conversation with Adrian the night before. The idea of using the Lumen Corvus had crossed his mind—Serena had seen it in his eyes. But she couldn't let herself get caught up in that fear now. They had to focus on the immediate threats.
"If Adrian tries anything, we'll deal with it," Serena said, her voice firm. "But for now, he's not the enemy."
Rebecca seemed to consider this for a moment, then shrugged. "I just hope you're right."
They continued their journey in silence after that, the tension between them growing as the hours passed. The terrain shifted as they moved south, the trees becoming denser, the air more humid. The forest was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird. But the quiet didn't comfort Serena—it made her feel exposed.
As night began to fall, they found a small clearing surrounded by thick trees, providing just enough cover to set up a makeshift camp. Serena sat by the small fire they had built, her eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement. Her senses were on high alert, every instinct telling her that they were being watched, even if there was no visible threat.
Rebecca sat beside her, the firelight flickering across her face. "We should get some sleep," she said quietly. "We've got a long way to go tomorrow."
Serena nodded but didn't take her eyes off the forest. "You sleep first. I'll take the first watch."
Rebecca didn't argue, her exhaustion evident as she lay down beside the fire, her eyes closing almost immediately.
Serena sat in silence, the weight of the Lumen Corvus heavy in her pack. The forest around them was dark, the shadows stretching long and deep, but she couldn't shake the feeling that they were not alone.
Every crack of a twig, every shift of the wind made her tense. She could feel it—the presence of something watching, waiting. But whether it was a remnant of the artifact's power or something else entirely, she couldn't be sure.
She tightened her grip on her knife, her eyes scanning the darkness.
Whatever came next, she had to be ready.